Tybalt the Prince of Cats

The Aftermath

2011-03-16T12:20:00.000-04:00

There are no pictures. It would be too embarrassing.

Since yesterday was my birthday, and since we don't get to be the center of mommy and the FD's universe now that the CCB is in the picture, we got nip last night.

And not just our usual sniff and nibble amount of nip. The twins and I were given an entire plate full of nip.

A very pretty china plate of nip, since it was such a special occasion. A mancat only turns 5 once after all.

Long story short - the plate was shattered, nip was scattered over the entire house, a rousing game of Thundering Herd of Elephants was played in the wee hours, the rug was kicked without mercy and out of place this morning, and certain kitties have bloodshot eyes today.

Who Says You Need to Beware the Ides of March?

2011-03-15T12:24:00.000-04:00

Unless you need to beware of a PARTY!

Happy Birthday to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's About Time!

2011-02-04T10:02:00.000-05:00

Hello, my fellow kitties!

Yeah, it is truly embarrassing how long it has been in between posts from yours truly. The mommy makes promises only to break them to me. But such is life when a kitty has to depend on his mommy to help him keep in touch with his furry brethren and . . .er . . . sistren.

There have been some more changes for us. The CCB is an accomplished walker, runner, and climber now, so there aren't as many places to hide from her. I let her give me her painful love (and believe me, it is PAINFUL!) but then I run and hide as best as I can. The only time I really let her have quality time with my princely self is when we both share mommy's lap. I refuse to give up mommy time to the CCB, no matter what she does to me. Mommy started a new job (just in time for the new year) which is LOTS closer home so we furries plus the CCB get to see her more. It was a good thing, too, because the same week she started her new job both the FD and the CCB got the nasty evil flu bug, and being closer to home really helped out a lot then. Everyone is much better now, thankfully.

Here it is almost Valentine's Day already. I hope my darling Sammie-Pie hasn't forgotten about me. I still love you dearly, my beautiful floofy princess!

Here is a picture of me to tide you all over until the next post. Notice my handsome floof and piercing blue eyes.

One Year!

2010-11-22T10:32:00.000-05:00

As of last Friday, the CCB has been with us for one whole year.

It is unreal how fast time flies, kitties. It has been one whole year since my place as the baby of the family was usurped by the CCB.

There was a big party with lots of people on Saturday to celebrate, and mommy was nice enough to lock me up in the blue bedroom so I wasn't upset by all of the strangers. When all of the weirdo beans left, I came out and investigated. There was a lot of food sitting out and boxes to play in, so it wasn't all bad.

The CCB is growing on me. I let her share mommy's lap with me, and I've even let her give me kisses. The CCB is BIG into kissing kitties. We are her absolute favorite furries. Holly is HER kitty - Ivy and I aren't all that into spending a lot of time with the CCB, but Holly gives her love and headbutts and lets the CCB tug her tail and play in her furs and give her lots and lots of kisses.

A CCB who acknowledges the greatness of kitties can't be all bad, right?

Happy Birthday, Crazy Cat Blurp. You are even more wonderful than the FD and Mommy could have ever imagined, and I like you pretty well myself.

An Early Merry Christmas

2010-11-11T09:49:00.000-05:00

I may find this more than slightly embarrassing, but Mommy and the FD love these things and the CCB adores watching them.

Donna Nobis Pacem

2010-11-04T14:42:00.000-04:00

Tortie Tuesday - Weeeeeeee're Baaaaaaaack!

2010-09-14T11:03:00.000-04:00

Hello everykitty! It's Ivy with the Tortie Tuesday report!

Mommy was off last Monday AND Tuesday, which was PAWSOME . . . but it meant she didn't take time to help us blog. Oh well, I guess a kitty has to take what she can get.

On the other paw, the FD got his very own camera, and so he is taking a LOT more pictures of us with it. After a photo shoot he lets mommy know that he's taken "more pictures for the blog."

Shhhh . . . just between you and me kitties that camera was given to the FD by his daddy who lives in California because he didn't think mommy and the FD took enough pictures of the CCB. Ha ha ha! *ahem* Anyway, the FD is also using it to capture his furry children as well, which is what any good daddy would do.

Here I am (Ivy). I call this my 'sultry' look. I give it to the FD a lot.

And here I am, giving the FD my 'quizzical' look. I usually reserve this for mommy when she asks me "What have you been up to?" and uses THAT TONE in her voice. You know the tone I'm talking about, right kitties? You can also refer to this as the 'innocent' or 'who, me?' look.

Here is my sister Holly enjoying the fresh air. It has been HOTHOTHOT a lot this year, but whenever it cools off enough in the mornings the FD will open a window for us to enjoy. He's a good daddy.

And here is Holly again. You can see her extra toesies really well in this one!

Happy Tortie Tuesday Everykitty!

The CCB is an artist!

2010-08-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

Grandmama let the CCB play on the computer with her yesterday, and this is what she created.

Why do I see no kitties?!?!?!

Friday Movie Review - Inception

2010-08-20T00:00:00.002-04:00

Well kitties, once again Mommy and the FD went to a movie without me. But, as you know, this never deters me from my purpose. Once again I donned my disguise: Igor Kittenovsky, the Russian Foreign Exchange Student!

After using the plastic card I ~~stole~~ liberated from my mommy's purse to purchase the movie ticket, popcorn, and Dr. Pepper, I settled down in the cushy theatre seat to watch what I anticipated to be a great movie.

I was not disappointed.

Inception (2010)

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Written By: Christopher Nolan

In case you kitties didn't know, "Inception" stars Leonardo DiCaprio. My mommy is a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio. Since marrying mommy, the FD has become a big fan too. As you all may remember from my review of "William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet," I am also a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio. When I went to see "Inception," I was worried that my love of Leo (he even has a kitty name!) might make me expect too much of him. Maybe I put too much pressure on him to excel. Maybe, in fact, he was so worried about disappointing me, the great kitty movie critic, that he would not be able to deliver his usual steller performance.

I am proud to announce that Leonardo managed to deliver once again.

"Inception" is a movie that combines several genres: Sci-Fi, Action, Mystery, and Thriller. While watching "Inception," you are immersed in a world where the technology to invade dreams exists. Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Cobb, is what is known as an "Extractor." He invades dreams to steal information that people want to keep secret. In order to get help to return back to the United States where he is a wanted man, Cobb takes a highly dangerous case where he is asked to actually implant an idea in a person's brain using his skills as an Extractor.

The story is about much more than the mission, however. "Inception" explores the relationship that Cobb has with each of his team members, especially his newest recruit to become the "Architect," Ariadne, who is played by Ellen Page. While watching the current events unfold, you also get clues to Cobb's past, and why he is tormented by the memory of his wife, Mal, and why her "ghost" is a constant threat to the success of their mission. The special effects are incredible, and appear seamless - they do not detract from the story, rather they are an enhancement. It seems natural for streets to fold over, for people to walk up walls, and for zero gravity to exist in hotels. Unraveling the mystery of Cobb's past keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat just as much, if not more, than the action scenes do.

I give "Inception" two paws up and a tail poof!

Tortie Tuesday Update

2010-08-17T12:42:00.000-04:00

Holly here with an update.

Ivy is now using the litterbox again. Mommy praises her every time she catches her. That's the good news.

The bad news is that Tybalt is still refusing to follow her example.

The FD has a new theory - he thinks Tybalt may have new jealousy issues stemming from the Blurp's transition from her infant car seat to her new big girl car seat. Now instead of seeing the FD carry the CCB down to the car every morning in her carseat, Tybalt sees Mommy carrying the CCB down to the car.

Mommy is still giving us extra nip and attention and skritches when she gets home every night, and she's planning a trip to the V-E-T for Tybalt when her green papers get replenished at the end of this month. In the meantime the couch is covered by training pads.

However, mommy's fall classes start next week, so there may be new upset on the way for the Prince. She still plans on helping us blog at least once a week, so we will keep you posted on any new developments.

Tybalt says he has plans for a movie review this Friday. Anyone interested in his opinion of "Inception?"

(Here is an oldie but a goodie picture of me and my cute extra toesies and gorgeous tortie furs.)

Mancat Monday - Shocking Surprise

2010-08-09T09:52:00.003-04:00

Mommy woke up all groggy, and got ready to go to her dayhunting gig so she could earn us all some more green papers. Mommy was being as stealthy and as silent as she could, so that she wouldn't disturb the sleeping CCB, and as she crept down the hallway to check on all of us and give us our temptations . . . she saw something shocking.

Mommy saw me peeing on the couch.

ME! Her sweet boy! TYBALT!

I tried to explain to her that I obviously have a doppelganger. I mean, it couldn't be me. I would never do anything like that. Honestly. I am, after all, a PRINCE!

I don't think she bought it.

After all of the advice mommy was given by other kitties and their beans, she started paying even more attention to the three of us kitties. She did notice that Holly was her usual self, but that Ivy and I seem to have a few more issues lately than we used to. For instance, she saw Ivy purposefully knock me over the half wall and down onto the stairs the other evening. I wasn't hurt and I ran back up like nothing happened, but mommy was still a little shocked. She also noticed that Ivy and I have been wrestling each other more than we used to, and that Ivy seems to be the aggressor more than she used to be.

And now that both of us have been caught using the couch as a litterbox, mommy is wondering what has brought all of this on.

There may be a trip to the V-E-T in my future, just to make sure nothing is wrong with me, but she also thinks that before that happens she is going to get some Feliway to see if that makes us calmer.

Luckily mommy had some training pads that she put on the couch yesterday, so when she caught me (although I still contend it was my doppelganger!) in the act this morning, it was safely on the pad and not on the couch itself.

