The Opinionated Pussycat

The Elvira Factor 11: Blog Paws Preview Edition

Hello, honey, Elvira Mistress of Felinity here. I'm more than just a great looking feline, I'll have you know! Bold, fresh, cuter than a speckled pup, and the most delightful pussycat in the world! You can call me Miss Elvira for short; just don't call me late for dinner, treats, a nap, or a snooze!

Welcome to the Elvira Factor! You are about to enter the no bull zone! Grab your tails, felinity assembled; it's going to be a bumpy ride!

 
Last January was when the Factor last appeared; a lot going on, especially with Daddy Kiril, as everyone knows. I apologize to our fans for not keeping up.

Now for the Meowing Points Memo:

This is a very exciting weekend for us as we send Daddy Kiril to Tysons Corner, Va. to represent us at the Blog Paws Pet Blogging and Social Media Conference.

This event is HUGE and impawtant for humans and animals who blog and write books and for those who hope to do so in the future. While some critters will accompany their humans others, such as us, will be there as "flat cat" versions of ourselves (Daddy will wear his shirt with our image on the front!).

Daddy will get to meet new friends and hang out with many of our friends who we only know online and maybe re-unite with those few he has met in Ca. but the most important things about the event are something else entirely.

There is an exhibition hall with booths filled with all sorts of interesting things to see, there are many hour long presentations to attend and learn from, there will be lots of free swag to bring home, and the annual Pet Blogger Awards and its pawty, afterwards, to attend.

FNN SPECIAL REPURRT: Countdown to Blog Paws

Daddy will be taking notes, and photos, and have his laptop so he may post live from the conference at some point.

Mr. Nikita and I welcome all visitors stopping by after learning about us at Blog Paws. We invite you to stick around, explore and comment to your heart's content and tell your friends about us.

And, that’s the Memo!

The Elvira Factor 10: Hello Houston!

Hello, honey, Elvira Mistress of Felinity here. I'm more than just a great looking feline, I'll have you know! Bold, fresh, cuter than a speckled pup, and the most delightful pussycat in the world! You can call me Miss Elvira for short; just don't call me late for dinner, treats, a nap, or a snooze!

Welcome to the Elvira Factor! You are about to enter the no bull zone! Grab your tails, felinity assembled; it's going to be a bumpy ride!

My, oh my, was it really last Febraury that the Factor last appeared? 2012 was that sort of year for all of us, and I want to apologize to our fans for not keeping up.

Hello Houston, we've howdied, but we haven't shook, these last few months...so consider yourself shook!

Now for the Meowing Points Memo:

It’s about time to shelve the word ‘hot’ when used by adult cats to refer to the attractiveness of another feline. The use of this word by otherwise intelligent felines annoys me to no end, and I won’t even reach my 3^rd birthday until February!

The Elvira Factor #9: Valentine's Day Edition

Hello, Honey, Elvira Mistress of Felinity here.

I'm more than just a great looking Feline, I'll have you know!

Bold, fresh, and the most delightful Pussycat in the world!

You can call me Miss Elvira, for short, just don't call me late for dinner, treats, a nap, or a snooze!

Welcome to The Elvira Factor!

You are about to enter the No Bull Zone!

Grab your tails, Felinity Assembled, it's going to be a bumpy ride! ;-D

Now for the Meowing Points Memo:

The Humans will be acting mighty strange tomorrow, at least some of them will be, anyway...so be prepared.

It's Valentine's Day.

They will be chasing you around the house trying to get you to wear a floofy pink boa, or sweater, some fishy looking Cat collar charm, or a heart shaped ID tag, to stick on some cutesy collar, get you to try out some heart shaped new bed,  or test out the tasty new Homemade Tuna, or Sardine, Treats they slaved all morning to make, just for you, based on a recipe from those trustworthy chefs at Catster...all the while cooing sweet nothings at you, and asking "Will you be my Valentine?" over, and over, and over again....yes, even your Guy Human might be affected!

Good luck finding time to take all your needed Naps, and Snoozes!

Just sayin' is all. :-D

And that's the Memo! :-D

The Elvira Factor #8: Veteran's Day Weekend Edition

Hello, Honey, Elvira Mistress of Felinity here.

