Meowsings of an Opinionated Pussycat

Someone Old Introduces Something New, Someone Sassy Thinks it's Classy

For the past 9 years I, Nikita, have been blogging away, about all things Feline,  and since New Year's Day 2010 I've been doing so here on my own blog! :-D

And Elvira Mistress of Felinity joined me in the last half of 2010.

Based, as we are, in what the Humans call "Santana", in "The OC", in "SoCal".

Our posts range from the casual, to the emotional, the funny, to the serious, the interesting, informative and, the opinionated to the poetic, and lyrical, and, occasionally, controversial.

When it comes to opinion, investigation, and controversy, we pretty much are equal opportunity stirrer uppers. :-D

You never know, from day to day, just what you will find us writing, or writing about, or where we'll get our inspiration. :-D

That was originally written on New Year's Day to celebrate our 2nd Blogoversary.

A lot has happened since then.

When such varied worthies as Kenan Peters of Pussy and Pooch, La Shawn Barber of La Shawn Barber's Corner, Sparkle the Designer Cat, author Kristen Levine, and the OC Weekly, can all agree on something, in 2011, & the latest just last month (Joining a list of Worthies from 2010)...then you know you must be doing something right, and possibly on to something special. :-D  

 In the early fall Daddy Kiril had been thinking of maybe getting another shirt done to help promote the blog, but wasn't really thrilled with just using words like the first one 2 years ago.

The idea was that, using their online Design Lab, and our ideas, Daddy could have 2 T-Shirts made, for free, that would promote Meowsings of an Opinionated Pussycat...and all we had to do was share our thoughts about the experience, and the resultant shirts, on our blog.

 At the start of December I received an e-mail from a representative of an online company based in Northern California.

 As the person who contacted us wrote:

 A few people in our office suggested I check out your blog, and I thought it was really well done and perfect for this opportunity.  We rely on word of mouth and social media to market ourselves, so in exchange for the shirts, we'd love if we could have our shirts reviewed on your blog.

 Sounds simple, right? Well, yes, and no.

We had orignally thought of using the badge in our sidebar, but that didn't pan out, so we got in contact with Ann, of Zoolatry, and discussed the notion of using elements from the badge that she designed last year, with a Writer/Journalist Theme, and asked her if she could give it some thought, and help us out.

 What she came up with was brilliant, but it took 2 months of back & forth with the company, partly due to Holiday Interruptus, and partly to our not being familiar with the pixel requirements needed for best results, before everything was just right.

 Along the way Ann came up with a couple of other design ideas, including for an Award Badge for us to present (Yes, you read right, bit more on that in a future post!).

Your Rights as a Cat Blogger, Your Human's Right as a PJ Pundit, at Risk!

Good morning, Felinity Assembled!

Professor Nikita, and Elvira Mistress of Felinity, here, with a very important message for all of you, and for the Pet Blogging Community, in all of its variety.

We want to alert you to the threats that are the Stop Online Piracy Act (House Bill) & the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act (Senate Version) 

 Join us in protesting SOPA & PIPA!  This affects all of us with blogs!

The largest Online Protest in History!

There are bills in Congress that will affect your rights, and the rights of your Human, on the web and will censor all web sites, blogs (Kitties, That means YOU!), etc. 

All about PIPA

SOPA In a nutshell :

SOPA explicitly states that companies will be liable for everything their users post. Sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Reddit, Wikipedia, or any sites that allow user generated content CANNOT exist under these laws. Immediately after this bill is passed, you will see the media mafia (MPIAA, RIAA, etc) replacing websites like Wikipedia with commercialized encyclopedia software. Mainstream media outlets will not cover this bill because they are the ones lobbying for it.

If you want to know more - Google created a doc to read and inform - SOPA for Dummies. 

Also Check out American Censorship.org !

WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND SENATOR AND

STOP THIS BILL FROM PASSING!

 To help you do this stop by Fight the Wall  and connect with your Representative!

Great story on Personal Liberty Digest: The Web World Fights Back Against Federal Internet Control (Includes a Video, and Link to an important Open Letter!)

SOPA/PIPA Blackout: Video, & Info

SOPA Strike (More info, and links than you have Dried Kibble in your daily food bowl! Trust us!)

Images of a Blackout, as captured from various websites: Here’s what an Internet blackout looks like, and here, too!