Thanks! (And Ivy update)

2010-08-06T09:49:00.003-04:00

Mommy and I want to thank everyone for all of their support and the great suggestions. Mommy is definitely going to follow the advice and see if any of it helps Ivy out.

There hasn't been any changes in litter or food. The big change in the house was the arrival of the CCB, but that was over 8 months ago and mommy isn't sure if Ivy is just having a delayed reaction to that or if it is something else. Mommy and the FD did replace the back door in the past month. It was old and falling apart and there was some rot issues. (The previous owners never really took care of our house, so we are dealing with the problems as we get the green papers to do so.) Ivy used to express her stress and displeasure with poo in front of the back door. Mommy is wondering if the back door area now smells strange to her, so she transferred her emotional potty issues to the couch instead.

Ivy is the sensitive kitty in our house - whenever something exciting happens (exciting to her at least) she has to run to the litterbox. A few years ago when the FD was still just the AD and he was gone for a month or so, Ivy took his absence really hard and was pottying in front of the back door ALL the time. When he came back it tapered down and then finally stopped. Whenever there is a schedule change, like when the FD starts a new semester or has to go in to work, there will normally be at the very least a few Ivy incidents. It's just all of the time now. It started with a few poos on the couch, and then it was a pee, and now it is both.

Mommy won't have the green papers to take Ivy to the V-E-T until the end of the month, unless it is apparent that it is a BIG emergency of course. Like I said in the last post, both mommy and Grandmama checked us all out as thoroughly as they could to see if they thought there were any health issues going on, and that included getting personal and touching us in certain places to see if it caused any discomfort. We all passed their tests. Mommy really thinks it is an Ivy emotional issue.

Since mommy has been using the Nature's Miracle spray, the pottying seems to have tapered off a bit. The next plan is to get the pads to put on the couch and to look into the Feliway to see if that helps Ivy out.

We'll keep you posted!

Caught in the Act!

2010-08-05T10:12:00.004-04:00

The FD said he caught someone in the act of using the couch as a litterbox last night . . .

I am sorry to say that mommy and the FD's suspicions were confirmed.

It was Ivy.

Ivy has a long and sordid history of ignoring the litterbox, especially for emotional reasons. Mommy and the FD have accepted this (when the incidents were on the easy-to-clean floor) but they are finding it harder to live with now that it is happening on the furniture.

Mommy and Grandmama took the crazy cat blurp (CCB) out shopping this past weekend and stopped by PetSmart and bought this.

It does work, kitties, in that the couch no longer smells like the zoo. However, it has NOT deterred Ivy from still doing her dirty deed on it.

Both mommy and grandmama checked out all of us kitties (before Ivy was caught) to make sure we seemed healthy and not sick. Mommy has gotten up close and personal with the poo and pee to make sure there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary about it. Everything checked out a-ok.

The FD has done his part by spending even more time with us kitties and playing with us and we have all gotten more nip lately, and mommy and the FD make sure to NEVER skimp on the kitty treats.

I'm afraid they are running out of ideas.

Mommy is ready to threaten Ivy with a trip to the V-E-T.

Important Information for Mancats!

2010-08-03T09:14:00.003-04:00

My mommy has a friend she made in those classes she goes to that takes time away from me. This friend is also a lover of kitties and has THREE manly tuxies and . . . well . . . a doggie.

We all know how I feel about doggies, even though the tortie twins LOVE them.

Anyway, one of the tuxies, Fred, had to go to the V-E-T because he was having some problems, and now poor Fred has to be put on a special diet, which I suppose isn't too bad since it involves stinky goodness.

Fred's mommy and daddy started a blog about food, and their latest entry is all about Fred and his new diet. I thought I would introduce the latest kitties to join the blogosphere! (Even if it is just their beans doing the blogging.)

Click here to read all about Fred, George, and Mozart! (And their doggie Yoda too).

It is a sad day . . .

2010-07-30T09:48:00.002-04:00

when a kitty finally has to cave and put word verifications in for the comments on his blog because spammers have decided to have their spammy fun spamming up his blog.

Sigh.

PS: There is still some "using the couch as a litter box" going on, but it seems to have slowed down some this week. Mommy still has no clue who the culprit is, and we still aren't talking.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-28T00:00:00.000-04:00

Tattle Tail Tuesday

2010-07-27T11:28:00.001-04:00

Somekitty has been ignoring the litterbox.

Somekitty has been using the couch instead.

Mommy is most displeased.

We aren't talking.

Thoughtful Thursday

2010-07-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

Kitties, I've had a lot to think about in the past year. I've also had too much time to think about it in.

In the past year there have been a lot of changes in my kingdom.

Almost Dad became Forever Dad.
Mommy had an alien blurp in her tummy.
Later, mommy brought home a blurpy girl.
Blurpy girl turned into Crazy Cat Blurp.

I could go on, but I shall spare you. Suffice it to say that no one has had any extra time to help me with important things, like keeping in touch with my friends, my sweet Sammie-pie especially, or even just helping me update my blog with all-important Tybalt news bulletins even once a week, let alone once a month.

Loki, Dana, and myself all went without cupcakes on our birthdays.

CUPCAKES!

I ask you, how is just telling us "Happy Birthday" on our special day enough?

At least I know mommy feels guilty about it. She feels guilty about a lot of things, especially how we furry babies have gotten the short end of the stick.

The good news is that right now mommy is between classes, so at least for this week I am back to blogging!!!! That's right, kitties!

I am keeping my paws crossed that this trend continues . . . .

Wordless Wednesday - Da Blurp

2010-07-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Punk Blurp Mohawk . . . I'm glad I've never purrsonally had a bad fur day

Why I haven't been blogging . . .

2010-07-20T10:22:00.002-04:00

Sometimes pictures DO speak louder than words.

Meet my bean sister, the Crazy Cat Blurpy.

PS: Happy Belated Birthday to Dana! And Happy 8 Months to the Blurp!

Wordy Wednesday

2010-04-07T11:13:00.004-04:00

*SIGH*

I wouldn't blame all of you if you have forgotten me. When mommy went back to work after the blurp, she told me we'd have more time to keep up with my friends.

Have we?

NO.

To be honest, kitties, I don't see regular blogging in my future anytime soon. But I thought I would go ahead today and update you all on how we are doing.

Everything is about the blurpy girl nowadays, so I suppose I'll start by letting you know that the blurp is doing great. She will be 5 months old on April 15. I can't believe it! Time flies when you have a blurp around. I have taught her how to smergle, so she smergles her blankies and her clothes and her toys . . . and she'd probably smergle me if I let her get her little paws on me, but I don't. I teach her things from a safe distance. (Everyone says the blurp is teething, but I know she is getting in touch with her inner meezer and is smergling just like her big brother Tybalt.) The blurp likes to smile and when she is really happy she will giggle. She likes to roll around now and play with toys, and she loves watching the TV with the Forever Dad. She is super interested in us kitties now and likes to watch us. I am sure she is a future Cat Lady.

As for me, I'm doing okay. I still don't think I get enough attention. I used to have the pawparazzi following me around all the time, and now they follow the blurp. I used to sit in mommy's lap and get carried around, and now she holds and carries the blurp. I used to sleep with mommy at night, but now I am not allowed to because every time mommy lets me in I jump in with the sleeping blurp and wake her up. Mommy tells me blurpy sleeping time is sacred, but I don't get what the big deal is. You'd think she'd be honored that I would even want to snuggle with the blurp.

Whatever.

The girls don't seem to notice the difference as much as I do, but then again I am my mommy's special boy, so lack of mommy time bothers me more. The girls get to hang out with their FD a lot during the day while the blurp is being watched by Grandmama and mommy is at work, so I suppose everything is peachy in their world. Well, Ivy has started pooing outside the litterbox again, but when doesn't Ivy have poo issues? Mommy says she is "special." Ivy has also started trying to run for the great outdoors again as well, which has scared mommy and made her mad. Ivy never learns.

Since the camera goes where the blurp goes, and pretty much EVERY picture takes nowadays is of the blurp, there aren't any good recent pictures of me. However, Holly did get some attention by claiming a bag on the floor and not letting mommy throw it away.

Oh, and guess what?

I have always secretly wanted a stroller. I have often dreamed of going strollering with mommy, and enjoying the fresh air and birdies and flowers and maybe even seeing Timmy the Squirrel, my arch-nemesis, close up.

Have I ever gotten a stroller or gone strollering?

No.

But guess who has?

Yes. I admit it. I am jealous.

Sammie-pie, think I could come over and stay with you awhile?

Help Parker Vote!

2010-01-29T09:13:00.007-05:00

I'm sure all of you know my beautiful friend Parker. (Hopefully my sweet Sammie-pie won't get jealous because I acknowledged that Parker is, well, a very attractive ladycat.)

Anyway, Parker is asking everykitty and their beans to go vote for the Wayside Waifs and their video "7000 Stories." It shows some of the furries that they have helped. It is super easy to vote! All you have to do is go to the website here and look until you find the blue merle doggie (black and grey with spots) and then click on the picture, and then click on "vote!" How easy is that? But everykitty needs to hurry and do it, because today is the last day.

I've already gotten my mommy to vote twice - once yesterday and once today. I tried to let Parker know on her page, but I'm having problems leaving comments on her posts . . . but I'll figure out that problem soon. In the meantime, Parker, I'm doing my best to help spread the word!

Also, I was poking around the pictures on the computer, and I found a picture mommy took in Helen, GA last spring.

Sigh. We are supposed to get freezing rain and sleet tonight.

Where oh where are you Spring? We southern kitties can only take so much of the wintry weather.