I'm more than just a great looking Feline, I'll have you know!

Bold, fresh, and the most delightful Pussycat in the world!

You can call me Miss Elvira, for short, just don't call me late for dinner, treats, a nap, or a snooze!

Welcome to The Elvira Factor!

You are about to enter the No Bull Zone!

Grab your tails, Felinity Assembled, it's going to be a bumpy ride! ;-D

Now for the Meowing Points Memo:

The Humans have been acting mighty strange of late, at some of them have, anyway.

From the streets, and parks, and civic centers of New York, Oakland, Portland (Oregon, NOT Maine, that's a whole different story, I'm sure.), Irvine, and Santa Ana, just down the street a few miles, to the West Wing of the White House.

Some of these Humans have taken their Dogs with them to these encampments, not just their children, and some of the poor Dogs just ain't been raised right from some of the reports of their behavior.

I kept waiting to see if there might be reports about Cats, either family Cats brought to the camps, or about Feral Cats displaced by all this Human activity, but haven't seen anything.

Maybe this is an indication of common sense on the Humans part, on the one hand, and a matter of the Ferals sensibly lying low for the duration, on the other, who knows. ;-D

And that's the Memo! ;-D

 

The Elvira Factor #7: Presidential Defense of 1st Dog Lacks Evidence

Hello, Honey, Elvira Mistress of Felinity here.

I'm more than just a great looking Feline, I'll have you know!

Bold, fresh, and the most delightful Pussycat in the world!

You can call me Miss Elvira, for short, just don't call me late for dinner, treats, a nap, or a snooze!

Welcome to The Elvira Factor!

You are about to enter the No Bull Zone!

Grab your tails, Felinity Assembled, it's going to be a bumpy ride! ;-D

(You missed the debut? Shame on you! ;-D )

I apologize for it being July since the last edition but, as you know, life has been complicated of late around here. ;-D

Now for the Meowing Points Memo:

The alert among you will have noticed something in the right side of the header of this blog...

That Feline News Network exclusive story is what this post is all about. ;-D

The President didn't take too kindly to my report, as you can see below.

GoAnimate.com: Barack Obama Defends the 1st Dog by Kiril

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

And that's the Memo! ;-D

Next up is...My Word!

The word is Disingenuous...as in lacking in candor, being less than frank (& I don't mean Barney, either!), with the White House Press Corp, the American People, Canine Americans, and Felinity Assembled.

Which leads me into the Knuckleheads of the Week...

The President is obvious, but I am also calling out my colleagues in the Press Corp, as well.

As you can see from this clip not one of those in attendance tried to take issue with the President's version of events, not even with the video, not seen, or mentioned, in the clip, but which I reference in the header, and my letter below.

Especially what appeared to be yet another miscommunication, or something, between him, and the Teleprompter of the United States, also known the world over as T.O.T.U.S.  ( 6am Tuesday Update!: In a developing story, that may, or may not, be related to this latest embarrassment, T.O.T.U.S. suddenly went missing, possibly stolen, or just left on its own out of shame! ) ;-D

Now to my Patriots of the Week...

As you will see from my response to the President, below, said Patriots will have to remain unidentified for obvious reasons. ;-D

Dear President Barack Obama:

I am deeply offended by your calling into question my Journalistic Integrity, at your Sunday Afternoon Presser.

I take what I do very seriously, having learned from the best, my Mentor Nikita, and our Human, Daddy Kiril.

When word reached me about this story, from reputable Beltway Sources who shall remain nameless because the jobs of their Humans could be at risk if revealed, I didn't just take their word for it, but asked around, beyond the Canine Community, in the Bird, & Squirrel, Communities, as well.

You have not shown any proof to back up your claim about Bo, only a cute video of him romping around, with you, on an empty White House lawn.

I am, therefore, sticking to the accuracy of my report.

How you deal with the psychological issues of the 1st Dog is your business, and I hope he gets the best treatment all 1st Pets have received before him, but I felt the American Public had a right to know what I learned.

Sincerely Yours,

Elvira Mistress of Felinity

The Most Delightful Pussycat In the World!

Well, that's it for this edition.

Dear reader, your comments about anything you read in this post, or any other, past, present, or future, on this blog, are welcomed, and encouraged.

