Words and music by Jethro Tull
Would you join a slow marching band?
And take pleasure in your leaving
as the ferry sails and tears are dried
and cows come home at evening.
Could you get behind a slow marching band?
And join together in the passing
of all we shared through yesterdays
in sorrows neverlasting.
Take a hand and take a bow.
You played for me; that's all for now, oh, and never
mind the words just hum along and keep on going.
Walk on slowly --- don't look behind you.
Don't say goodbye, love. I won't remind you.
Dream of me as the nights draw cold
still marking time through Winter.
You paid the piper and called the tune
and you marched the band away.
Take a hand and take a bow.
You played for me; that's all for now, oh, and never
mind the words just hum along and keep on going.
Walk on slowly --- don't look behind you.
Don't say goodbye, love. I won't remind you.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said he'd appeal the ruling, which he labeled an attempt to strike down the ban approved by voters in 2005.
"The laws and constitution of the State of Texas define marriage as an institution involving one man and one woman," Abbott said in a written statement. "Today's ruling purports to strike down that constitutional definition – despite the fact that it was recently adopted by 75 percent of Texas voters."
Abbott has argued that because the state doesn't recognize gay marriage, its courts can't dissolve one through divorce.
District Judge Tena Callahan's ruled Thursday, however, that the court "has jurisdiction to hear a suit for divorce filed by persons legally married in another jurisdiction."
Jennifer Pizer, marriage project director for the New York-based gay rights group Lambda Legal, said it is too early to predict the ultimate implications of the lawsuit, in which neither man is identified.
But Cathy Adams, president of the conservative Texas Eagle Forum, characterized the decision as a judicial overreach.
"Judicial activism is what they're after, and it sounds as if they found someone in Dallas to participate in their endeavor," she said. "The people of Texas have spoken very strongly in opposition to same-sex marriage."
Gov. Rick Perry said state lawmakers and voters have repeatedly affirmed marriage as being between a man and a woman.
"I believe the ruling is flawed and should be appealed," Perry said.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said she also supports Abbott's decision to appeal. Hutchison, who is challenging Perry in the GOP gubernatorial primary, said she has "consistently voted to preserve the sanctity of marriage and as governor I will continue to defend traditional marriage."
A phone message left by The Associated Press at court offices for Callahan was not immediately returned late Thursday. Callahan's ruling was first reported in The Dallas Morning News.
Pizer predicted an eventual end to bans on gay marriage in Texas and across the country.
"Most people do recognize that, eventually, American law will treat gays and lesbians the same as every other American," she said. "What we don't know is how may chapters that story will be."
"I may not love you," wrote R. R. Doister, "but I can certainly love my fantasy about you." Personally, I've been guilty of embodying that attitude toward certain people in my life. There have also been allies to whom I could have said, "I do love you, although I love my fantasy about you a little more." And it has even been the case on numerous occasions that I've been proud to declare, "I love you even more than I love my fantasy about you." What about you, Leo? Where do you stand on the issue? This is an excellent time to get on the righteous side of the great divide, which is to say: Adore your special people for who they really are more than for your fantasies about them.
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pushkie Your result for The Personality Defect Test...
You are 43% Rational, 86% Extroverted, 43% Brutal, and 29% Arrogant.
To put it less negatively:
1. You are more INTUITIVE than rational.
2. You are more EXTROVERTED than introverted.
3. You are more GENTLE than brutal.
4. You are more HUMBLE than arrogant.
Compatibility:
Your exact opposite is the Sociopath.
Other personalities you would probably get along with are the Hand-Raiser, the Televangelist, and the Robot.
*
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If you scored near fifty percent for a certain trait (42%-58%), you could very well go either way. For example, someone with 42% Extroversion is slightly leaning towards being an introvert, but is close enough to being an extrovert to be classified that way as well. Below is a list of the other personality types so that you can determine which other possible categories you may fill if you scored near fifty percent for certain traits.
The other personality types:
The Emo Kid: Intuitive, Introverted, Gentle, Humble.
The Starving Artist: Intuitive, Introverted, Gentle, Arrogant.
The Bitch-Slap: Intuitive, Introverted, Brutal, Humble.
The Brute: Intuitive, Introverted, Brutal, Arrogant.
The Hippie: Intuitive, Extroverted, Gentle, Humble.
The Televangelist: Intuitive, Extroverted, Gentle, Arrogant.
The Schoolyard Bully: Intuitive, Extroverted, Brutal, Humble.
The Class Clown: Intuitive, Extroverted, Brutal, Arrogant.
The Robot: Rational, Introverted, Gentle, Humble.
The Haughty Intellectual: Rational, Introverted, Gentle, Arrogant.
The Spiteful Loner: Rational, Introverted, Brutal, Humble.
The Sociopath: Rational, Introverted, Brutal, Arrogant.
The Hand-Raiser: Rational, Extroverted, Gentle, Humble.