PS: A lot of our special kitty friends need extra purrs and purrayers. Please know that while mommy and I may not be around on my bloggie very much, we still care about you all, and you always have our love, purrs, and purrayers.

Remember Me?

2010-01-28T11:45:00.003-05:00

Just in case you don't, here is one of my handsomer portraits to jog your memory.

Mommy is back at work, which means she'll have more time to be my secretary than she would if she was actually at home with me and the blurpy girl. Blurpy girls take up A LOT of time and energy. You kitties with blurps know what I mean, right? I still get temptations, I still get skritches (although admittedly not as many as in the pre-blurp days), but things just aren't the same. Mommy tells me I'm still her sweet baby, but that the blurpy girl needs her more right now. I guess that is true, but my feelings are still hurt. I cry at mommy a lot and try to snuggle with the blurp on her lap, even though there isn't room for me and the blurp is still too small to snuggle on top of.

Sigh.

The blurp is growing like a weed, though, so I have hopes that if mommy won't pay me as much attention as I think she should, then the blurp will pick up the slack. Even though I am a teensy bit jealous, I have to admit she is pretty cute . . . for a blurp.

I'll have to teach the blurp how to walk on all fours soon. All she does now is lay around and let people carry her. How is she going to stalk mousies that way?

Blurpy Alien Girl Has Arrived!

2009-11-27T12:08:00.004-05:00

Here she is!

Chloe Renea, born on November 19 at 6:40 PM . . . Mommy and the blurpy share a birthday now! She was 6 pounds and 14.7 ounces, and screamed a lot when she was born. That is supposed to be a good sign for alien blurps.

Mommy has been busy, so I haven't been able to blog or visit my friends, and it took me over a week to finally get mommy to let me announce the big news. I apologize to all of my kitty friends for being so neglectful, but what can a kitty do? Sigh.

I pretty much shunned mommy and the blurp at first. After all, she abandoned be for several days, and when she came back she brought THAT with her. But I've since checked out the blupr and sniffed her, and I got some quality time in with mommy, so I think I may be ok with her. The Tortie Twins took to her right away, and Loki cries whenever he sees her and wants to go give her some love, but he isn't allowed to do that yet because he is way too big and the blurp is very small.

Welcome to the world, my new blurpy sister!

More pictures can be seen at this link here.

Mancat Monday - Making Biscuits

2009-10-19T07:51:00.003-04:00

Not sure how you other mancats do it, but this is how I make biscuits.

Wordless Wednesday - Flirting

2009-09-23T14:10:00.002-04:00

Rest in Peace, Patrick Swayze

2009-09-15T08:19:00.003-04:00

We've lost another talented bean, kitties. Patrick Swayze was a very talented manbean, and he was proof that you could not only be very manly, but also a beautiful and graceful dancer.

Patrick, you will be missed.

Wordless Wednesday - Cuddles

2009-09-09T09:54:00.000-04:00

(The FD took this one)

Thankful Thursday AND Thursday Thirteen!

2009-08-20T09:43:00.007-04:00

First off, let me say that I am thankful to be friends with The Whiskers and Purrs Gang, and I am also thankful that a wonderful bean like their mommy Jenny exists in this world! If you didn't have a chance to watch them last night, you can see them again tonight on TLC at 12 a.m.
You can check for your area's schedule at the TLC website.

And now for the Thursday Thirteen, which I haven't done in a loooooooooooong time. (Thanks, mommy.) Anyway, earlier I posted a picture of my handsome self all prepared to be packed for a trip. No, it wasn't to the hospital to get the blurpy alien girl - that doesn't happen until much closer to Turkey Day. Mommy and the FD decided to finally have a short honeymoon while they still could - they also called it their babymoon, because it will be the last trip they take together without the blurp being here. (Although she was there for the entire thing, just in mommy's tummy. Silly beans seem to forget that.) Mommy and the FD visited Saint Simons Island and Jekyll Island on the Georgia coast (without us furries, for shame!) and took some pretty nifty pictures, so I thought I'd share them with you for this Thursday Thirteen.

Mommy is silly and gets all excited when she sees palm trees. The only other coastal tree she gets even more excited about are the live oaks which are all drippy with spanish moss. I won't tell you how excited she gets about those . . . it is far to embarrassing.

Here is a picture of the beach on Saint Simons, right in front of the Saint Simons Lighthouse.

And here is the Saint Simons Lighthouse.

And here is a view from the top of the Saint Simons Lighthouse.

The FD got friendly with some sailor and his doggie. I don't think mommy kept a good enough watch out for the FD, purrsonally. If you are going to get friendly with some strange cardboard bean, daddy, you need to find one with the good taste to have a KITTY.

Here is the historic Christ Church, also on Saint Simons.

Across the street from the church is the Wesley Memorial Garden, with a Celtic cross in the center dedicated to the Wesley brothers, who came over with James Oglethorpe to found the colony of Georgia. Charles Wesley did missionary work on Saint Simons Island, and John Wesley later founded the Methodist Church.

Here is the Jekyll Island Club Wharf, at the prettiest time of day, sunset. This wharf is where a lot of really rich northerners would land every winter a squillion years ago for "hunting season" at the Jekyll Island Club. Now the Jekyll Island Club is part of the Jekyll Island Historic District and is protected by the state of Georgia.

Here is the sunset over the Jekyll River.

And here is the Jekyll Island Club's Clubhouse, which is now a hotel that you can stay at. It is very pretty, and my mommy loves it.

This is Moss Cottage. This is my mommy's favorite cottage in the Historic District, and I think it may have been the FD's, too. Besides being a very pretty house, it is special because the wife of the man who had it built actually came from Cherokee County, Georgia, which is where my mommy is from and where we live! According to the tour guide, they were very much in love all of their lives. It was very sweet. Mommy and the FD actually got to look inside during the tour.

Here is a picture of the marshes . . . Georgia's poet laureate, Sidney Lanier, actually wrote about them in the poem "The Marshes of Glynn." If you want to read it, you can find it here.

And speaking of Sidney Lanier, here is the Sidney Lanier Bridge. It's pretty impressive. The FD liked it a lot.

I hope you enjoyed the Thursday Thirteen, and congratulations once again to the Whiskers and Purrs Gang!!!

Don't Forget!

2009-08-19T08:55:00.002-04:00

Tortie Tuesday - Mark Your Calendars!

2009-08-18T08:01:00.003-04:00

Hi Kitties, Furries, and Beans! It's the infamous Tortie Twins, Holly and Ivy, speaking here. I'm sure most of us already know this, but some very good friends of ours, the Whiskers and Purrs Gang, will be on television this Wednesday night! It is very, very exciting!

We know our kitty friends over at the Whiskers and Purrs Gang, and their super awesome wonderful mommy, are all a little worried about how the show will go, so we are asking everyfurry and bean to watch and send pawsitive thoughts their way . . . with fingers and paws crossed for luck!

Here is the show description, taken from the TLC website:

Truth Be Told
Truth Be Told: I'm Obsessed with My Pet
TV-14 (D)

To some, their animals are more than pets, they are companions, surrogate children and are the main focus of that person?s life. This is the case with Judy and her beauty pageant dog, Trixie, Debby and her service monkey, and Jenny's 11 rescue cats.

We've marked our calendar . . . have you?

Mancat Monday - Traveling

2009-08-17T11:12:00.002-04:00

Mommy, you forgot to pack the most important thing!

Wordless Wednesday - Ivy Nesting

2009-08-12T00:00:00.002-04:00

Tortie Tuesday - Quality Check

2009-08-12T00:00:00.001-04:00

And the stockpiling begins . . .

Thank Heaven for Little Girls

2009-08-06T09:52:00.002-04:00

Blurpy alien girls do have some pretty awesome stuff.

Thankful Thursday

2009-07-30T13:33:00.003-04:00

We are all thankful that mommy and the FD painted the bedroom and moved around the furniture to make it more aesthetically pleasing. We know it was all for us. Who else could it be for?

Mancat Monday Updates

2009-07-27T10:12:00.003-04:00

Happy Mancat Monday, everykitty!

I thought it was time for an update . . . you know how hard it can be to get your mommy to help you blog and visit everyday. I really do miss the good old days. *sigh*

As you all know, we are expecting a blurpy alien GIRL. She is still due on November 25, right in time for Thanksgiving. The last ultrasound showed us that she is perfectly healthy and right on target. The only problem is that the placenta is low, so mommy has to be careful to not lift anything or do anything strenuous, and the next time she goes back to the blurpy alien V-E-T they will do another ultrasound to see if the placenta has behaved and moved out of the way, or if mommy may have to have a C-section to keep her and the blurpy alien girl healthy. There really isn't anything to worry about, though. Mommy and the blurp both are doing great, except for the usual stuff that mommies carrying blurpy aliens go through, like being tired and achy and not being able to sleep through the night.

The blurpy alien girl already has some stuff that the twins and I are testing out to make sure it is satisfactory. If we like her when she shows up we may share her stuff with her.

Mommy missed a great photo op with Loki and the FD yesterday . . . Loki LOVES the FD, and he was snuggling with him on the couch. It was really cute (as far as doggie pictures go) and would have made a great picture to share with you guys, but for whatever reason (probably pure laziness) mommy didn't walk the 5 steps it would have taken her to reach the camera. Instead she just stood there and said "awwww." Way to miss great blogging moments, mommy.

Our house is still a mess. Oh, and mommy didn't cook this weekend, so no extra goodies. I guess that is balanced out with the extra time mommy spent on the bed snuggling with us.

The FD has become a pro at cleaning the litterbox and feeding the doggies, but I'm sorry to say he has learned to see through my temptation begging and doesn't give me any unless he checks with mommy to see if she already has given me some or not. RATS.