Wednesday evening on GBTV:

Asking Americans to “engage your brain”, Glenn Beck boils down why the legislation is bad, stating it would make things less efficient and that the vague wording of the bills makes “ease of censorship” by the government “disturbing” and “China-esq”. But ultimately, Beck says that any regulation on the Internet should never be allowed because “it‘s the only thing left that isn’t regulated up the wazoo”.

Watch this video... it will be 22 Minutes very well spent, trust us!

I, Nikita, and Daddy Kiril (Musings of a Mad Macedonian and 2 other, long retired, Blogs), have been blogging since 2002, and Elvira Mistress of Felinity joined us in Fall 2010.

Those who have followed us over the years know that we are not only about Cute, and Funny, Photos (Although all 3 of us are Cute, and Funny!), but also about Writing Poetry, 100 Word Cat Stories, Humor, & Parodies, as well as fearlessly educating & informing, investigating, and also expressing our opinions, all in a no holds barred fashion.

We encourage you to explore our blogs, and spread the word if you like what you read. :-D

America, and Americans, are at risk of losing our Freedoms, Freedoms guaranteed us by the Founders when they wrote the Constitution.

If these bills pass through Congress, you, and your Human, can say goodbye to the Internet as we know it, including the young, and growing, Critter Blogging Community…and another piece of our liberty.

------------------------------

Thank you to Cats of wildcat woods, and Zoolatry, for the heads-up! :-D

A Special Thank You to Ann, of Zoolatry, for the image, above.

The image, without the additions of extras related to this Alert, was not intended to be shared for a month, until Daddy received the items that the final version (Yes, size does matter, for some things, apparently, hee, hee!) of the image will hopefully appear on.

Ann has been working, very patiently, with Daddy, on this image, and some other special ones that we will soon debut, for over a month, and we will be forever grateful for her talents, and her friendship. :-D

The Image, above, will find a permanent spot, in the sidebar of this blog, and Daddy's as well, to show where we stand on the issue of Censorship.

-----------------------

***UPDATE - Noon***

We would like to thank the Cats of Wildcat Woods for being the 2000th comment left on this blog since it began on New Year's Day, 2010.

Reader support for what we do, here, is appreciated more than we can ever say! :-D

***END UPDATE***

World is STILL Your Litter Box: More Catnip For the Feline Mind!

Hello Felinity Assembled, I've roused myself from my seeming Senile Dementia to bring you a long delayed book review!

The Feline Quasi, with his Human, Steve Fisher offering assistance as needed, has had a wonderful blog since 2008, and he was soon inspired to write a book that same year, and here is my review, way back in early May, weeks before Daddy had to go, and break his ankle.

The World is  STILL Your Litter Box, like the original, is a How-To Manual For Cats cleverly disguised as a humor book for Humans.

Siamese Cats being great talkers, as we all know, Quasi continues with his outspoken, perceptive, dispensing of advice.

This book clocks in at 126 pages but, unlike the original, has no index putting the location of specific topics right at your paw tips.

Oh well, you can't have everything! :-D

This book came out in 2010 and, in the intro Quasi begins by answering the question of whether the success of his first book has gone to his head.

The short answer is "Yes", and for the long answer you will have to read the book. :-D

Also in the intro he tells about major changes in his life since 2008, and a preview of what to expect in this book.

With the addition of "reinforcements" in young brother Cats Bo Diddley, & Piglet, Quasi has new friends, and companions, to mentor, and with a visit by the Mom of his Human, Steve, added in to the mix, the 3 provided the inspiration for much new material in this book. :-D

 

Sept. 11, 2001 - A Blogging Cat Remembers, and Pays Tribute

 

  

 

Daddy Kiril Remembers, and pays tribute.

Michelle Malkin = 10 years ago: My generation’s bloody wake-up call.

****UPDATE - 930AM****

There is a fascinating debate slowly developing, at the Grimm Comic website, over the appropriateness of the above strip.

They run the gamut, from "Insensitive, disgusting. This is an insult!", to " It's honoring the firefighters by letting them use the hydrant first. It's how Dogs might show honor and rememberance."

I'm no Dog, but I know where I stand in this debate...This strip is touching, humorous, and respectful.

That's why, as a member of the Critter Blogging Community, I chose to share it.

Toss in your 2 cents here in the comments, or there.

