Happy Valentines Day!

Today on this holiday dedicated to sweet, sweet luuuuuv, I want to pay tribute to an overlooked and much maligned group of romantic fools --

Yes, that's right. LAWYERS.

Every parent wants their kid to snag a nice rich lawyer to marry, don't they?

It is not a well-known fact but inside those deceptively chilly legal hearts actually burns the unbridled impetuosity of reckless love that delights in throwing caution to the winds.

Wild gestures of passion can be expected from a legal lover.

The love notes you'll receive from them will always be meticulously drafted for the maximum romantic effect.

Your legal lover can always be counted on to set a sexy mood for whispering those sweet nothings in your ear . . .

. . . although the whispering will be done over the phone because your lawyer-love will still be at the office, of course. Still, it's the thought that counts.

Even cats and dogs have their equivalents to these passionate purveyors of legal lust.

Who can resist a lawyer's charms? WHO?

Let the Answers Begin!

Thank you, everyone, for posing such thoughtful, varied and interesting questions! Here's my first bunch of answers --

How in the world are you going to find the time to answer all these questions? (from Jo of My Grama's Soul)

Like Baldrick in Blackadder, I have a cunning plan, that's how! Similar questions will be grouped together and answered all in one post, while other questions will require individual posts. The occasional question may even require a couple of posts to answer adequately. Some posts (like this one) will have several unrelated "short snapper" questions that can be answered quickly. I intend to write at least one "answers post" every week until they are all dealt with. So yes, it may actually take a while to answer them all. But, gentle readers, when your question comes up, I'll leave a comment on your blog to let you know so you don't miss the riveting answer!

What's your favourite movie of all time? (from Optimistic Existentialist of Musings of an Unapologetic Dreamer)

"The Germans wore gray, you wore blue." That says it all. Casablanca! I have seen this movie innumerable times and it always retains its charm for me. I never miss a chance to see it on a big screen (usually at some tumbledown repertory theatre dedicated to art films and the classics) because that's the best way to enjoy it. But TV and DVD viewings are fine too! I think I like it so much because love, politics and noble self-sacrifice for a higher cause all combine in it. It definitely appeals to the romantic idealist in me. And I always get choked up during "La Marseillaise" scene.

Is 42 really the answer? (from Jeanne of The Candy Corn Chronicles)

Yes. Yes it is. The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything is indeed 42. Deep Thought, Douglas Adams and I concur.

Why does Daddy drink? (from Bryan/Brandon at A Beer for the Shower)

You didn't say whether you meant my biological Daddy or my dom Daddy. You boys are maddeningly nonspecific. Therefore, no answer for you! Hmm, it appears that I am now channeling the Soup Nazi. I blame you for that as well. You should be punished.

Do you believe in ghosts? (from Robin Larkspur of Wiccan Writes)

The only ghost I believe in is my cat Her Royal Highness, who has now returned to this life to haunt me . . . I mean, "to help me." I really need to get around to writing more about her reappearance. We've been having the most lovely chats about the afterlife, she and I.

Stay tuned for more answers next week!

Ask Me Anything!

I've seen this prompt posted around the blogosphere from time to time, most recently over at Heart in Hand's Weblog. And now I'm going to take the plunge myself. So here goes . . .

If you're harbouring any deep, dark curiosity about Debra She Who Seeks, well, this is the time to ask. Yes, you may ASK ME ANYTHING! Subject to the following fine print, of course.

1. Only one question per person, please. So make it a good one.

2. I promise to answer all questions truthfully unless doing so would require me to reveal information which I deliberately keep private on this blog, such as my real name, my occupation, my educational background or similar facts about My Rare One or other people identified by pseudonyms. Otherwise, the sky's the limit.

3. Answers will be given in due course, written in one or more subsequent posts.

Okay, it's up to you now!

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

Michael D'Agostino over at A Life Examined blog has so kindly bestowed this "Very Inspiring Blogger Award" on me. Thank you, Michael! It means a lot coming from you because your blog is all about inspiration. Last year, Michael blogged every single week about doing some brand new activity that required him to move out of his comfort zone. (His pole dancing post is a classic!) And this year, he will be blogging every week about confronting some idea or activity that stirs up a fear of failure. How's that for inspiration, eh? And he does it all while writing upside down from Australia!

