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

April 28, 2008 in Uncategorized

It's been a stressful past couple weeks, but the first round of The Bigger Dance is now complete and my bracket is looking good. My Final Four -- Katherine Heigl, Scarlett Johansson, Elin Nordegren and Jessica Alba -- are all still in it.

I did take some hits though. Paris Hilton, how could you not beat that dumb broad Jessica Simpson? Evangeline Lilly, you know I needed you to upset Jennifer Aniston. Elliott Spitzer's hooker, I had faith you could beat Ali Larter and you didn't. I guess hookers aren't meant to be Cinderella's.

Tomorrow's the beginning of the second round. My picks for the day:

#1 seed Katherine Heigl over #9 seed Molly Sims.
#5 seed Kim Kardashian upsetting #4 seed Angelina Jolie.
#2 seed Eva Longoria over #7 seed Stacy Keibler.
Lastly, I don't care if #3 seed Carrie Underwood beats #11 seed Ana Ivanovic because Monica Bellucci lost in the first round and that screwed up that leg of my bracket.

Regardless of the outcome, these women are all champions in my... eyes.

UPDATE:

DEFEATS

My Gold Medal Region is screwed. #9 seed Molly Sims destroyed #1 seed Katherine Heigl. The report from the field:

(FERNDALE) -- Unbe-*#@$%-ing-lievable. Katherine Heigl is out. The number one seed in the Gold Medal Winner Region lost to nine-seed Molly Sims in a blowout. In one of the most shocking finals in Bigger Dance history, Sims obliterated Heigl 46 to 27. Brackets are being torn up all around the world.