****END UPDATE****

****UPDATE - 1230PM****

Jan's Funny Farm reminds us that there were Canine 1st Responders too, on that long ago day, and shares the masterful Bud Commercial that appeared on TV only once.

Some of those Canine Rescuers might have even gave their lives.

****END UPDATE****

Am I Healthy Enough to Visit a Petco?

 

According to a report on the Adfreak Blog, on the Adweek website, Petco has updated its iconic logo, and added a word to its equally iconic Tagline.

I learned of this story thanks to a Tweet by Catsparella.

Soooo...I went over to take a look, and felt compelled to toss in my 2 cents in the comments. :-D

It seems, based on the number of times it has been LIKED, so far, I appear to have met with some agreement. :-D

Here is what I wrote:

Where the "Healthy" Pets Go??

My Human has been shopping at Petco for years, it's where he gets the litter for myself & my protege, Elvira Mistress of Felinity, among other things from time to time.

I've even visited our local store in my Pet Stroller.

A year ago I was found to have arthritis of my paws & joints, and more recently I've been dealing with a great loss of weight, of unknown cause, which has led to a change in diet to try to regain the weight.

Aside from these issues I'm a happy, active, 13 year old male, and while I may be old in years, I consider myself a Hip, Contemporary, Cat (Online since 1998!).

But, not being "healthy" it appears that Daddy's business would no longer be wanted, and I would not be welcome in the store as a visitor.

The new logo has gone on a diet, which is nice, and the critters look more realistic, which is cool, but the tagline is not something designed to make a Cat like me feel very welcome in their store.

The Official Statement does not address this perception.

Sincerely yours,

Nikita Cat

The Adfreak report, with images of the old & new Logo & Tagline: Petco Refreshes Logo, Issues Warning to Unhealthy Pets It's not a place for any old animal.

Wonder what would happen if I wrote a letter to someone at Petco? :-D

****UPDATE 8/18/11 - 230PM: About that letter....****

 

Defending Cats From Those Who Are Clueless, in Essay, & Novel

 

Over a year ago the blog I Have Cat hosted an essay by author, and Cat Person, Allan Goldstein, who wrote a novel called The Confessions of a Catnip Junkie, in order to "Give Cats a Voice", according to him.

The essay was called "In Defense of Cats", and how this wonderful, thoughtful, essay escaped my attention all these months boggles my mind.

How has it escaped the attention of other Cat Bloggers, thus no comments to the piece, is an even bigger mystery.

I want to get my paws on a copy of his novel, now, and will have Daddy Kiril do so by the end of the year.

One thing, in particular, stood out for me, as Daddy gets a lot of grief for my, and Miss Elvira's blogging, from his Sisters who fail to understand what the heck we, and Animal Blogging in general, are all about.

"a cat person? Far from cool. It’s some old lady whose house stinks of litter and who hasn’t had a man since the Eisenhower administration."

or some 35-to 55 year old single guy who has never had a girlfriend, or much of a social life since, well, since ever ( Daddy was 38 when I entered his life, as Cat #2 in the house, in 1998, and he's 51, now).

& no, even with 2 Cats now, again ( and a girl at that! Hee, hee!), the house most certainly does not stink of litter, or our presents that we deposit therein. ;-D

Aside from his misguided opinion that "Cats play the villain in Western Culture"  beginning with Looney Tunes, thus "Cats have a terrible image", I find much food for thought in his piece.

 

Through "the sweet bliss" of loving Miss Elvira, & I, and having us love him right back, Daddy Kiril has been inspired by us, as much as we have by him. ;-D

Through good times, as well as difficult, and worrisome.

( SUNDAY UPDATE! Daddy Kiril has written a new poem! Hee, hee! ;-D

Twinkle, Twankle, My Poor Ankle: A Poem )

As Allan writes...

"It’s enough to move the poet to raptures of song, to inspire great art and lovely stories."

I invite you to read the whole essay, and share your thoughts, here, or here.

 

 

World is Your Litter Box - Catnip for the Feline Mind

 

Hello, everyone, I've roused myself from my afternoon nap to bring you a book review!

The Feline Quasi, with his Human, Steve Fisher offering assistance as needed, has had a wonderful blog since 2008, and he was soon inspired to write a book that same year.

The World is Your Litter Box is a How-To Manual For Cats cleverly disguised as a humor book for Humans.