Thank You, and Good Day! :-D

500th: The Elvira Factor #6 - Wiggle Your Toes if You are not Declawed

Hello, Honey, Elvira Mistress of Felinity here.

I'm more than just a great looking Feline, I'll have you know!

Bold, fresh, and the most delightful Pussycat in the world!

You can call me Miss Elvira, for short, just don't call me late for dinner, treats, a nap, or a snooze!

Welcome to The Elvira Factor!

You are about to enter the No Bull Zone!

Grab your tails, Felinity Assembled, it's going to be a bumpy ride! ;-D

(You missed the debut? Shame on you! ;-D )

The alert among you will have noticed something in the title of this post...

Yes, this is the 500th post to this blog, since it began on New Year's Day 2010, and I am very proud that Nikita let me do the honors, especially since it allows me to announce a couple of new things we have in store.

Now for the Meowing Points Memo:

 

The Elvira Factor #5: Special "I'm Worth Watching, Too!" Edition

Hello, Honey, Elvira Mistress of Felinity here.

I'm more than just a great looking Pussycat, I'll have you know!

Bold, Fresh, and the most delightful Pussy in the world!

You can call me Mistress Elvira, for short, just don't call me late for dinner, treats, a nap, or a snooze!

Welcome to The Elvira Factor!

You are about to enter the No Bull Zone!

Grab your tails, Felinity Assembled, it's going to be a bumpy ride! ;-D

(You missed the debut? Shame on you! ;-D )

Now for the Meowing Points Memo:

 

There is, here in Orange County, a glossy monthly, called the OC Metro that bills itself a magazine about "Business, People, & Life".

The fact that Cats are not the 4th area of interest for this publication should have tipped me off, but I read the magazine, anyway, when Daddy brought it home.

The March issue cover story rankled my fur, the same way that the OC Weekly did last month.

The OC Metro Editor, Tina Borgatta, in explaining the purpose of this months "20 Women to Watch (Online Ed. of the Magazine)" cover, says it was to "introduce you to 20 women who all perservered through their own unique challenges."

"Their stories are inspiring", she says.

The fact that she, or the writer of the article, William Lobdell, did not include me among Orange County's most dynamic females is a hard pill to swallow, and you know how we Cats can be around pills. ;-D

I know I've only lived with Daddy, & Nikita, since July, & didn't complete my early education until the end of November, but I've begun to really strut my stuff, and make a name for myself since the new year began.

Daddy says that I "flew under their radar" because they probably did their interviews, & research, while I was still a Kitten, before Chrissymouse.

Sigh...If he says so...

Anyway, I'm going to use the rest of this post to answer some of the very same questions they asked their 20 choices.

 

Tina Borgatta, and William Lobdell, are my Knuckleheads of the Week, for not considering me, and here's why:

AGE = 1

FAMILY = None that I remember. Adopted, off the street by Daddy Kiril & Nikita, my mentor.

1st JOB = Survival.

WORST JOB = Getting a String out my Behind at the Vet.

BIGGEST BREAK = Being rescued by Daddy Kiril, & Nikita, & being welcomed into my Forever Home.

SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS = My vivacious beauty, feisty personality with tortitude to spare, a willingness to listen & learn, and luck.

ADVICE TO OTHER WOMEN = To Human Women - Adopt a Cat, or 2. ;-D

To Female Felines - Good looks will only get you so far in life so, with only 9 lives to work with, brains are a neccessity.

 

The Elvira Factor #4: Pussies in the Funny Pages

Hello, Honey, Elvira Mistress of Felinity here.

I'm more than just a great looking Pussycat, I'll have you know!

Bold, Fresh, Smooth, and the most delightful Pussycat in the world!

You can call me Mistress Elvira, for short, just don't call me late for dinner, treats, a nap, or a snooze!

Welcome to The Elvira Factor!

You are about to enter the No Bull Zone!

Grab your tails, Felinity Assembled, it's going to be a bumpy ride! ;-D

(You missed the debut? Shame on you! ;-D )

Now for the Meowing Points Memo:

Do you read the newspaper?