Michael wrote that he passed this award on to me because he thinks I am "hilarious and engaging. . . . [and have] a great ability to connect with people from all over the world, no matter what their culture." And he said this (with an apparently straight face) even after my post a couple of weeks ago that made fun of all things Australian! Good gawd, man, you have the forgiving nature of a saint!

And quite apart from that, Michael --

So now I must pass on this award as well. And I'm passing it on to everyone who follows this blog because your continued reading of and comments on She Who Seeks are what inspire me to keep blogging! Thanks for everything, youz guys!

The Ultimate Scofflaws

You know why criminals such as this guy love kittens? Because cats are THE WORST SCOFFLAWS on the face of the planet. They follow no orders. They obey no rules. They love to stick it to THE MAN at every opportunity.

Cats are clever though. They're always very careful to have some bogus reason ready about why THEY are really the innocent victim in any mayhem which ensues . . . .

But the plain truth is that cats WANT to break the law. They WANT to be all hopped up on pills or catnip while speeding down the street with two cop cars in hot pursuit. Cats know they've got nine lives, so what the hell do they care? They LIVE for the adrenaline rush of bad behaviour.

Cats all have a VERY poor attitude when it comes to obeying any kind of authority. They'll break any rule, no matter how small or trivial, just to make a point.

And you know why, of course. Their Great Leader and Official Role Model sets the standard for the entire feline community -- the SCOFFLAW STANDARD.

Those of you with cats KNOW it's true. Cats have been thumbing their noses at authority for as long as they've been "domesticated" and living in our homes.

Cats go OUT OF THEIR WAY to show their contempt for us and our "rules."

Cats will never admit their Scofflaw Agenda though. When confronted, they always just give us some supercilious, snotty CATTITUDE about the whole thing and pretend like we're total IDIOTS.

And maybe, just maybe, WE ARE!

Jesus Identity Theft

Jesus identity theft is rampant in the western world. Some days it seems like EVERYBODY is passing himself off as Jesus God Almighty. Here are just a few examples for your edification.

Oh oh. If the name of this guy's Mom is "Mary," he might not actually BE an imposter.

This faker is easy to spot, however. Too goddamn lazy to drag that cross on the ground like the REAL Jesus!

And hey, even I can spot THIS con artist a mile away . . . .

Actually, I think Keanu Reeves CAN make a good case for divinity . . . .

But you know what? Sometimes even a fake Jesus makes the world a BETTER PLACE.

(I love the grin on that cop's face, don't you?)

Imbolc Cyberspace Poetry Slam

Today is Imbolc, the sacred day of the Celtic Goddess Brigid. Many pagans around the blogosphere celebrate it by participating in a Cyberspace Poetry Slam which has been occurring now for several years. Everyone posts a favourite poem written by themselves or by another. Collectively, this results in a vast internet web of poetry being woven to honour Brigid, the Goddess of Poetry.

This year I am posting a favourite poem written by Bethroot Gwynn, a respected Crone and Elder of the lesbian, feminist and Goddess communities. She is a long-time feminist organizer, activist and women's land pioneer in the USA. And also a beautiful creator of women's culture and feminist spiritual practice. I read this poem many, many years ago in a We'Moon Datebook (of which Bethroot Gwynn has been a Special Editor for two decades). Her joyous and imaginative imagery of the Divine Feminine's sacred creativity inspired me then and it still inspires me today! I hope you enjoy her poem as well. Blessed Imbolc to you all!

I am the Author of All Life.
I scribble the World.
Sometimes I laugh, and galaxies spill out between my teeth.
Sometimes I whisper my secrets to the crystals and they remember -- all rocks are wise.
All fibers of being are encoded with my will, my skill.
I blink, and the light-years stretch out, curl back upon themselves.
I smile, and the universe is a beloved dream.
I am always available.
You may drink the milk of wisdom at any time.
All your thoughts are cells of my body.
All your cells are my thoughts.
You are one pure moment: matter and spirit, flesh and heart.
I am the sea you float on.
I am the air of your inner sky.
Your molecules are my dance.
Your soul is the song I sing.

                                            -- Bethroot Gwynn, 1997