Cape-Able

I could not be happier with how oral argument went yesterday on my appellate case. I am 95% sure justice (e.g. my client's position--but we are the good guys, promise) will prevail. And you will be pleased to know I resisted the compelling temptation to shout out, during opposing counsel's argument: "Your Honors, this is bullshit; we got motherfuckin' snakes!*"

When I returned home last night, I received an e-mail from a dear friend in which she said she had a hard time remembering her nickname for me on her e-mail program, but then she remembered. ".... never in a million tries would I have remembered "cape." Now that I have seen your e-nick is "cape" I know why. It is for "defender," "super hero," I had completely forgotten.  How could I have forgotten something so obvious."

Her unexpected statement pleased me even more than the sweet sweet taste of my opponent's blood. I had no idea her nickname for me was "cape." I love it. My nickname for her is "Tree." Because it rhymes with part of her name and because she is pure and natural and reminds me of being outside. I heart Tree.

In my 20's, I often struggled to make myself smaller than I am. Fold myself up like a telescope. Squish myself into "traditional" and "feminine" behaviors and appearances. And I sometimes still find myself doing that. Being the "nice" and "pretty" girl. On the outside anyway.

But the older I get, the more joyfully and fully I embrace my strong warrior nature. It feels like an enormous weight is lifted from my shoulders and I am able to stand a little taller each time I "own" who I am.

Here are some gorgeous, strong warrior women/characters who inspire me. (Starbuck from Battlestar, Lara Croft, Xena, Ripley from Alien, Zoe from Firefly) It is so refreshing to see (and even be, at times) powerful, positive (for the most part) alternatives to the otherwise pervasive image of the helpless, passive female.

Who am I forgetting?

But if demure, giggling, subservient "lotus blossoms" are more your type, you will love these women. Guaranteed.

My hope for all women is that they realize (not just understand but bring into being) their incredible power.

And my hope is the same for all men. We can co-exist, beautifully, powerfully, together. But only if we are meeting as true equals.

*(You may have already seen this mock up poster of the real movie 'Snakes on a Plane' [is that not the best title of a movie ever?] coming out soon. But it kills me every time. I may just be punchy. Thanks to Brent for the link on a comment to one of Pops' posts and thanks to Pops' mom and . . . how much attribution do you expect? Sheesh?)

You can still "ask the reincarnationist" until Sunday (2 posts down)

[Update: more pictures (Hillary Swank in 'Million Dollar Baby' and Michelle Rodriguez in 'Girlfight')]

Comments

[knq]

I love that - and I appreciate the pics of powerful women - although we don't all have to be holding whips and riding our *ahem* horses to show power. Making good choices and fighting for equality, even in our nasty t-shirts and dirty jeans, is still honorable :)

[caroline]

Am glad you're flapping that cape and rising up into your strength. Le sigh. I am finding that dating seems to be incompatible with that for me. I'm taking some hope from Sheryl Crow's wonderful old song, Strong Enough. I'd forgotten that until I heard it out of the blue somewhere yesterday. Gonna be my new mantra.
Funny that you and Edge both are going on about the joys of tasting a bit of blood. love. it.

[Neena]

I can't wait to see "Snakes on a Plane", I've been waiting patiently for months now. The name is perfect.

I just saw "Battlestar" for the first time (I just crawled out from under my rock for a minute), Starbuck is my new fave.

May we all co-exist equal and strong.

[Robin]

I'm still trying to get in touch with my inner warrior... but people like you, Jayne, really do help.

[Edge]

I love strong women

[Jayne]

KnQ: Amen! I do like having the extreme examples, the superheroes, warrior woman archetype, to draw from.

Caroline: Showing strength = incompatible with dating? I think I know that feeling from long ago, that shrinking, trying to please, hiding myself. I learned that way of being serves nobody. I dare you to be All that you are ~ it's a funny thing, when you stand strong in your power and expect to be treated with respect, this happens. I found a man who loves and encourages my strength and when I am whining and small he tells me "I want to speak to the grown-up Jayne now, please."

Neena: I know, I HAVE to see that movie because of the title alone. And we rent the Battlestar G. discs when they come out after the season and have a marathon. Starbuck is the best. She's a loner, honest, tough, brilliant, impulsive yet vulnerable. One of the best, most complex women characters I've seen in a long time.

Robin: I think you're more in touch than you think, Funky B.

Edge: Nice to hear, me too.

[Pops]

I would like to thank my mom as well. As far as I know she's never one-arm pumped a shotgun while battling cyborgs like Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2, but she is a nurse, so it's practically the same thing.

And I think it's a shame that my homeboy B-Rent gets another well-deserved shout-out and then never updates his goddamn blog. So much disturbing strangeness just flat-out wasted...