Siamese Cats are great talkers, as we all know, and this particular Feline is no exception, but he also is an outspoken, perceptive, dispensor of advice.

This book clocks in at 117 pages, including a 3 page index which puts the location of specific topics right at your paw tips.

In the intro to the book Quasi gives a deceptively simple description of what this book is all about:

"A book by a Cat, for a Cat, chock full of important tips and information to make your life even MORE pleasant and enjoyable than it already is".

Quasi  was 9 years old when he wrote the book, and weighs even more than me (I weigh 13 lbs.) ! ;-D

His story about how he came to live with Steve is a moving tale.

There are 19 chapters for Adult Cats, 1 specifically for Kittens, and one meant to educate the Humans.

So, let's get down to brass tacks, as the Humans say, and explore this book.

Quasi has a friendly, easy-going, humorous touch to discussing even the most serious, and complicated subject, and makes the many ideas, and concepts, rules, and activities, easily understandable...to his fellow Cats, and a laughout loud funny bit of silliness to any Human who reads the book.

The best thing about the book, to me, is that even if you find yourself disagreeing with him about something, his take will still make you think, and not immediately cough up a hairball in disgust.

Did you know that there are, at least, a dozen ways to look cute, and probably twice as many, or more, reasons you may have need to use any given pose?

I'm good at a variation of the "Upside-down Turtle", and Elvira has mastered a variation of the "Bliss Face"...probably becasue she is extremely ticklish on her tummy, and loves to play pattycake with Daddy. ;-D

There are chapters about getting your Human to buy the food you want, and give you the food you want , when you want it, how to get away with unacceptable behavior, how to get your human to sing, and act like an idiot, how to wake your human when they are sleeping, how to be a paing around people allergic to you, how to deal with scary things like the vacuum, and trips to the vet, getting attention, and running circles around the pet sitter.

Did you know there are 20 things Felines don't have to do, and 20 good places to throw up?

There are intricate discussions about your job & responsibilities as a Cat, acceptable & unacceptable co-pets, tricks & games, not to mention important safety tips for surviving various Human holidays.

I had issues with many things brought up, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book in the least.

 

Wow, What a Day! Thank You, One, and All!

 

Good morning, Kitties!

Miss Elvira, and I, come to you from The Catnip Den, deep within the bowels of The Nikita Institute For Feline Studies (You just get a glimpse of the place with that image in the banner, hee, hee! We also need to give it a better name, more fitting of this blog.).

 

The last 2 days, here, have been amazing, and humbling, and we, along with Ann, & The Zoolatry Girls, wish to thank all those who have left comments, complementing the new look, and badge, and giving Elvira, & I, encouragement as we move forward.

Well over 200 Unique Visitors stopped by, over 125 of whom were discovering us for the very first time.

 

We are moving forward, from here, thinking postive, and believing that we, and Daddy, can do things we never thought possible before.

We all have a lot to learn, and our personal situation is not the best right now, with Daddy being unemployed, but we have faith that we are taking postive steps toward a better future for all of us.

As Matthew 17:21 says -- "If u has faith as tiny as kibble, u can say 2 dis mountain, moov!, an it will moov. Nothin will be imposible 4 u!"

  

****UPDATE - 5/6/11****

Catnip Den is out.... ;-D

So are about 20 other ideas I came up with.

Curse you Google! ;-D

The new name is quite obvious, actually.

Club Nips

Yes, I now 'Nip, without the S, is a reference to the Feline Drug of Choice (FDC), and that's another reason for the name because....

We aspire to build as rich, and colorful, a reputation as the celebrated (and notorious) '21' Club in New York City, hee, hee! ;-D

More to come. ;-D

****END UPDATE****

Handsome New Look, for the Blog, as the Future Beckons

Good afternoon Felinity Assembled!

A new day dawns...

Or, as some of you more panicky types are probably reacting right now... MAY DAY! MAY DAY! Oh, MY Ceiling Cat! Meowsings header has changed! ;-D

Calm down, dip in some 'Nip to settle your nerves, and relax...everything is going to be fine, honest. ;-D

A lot has been happening around here, for well over a week, and I'm not just talking about, Elvira, and Total Saucepot With IMPRESSIVE "Curriculum Vitae" Woefully Behind in Contest, our video, my hairball monster being featured on People Pets, and Daddy Kiril being a Runner-Up in the Purina Cat Chow Correspondent Search. 

