I love Salt Lake City

As I sat with my screen door open on a quiet Sunday in late November, I was checking out the news from Salt Lake on the web. It was snowing in SLC and I was in Las Vegas. I would love to sit by a fire and watch the flakes drop and stack up outside. I would love to see the Wasatch Mountains when the storm passes- they are truly beautiful. I then turned on ESPN for Sportscenter and the major league soccer championship game was being played in Seattle. Real Salt Lake vs. David Beckham and the LA Galaxy.. It was in the final seconds before going to penalty kicks. I was proud it was "a game," knowing how hard Real Salt Lake has played. When the final kick was done, Real Salt lake had won-and my Salt Lake pride was full. I am not a big soccer fan-but I was tonight. This win will be good for Salt Lake and for the team.

I grew up in SLC. I went to the University of Utah and then left for Virginia Commonwealth University and on to University of Iowa. I answered a lot of questions about Utah and being a mormon. Many acted like they could not understand why anyone would live in Utah. I knew why and badly missed the Provo River brown trout and early morning skiing. I missed the sense of community and the excellent medical care. I missed hunting and cycling in the mountains and I missed my Dad.

I live in Las vegas and do not know my neighbors. I live in Vegas and feel a stranger in a strange land. People here are pretty much from somewhere else and often treat others poorly. Don't get me wrong, there are tons of quality people here, I am looking to meet them all. I finally found a doctor- they say if you want the best healthcare in Vegas- you go to McCarran Airport.

I love that Vegas is a 24 hour town, I love that SLC is not. I really have been happy wherever I have lived and yet I smile when the Runnin' Utes are winning or the Jazz do well.

Vegas is where I live- Salt Lake is my home. I have heard that every Utahn has an inferiority complex and they always apologize about why they live in SLC. I hear that the reason California will not fall into the Pacific Ocean is because Utah sucks so bad. I disagree. I think conservative religion has a role. But I also know that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. I try to be a saint and I live in Sin City-but SLC is wonderful and snowy and upbeat and educated and has a sense of community-as well as a symphony and Opera Company. I do get back to SLC often and yet look forward to good years in Vegas. I will ride my motorcycle and barbecue outside this week-oh yeah and I won't have to shovel six inches of warmth to get out of my driveway.

I am proud to be a Utah Man- a Ute fan and yet I enjoy teaching at UNLV and love our residents. I am not home tonight but it doesn't mean that my mind doesn't wish to hear the crunch of snow under my feet and see the frosted place I am proud to be from-Salt Lake City, UTAH.