A gorgeously gaudy glittering surprise in the Governor's meeting room in the newly renovated state capitol
The People's House
When I was on capitol hill last week for the Fair Workplace Rally I snapped a few pictures of the newly renovated building. It's breathtaking, it always has been, but it's particularly stunning after the restoration.
It reminds me of Union Station in Washington, D.C.
If you saw the murals before the restoration, you can appreciate how vibrant the colors are now.
The rotunda is probably my favorite feature.
It reminds me of Union Station in Washington, D.C.
If you saw the murals before the restoration, you can appreciate how vibrant the colors are now.
The rotunda is probably my favorite feature.
Pass HB 89!
I was at the state capitol building last week for a rally supporting HB 89, Anti-discrimination Act Amendments. If passed this bill will make it illegal to discriminate against citizens in the workplace based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Pretty simple, right? We hire people because they have the skills necessary to perform the job and perform it well. We promote them when they do an exceptionally good job. We fire them when they fail to perform and were given due process to make their case. Period. I wish it were that simple for Utah's legislators. Many of them feel that passing this bill is a guaranteed slippery slope fer them there gays marryin' and takin' over the cul-de-sac with their crazy notion of being human. Honestly, I can't argue the opposition to this bill because I'm not able to comprehend the argument. Furthermore, I refuse to give the opposition power and energy by naming it at all.Representative Chris Johnson spoke at the rally, hosted by Equality Utah, and posted the full text of her speech on the Equality Utah website. I put select bits in this post because while it's difficult to explain the electricity of a rally and the emotional moments of a speech when the crowd cheers in unison, at least you'll get to read her inspiring words.
"It’s a good sign that we never get an honest argument against employment nondiscrimination...we know discrimination is the true immorality. HB89 is not about Marriage equality, it’s not about putting a stamp of approval on homosexuality, it’s about one thing and one thing only....fairness in the workplace. It’s about once and for all allowing one’s work performance, experience, and education as the genuine criteria for hiring and firing."
"The agenda is not a gay agenda, it’s an equality agenda, it’s a truly democratic and American Agenda."
"Be patient with those that agree and disagree. Thank them for where they are, thank them for a willingness to listen and learn. Encourage them to ask questions and gently move them forward. I am preaching to the choir....so go and sing your song."
Right on! I hope that when our legislators grow up they want to be Chris Johnson.
Snow Day!
I began the day yesterday with every intention of going to work and plowing through my to-do piles (To-do lists just don't cut it anymore. I now require a never-ending plethora of teetering piles). However, Mother Nature had very different plans for me.
I made it about five blocks from my house in roughly 30 minutes, white knuckle driving in a completely slushy white-out blizzard. Not able to see ten feet in front of my vehicle and quickly realizing this death luge was so not worth it, I called the office, turned into the closest movie theatre, and rode out the storm with three glorious hours of Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will be Blood). I stopped at Paradise Bakery on the way home (Could I eat their chicken artichoke panini every day? Yes. I could.) and read the afternoon away (I'm completely addicted to, and nearly finished with, "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Phillipa Gregory) with hot chocolate in hand and snow falling fast and furious outside my window.
Not the day I had planned, but an excellent Impromptu Plan B. Snow days make me feel young and there's something so deliciously sneaky about playing hooky from work.
I made it about five blocks from my house in roughly 30 minutes, white knuckle driving in a completely slushy white-out blizzard. Not able to see ten feet in front of my vehicle and quickly realizing this death luge was so not worth it, I called the office, turned into the closest movie theatre, and rode out the storm with three glorious hours of Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will be Blood). I stopped at Paradise Bakery on the way home (Could I eat their chicken artichoke panini every day? Yes. I could.) and read the afternoon away (I'm completely addicted to, and nearly finished with, "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Phillipa Gregory) with hot chocolate in hand and snow falling fast and furious outside my window.
Not the day I had planned, but an excellent Impromptu Plan B. Snow days make me feel young and there's something so deliciously sneaky about playing hooky from work.
In honor of the 2008 election
I recently posted my thoughts on the Lincoln biography "Team of Rivals" and wanted to follow up with a very timely Lincoln quotation. In honor of this nail-bitting primary/caucus season...
"I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am a living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has. It is in order that each of you may have through this free government which we have enjoyed, an open field and a fair chance for your industry, enterprise, and intelligence; that you may all have equal privileges in the race of life, with all it's desirable human aspirations. It is for this the struggle should be maintained, that we may not lose our birthright. The nation is worth fighting for, to secure such an inestimable jewel."
For the love of this inestimable jewel, turn off the embarrassing racket that is CNN and learn about the candidates "through their platforms...not their personalities" with this interactive, educational quiz. Who matches your views most closely?
"I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am a living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has. It is in order that each of you may have through this free government which we have enjoyed, an open field and a fair chance for your industry, enterprise, and intelligence; that you may all have equal privileges in the race of life, with all it's desirable human aspirations. It is for this the struggle should be maintained, that we may not lose our birthright. The nation is worth fighting for, to secure such an inestimable jewel."
For the love of this inestimable jewel, turn off the embarrassing racket that is CNN and learn about the candidates "through their platforms...not their personalities" with this interactive, educational quiz. Who matches your views most closely?
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