Ann, of Zoolatry (Related links in the sidebar under her banner), is famous for the generosity she shows in using her creative talent to make badges, and banners for Cat Blogosphere bloggers.

Those things are AWESOME!

 

Daddy, & I, have been doing a lot of reading, and thinking, this month, and this combined with other things going on, led us, with Elvira Mistress of Felinity, and her eager Tortitude, to make a decision.

We needed a new header banner, and a badge that fans could display on their blogs, and websites, alongside a link to this blog.

We contacted Ann, and  told her our idea, and asked her to use her boundless imagination, and that of her Kitty Girls, to flesh it out for us into something special, and distinctly identifiable with us, and our unique blog, different in so many ways from the rest of Pussydom Assembled.

She did not disappoint, not in the slightest.

A week of back & forth ensued as everything came together in the final, awesome header you now see.

Look it over carefully...you won't regret the effort, hee, hee! ;-D

Oh, and my EDITORIAL?

It's the initial entry in a long-term campaign that some of you are already familiar with...and for those of you who are not, well, read on:

May I Have a Word?

Comments are encouraged on every single post in the series. ;-D

Once the banner was done Ann set about making the badge.

 

Daddy is a fan of Classic Hollywood era films of the 1930's to 1950's, including several films where journalism was a part of the plot and, as regulars know, often wears a Fedora.

The finished product, with added text, is in the sidebar, and we encourage you to grab it, and link back to us.

I have blogrolls galore, of various types, and am always looking for worthwhile sites to add.

Daddy, Elvira, & I, have all been doing things for the first time since he became unemployed, last August.

The world is changing, and we need fina ways to change with it, grow, and Poke the Box, as author Seth Godin calls it.

Curiosity can start us down the path to bringing things, news, ideas, and opinions to the world.

Curiosity may have killed more than a few Cats, over the centuries, but we Cats have 9 Lives to work with. ;-D

Daddy plans to attend Blog Paws in August, and I will soon be writing a post about the possiblity of maybe him getting Sponsored to finance the adventure, if anyone will take the chance on us.

We believe attending is the right thing for him, and this blog, as we move ahead.

Change has begun, here, and where it will lead is the 64,000 Treat Question.

Won't you join us for journey?

****UPDATE - Wednesday****

Wow, What a Day! Thank You, One, and All!

****END UPDATE****

 

2nd Book By Designer Kitty A Colorful, Outspoken, Delight!

Good evening, everyone!

I'm back to share my thoughts on the 2nd book by Sparkle and, if you missed my review of her first book, you can read it here. ;-D

Being the premier Advice Columnist to Felinity Assembled is not easy, and this volume takes up where the first one left off and while it's just as good as round 1, it has some additions that make it special in its own right.

This book has many photos of the author, in glorious color this time, and absolutely adorable!

This book, like the first one, is a thoughtful exercise in giving advice to Felines, male, and female, fixed, and not, Home Bodies, and Feral, young, and old.

DEAR SPARKLE: Cat-To-Cat Advice

 

A no-holds-barred discussion of topics such as "Games Kitties Play", "Strange Invasions", "Cat vs Human", Food issues, and Litter Box Problems, plus a few surprises.

Throughout the book she sprinkles extra tidbits of advice called "Sparkle Says" that are worth the price of admission all by themselves. ;-D

She dispenses this advice, and tips, with an upfront, straightforward, "Would I steer you wrong?" outspokenness, that she has long been known for on her blog. ;-D

 

A few examples of the "Sparkle Says" will suffice to, I hope, entice you to get the book, and read it for yourself.

1. Have you ever thought about why Cats have such expressive ears? It's because we don't have eyebrows.

2. Humans just don't get it: Cat fur is a badge of honor to be worn proudly.

3. My idea for vet care reform: Put the vets into carriers and bring them to us onstead of vice versa.

4. Don't be a cheap date: Save heavy petting for AFTER dinner.

There's more sage wisdom where those came from. ;-D

So, dear fellow Felines, if you are sufficiently intrigued, and can convince your Human that you can't do without this book...there is a link in my sidebar to it on Amazon. ;-D

If you have already read this book, or when you finally do, please share your thoughts in the comments below.