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

How it all went down

June 18, 2009 in Uncategorized

I'm pleased to announced that Amanda and I are hosting our engagement blog, PM|AM, over at http://mottolas.blogspot.com. Be sure to save that address if you want to keep up on our latest engagement adventures. Then again, avoid it at all costs if the mushy stuff makes you queezy.

We'll have lots more videos, photos and stories over there. I'll of course cross-post the important stuff here, too. It's a work in progress, but we are both posting there (gasp!) so check it out! (Who said I couldn't share?)

Another quarter, another A

June 17, 2009 in Uncategorized

I hate to sound like a broken record but...

I got another 4.0. Woot! Take that, graduate law class!

It makes me want to sing...

Nina's reaction

June 16, 2009 in Uncategorized

I let my sister Nina know that I was going to propose to Amanda just a few days beforehand and recorded the Skype conversation for your entertainment. Enjoy!

ENGAGED!

June 14, 2009 in Uncategorized

Surprise! I proposed to Amanda on Saturday! On our way to the Sounders game and after a great dinner at Purple, we stopped at a spot in Pioneer Square where I totally surprised Amanda with a ring and gave her a custom Mottola Sounders jersey, too. Many, many more details to come, but here are the pictures of our day. Thanks for all the love and support!

Cuddy apologizes to Mom

June 12, 2009 in Uncategorized

My friend and coworker Cuddy thought he played a solid prank on me at work by sending out an email from my computer saying that focuspoint's next tour will be "entirely nude renditions of Chinese rock songs in commemoration of the Tienanmen Square 'incident.'"

It was a good prank, but I retaliated to prove my title as "Undisputed Greatest Prankster in the Office." I recorded the following video and distributed it to the entire office.

Who's the king?