The Braggart: Rational, Extroverted, Gentle, Arrogant.
The Capitalist Pig: Rational, Extroverted, Brutal, Humble.
The Smartass: Rational, Extroverted, Brutal, Arrogant.
Be sure to take my Sublime Philosophical Crap Test if you are interested in taking a slightly more intellectual test that has just as many insane ramblings as this one does!
About Saint_Gasoline
I am a self-proclaimed pseudo-intellectual who loves dashes. I enjoy science, philosophy, and fart jokes and water balloons, not necessarily in that order. I spend 95% of my time online, and the other 5% of my time in the bathroom, longing to get back on the computer. If, God forbid, you somehow find me amusing instead of crass and annoying, be sure to check out my blog and my webcomic at SaintGasoline.com.
Your result for The Chakra Test...
You have scored 100% Desire - Your dominant Chakra is the "Sacral (Spleen) or Orange Chakra"
The "Sacral (Spleen) or Orange Chakra" is where energy for one's sexuality and feelings originates from. It is located at the spleen (and genitals). This is the chakra which is most developed in you at this time.
The Sacral chakra is about feeling and sexuality. When it is open your feelings flow freely, and are expressed without you being over-emotional. You are open to intimacy and you can be passionate and lively. You have no problems dealing with your sexuality.
Depending on your percentage score, there is always more room for development. When this chakra is under-active you may become stiff and unemotional. You may even develop a poker-like face, as a defence mechanism, to stop others from knowing what you are feeling. If the chakra becomes over-active, you may become overly, emotionally attached to people and sexually active.
What is most important is to find balance amongst all 7 chakras. Have a look at what percentages you scored on the others and work to increase their power and balance with each other.
Root Chakra: 35% Passion, Sacral(Spleen) Chakra: 100% Desire, Solar Plexus (Navel) Chakra: 59% Purpose, Heart Chakra: 100% Balance, Throat Chakra: 100% Expression, Third Eye Chakra: 53% Imagination and Crown Chakra: 88% Spirituality!
"Sacral Chakra" Key Words: Feelings, Emotions, Intimacy, Procreation, Polarity, Sensuality, Confidence, Sociability, Freedom, Movement
"Sacral Chakra"Attributes: Color - Orange: Sense - Taste: Element - Water: Seat - Creativity
If you enjoyed this test, I would love the feedback!
Friday evening I spent pretty mellow. Had dinner, made some scones and watched a couple of episodes of Waiting for God. I love the character of Diana, she is so evil and viciously fun. Went to be kinda early cuz I had an early appointment.
Saturday I rushed off early to the Kabuki Spa in San Francisco's Japan town. The students had given me a gift certificate last summer for my birthday and this was the first time I had had to use it. I put a bit of extra cash on it and got what they call the Nirvana package. This included a facial, something called a body polish, and then a 70 minute Shiatsu massage, plus use of the spa room, hot tubs, steam room, sauna, and cold plunge.
I had never had a facial before, but it was pretty cool. A very nice woman massaged stuff into my face, cleaned out the pores, got rid of areas that were flaking, and moisturized the heck out of my face. She told me that my skin was really dry and that it kept drinking up all the moisturizers. I replied, great now every pore is an over eater. She laughed. She gave me so hints about how to take better care of my skin and then I was off to the next thing.
Body polish. You lay on this large table covered with towels, and someone rubs you down with rather strong defoliants, they smelled really good. Then you are washed down in really nice hot water... the process was a bit brusque but I think that may have just been the guy doing it.
Shiatsu massage. God was it cool. I hovered in that space between sleeping and awake. During the massage I could see images of people and things that I needed to let go of, rising to consciousness, and then floating away. By the time it was done, I was like limp rubber. Very very relaxed.
After this was all over, I went in to the communal areas where the pools were. Its been a long time since I have been in a situation where the crowd was all nude, but it was okay. I got in the hot water and just sat till I was cooked. It was very quiet, no one talked, though smiles and nods were prevalent. I assumed it wasn't really that busy because it was still early in the day. I decided to try it all, so I went and sat in the sauna, then the steam room, though for only a bit, that hot very wet air was kinda harsh to me, though others seemed to thrive in it.
After a while I decided it was time to go, I was getting to that falling asleep stage again and still had a ways to go till I was home and could sleep if I wanted to. On my way home I stopped to go inside what I have always called "Our Lady of the Dishpan hands" There is this enormous cathedral in Japan town that looks from the outside like a Washing Machine agitator, it can be seen from many places in the city, up on a hill, and very large. I expected it to be really pretty inside, but it was pretty dull, sadly. I think the actual name is St. Mary's, but am not sure.
