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

August 14, 2006 in Uncategorized

I had an eventful weekend. My band focuspoint recorded a demo on Saturday. You can listen to the songs on our MySpace page. We'd love some feedback. Thanks to those who already gave us their ideas. I think we'll be back in the studio next month to finish the job.

Later Saturday night, after some drinks at Boundary Bay, we played a great show at Chiribins. Our set was tight, and we stuck around to listen to the other bands, Bad Lucas and Armonikos. After closing the bar, most of our group went to our friend Luke's house for a party, but Chris (guitarist), Kristen (groupie), Danny (drummer, groupie) and I were tired and opted for Russian dumplings from Pel'meni instead.

On Sunday I did go over to Luke's house for a small party. There I met Luke's roomate named Stabbin Hobo. Make your mental pictures now, and be sure to include a kilt. Stabbin Hobo just got back from Flowmotion's Summer Meltdown, which is basically a retro-psychedlic concert/hippie festival near Arlington. Several thousand (often naked) hippies attended the concert and, combined, could have filled a pharmacy with recreational drugs. Stabbin Hobo said he got his orgy fix at the festival, which couldn't have been too hard. Naked hippies + drugs = sex. Needless to say, Stabbin Hobo's stories kept me entertained.

My rock stardom weekend has come to a close and I'm back in the work week. I'm looking forward to seeing roomates-to-be Katrine and Moos tonight. Hopefully, we'll have a celebratory drink for landing a house or apartment in Ballard today or tomorrow. We're keeping our fingers crossed.