Here we come: Transportation Secretary

 

If you have been following this blog for a while you will know how much My Pete has impacted me both personally (For example in my post yesterday I mentioned that my theme for 2021 will be Belonging, Boldness, and Joy which come from My Pete's Rules of the Road) and in terms of diving deeper into politics than I ever would have dreamed about doing so before (Even deeper than after Hamilton, Yes I know that is wild talk 😊.)

Today after much discussion (I swear I have seen major new sources such as CNN say he was in the running for absolutely every government job there is, ever has been, or ever will be) it has been announced he is being nominated as transportation secretary. Pete will also be the first out LGBTQ person nominated to a permanent position in a presidential Cabinet. I have to say it means a lot to see someone from my LGBTQ+ community be selected for a cabinet level role.  

Transportation secretary will be a great fit for him (I mean in his memoir he talks about the data that went into creating “The smartest sewers in the world” so this feels right up his ally) Also on a personal note I like he has a US based role and in addition I think Chasten will be happy with Pete in Transportation.

Congratulations Secretary Elect of Transportation.

New Year: Themes Not Resolutions

 

We are at that time of year where we all start to process the year past and look forward to the next year. This is also a time when many people are making resolutions and plans for what they want to do and who they want to be in the New Year. 

Now if resolutions work for you go ahead, always pick the methods of reflection which work for you but for the last several years I have picked themes instead. 

In 2017 and 2018 my theme was "Burn the candles, Drink the tea, Use the lotion"

In 2019 my theme was "Magic"

For 2020 my theme was "Live Lighter, Dive/Dig Deeper" which turned out to be very apt for how the year turned out. 

And my theme for 2021 will be "Belonging, Boldness, and Joy"

So as 2020 finally draws to an end and 2021 is about to begin what do you want to be your theme or focus? This can be you center point or drishti or a simple reminder of what is most important to you as you go about your life in the next year. (This does not have to be something complex or hard, for example the theme for this January's 30 Days of Yoga with Adriene is Breathe. Breathing is something that we all do, but also something we need to be reminded to do too) 

Hanukkah, Hanukkah, Happy Hanukkah

 

Happy Happy Hanukkah

Here is a collection of 8 Chanukah Songs for this season

Six13 - A Hamilton Chanukah (with introduction from President Barack Obama)

Six13 - Bohemian Chanukah (a Queen adaptation)

Six13 - arianukah (an ariana grande chanukah)

Six13 - A Star Wars Chanukah

Six13 - Chanukah ("Shake It Off")

Six13 - Feliz Chanukah (Live)

Six13 and Friends - Haneirot Halalu (a Chanukah Song)

Six13 presents: A Nice Jewish Boy Band Chanukah

And a bonus song for your Shamash

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah

Just A Little Interlude

 

Today has been a day

Of completing a few work projects

So this shall be a short interlude

A mini mid week break

Today is a day

So breath

So rest

So create

Today the sun came out

It has been gone a long time

Sun? What is Sun? I am confused.

That glowy thing in the sky

Today is a day

So breath

So rest

So create

Today is a day to celebrate

Celebrate because it is just a day

Celebrate with a cup of tea

Celebrate with a moment pause

Today is a day

So breath

So rest

So create

Destressing The Holiday Season

 

For the Holiday season I have set a high bar for myself in terms of activities, projects, and to-dos I hope to get done by the end of the year which means I have been finding myself stressed out.

I have been finding I have to take a step back and get a birds eye view of what I want to get done. I have to take a minute and think about why each item is on my to-do list and if my plans align with that why. Because 2020 has been 2020 I want to stay busy so that I feel like I have done as much as I can this year but I also have to remember that staying busy does not mean I have to do 20 things everyday.

I have also found it is important for me to add self care tasks to my daily list to make sure that I actually get to them. For December this looks like having a cup of tea and using some lotion each and every day. (These self care tasks have the added benefit of helping me work towards my goal doing a deep clean for the New Year, because I am using up little bits in different containers and I have a better idea of what I do have in these categories)

As we continue on in the Holiday Season make sure you give yourself a break. This year is not going to look like past years so don't judge yourself using the same rubric. Know that no matter how it turns out it will be one to remember and it means that 2020 is almost over and we will soon be able to welcome 2021.

More Glass Ceilings Shattering

Last week I discussed some of the Glass Ceilings that Biden was helping to shatter. Here is another round of broken glass making the ground sparkle like newly fallen snow. 

Cecilia Rouse was nominated as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers. If confirmed, she'll be the first Black woman, and just the fourth woman overall, to lead the CEA since it was established nearly 75 years ago.

Neera Tanden was nominated as director of the Office of Management and Budget, and would become the first woman of color and the first South Asian American to oversee the agency if she is confirmed.

President-elect Joe Biden named an all-female White House communications team, which is the first time this has happened.

First Black deputy secretary of the Treasury: Adewale "Wally" Adeyemo

First Hispanic American White House social secretary: Carlos Elizondo

I am impressed by the number of glass ceilings which are already being broken by Biden and his Administration.  The more people who are in the room where it happens or have a seat at the table the more robust and just policies become. There are clearly going to be people with life experiences and cultural experiences that have not had the opportunity or chance to be in these rooms before. 

 

World AIDS Day 2020

 

What is World AIDS Day?

Each year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever international day for global health. Every year, United Nations agencies, governments and civil society join together to campaign around specific themes related to HIV.

• Awareness-raising activities take place around the globe. 
• Many people wear a red ribbon, the universal symbol of awareness of, support for and solidarity with people living with HIV.
• People living with HIV make their voice heard on issues important in their lives. 
• Groups of people living with HIV and other civil society organizations involved in the AIDS response mobilize in support of the communities they serve and to raise funds.
• Events highlight the current state of the epidemic.

World AIDS Day remains as relevant today as it’s always been, reminding people and governments that HIV has not gone away. There is still a critical need for increased funding for the AIDS response, to increase awareness of the impact of HIV on people’s lives, to end stigma and discrimination and to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.

This Years Theme:

In 2020, the world’s attention has been focused by the COVID-19 pandemic on health and how pandemics affect lives and livelihoods. COVID-19 is showing once again how health is interlinked with other critical issues, such as reducing inequality, human rights, gender equality, social protection and economic growth. With this in mind, this year the theme of World AIDS Day is “Global solidarity, shared responsibility”.

COVID-19 has demonstrated that, during a pandemic, no one is safe until everyone is safe. Leaving people behind is not an option if we are to succeed. Eliminating stigma and discrimination, putting people at the centre and grounding our responses in human rights and gender-responsive approaches are key to ending the colliding pandemics of HIV and COVID-19.

Assorted Programs and Music in Honor of World AIDS Day. 

• World Aids Day 2020/Virtual Music Present (Crossing The Sky) 
• World Aids day 2020 Song title: We Heal as one 
• “Fix You” World AIDS Day Celebration with Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus & The Aliveness Project  
• "Hope" - Alida McKeon (Video for World AIDS Day 2020: A National Conversation)
• World Aids Day Final -- A listing of some of those who have died from AIDS.
• RED (Song for Worlds A.I.D.S DAY)
• A Little Respect- World Aids Day Tribute!
• Brighton & Hove World Aids Day Concert 2020
• World AIDS Day 2020 - CHOOSE LIFE!
• World AIDS Day Seasons of Love
• World Aids Day Afro-Canadian Positive Network of BC
• AHF India - World AIDS Day Release - Yeh Khwaab by Madhushree