After I left that, I started walking, originally I was going to catch a bus but was enjoying the relaxed state I was in so much that I walked all the way to BART at Montgomery and Market. Took BART home and relaxed the rest of the day. nytemuse and I went to the even chanting at the Syda Yoga Ashram (http://www.oaklandsyda.org/). They were chating Jai Jai Vittale for a good while then into meditation. Normally meditation may last as much as 20 minutes but this one was long, it seem to go on for an hour. I went in deep, but then popped out for a bit, then realizing that they were going for longer, I went back in, even deeper this time... After it was over, I had no brains left. Very blissed out. Got home and ended up going to bed early, for a Saturday evening.
Sunday we went to the Kali Puja with Sharanya (http://www.maabatakali.org/about/). The group was small, but the energy was intense, there are portions of it where I think I may have blacked out, or at least tranced out enough that I don't really remember what happened. It felt really good. I met some new people too, which was nice. Sad that Abel was not there but perhaps another time.
Got home and to bed by 11PM
All in all it was a very nice weekend.
paximusBirthday Song
Sung to Scotland the Brave
Given to me by Molly Paigen. (If anyone knows who wrote it, please let us me know,
Molly has forgotten who the author was and I like to give credit where credit is due)
When you were two or three
Your mommy would always see
That you had a party on your birthday
But now you’re older and more mature
At least we are pretty sure
And shouldn’t be treated like a baby.
‘Cuz no one gives a shit about your birthday any more,
No! It’s not important.
And if you want the truth it’s simply a good excuse
For your friends to all get drunk together.
Now I’m sure that you’ll agree,
Your brain starts to atrophy,
Each time that you celebrate your birthday.
Unfortunately I must remind you,
The best part of life’s behind you.
Soon they will throw your final party.
Your teeth will rot, your hair fall out,
And sex will merely refer to gender only.
So raise a glass with me, a toast to senility,
We wish you a Happy Crappy Birthday!
Created by OnePlusYou - Free Online Dating
pushkie check out the shoes in the art work! 
yezida to begin. On the stage are various other Feri initiates also waiting, they see me and call me over to join them. I walk over, and spent an afternoon with them as the presentation is done. Suddenly I remember that I was supposed to get to my godmother's house, and the alarm goes off...nytemuse. I spent the first part of the evening grating coconut for the rogation, while everything else was being prepared. Her aujubonna is a hoot. She really cracked me up. At the end of the ceremony, we had a wonderful feast that the new Iyawo had prepared herself. Then to run home to try and get some sleep so I would be fresh for Final Dress Rehearsal. California Supreme Court Grants Review
in Prop 8 Legal Challenges
Court to Determine Constitutionality of Prop 8
Today the California Supreme Court granted review in the legal challenges to Proposition 8, which passed by a narrow margin of 52 percent on November 4. In an order issued today, the Court agreed to hear the case and set an expedited briefing schedule. The Court also denied an immediate stay.
On November 5, 2008, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of Proposition 8 in the California Supreme Court on behalf of six couples and Equality California. The City of San Francisco, joined by the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, and Santa Clara County, filed a similar challenge, as did a private attorney in Los Angeles.
The lawsuits allege that, on its face, Proposition 8 is an improper revision rather than an amendment of the California Constitution because, in its very title, which was “Eliminates the right to marry for same-sex couples,” the initiative eliminated an existing right only for a targeted minority. If permitted to stand, Proposition 8 would be the first time an initiative has successfully been used to change the California Constitution to take way an existing right only for a particular group. Such a change would defeat the very purpose of a constitution and fundamentally alter the role of the courts in protecting minority rights. According to the California Constitution, such a serious revision of our state Constitution cannot be enacted through a simple majority vote, but must first be approved by two-thirds of the Legislature.
Since the three lawsuits submitted on November 5, three other lawsuits challenging Proposition 8 have been filed. In a petition filed on November 14, 2008, leading African American, Latino, and Asian American groups argued that Proposition 8 threatens the equal protection rights of all Californians.
On November 17, 2008, the California Council of Churches and other religious leaders and faith organizations representing millions of members statewide, also filed a petition asserting that Proposition 8 poses a severe threat to the guarantee of equal protection for all, and was not enacted through the constitutionally required process for such a dramatic change to the California Constitution. On the same day, prominent California women’s rights organizations filed a petition asking the Court to invalidate Proposition 8 because of its potentially disastrous implications for women and other groups that face discrimination.
In May of 2008, the California Supreme Court held that barring same-sex couples from marriage violates the equal protection clause of the California Constitution and violates the fundamental right to marry. Proposition 8 would completely eliminate the right to marry only for same-sex couples. No other initiative has ever successfully changed the California Constitution to take away a right only from a targeted minority group.
Over the past 100 years, the California Supreme Court has heard nine cases challenging either legislative enactments or initiatives as invalid revisions of the California Constitution. In three of those cases, the Court invalidated those measures.
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branchandrootdancing_serpent
DALLAS — A Texas judge cleared the way for two Dallas men to get a divorce, ruling Thursday that Texas' ban on same-sex marriage violates the constitutional guarantee to equal protection under the law.