WORD IS BORN

I started this blog WAY back in 2007 as "Word Is Born." The spirit remains the same: my thoughts and photos, random as they are. Enjoy.

Latest Grams:

WE THREE ARE ITALIAN CITIZENS! 🇮🇹 🎉 (Note: Super weird to celebrate anything considering COVID-19 and Black injustice crises.) Twelve years ago -- way before I had kids, right before I met Amanda -- I started exploring dual citizenship. Perch&egra

WE THREE ARE ITALIAN CITIZENS! 🇮🇹 🎉 (Note: Super weird to celebrate anything considering COVID-19 and Black injustice crises.) Twelve years ago -- way before I had kids, right before I met Amanda -- I started exploring dual citizenship. Perchè no? I didn't know what the future would hold, but I knew opening more doors for education and work in my father's country and greater EU would be good for me and future generations. Oh, and the history, culture, landscapes, pride of lineage, etc. I wanted to power up from half Italian to full citizen. I set a first citizenship appointment in San Francisco in 2010, the same year Amanda and I married, but didn't get enough paperwork together time. I had some other stops and starts but thanks to some major legwork led by cousin @mikebaiocchi I finally set an appointment two years ago for a January 2020 appointment at the consulate in San Francisco. We made it a fun little family vacation. The appointment itself went well (after some fair shaming about my language progress). We came home and waited for confirmation but of course COVID-19 devastated Italy, and I didn't expect to hear anything soon. Well, the surprise came in the mail today 🙌🏻. Eliza and Matteo automatically gained citizenship. Amanda has a few more steps (notably a high level of language achievement) to gain citizenship through marriage, but I am super pumped to reach this longtime goal! Forza Italia! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

Took the family for a (peaceful protest) walk around the neighborhood. 👊🏻👊🏽👊🏿

Took the family for a (peaceful protest) walk around the neighborhood. 👊🏻👊🏽👊🏿

Last day in Kent HQ (but not my last at REI!). I've spent some of my best years here in the Kent valley.

I remember after leaving Eddie Bauer, my next stop had to be REI. They had a co-op model, big stores, real community events! I knocked on t

Last day in Kent HQ (but not my last at REI!). I've spent some of my best years here in the Kent valley. I remember after leaving Eddie Bauer, my next stop had to be REI. They had a co-op model, big stores, real community events! I knocked on these doors and many kind people responded. @nattyluna and @jordowilliams kindly met me for informational interviews. @lux2, after intense interrogation, finally conceded and offered me a job on the social media team to join @kelly_ann_walsh. Shout out to some of my other bosses over the years: @rowleycraig, @sarahjeanneisme @mrajet and @ph9er. Too many colleagues and teammates over the years to tag but so appreciative of the shared time. The work we did in this place will define my career and the brand for years to come. OptOutside, Force of Nature, etc. I’ve been able to pay it forward and meet people for informational interviews and hire some of them myself. I’ve met a lot of great people and forged a kit of friendship with people who were also willing to come to Kent. Because the location doesn’t matter so much as the mission. Shout out to those who literally drove with me and endured the I-5 commute that future generations won't comprehend: @jruckle @angelafgow @halleyrebecca @shelb_hall. Next stop, REI Tacoma (work at home) and a smattering of new Bellevue HQ. Onward.

I published monthly letters for these Puget Sound saltwater 🐟. Link in profile. #deareliza #dearmatteo

Dear Eliza, 86 Months Old

December 10, 2022

Wash your hands. Take your vitamins. Do what must be done to help end this season of sickness.

The better part of the last two months — naturally coinciding with the school year — has knocked us out with a series of bugs, viruses, and infections. All the fun stuff.

A silver lining of the pandemic is that we got used to masks, social distancing, and other measures that kept us healthy for a streak of years. Now that we’re back to normal behaviors, we’re back to normal germ spreading and catching up sick days.

I got it first in a series of back-to-back COVID and seasonal flu. A couple of weeks later, the rest of the family took the hit. We thought you had a stomach flu after some early-morning vomiting on our bedroom carpet. The cat joined in by coughing up a hairball nearby. Nice. It turns out you and Matteo both contracted strep, surely through one of your friends at school as Matteo was already home for days dealing with a crunchy cough. Then your Mom contracted COVID at the exact same time but not strep. Along the way, Matteo got a double ear infection and could hardly hear for more than a week and responded to most conversations or questions with, “WHAT?!”

Somehow I didn’t have any illness but became the family driver between doctor visits and phamarcy resupplies. We encouraged you to “smash” the liquid antibiotics to get beyond the undesired flavor. College Greek systems have proven the method to be effective with other liquids.

You both do a pretty good job at being sick because it means a lot of screen time, which you don’t mind. You also kept the Christmas spirit alive, focusing a lot on our household elves, Elfie and Tinsel, who move around our house at night. Every morning you wake up to hunt for them and beat Matteo to finding out where they wound up. Then you proclaim your win and get on with the rest of your day. It’s not quite the holiday spirit, but close enough.

I think you’re going to have a great Christmas season ahead, and I’m glad we’re all feeling a lot better so we can enjoy it. Less medicine, more merry.

Love, Dad