It's like a book, but a whole lot thinner, and cheaper, come out daily, and sometimes even delivered to your doorstep so your human doesn;t have to leave home in search it.

Um, you DO read books, don't you?

Yes, I know, I know, newspapers were made to be Napped, and Snoozed on, especially when your Human wants to read it, and they make great places to cough up a hairball, when doing so on the carpet, the computer keyboard, or the young Human's homework, would get you in some serious trouble, but...

Do you READ the paper at all before, or after?

I'm not just talking about the news, sports, local, entertainment, business, opinion, and pet sections (if any), but the Sophisticated Literature, and Artwork, to be found in the Comics Section.

I'm only a year old, and was not introduced to the Comics by Daddy, & Nikita, until November, but I find myself enraptured.

At least as far back as the 1920's, and Felix, Humans have had a fascination with Cats in the Funny Pages.

Most of them have had an uncanny understanding of all things Feline, and even when they didn't the strips, for the most part, had, and have, some redeeming value.

There were strips that treated, and treat Cats in a psotive light, and there were, are others whose depictions when not outright hostile, were, and are, a tad, um, fuzzy. ;-D

There have been, and are, strips all about Cats, or where ther Feline was, and is, one character among many, passing thru when you least expect them to.

What's important is that there are such Strips out there, and you can liven up your day by checking them out, and even do something positive for the mental health of your Human, by encouraging them to read them.

In the sidebar of this blog you may have noticed a list...Comic Strips for Cats, and Cat Lovers.

There are currently 11 Strips listed, all found on either Gocomics.com, or Comics.com, or their own websites, including even online only Strips.

We will be adding more to the list as we find them, or are alerted to them.

Got a favorite? Let us know in the comments, or by e-mail.

And that's the Memo! ;-D

Next up is...My Word!

 

Elvira Factor Makes First Media Conquest!

On February 13th I told you, dear reader, about my upset with the cover story of a local Weekly, by a well known local journalist. ;-D

"How could they not be aware of arguably the sexiest female in Orange County when they came out with their annual Sex issue, this week?

Who am I talking about?

Why ME, of course!"

I left a comment online (Re-printed below, with time stamp, from off the OC Weekly Website), and I wrote the author, about my displeasure. ;-D

Elvira Mistress of Pussydom 02/13/2011 03:13 PM

Dear Gustavo,

I wish to take issue with your choices, or more acurately, your exclusion of one.
Maybe it was because you only focused on Humans, but those who are aware of such things, know that the "Sexiest Thang Alive" in The OC, is a Cat...ME!

I am the epitome of Good, Clean, Fun!
I am very hurt that you didn't even consider me a contender!

My Human told me it was probably because you spend so much time writing Food Reviews, and Ask a Mexican columns, that you don't have time left to approach area Felines, and "Ask a Cat" what he, or she, might know.

Because of this I have named you Knucklehead of the Week, on the blog I, and my mentor, Nikita Cat, write.

The Elvira Factor #2 = http://www.opinionatedpussycat.com/2011/02/the-elvira-factor-2.html

Now, pardon me while I go take a Snooze!

Elvira Mistress of Pussydom

Today the new edition of the magazine hit the stands, and racks, of Orange County. ;-D

 

Popular Periodic Publication Prints Pissed-Off Pussy !!

Score one for the Mistress of Felinity!

How cool is this? Even Nikita hasn't had this sort of thing happen to him, yet!

I don't know who made the decision, whether Gustavo, or a Letters Page Editor, but I sincerely thank them for the honor they do me, even if they didn't include the website links. ;-D

Hopefully readers will be curious enough to do a Google for "Elvira Mistress of Pussydom", hee, hee! ;-D

 ****UPDATE 6AM 2/18****

I awoke, this morning, to a very cool honor!

A comment that I want to promote to an update. ;-D

The great, award-winning author, and Super Model, Sparkle The Designer Cat, shared her thoughts on this story...

Paws up! That rules! :)

****END UPDATE****

****UPDATE 2 - 10AM****

The OC Weekly, like many Weeklies of its type, nationwide has, as Daddy explained, and showed me, a rather, um, interesting, and varied, Advertising, and Classifieds, offering. ;-D

Which probably partially explains why no readers of their website had made their way to us since I left my comment...until now (They were, um, reading the Articles, I'm sure, hee, hee!)