Now it's time to get mommy to help me visit all my friends and catch up . . .

Ain't Gonna Break Dana's Stride!

2009-07-21T08:41:00.003-04:00

OHMIGOSHOHMIGOSHOHMIGOSH!

BILLYSWEETFEETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found the PERFECT SONG to do the WIGGLEBUTT DANCE to! And I think I want GLOVES and a GREEN LEOTARD to WIGGLEBUTT DANCE in, too!

(Mommy: What were we thinking in the 80s?)

One Small Step For Man . . .

2009-07-20T07:58:00.002-04:00

One Giant Leap For Mankind.

Alien Blurpy Update!

2009-07-13T14:11:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday - Home Improvement Take Two

2009-07-08T08:06:00.003-04:00

(Torties aren't the only brave kitties!)

Friday Movie Review- Star Trek

2009-07-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

First off, I would like to apologize for how VERY VERY LATE this movie review is. Mommy and the FD and Uncle Sean and his girlfriend (and me as a stowaway) all went to see this movie the day before the FD and Mommy got married . . . which is almost a month ago.

I guess Mommy has been busy.

Whatever.

Star Trek (2009)
Directed By: J.J. Abrams
Written By: Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman

Yes, kitties, it is another one of those blockbuster sorts of movies that my mommy and the FD adore so . . . one that is in some way related to a nerdy interest they have. I, of course, am a professional movie reviewer, so I HAVE to go watch these sorts of things. I mean, it isn't like I practice my Vulcan Nerve Pinch on Ivy or anything . . .

Now you discriminating furries out there may be wondering "Why would I want to go see yet another "Star Trek" movie? Haven't there already been like a hundred of them? What else could they do with it? What would make this one so great?"

I am here to tell you, kitties, that this one is most definitely worth the 127 minutes you will spend sitting watching it.

"Star Trek" successfully pulls off a "what if" plotline by making events in the future change the events of the past for James T. Kirk and Spock. In this version, Kirk loses his father at the moment of his birth, and Spock's entire home planet of Vulcan is destroyed. This changes pretty much everything.

Kirk is even more wreckless than before.
Spock struggles with his human side, and is even more emotional.
Kirk and Spock don't like each other at all, with Spock doing his best to have Kirk kicked out of the Starfleet Academy.

"Star Trek" successfully updates the usual Star Trek storyline, all the while paying homage to the original. Classic lines are interspersed throughout the movie, to the thrill of such moviegoers as my mommy who squealed everytime she heard one, including Scotty's "I'm giving her all she's got, Captain!"

I give this movie two paws up, and a "Live Long and Prosper" (which is pretty tricky for a kitty to do) for being full of action, humor, and managing to be a great tribute to the original Star Trek series. . . and let us not forget Leonard Nimoy!

And for your viewing pleasure, here is the trailer.

Dana's Karaoke and Dance Party Birthday Bash!

2009-07-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

OHMIGOSHOHMIGOSHOHMIGOSH!!!!!

Yesterday was my BIRTHDAY and I turned all of FIVE!!!!! I'm a LADY now!!!!!!! And I'm such a special LADY that I get TWO WHOLE DAYS for my BIRTHDAY instead of just ONE like other furries get! And I got to PICK what kind of PARTY I wanted and I wanted . . . .

BILLY SWEETFEETS!!!!!!!!! Will you DANCEDANCEDANCE with me?!?!?!?!?!

There are CUPCAKES and HAM and TEMPTATIONS for the CUTECUTECUTE KITTIES and Loki is DJ again because he is good at that and isn't good at dancing and I should know because he can't do the wigglebuttdance like me and BILLYSWEETFEETS can so it is better if he doesn't even TRY because then he'd be EMBARASSED and probably wouldn't stay for the party and then I'd be HURT!!!!

Let's DANCEDANCEDANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Home Improvement

2009-07-01T09:30:00.004-04:00

Ivy's Great Ladder Adventure

PS: Today is Dana's Birthday! Thank you KC for remembering her special day. =^_^= Keep posted for party details.

Mancat Monday - Update

2009-06-15T13:50:00.004-04:00

Hello, kitties!

Alas, once again there is no new picture today. Mommy has good intentions I know, but somehow the picture taking just doesn't commence. It's a shame, because I was extra cute this past weekend.

Mommy and the FD had a super long and tiring week last week. The FD started his summer classes (this is his next to last semester for his BBA!) and mommy had work and classes, too. Mommy needs to stop thinking she is superwoman, because taking classes this summer while being pregnant sure is wearing her out. She's halfway done with them this week, though. The FD's classes started after hers, so he still has 6 weeks to go.

Grandmama and the FD started painting our bedroom a nice brown color that the FD really approves of. Apparently he wasn't a fan of the gold color it used to be, although he didn't tell mommy that until they started painting on Saturday. Mommy and I supervised the painting, and for the first time in what seems like a very long time mommy cooked dinner for everyone, so there was a lot of excitement for us furries. It was chicken!!!! I managed to look extra adorable and hungry, and even hopped right up in the middle of the table once.

Now that the FD is with us all the time, Ivy has calmed down quite a bit. All of her lovely furs have grown back, and she has cut down on her outside-of-the-litterbox poo to once a day. The FD REALLY wishes she would cut that down to NEVER. Mommy said to give her time and maybe she'll quit that once and for all once she is assured that the FD isn't going anywhere. Mommy didn't have the heart to tell him that she may start it all up again once the alien blurpy comes home . . . Ivy may need some extra time to adjust to that.

Ivy has been spending a lot of time with her FD, and Holly has been spending some extra time grooming mommy. Apparently mommies with alien blurpies in their tummies need A LOT of grooming. I snuggle with mommy every night, and refuse to budge for her during her frequent potty breaks. A handsome mancat needs his beauty sleep, after all. Dana and Loki are both doing well, except they are losing their coats like crazy. Mommy caught me playing with some of their floof the other day and took it away from me before I swallowed it (even though I was extra cute doing my best bunnykick on it.) Toby is still our little doggie brother, only he's not so little anymore and is making his Forever Home next door with his brother Riku and Grandmama. He got so comfy over there, and is so close to his brother, that mommy and Grandmama decided it was best for him to stay over there. Mommy and the FD still see him every day, and Loki and Dana like to visit with him and Riku through the fence. We kitties see him through the windows, which is FINE with me. Holly and Ivy love doggies, but I'm strictly a mommy-loving kitty.

I think that is all for now . . . I wanted to let everykitty know how we are doing, even if we are picture-less. Mommy is very tired and busy, and has been headachy again the past few days, so I don't really have my secretary back yet, plus I've been busy snuggling on her and catching up on my naps, too.

Purrs to you all, and I hope to have both pictures and the Friday Movie Review back up soon!
(Hint: Star Trek!)

It's Official!

2009-06-09T09:47:00.004-04:00

This past Saturday Almost Dad officially became our Forever Dad.

And guess who was there?

The Purrageous Mom!

So far Almost Dad being Forever Dad is working out pretty well. I'm still trying to train him on where his spot in the bed is, and I'm working on getting him to not listen to mommy and give me Temptations even if I've already had them. He's already a pretty good litter box scooper, and he plays well. Ivy is in seventh heaven. This morning when mommy was getting ready for her dayhunting gig, she saw Ivy snuggled up against the new FD purring like mad.

This is my first slideshow, so I hope it turned out well. These are pictures from the big event! Thank you all for your congratulations, love, and support. It means a lot to me and mommy and the FD!

If you can't view the slideshow, then try clicking here.

SIGH

2009-05-28T09:18:00.005-04:00

Do you remember me? The devastatingly handsome and romantic mancat with lovely floof and sultry blue eyes?

In case you don't, let me refresh your memory.

Those were the days, my friend. Back when my mommy would help me pose and look my handsomest. She said something to me last weekend about doing a photo shoot, but WE NEVER DID! Granted, we did take a few naps together, but still . . . my blogging has been neglected. I've lost all touch with my furry friends, and my poor tuxie princess has been lonely!

Never you fear, Sammie-pie, this dedication is for you.

I can't breath when you're away
It pulls me down
You are the question and the answer am I
Only you can see me through
I leave it up to you

(And I think Billy Sweetfeets may like it, too!)

Alien Blurpy Humor

2009-05-20T14:27:00.003-04:00

Mommy got this sent to her in the email and thought it was too funny (and true.) Since I know there are several of us out there with alien blurpies on the way (or pretty new blurps), I thought I'd share.

The five best prenatal yoga postures

• The Pringle. Lie on your back with a can of chips balanced on your stomach. See if you can eat them all before you fall asleep.
• The Sneeze. As the sneeze approaches, squeeze your knees together, breathe in and out, and try to remember what it used to feel like to "hold it in." Keep this pose while you hobble to the bathroom to change your underwear.
• The Calf Cramp. Try to stretch around your belly and rub your leg while simultaneously screaming loudly enough to wake everyone in your zip code.
• The Pesto Burp. Bring your chin to your chest and exhale as silently as you can through your closed mouth. Reward yourself with a nice, meditative Fudgesicle.
• The Sleeping Hip. Lie on your side until you lose all feeling. Roll onto your other side and repeat. Namaste!

Proof That Furries Love Their Mommies

2009-05-19T10:07:00.003-04:00

. . . whether their mommy is a bean or a furry.

When I read this, I thought it was purrfect and had to share with all of our moms out there. It made me and my mommy all leaky-eyed. (Of course, mommy gets leaky-eyed a lot easier these days, but I still think this was totally worth a leak or two.)

