Breaking Same-Sex Marriage News of the Day: Maryland today officially became the first East Coast state below the Mason-Dixon line to legalize same-sex marriage.
Governor Martin O’Malley signed the state’s marriage equality bill this afternoon after the Maryland House and Senate passed the legislation on Feb. 17th and 23rd, respectively.
“For a free and diverse people, for people of many faiths, for people committed to the principal of religious freedom,” O’Malley said at the signing ceremony, “the way forward is always found through grater respect for human rights of all, through human dignity for all.”
Same-sex couples won’t be able to get married until January, when the law formally takes effect. Until then, there is still a chance opponents could successfully petition to have the issue placed on November’s ballot. To do so, they would need at least 55,736 valid signature from Maryland voters.
Seven states — CT, IA, MA, NH, NY, VT, WA — and Washington D.C. currently recognize the right of same-sex couples to marry. However, Washington state’s newly signed bill still needs to fend off a the threat of referendum in order to take effect this June.
“…to me, Van Gogh is the finest painter of them all.Certainly, the most popular, great painter of all time, the most beloved. His command of color the most magnificent. He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty.Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world…no one had ever done it before. Perhaps, no one ever will again. To my mind, that strange, wild man who roamed the fields of Provence was not only the world’s greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived.” - [x]
Oh Vincent… ;_;
not a big fan of this episode, but i couldn’t stop the flood gates during this scene
I too got choked up during this scene
“mom, I’m sorry you burned my Ramen. can I play daddy’s lazer sword game?”
O.o ” I’m sorry I burned it too, now nom on this chicken. You can play your letters game”
“but I want to play the lazer sword game”
“you cannot play Force Unleashed”
“why?”
“what does it say on the little box?”
“T”
“and what kind of games can a 4 year old play?”
“E! E is for Me!”
“so can you play the game?”
“can I have a black marker?”
“to do what?”
“make an E with a pony tail”
*facepalm*
Fancy a Curry?
Natal, South Africa, has the highest quota of Indians outside of India… Natal curry contest.
They actually have a Curry Cook-off about June/July. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the Royal Show in PMB.
Judge #3 was an inexperienced food critic named Frank, who was visiting from America.
Frank: “Recently, I was honoured to be selected as a judge at a Curry Cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and so I happened to be standing there at the judge’s table asking for directions to the Beer Garden when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Natal Indians) that the curry wouldn’t be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted”.
Here are the scorecard notes from the event:
CURRY # 1 - SEELAN’S MANIAC MONSTER TOMATO CURRY…
Judge # 1 — A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 — Nice smooth tomato flavour. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) — Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that’s the worst one. These people are crazy.
CHILI # 2 - PHOENIX BBQ CHICKEN CURRY…
Judge # 1 — Smoky, with a hint of chicken. Slight chili tang.
Judge # 2 — Exciting BBQ flavour, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 — Keep this out of the reach of children. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich manoeuvre! They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.
CURRY # 3 - SHAMILA’S FAMOUS “BURN DOWN THE GARAGE” CURRY…
Judge # 1 — Excellent firehouse curry. Great kick.
Judge # 2 — A bit salty, good use of chili peppers.
Judge # 3 — Call 911. I’ve located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drain Cleaner. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I’m getting pissed from all the beer.
CHILI # 4 - BABOOS BLACK MAGIC BEAN CURRY…
Judge # 1 — Black bean curry with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 — Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a curry.
Judge # 3 — I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Shareen, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 200kg woman is starting to look HOT…just like this nuclear waste I’m eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?
Judge # 2 — Average beef curry, could use more tomato. Must admit the chili peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 — My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Shareen saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I’m burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw them
CHILI # 6 - VERISHNEE’S VEGETARIAN VARIETY…
Judge # 1 — Thin yet bold vegetarian variety curry. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 — The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3 — My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. I am definitely going to shit myself if I fart and I’m worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Shareen. Can’t feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone ice cream.
CHILI # 7 - SELINA’S “MOTHER-IN-LAW’S-TONGUE” CURRY…
Judge # 1 — A mediocre curry with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 — Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. (I should take note at this stage that I am worried about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably).
Judge # 3 — You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn’t feel a thing. I’ve lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with curry which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least, during the autopsy, they’ll know what killed me. I’ve decided to stop breathing - it’s too painful. Screw it; I’m not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air I’ll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.
CHILI # 8 - NAIDOOS TOENAIL CURLING CURRY…
Judge # 1 — The perfect ending. This is a nice blend curry. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 — This final entry is a good, balanced curry. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the curry pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he’s going to make it. Poor man, wonder how he’d have reacted to really hot curry?