• Contact
  • Family Letters
    • Summary and Campaigns
    • Feature Films
    • Short Films
    • Editorial
    • Podcasts
Menu

Paolo M. Mottola Jr.

  • Contact
  • Family Letters
  • Day Job
    • Summary and Campaigns
    • Feature Films
    • Short Films
    • Editorial
    • Podcasts

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

Dear Matteo, 67 Months Old

February 03, 2023

In your most frustrated moments you like to say, “I have the worst ideas!” and “My ideas are always so bad.”

We all self-pout and doubt, and I’ll tell you here like I tell you in-person: you have a lot of great ideas, and it’s all about when and how you make them happen.

For example, suggesting that it’s time for dessert is a great idea, just not before dinnertime. Asking to build Legos or make a smoothie an hour past your bedtime are also poorly-timed, good ideas. Putting your fingers forcefully inside Luna’s mouth is never a good idea and that’s why you have bite marks. Sometime you have to take more than a hint.

Now let’s talk about some great ideas you’ve had lately.

You decided to play basketball and are a top player on the court at all times. Your Mom’s Hoosier vibes come out and she loves it. I have accepted that the basketball Saturday games conflict with ski season, or I keep telling myself that.

You decided to stop playing baseball despite your awesome eye-hand coordination and monster throwing arm, but I appreciate the early-in-life prioritization.

You want to ski higher and explore more of the mountain on our ski days. I love this! This past weekend, you and your sister skied more runs off the gondola than any other lift at Crystal Mountain, which means you can ski most of the resort now with regularly scheduled hot chocolate and food breaks.

I’ll help you continue to place your good ideas at the right place and time. In turn, I hope that you start to consider some of my ideas as good, too. That starts with going to bed on time. That’s always the best idea.

Love, Dad

← Dear Eliza, 88 Months OldDear Eliza, 87 Months Old →
Back to Top

Copyright 2024.