A poor doggie got hit by a big metal monster on a busy expressway, but her son rushed to the rescue and kept traffic away all by himself until the police came . . . and even after they arrived, he stayed to make sure his mommy was taken care of properly, and that no one else hurt her. *sniffle*

If you want to skip straight to the story, here is a video:

The Great Phil Harris

2009-05-08T12:07:00.002-04:00

You all probably know Phil Harris the best for his voice acting in classic Disney movies . . . he was Baloo in "The Jungle Book," Thomas O'Malley in "The Aristocats," and Little John in "Robin Hood."

Mommy has loved him since she was a kitten. He had a wonderful voice and a great sense of humor. We were playing on youtube and found one of his quirky and funny songs, "The Thing," and wanted to share it with all of you kitties.

Enjoy!

Finally - Pictures

2009-04-29T10:02:00.004-04:00

Well, mommy and I are giving up on saying we are going to edit pictures before we put them up . . . if we wait for that, they will NEVER be posted. So, without further ado, here are some pictures we wanted to share with you all.

Early this month, Mommy and Almost Dad and Grandmama and Uncle Sean all took a trip up to Helen together so that they could look for a wedding spot (which they did find and booked so hurray for them). It was SUPER pretty for their trip this time, unlike the chilly and cloudy yet romantic Valentine's Day trip that Mommy and Almost Dad had when they got engaged.

Mommy loved all the flowers, and she's pretty proud of how well this picture turned out.

And because mommy is a sucker for all things furry, she had to take more pictures of horsies.

Mommy is also a sucker for pretty scenery, so she had to take more pictures of the river, this time from under the bridge.

Then a few weekends ago Mommy and Grandmama and Uncle Sean and his girlfriend went to the Georgia Renaissance Festival. It was another beautiful weekend, and they had a lot of fun. Mommy and Grandmama spent most of their time looking for a wedding dress, which they found, so hurray again.

The first thing they saw when they arrived was a DRAGON!

Dragons must not be as fierce as I thought, since there is a blurpy in a wagon RIGHT THERE and no one seems to be worried . . . unless drangonslayers come younger than I thought.

They watched the Barely Balanced Acrobats. The show was both funny and amazing.

There was also a very pretty English Water Garden. Mommy really liked the froggie.

And last but not least . . . a picture of two of us furry babies. I know, it's just Loki and Dana and not us kitties, but they were being very cute using their doghouse as a double-decker napper. Loki is on top and Dana is inside. Mommy had to take the picture through the window because she knew they would run up to her if she went outside to take it, so it isn't very clear.

As you can tell, mommy has been spending A LOT of time away from me on the weekends. I don't understand why I'm not allowed to go on these trips with her . . . anykitty have advice on how a mancat can stow away?

Checking In with MORE NEWS!

2009-04-21T09:36:00.003-04:00

Hey kitties!

Mommy and I wanted to be able to put up pictures today, but she can't get them edited and she didn't want to have to wait any longer to fill all of you in on what has been happening with us, and why we haven't been around much.

As you all know, on Valentine's Day Almost Dad asked Mommy if he could be our Forever Dad.

A month later, Mommy and Almost Dad found out they were going to have a little blurpy alien.

It was a HUGE surprise, kitties. We all knew that they wanted a little blurpy alien someday, but thought it probably wouldn't happen all that easily. (Mostly because mommy has Insulin Resistance/Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and that can make it hard to have a blurpy.)

As soon as mommy knew there was a little blurpy alien on the way, she started worrying about it and hoping it was ok. Luckily, she got to see it last week at her 8 week doctor visit and got to hear the heartbeat (along with Almost Dad and Grandmama) and everything was a-ok. I wasn't allowed to go. I'm still a little hissed off about that.

Mommy was going to wait to tell about the blurpy alien until after 3 months, but she decided she couldn't wait to let you all know . . . especially since you kitties and beans are such wonderful friends, and worry about us so. =^_^=

Plus, kitties, I'm shocked to say that she already has a TUMMY and can't fit into her clothes, even though she always bought them roomy and oversized to begin with. I think she laughed about that with Grandmama so she wouldn't cry. I don't think mommy will be able to keep it a secret much longer, no matter how much she might want to.

The Tortie Twins can't leave my mommy alone. All three of us sleep with her now, even Holly. We all sniff her and pat her and fight to be the one to sleep on top of her. The tummy is the new primo sleeping spot . . . it's so round and cushy. Loki and Dana don't seem to notice anything different, but that's doggies for you. Pffft. We kitties are MUCH more sensitive.

Mommy is super tired all of the time right now, and feels icky in the tummy quite a bit. I have my paws crossed that all of that goes away soon, so that we can play more. Napping is good, don't get me wrong, but all she does when she gets home from work and class now is SLEEP. I mean, what about my temptations? And my nip? I actually had to REMIND her Sunday that she hadn't given us our stinky goodness yet.

The blurpy alien thing is interesting, kitties, but if it changes my pampered lifestyle, I'm not so sure I'm for it. Mommy said we have to wait until Thanksgiving to see it. . . I can already tell this might be a problem. It is starting off by crashing our holiday party.

Friday Movie Review - Watchmen

2009-04-03T08:46:00.004-04:00

I blame this movie review on my mommy and Almost Dad's nerdiness. Well, really, this movie was pretty much entirely Almost Dad's nerdiness . . . but my mommy went with him to see it (and I pulled the "kitty in the purse" trick again.)

Watchmen (2009)
Directed By: Zack Snyder
Written By: Alan Moore (Comic)
David Hayter and Alex Tse (Screenplay)

A lot of people who don't know the backstory of "Watchmen" just assume that this is another typical superhero story. Well, it isn't. All of the heroes in "Watchmen" are really just costumed crime fighters . . . none of them have super powers, except for Dr. Manhattan, who pretty much seems to have come back from the dead as a super-powered blue manbean after a nuclear accident in a lab. So, instead of a lot of Green Lanterns and Supermen, you have more of a Batman vibe going on . . . and the bad guys aren't colorful and crazy characters like The Joker or The Riddler . . . they are the type of average criminals you hear about on the news every night.

The story begins with the death of this manbean, The Comedian, which mommy found a shame since he was the one who interested her the most.

"Watchmen" takes place in an alternate history where costumed heroes emerged in the 1940s as an effective crime fighting force. Their role broadened as the years went on, until they were also instrumental in winning the Vietnam War and aiding the United States government in the escalating Cold War. This is especially so with Dr. Manhattan, who the United States uses as a threat against the Soviet Union, keeping them in check. Their usefulness aside, costumed crimefighters become increasingly unpopular with the public, leading to legislation in the late 1970s to outlaw them entirely. However, Dr. Manahattan and The Comedian continue working for the government, while the rest either stop crime fighting entirely or go underground.

The movie opens with the murder of The Comedian in 1985, and the investigation of his death by Rorschach, a costumed crimefighter who has gone rogue and continued his work even while it is against the law. Rorschach believes that all of the former crimefighters are being targeted, and contacts his old comrades. At first met with skepticism, the others soon come to believe him as other attacks are made and the evidence piles up. The tension mounts as not only the mystery behind The Comedian's murder deepens, but the Doomsday Clock toward a disastrous nuclear war also ticks away as the United States and the Soviet Union come to a stalemate. Who is targeting them, and why? Will anyone be able to save the world from the impending nuclear crisis? Just who can save the world now?

There is ONE kitty in this movie, and you only get to see him near the end. He looks pretty cool. I think the movie would have been much better if they had let us see him more.

Now, I have to warn all of you beans and kitties . . . this is DEFINITELY not a movie for smallbeans or kittens. It is violent and graphic and has themes and language that you are not going to want to show little ones. Also, it helps if you have either read the graphic novel or are familiar with the storyline, otherwise you will probably sit hopelessly confused through the entire movie. On the other paw, if you share the same nerdy interests as my mommy and Almost Dad, you will probably enjoy this movie. It does have incredible use of photography, color, and lighting. The special effects are amazing to watch . . . and I did enjoy how they pointed out that anyone who was drawn to the life of a costumed crimefighter probably wasn't all that sane anyway, as illustrated very well by both The Comedian and Rorschach, who were both very complex and pretty much sociopathic characters - who happened to be fighting on the side of "good." I give this movie two paws up for being well executed, and for being a pretty faithful adaptation of the graphic novel. Oh, and the soundtrack was fun, too!

In case anykitty or bean is interested, here is a trailer for you to watch.

Friday Movie Review - Coraline

2009-03-20T08:06:00.005-04:00

It's been a long time, hasn't it, kitties? But yes, the Friday Movie Review has returned! And I have discovered something new! As most of you know, when I want to see a movie that is just out in theatres, I usually have to wait until mommy is asleep, dress up in my Igor Kittenovsky disguise, take mommy's plastic card, and have my doggie brother Loki drive me to the theatre in mommy's big red metal machine.

I have found a way around all that trouble.

Kitties, if your mommy goes to a matinee performance of a movie that has already been out for awhile, then the likelihood that your mommy will be the only one in the theatre watching that movie (or at least one of the very few people watching that movie) is MUCH higher . . . and if, say, a certain enterprising kitty stowed away in their Mommy's already heavy and overly large purse . . . then there is less likelihood that a certain kitty will be caught.

I admit that the experience is a bit lacking . . . after all, you don't get your own straw to play with and you have to swipe pieces of popcorn out of the tub when no one is looking, but still, I was able to see a movie with mommy. (Even if she didn't know I was there.)

So, without further ado, here is the movie!

Coraline (2009)
Written By: Henry Selick (screenplay)
Neil Gaiman (novel)
Directed By: Henry Selick

Coraline Jones and her family have just moved into the Pink Palace Apartments, and already Coraline finds herself bored and lonely. Her parents always seem to be too busy to pay her any attention, and she misses her friends. The only other kidbean she encounters is a strange nerdy boybean by the name of Wybie. She also meets Wybie's stray black kitty friend, who has no name, but somehow irritates Coraline all the same.

