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Paolo M. Mottola Jr.

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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, 63 Months Old

October 03, 2022

Your musical tastes continue to grow. Mom laughed as she told me about how you two were in the car and while listening to “Free Fallin;” asked if the song was by John “Cougar” Mellencamp.

Of course, that song is by Tom Petty, but wow you are right on genre.

I wish your favorite song was “Free Fallin’,” but it pales in requests to another classic from the modern era: “Sexyback”. That’s your age-inappropriate jam. You like to sing the “yeah” line in between bars and like the challenge as you’re still trying to catch the beat. Your broad taste has been accelerated by your unwilligness to go to sleep at night and affinity to command Alexa to play music in your room long after your bedtime to practice lyrics and Home Alone bed-jumping-style dance moves.

You also like to dance to “brain break” videos on YouTube, like one for the Ghostbusters theme song. Because of that Ghostbusters interest, you asked to watch the real movie, starring Bill Murray. It ages well, so I was just as game to watch the movie and start the Halloween season. We pushed the limits of age-appropriate content there too, but I mitigated nightmares through some strategic fast-forwarding through the scarier parts.

What I love most about your musical interests is your willingness to perform. You try to rap Macklemore songs. You perform dances for us to the newest Pixar movie soundtrack and sometimes get roped into Eliza’s plays, often involving and annoying Luna. Your Mom and I are always a happy audience. Whenvever you pull on my shirt and say, “Hey Dada. I got a new dance move to show you,” I gladly moonwalk to the couch to enjoy the show.

Love, Dad

← Dear Eliza, 84 Months OldDear Eliza, 83 Months Old →
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