And, it was from someone who probably has, or would like to have, an ad in the mag, judging by the local website he linked to (But I will not!). ;-D

He intended to leave the comment for my original Post about the Weekly, of course.. ;-D

Comment left 830am:

Followed from OC Weekly, and did not expect to see THIS!

A really Great Site, though. ;-D

Funny! Cute!  ;-D

Mike

I have sent the following Thank You Note to Mike.....

Dear Mike,

I know this was not exactly the exotic moment you may have been looking for, but I sincerely thank you for stopping by, and for your very kind compliments, anyway.

I am the first to brag that I am one Hot Lookin' Pussy, and always ready to party, but your site, & its idea of what that entails, is not my Cup of 'Nip...I'm a  Respectable Lady Cat, and, I hope you understand that my Human, Daddy Kiril,  would skin me alive if I took it into my head to do anything remotely like what they do! And my mentor, Nikita Cat...He'd help! Hee, hee!  ;-D

Sincerely yours,

Elvira Mistress of Pussydom

The Most Delightful Pussy in the World, with Tortietude to Spare, and Don't You Forget it!

****END UPDATE****

 

 

 

Elvira to Fiesta Association: May I Have a Word?

 

As promised this morning....I wrote a letter.

Now I can go take my afternoon nap. ;-D

 To: Board Members of  the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association

Good Afternoon,  

My name is Elvira,

  

I'm a Cat, and I blog out of Santa Ana, Ca. (See links below)

  

I am writing to you in regards to the news, reported in the OC Register, that 2 of you out-voted the 3rd, in deciding not to use 2 words long identified with a popular fundraising activity at the annual Swallows Day weekend in your city (I am sorry that I do not know your names, or how you voted, the Register piece didn't say, and your website doesn't appear to list who is on the Board.).

  

I am specifically referring to "Smooth Puss".

 

I am very curious how, and why, you came to make this decision?

 

Were you responding to a huge outcry from the residents of your city, and/or members of the association, or was this a capitulation to a vocal minority of activists who demand surrender to Political Correctness, because you were afraid of the threat of negative publicity, and what it could do to your long established, family friendly, event?

 

Why change, now, after all these years?

 

Who decided to poll the membership, and why?

 

What questions were they asked to vote on, and why?

 

What were the numbers, For, and Against?

 

Was this a simple Yes/No, or a survey looking for respondents to explain their reasoning?

 

If the first why? If the second, also why, but also what sort of responses did you get?

 

The word "Puss" has a long, and Honorable history in the annals of language usage, if only you had taken a few minutes to do the research before you made your decision.

 

I'm not only referring to it's Old West heritage.

 

The word is actually 450+ years older, and originally referred to Felines.

 

It has a long history in poetry, literature, and song, despite efforts of Vulgarians, the world over, to appropriate the word for their own vile purposes.

 

When you attach the word "Smooth" to "Puss" the honorable usages multiply, not just when it come to Humans, as in your event, but when it comes to us Cats.

 

Humans need to do all they can to reclaim this word from those who continue to sully its Good Name.

 

I have shared my thoughts on this story, and my research into the words under attack, in a blog post, this morning, in which I have named the no votes among you "Knuckleheads", and the Board Member with Common Sense, not to mention the Register Reporter, "Patriots".

The Elvira Factor #3 - Special, Angry Smooth Puss, Edition

I encourage you to read my report, and I sincerely hope that you will give my questions serious consideration, and I look forward to any response you care to give.
I also hope that, if it's too late to change this year, you will come to your senses, and reverse course, in 2012.

Sincerely yours,

ELVIRA MISTRESS OF PUSSYDOM - Proud, and Vivacious, Pussy Pundit Since 2010!
Meowsings of an Opinionated Pussycat

 
Jr. Journalist, & Correspondent: Feline News Network
Student: Nikita Institute of Pussydom Studies (NIPS)

( Nikita is my mentor, and he has been blogging since 2002! )
 
Honey, I'm The Most Delightful Pussy in the World, with Tortietude to Spare, and Don't You Forget it!

Creative writing, photos, experiences, observations, & opinions, on life, & the world at large.