Coraline wishes for a better and more interesting life. And then, she discovers the tiny door, that has been locked and covered with wallpaper. Why is the door there? And why was someone so anxious to keep it hidden and undisturbed?

Coraline soon finds herself traveling through the mysterious door to another world - a world that is parallel to her own, only better in every way. Her parents have all the time in the world for her, her mother cooks delicious meals, the house is new and clean and beautiful, the neighbors are interesting and entertaining, and her father has planted a gorgeous garden just for her.

Even Wybie is better . . . . he's silent!

At first Coraline is excited and thrilled with the new world she has discovered, and after being uncertain at first, she soon wishes to leave the real world and live in this perfect world she has found forever. Disregarding the cat's advice (who can talk in this other world!), Coraline continues to visit . . . until one day she can no longer return to her own world, and she discovers the darker side of the perfect world on the other side of the door.

Coraline is a beautifully animated movie, with gorgeous music and incredible colors and imagery. Purrsonally, I enjoyed the cat the most. He was graceful, sinuous, wise, and clever. Coraline would never have been able to find her happy ending without him. While this movie may have some parts that are a bit too intense for very young beans, I highly recommend this as a great movie for families and furries to watch together. I give "Coraline" two paws up and a tail poof!

For those of you interested, here is one of the official trailers.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-03-15T19:19:00.003-04:00

Yep kitties, it is the Ides of March, and you know what that means . . . MY BIRTHDAY!

I am an extra mature mancat of THREE years now.

Perhaps I should start wearing a smoking jacket while I'm drinking my niptinis?

For those of you kitties who have worried about me and mommy - we are okay, but we really do appreciate how much all of you kitties and beans care. =^_^= (That goes for all the cool kitties at Camie's Kitties, especially!)

Mommy was sick for just about an entire month, plus had a midterm project/presentation to work on, and then work got super busy, plus other stuff that has taken us all by surprise . . . and we won't even mention thinking about making Almost Dad our Forever Dad, because we haven't even had much time to think about that either.

I probably still won't be visiting or blogging much for awhile, but mommy has promised that I'll get at least TWO movie reviews up soon.

Mommy says sometimes Life just slaps you in the face. Maybe Life will get tired of playing with us and go visit somewhere else far, far away soon.

Purrs to you all!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

2009-02-24T08:01:00.001-05:00

Happy Mardi Gras Kitties! No regrets!

Proud Mancat Monday

2009-02-23T07:51:00.002-05:00

As my doggie sister Dana would say, "OHMIGOSHOHMIGOSHOHMIGOSH!"

I WON!!!!!!!

I won an award for "Best Musical Movie Review"for my review of "Sweeney Todd" as well as (and this was such an unexpected honor) the "Lifetime Achievement for Best Movie Reviews on Friday."

I am both humbled and overwhelmed.

A big thanks to all the members of the Acatemy, especially Fin who put all of this together. Also a huge thank you to my mommy for allowing me to blog in the first place, and who is nice enough to rent movies when I ask for them. And last but not least, to my beautiful Sammie-pie for all of her love and support - I couldn't do it without you, princess!

* * *

In other news, mommy is doing better but we think it may take awhile for her to be back to 100%. She still has a lot of congestion in her chest and is super tired, but the cough is getting better and she doesn't think that she looks quite as much like a zombie as she did last week.

Fin's Acatemy Awards Movie Review Nomination

2009-02-22T11:31:00.004-05:00

I have decided to enter in my review of "Sweeney Todd" for consideration for an Acatemy Award. Click here to see this oldie but goodie.

This is so exciting!

Wordy Wednesday - Big News

2009-02-18T08:24:00.003-05:00

Well, kitties, I have some big news that I couldn't tell you before today.

Mommy wasn't in Helen alone. Mommy was with the ex-Almost Dad. Except he's not an ex anymore.

How did that happen? You may well ask, considering the very sad and upset post I made about the Almost Dad back in August of last year. You may remember, he left mommy out of the blue. And the reasons mommy assumed he had for leaving were spot on. (Mommy knows Almost Dad and his family pretty well.) Anyway, while he was gone mommy started her classes again and went to a Braves baseball game and helped me blog and kept living her life and trying to not miss him or keep hurting over the whole thing. And then one Friday afternoon she left work and there he was waiting for her next to her car in the parking lot, and instead of driving away and ignoring him she let him talk to her. To make a long story short, Almost Dad realized that what he and mommy and we furry babies had was too good to lose over anything else in the entire world, and that he was going to do anything and everything he could to get it all back and make it work. So mommy gave him one more chance, because even though he hurt her she still loved him and missed him - and because Ivy was driving her crazy with the crying. (Ivy even started to lose her pretty furs!)

So Almost Dad came back into our lives. (And Ivy's fur grew back and her crying stopped.)

And on Valentine's Day, Mommy and Almost Dad went to Helen to celebrate.

And at Helen, Almost Dad asked mommy if he could be our Forever Dad. And she said yes.

I suppose this just proves, kitties, that love can conquer all and that sometimes happy endings come even when you think there is no hope for it. Mommy is very glad she took the chance and trusted Almost Dad to be the man she knew he could be. We are all very happy, especially Ivy.

I couldn't share the news before today because Almost Dad had to break the news to his family. They are not happy, but maybe that will change. But even if it doesn't, we are happy and excited enough for everyone.

Mancat Monday - Where Mommy Was

2009-02-16T00:05:00.000-05:00

Mommy visited Helen, Georgia this past weekend instead of staying home and snuggling with me. Helen was originally a saw mill town that developed in the early 20th century, but in the late 1960s was renovated to resemble an Alpine village in order to attract visitors.

Helen is not only picturesque, but it is also in the North Georgia Mountains, which means there is a lot of gorgeous scenery. It is also right on the Chatthoochee River.

Mommy saw lots of horsies pulling people around. This one was the cutest - it looked very Cinderella-esque.

Mommy's favorite part of Helen was probably the Chattahoochee River. The Chattahoochee forms just north of Helen, and the waters are all sparkly and clear, unlike the water that you see closer to Atlanta, which can be all dark and icky.

Mommy had a good time, but it was unfair that she had a good time and didn't take me with her.

Also, mommy and I will be taking a short break from blogging for a bit. Mommy is still busy at work, and has classwork to do, and is still recovering from bronchitis. (Yes, she went to Helen and walked around in the cold with bronchitis, but she's stubborn and it didn't make her any worse. She actually felt better and was coughing less yesterday, but she is super tired.) That means that mommy has less time to help me blog, and I have to spend more time purring on her. Sigh. A mancat's job is never done.

Don't forget about me, my sweet Sammie-pie!

Friday Movie Review - Made of Honor

2009-02-13T00:05:00.001-05:00

Made of Honor (2008)

Directed By: Paul Weiland
Written By: Adam Sztykiel and Deborah Kaplan

Yes, this movie stars McDreamy himself: Patrick Dempsey. For some reason, that always seems to excite the ladybeans.

In this movie, McDreamy plays Tom Bailey, a manbean who likes women a lot, but doesn't like them enough to keep them around all the time. The only exception is the friend he made in college, Hannah. To him Hannah is different - she's a wonderful friend, and he has refused to ever make their relationship romantic, out of fear of losing her. When Hannah leaves for Europe for a short while, Tom realizes how much he misses her and that he may actually love her as more than a friend. Just as he is willing to make a change in their relationship, Hannah returns engaged to a Scottish Duke . . . and asks Tom to be her maid of honor. Tom decides to use the opportunities that being her maid of honor will present him with to prove to Hannah that he is the perfect man for her, not the Duke.

"Made of Honor" is a lot of silly fun. Some of the best parts are when Tom is with his group of buddies, and they are all discussing the upcoming wedding, his romance with Hannah, and most especially when they are over at his apartment helping him pack gift baskets. Tom being the maid of honor gives not only him but his friends a chance to get in touch with their more "feminine" side. Also, once the setting moves to Scotland, there is absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking scenery. I give "Made of Honor" two paws up for being a fun and romantic movie that both mancats and ladycats can enjoy watching.

Romantic Karaoke with Dana

2009-02-12T00:05:00.001-05:00

Well, yesterday's Wordless Wednesday karaoke came to us courtesy of Loki. Loki felt that was the most knightly love song he had ever heard, and he approves of the movie.

As you might imagine, Dana's choice was a little more, shall we say, upbeat . . . and eccentric. I'm not sure if any other furry would have this song in their top 10 list of most romantic songs ever, but that's our Dana. At least it has a great beat and is easy to sing along to!

(Mommy squeals over the manbean David Cassidy in this one, too. Sheesh. Mommy is embarrassing!)

Wordless Wednesday - Romantic Karaoke

2009-02-11T00:05:00.000-05:00

Tortie Tuesday - Romantic Karaoke

2009-02-10T00:05:00.000-05:00

Well, it was our turn to think up a romantic song for this week of love! To be honest, there are a lot of songs we like. (Mommy is a big music lover, so we furry babies get to hear music ALL the time at our house!) But to be honest, as many songs as we love, there are few that can really touch our hearts and speak to our souls. Here is one of those few - The Beatles "In My Life."

Mancat Monday - Award and Romantic Karaoke

2009-02-09T00:05:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite mancats, Jimmy Joe, passed an award to me! Here it is!

This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

WOW! I am so excited to get this! As you kitties know, I've been a little . . . well, let's be honest . . . I've been A LOT behind in visiting my friends. Mommy finds time over the weekend to help me set up my blog, but she doesn't always find time to help me visit my friends.

And now for the hard part . . . which 8 kitties should I give it to? So many of my friends are pawsome, plus since I haven't visited much recently I'm not sure who has already received this award.

In other news, mommy is up for an even busier few weeks. She has a mid-term project to work on for her Adolescent Development class, plus the Spring Semester is always her busiest time at work. AND, if you can believe this, Grandmama's car got sick on Saturday and scared Grandmama (and mommy), so Grandmama's car is now in the car hospital and probably won't get to come home until late this afternoon. Since the car they used to use as emergency back-up is sick too, mommy took the day off work to play taxi driver for Grandmama and Uncle Sean. Mommy is super grateful that where she works is nice about things like this. My paws are definitely crossed that Grandmama's car is all better soon!

And since this week is going to be so busy (and Saturday is Valentine's Day!) I conferred with my furry siblings and came up with some pawsomely romantic songs to post for the next few days. So, here is the first one!

Here is John Denver singing one of the most romantic songs ever written. It always makes me and my mommy get all leaky-eyed when we hear it, because it is so beautiful.

Friday Movie Review - 27 Dresses

2009-02-06T00:05:00.001-05:00

This month is February, and the season for love, so this month I am reviewing Romance! This next movie is one I recently watched with mommy while we were snuggled on the bed during one of our freak super cold snaps.

27 Dresses (2008)

Directed By: Anne Fletcher

Written By: Aline Brosh McKenna

Jane (Katherine Heigl) is an amazingly organized and helpful ladybean who has managed to be a wonderful Maid of Honor to countless brides . . . well, to be exact, 27 brides. As the film opens, we see Jane rushing back and forth between two weddings that are being held on the same night . . . with her as Maid of Honor for both. This catches the eye of a man in the audience, Kevin, who happens to be the writer of the "Commitments" column in the New York Journal, and he sees Jane and her unique hobby as a way to further his career.

At the same time, Jane's sister Tess comes back to town to stay with her, and manages to catch the eye of Jane's boss, who Jane has been in love with for a long time. Soon Tess is engaged to marry Jane's crush, and is expecting Jane to be her perfect Maid of Honor. Jane finds herself planning the wedding of her sister to the man that SHE is in love with, while Kevin insinutates himself into her life by covering the wedding for his column. Despite herself, Jane begins opening up to Kevin and seeing him as more than the cynical and bitter man she first perceived him to be. Likewise, Kevin sees the warmth and generosity in Jane, and how it is expressed through her role of eternal bridesmaid.

However, the stress between the two of them begins to build as Kevin realizes the real reason Jane is upset about her sister's wedding, and as Jane finds out that Kevin pursued their relationship just to use her for an article. Can their relationship ever be healed? Will Jane's sister really marry? Does Jane even care anymore? Will Jane forever be a bridesmaid, and never be a bride?

This movie is well done. Katherine Heigl does a brilliant performance as Jane. Often, a kitty can tell exactly what she is thinking solely by her body language alone. Her expressive face and movements say more than any amount of words can. The story is painful, touching, and funny all at the same time. I give "27 Dresses" two paws up and a chirp!

Thankful Thursday

2009-02-05T00:05:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful mommy keeps this chair right in front of the window, and this box in the chair, just so that I can have a good birdie and squirrel watching post in the dining room.

Wordless Wednesday - Growing Up!

2009-02-04T00:05:00.000-05:00

Tortie Tuesday

2009-02-03T00:05:00.001-05:00

A tortie can never be too clean, especially when she has extra toesies.

Mancat Monday

2009-02-02T00:05:00.002-05:00

I hope this isn't too much mancatly tummy floof for the ladies. It's all for you, Sammie-pie!

Oh, and Happy Groundhog's Day!

What's New, Pussycat?

2009-01-30T00:05:00.000-05:00

For some reason, this bean named Tom Jones makes my mommy squeal. Still, he had the good taste to sing about loving pussycats!

And Alvin and the Chipmunks did a pretty cool cover of the song, too. Mommy has this record. Mommy used to have a crush on Alvin when she was a kitten.

Thankful Thursday

2009-01-29T00:05:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for my sweet tuxie princess, Sammie-pie.

SHE walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meets in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies. ~ Lord George Gordon Byron

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-28T00:05:00.000-05:00

Tortie Tuesday

2009-01-27T00:05:00.002-05:00

Ahhhh . . . chicken stinky goodness served on fine china.
I don't even mind having to share it with my brother.

Happy Chinese New Year!

2009-01-26T00:05:00.000-05:00

This year is the year of the Ox!

Mommy helped me look my Chinese Zodiac sign up, and I was very disappointed. I was born in the year of the Dog! Can you believe it?! I guess it isn't all bad:

"Dogs value friendships; they’re loyal, honest, trustworthy and reliable and have strong morals and ethics."

Oh well.

Here is what the rest of us are:

Mommy is a Horse.
Grandmama and Grandpapa are both Pigs.
Uncle Sean is a Monkey.
Loki is a Goat.
Dana is a Monkey.
The Tortie Twins are Monkeys.

Boy, mommy sure knows a lot of monkeys! I guess that explains a lot . . .

If you want to look up your sign, you can click here.

Freddie Mercury's Delilah

2009-01-23T00:05:00.000-05:00

Did you kitties know that Freddie Mercury of Queen had a kitty named Delilah, and that he loved her so much he wrote a song about her? Check it out!

Thankful Thursday

2009-01-22T00:05:00.000-05:00

Mommy is glad she's never seen me do this . . . especially in the middle of the night!

Ghost Kitty!

Wordless Wednesday - Why Mommy Can't Have Flowers

2009-01-21T00:05:00.000-05:00

Tortie Tuesday - Laps

2009-01-20T00:05:00.000-05:00

There is nothing quite like a lap.

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr

2009-01-19T04:25:00.003-05:00

Let all of us kitties remember just why our mommies and daddies have this day off.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

And Now For Something Completely Different

2009-01-16T08:24:00.002-05:00

I still have a serious case of reviewer's block, so I have decided to take a break from my movie reviewing this month. My sweet Sammie-pie is reviewing the latest CCSI on her blog, however, so you really should check that out.

I thought instead of reviewing movies, I would do something else entertaining and theme-related.

For the rest of the Fridays in January, I am going to be presenting you with popular songs that pay tribute in some way to us kitties. The first is "Stray Cat Strut" by the Stray Cats. Now, we all know there is nothing that wonderful about being feral, and that being FORMERLY feral is the way to go, but this is still a pretty cool song. What do you think, kitties? Two paws up?

Mommy's Thankful Thursday

2009-01-15T00:05:00.000-05:00

Mommy is thankful to have such a beautiful and special ladycat as her little girl, even with the odd howling cries in the wee hours of the morning and the burgling skills.

Wordless Wednesday - Dana's Career

2009-01-14T00:05:00.000-05:00

Paleontologist.

Tortie Tuesday - Napping

2009-01-13T00:05:00.000-05:00

I don't know about the rest of you kitties, but I'm exhausted!

Happy Mancat Monday?

2009-01-12T00:05:00.000-05:00

Cousin Sebastian sure does enjoy trick-or-treating at our house now . . . even when it isn't the right season for it.

Mommy wants to thank everyone for purring for her on Saturday. She should know whether she passed or not in a few weeks. In other news, classes start for her again this week: Tuesday and Wednesday nights this time. So two more nights a week of mommy coming home very, very late only to leave us again early the next morning for work. Sigh.

Plus we are getting an arctic front moving through this week, so it is going to be way too cold for us delicate southerners to take.

Happy Monday?

Friday Movie Review . . . ON HOLD

2009-01-09T00:05:00.000-05:00

Mommy has to take something called the GACE exam tomorrow so that one day maybe someone will let her teach History to young kitties . . . er. . . . beans. Mommy is also recovering from having sinus crud, and is having to get used to her 5:30 am wake-up time again after her almost 2 week break from working. What with me purring on her to make her better and helping her brush up on History by sitting on her textbooks and not letting her read them, it's been a busy few weeks. So, unfortunately, no movie review today.

BUT

I am curious to see if anyone would like to suggest a theme for January, and maybe February too? I must have the winter blahs because I can't come up with anything, and that is sooooo unlike me. Feel free to leave suggestions in the comments! And please purr for mommy so that she does well tomorrow. It' s been a squillion years since she's had to be tested over History, or take any sort of standardized test at all.

And just so you don't leave my blog feeling cheated today . . . here is my cousin Rudy showing off his best kitty cheesecake . . . "Irresistabley Snorgable Tummy Pose."

Thankful Thursday - Secret Paws

2009-01-08T00:05:00.000-05:00

DANA: OHMIGOSHOHMIGOSHOHMIGOSHOHMIGOSH!
LOKI AND I GOT OUR SECRET PAWS!
OHMIGOSHOHMIGOSHOHMIGOSHOHMIGOSH!

LOKI: It was very exciting. You can just see how thrilled I was that a package finally came for me in the mail. You know, before all of the other furry babies were adopted, I'd get all the packages to myself. Nowadays Tybalt gets more mail than I do . . . and when I get mail, I have to share it with Dana. Not that I don't love Dana . . . but it just isn't the same.

LOKI: Everything smelled great, too. That box was just full of treats . . . greenie chewies and cookies . . . wonderful gastronomic delights!

DANA: It was so YUMMY I couldn't WAIT!!! I WANT IT NOWNOWNOWNOW!!!!!!

LOKI: I have to admit that Mommy took her own sweet time helping us open the box and unwrap our presents. She can be so slow. And yes, I am embarrassed to admit that my mommy was still wearing her Mickey Mouse pajamas in these pictures. I believe my mommy would LIVE in pajamas if the world would let her.

DANA: AND BILLY!!!! JUST LOOK!!!!! I GOT A SQUEAKY TOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOKI: I do love a good squeaky, myself. These toys were just the right size to carry around, and they give a good loud SQUEAK.

DANA: AND THEN! BILLY! FAGIN! I TOOK THEM BOTH!!!! I GOT LOKI'S TOO!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

LOKI: Thanks to Riley Dog for our wonderful Secret Paws!
DANA: OHMIGOSHOHMIGOSHOHMIGOSH! RILEY DOG! YOU ARE PAWSOME!!!!!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas in Pictures

2009-01-07T00:05:00.000-05:00

Tabby Tuesday with Cousin Rudy . . . and Nip!

2009-01-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

None of you other kitties out there may believe me, but I never had nip before. Not straight up, at least. I've been given a few nip toys in my time, but I've never had the straight stuff.

So this year, Tybalt's mommy bought me my own pack of nip for Christmas.

At first I wasn't so sure about it. What is it, anyway?

Smells kind of interesting . . . I think I'll check it out some more.

OH, MAN!!!! YESSSS! Now this stuff is GOOOOOOD!!!! YEAH!!!! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!

Whoa. I feel sooooooo trippy. Kind of peaceful and full of love, ya know?

Whassup?

Mancat Monday - My Wonderful Tuxie Princess

2009-01-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

You all, of course, know my sweetheart, Samantha Black. Such long silky fur, such sultry eyes, such long and elegant whiskers . . .

Not too long ago (but long enough, thanks to my lazy mommy!) I received my Christmas package in the mail from my darling Sammie-pie. She left me a purrsonal message and everything!

And this precious picture of my darling tuxie princess . . . *sigh*

Of course my nosey sisters had to "help" me open MY presents. Pffft. Sisters.

My thoughtful darling included kitty sticky notes and a doggie calendar for my mommy. And there was a wonderful mousie, and a magnificent calendar full of pictures of my gorgeous ladycat herself!

But more wonderful than anything else was the mini-me Samantha included . . . a cute tuxie, just like her! And what made it even more magnificent was that it smells just like her! You can see how I love cuddling with my darling Sammie-pie . . . . thank you, my most precious love! You are too wonderful. I love everything you sent. You are the best ladycat that a mancat like me could ask for. Nosekisses to you, my darling.

Tabby Tuesday tomorrow, with my cousin Rudy's first experience with nip!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

2009-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Here is wishing that the year 2009 is full of wonder, peace, love, and happiness for everyfurry and their beans. Purrs and nosekisses from our home to yours.

I have told mommy that her break is over . . . more pictures of Loki and Dana's Secret Paws, my pawsome gifts from my beautiful tuxie princess Samantha, and our holiday in general shall be posted soon!

Friday Movie Review - Love Actually

2008-12-19T08:52:00.003-05:00

Today I am reviewing another holiday movie that is a wonderful mix of drama, romance, and comedy. It is one of my very favorites: Love Actually.

Love Actually (2003)
Directed By: Richard Curtis
Written By: Richard Curtis

"Love Actually" follows the storylines of several characters, and their search for romance over the holiday season. One lonely young man wants to leave England and spend the season in America, where he is sure he can seduce beautiful women with his accent. A writer visits Portugal and falls in love with his Portuguese maid, who speaks no English. A widowed father watches his son strive to attract the attention of the girl he likes (my mommy's favorite storyline!). These stories and several more (including the new Prime Minister's unexpected romance) are all included in this movie.

Now, this movie is too mature for young kitties, pups, and beans. There are several instances of language and adult situations.

But the stories are funny and heartwarming . . . and sometimes heartbreaking as well. And in what other movie can you see Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, and Liam Neeson all in one place? Not to mention Alan Rickman and Mr. Bean himself, Rowan Atkinson.

And of course, one of the best scenes of all . . . the Christmas play at the local school, with a wonderful performance of "All I Want For Christmas Is You."

If your bean is a true romantic at heart, and has a taste for naughty british humor, then you should both snuggle up on the couch this holiday season and give "Love Actually" a try! I give it two paws up and a rumbly purr!

Thankful Thursday - Secret Paws!

2008-12-18T08:03:00.005-05:00

This week my sisters and I got our SECRET PAWS!!!!

We were so excited!

We were even MORE excited when we found out who our Secret Paws was . . . TESLA!!!!!

Tesla, you did a super PAWSOME job shopping for us! Jingly balls and catnip and even a super cool stocking! We love everything!

Here is how the Secret Paws went down . . .

All three of us had to sniff the box and get excited, and then snoopervise mommy while she opened it for us.

And then we read who it was from and got even more excited!

And OH MY PAWS AND WHISKERS! Is that a whole tub of nip?! And jingly balls?!

I can't wait to keep mommy up all night whapping these!

What a totally pawsome stocking! No, mommy, you can't steal it for your own. It is OURS.

And . . . the pièce de resistance . . . . TUB O' NIP!

It's sooooooooooo wonderful . . .

Even Holly lost her cool and rolled and drooled on the lid.

Thanks so much, Tesla!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Toboe and Riku

2008-12-17T00:05:00.000-05:00

Tuesday with Toboe

2008-12-16T00:05:00.000-05:00

Here he is. Our new little brother.
The little brother Sandy Paws brought us.
I'm going to have a few words with Sandy Paws.

His name is Toboe, pronounced TOE-BOE-WAY. It is Japanese for howl. Which is something he does a lot of. His brother, Riku, is Uncle Sean's baby. It's fine if Sandy Paws wants to bring a puppy to Uncle Sean, but I'm sure a puppy wasn't on my Christmas list.

I'm still working on how to get him back to the North Pole.

Mancat Monday - WHAT THE PAW?!

2008-12-15T00:05:00.001-05:00

I'm very disappointed in Sandy Paws.

Does anykitty know how to send a Sandy Paws present back?

* * *

Also, don't forget that today is the first showing of the new CCSI! Maybe my first job as an actor will help me recover from my disappointment in Sandy Paws.

Visit Sassy's blog to watch!

Friday Movie Review: The Golden Compass

2008-12-12T08:28:00.006-05:00

This week I am reviewing a wonderful film that is based on a book that my mommy loves, Philip Pullman's "The Golden Compass," which is the first book in his trilogy "His Dark Materials." This is a good holiday movie because it has a lot of adventuring in snow with talking polar bears!

The Golden Compass (2007)
Directed By: Chris Weitz
Written By: Chris Weitz (Screenplay)
Philip Pullman (Novel)

In "The Golden Compass," we meet Lyra Belacqua, a little girl who is being raised by the scholars of Jordan College, at the request of her uncle, Lord Asriel. Lyra refuses to become a proper and educated lady, instead preferring to run wild with her best friend Roger who works in the kitchens, and the Gypsies who travel up and down the river outside the college. After a bet she places with the gypsy children, Lyra finds herself in the dressing room of the college . . . and sees someone put poison in her Uncle Asriel's wine. After coming out of her hiding place and warning him, her uncle tells her to hide again . . . and to keep her eyes open and her mouth shut. Hiding in the wardrobe again, Lyra watches her uncle's presentation to the scholars, and first hears about the thing that will change her life forever: dust.

Lyra's world is a world parallel to the one we beans and furries live in now. The major difference between our worlds is that in Lyra's world, bean's souls walk beside them in the form of animals. These soul animals are known as daemons. Lyra's daemon's name is Pantalaimon, or Pan for short, and since Lyra is still a child Pan can change shape depending on his mood . . . but once a bean grows up, their daemon chooses one form and never changes again. For example, Uncle Asriel's daemon is a beautiful and dangerous snow leopard named Stelmaria.

And it appears that, according to what Lyra learns from her uncle's presentation, that daemons settling into one shape, and other parts of maturing and becoming an adult, all have to do with the mysterious particles known as "dust" that filter into her world from ours and a million other worlds . . . and which can be seen in the far north, in the northern lights.

Soon after Lyra makes this discovery, a strange and beautiful woman, Mrs. Coulter, comes to the college to take Lyra away with her on an expedition to the far north. Before she leaves, Lyra is entrusted with a golden compass by the scholars of Jordan College, but is warned that Mrs. Coulter must never know that she has it. Who is Mrs. Coulter, what does she want with Lyra, and can Lyra trust her?

Lyra has many adventures, all of them thrilling and dangerous, and she makes many brave and wonderful friends along the way, including Iorek Byrnison, one of the armored bears of Svalgard in the far north, and Serafina Pekkala, a witch of the far north.

While the books have been classified as young adult, and the movie itself marketed for an even younger crowd, it has to be said that in truth both are more adult in terms of the concepts that are introduced. While young beans will enjoy the talking animals, grown beans will be intrigued by the story itself. "The Golden Compass" takes on physics, religion, philosophy, and spirituality and questions them all. While this is done more so in the books, it is definitely touched upon in the movie. "The Golden Compass" is a visually stunning and thought-provoking movie, all presented in the guise of a children's fantasy. I give "The Golden Compass" two paws up and a whisker spread. I also suggest that if you love to read well-written fantasy, and have not yet read the "His Dark Materials" trilogy, then you should definitely give it a try. Philip Pullman is a totally pawsome author!

Will It Fit In Mommy's Stocking?

2008-12-11T08:47:00.001-05:00

Mommy says this is what she wants for Christmas.

Does anykitty know where I can get one for her?

Wordless Wednesday - More Pawsome Uncle Sean

2008-12-10T00:05:00.000-05:00

Tortie Tuesday

2008-12-09T00:05:00.000-05:00

Uncle Sean is pretty pawsome . . . even when he is keeping you out of the tree.