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Cats Archives

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

French Toddlers with Giant Eyes Are the New Cats

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Wed, Dec 31 at 12:33 PM

Cat videos are so completely, totally 2008. The new wave is viral videos of extremely attractive French kids who have Vimeo empires created by their doting parents. Capucine is the starlet of this scene, a precocious little French girl with gigantic eyelashes whose videos have become so popular that she's using her fame to fund a children's library in Mongolia. Here's one of her earlier films, entitled "Too Much Candy":


Too much candy from Capucha on Vimeo.

Word to Muntedkowhai.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

RIP Eartha Kitt

Posted by Ned Lannamann on Thu, Dec 25 at 9:17 PM


I never met Eartha Kitt, but I cleaned her swimming pool once (summer job). From her back yard, I could smell her perfume wafting from inside the house. I ended up putting too much chlorine in her hot tub, but I have a feeling that her shield of perfume could knock out any industrial strength dose of chemical I may have laid on her. Sorry, Eartha! And rest in peace.

Merry Christmas, and mrrrrow!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tonight's Nightmare Today: The Jingle Cats

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Wed, Dec 17 at 5:31 PM

Sleep tight… IF YOU CAN!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Hello, Friday!

Posted by Alison Hallett on Fri, Dec 12 at 12:35 PM

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Blogtown Reader Ben's cat Kimsey "totally took a shower with prince!" (I'm running low on cat photos, y'all. C'mon.)

Ninja Kitty! Drive Me to Work!

Posted by Erik Henriksen on Fri, Dec 12 at 10:15 AM

I had no interest in ever, ever owning a cat until I saw this ad—which makes me kind of want one, provided it's human-sized and knows ninjitsu and will drive me around in a Toyota Corolla.

Via FilmDrunk.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Half-Assed Hungover Weekend Planning

Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Fri, Dec 5 at 1:34 PM

Considering that the entire staff at the Mercury looks like this today...

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you'll have to click here to look at some great events for the weekend.

Damn you drunken karaoke, you've stolen my will to live! Ow, even exclamation points hurt my head.

Two Great Tastes That Go Together: Blitzen Trapper & Alf

Posted by Ezra Caraeff on Fri, Dec 5 at 10:47 AM

As the West Coast's fifth most authority on human-Melmac relations, I give my full blessing to this hilarious--and totally fucking bizarre--Blitzen Trapper fan video set to various scenes from Alf.

Oh, and it's in Spanish.

Listen people, none of this makes sense. All we can do is just watch the video and enjoy.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Cat Monday

Posted by Alison Hallett on Mon, Dec 1 at 9:51 AM

Books and Cats , via the LA Times' Jacket Copy:

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That cat is not experiencing an omnivore's dilemma. That cat is a tiny, fuzzy murderer, and if it could figure out a way to eat you, it totally would. Irony alert!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Cartoons, Pies, Cats.

Posted by Alison Hallett on Fri, Nov 28 at 4:00 PM

Couple things.

1. The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book was totally right on when it informed me that pouring warm pumpkin pie filling into a warm crust would make for a creamier pie, and subbing vodka for some of the water in the crust does in fact make it flakier. Who knew. ATK's Jack Bishop will be at the Cedar Hills Powell's next Wednesday, 7 pm.

2. Tonight at the Miracle Theater, sketch comedy troupe the 3rd Floor opens their new holiday show, Weird Sandwich. I guarantee you it's going to sell out, so get there early or call 281-0350 for reservations. The 3rd Floor is funny; laughter is slimming.

3. Tomorow at Holocene , Cartune Xprez's DVD release party. Animations from Bruce Bickford, Takeshi Murata, Paper Rad, and more, plus music from Hooliganship, Mega*Church, and Explode into Colors. 9 pm, $6

4. Rather identifying with this cat today:


Caption this Photo of Kitten Vs. Turkey

Posted by Patrick Alan Coleman on Fri, Nov 28 at 3:02 PM

Do it in the comments section! Extra points if your caption includes something about leftovers or shopping!

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Back Off! The $150 laptop is mine!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by Ned Lannamann on Thu, Nov 27 at 8:00 AM

I just wanted an excuse to post this picture again.
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And here's a tune from the Kinks' Ray Davies, who is surprisingly good at writing holiday songs.

LISTEN:







Ray Davies - "Thanksgiving Day"

Friday, November 21, 2008

Rich Pets Have More Fun

Posted by Andrew R. Tonry on Fri, Nov 21 at 4:04 PM

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Sometimes it's good to just absorb the strange with a smile. Settle down, take a big whiff, all the while realizing the world--and by extension, the things that trouble you--is just no big deal. Take, for example, this list of the world's richest pets. That there's a dog worth some £90 million is just too much to process during this time of economic upheaval (or it might just make you weep).

The real-life Spuds McKenzie, Gunther IV (pictured above), isn't even the original heir to the money--the old German broad never knew him, as she left it to Gunther III. Who knows if IV is even worthy? Make he's a stuck up, do-nothing prick who spends all his times and money at trendy Hollywood club fucking gold-digging strumpets and wearing pointy white Italian loafers. The fucking dog bought one of Madonna's old houses and even has his own website (check the photo gallery for sure). From Gunther's website:

Another element which the experts believe is necessary in order to raise the quality of a dog's life is for the dog to live without a specific "owner." Rather, the animal should live together with young euphoric people. These youngsters should be as dynamic, joyful and clever as possible. The experts contend that the company of young, joyful and sexually very active people operates to increase the drive, mood, alertness and other cerebral processes of the dog which in turn generates its happiness and, ultimately, better psychological health. Additionally, the company of these youngsters "pleases" the dog and brings him to fulfillment.

So basically Gunther is like the rich old dude with a broke dick and box of blow and a pool who likes the kids to come over and fuck. (Oh my God, you think Gunther and a real girl ever.. oh never mind...)

As much as I hate Gunther IV right now (OK, so the smiling at the absurd thing didn't really work), it's hard not to love #3 on the richest pets list, Kalu the chimpanzee. How can you not be down with a rich monkey? Banana daiquiris for all!

Perhaps the strangest part of all this is the teams of legal assholes who spend their entire adult lives tending to these pets and trying to syphon money out of the funds. Can you imagine? What a sad existence--less worthwhile than the pets! Choke on the kibbles, dick-pigs!

For the entire list of richest pests, I mean pets, click here. And yes, there are kitties too.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Old People Forced to Eat Cat Food

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Wed, Nov 19 at 1:30 PM

Perhaps the saddest byproduct of our struggling economy is how it will undoubtedly affect the older generation. When times get really tough, those who won't be able to support themselves will be forced to take extreme measures in order to find sustenance. For example, this grandma who has obviously been forced to eat cat food. But here's the really sad part... NOW SHE LOVES CAT FOOD!

I MEAN, REALLY REALLY LOVES IT!
Watch.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Baby Hippo Day!

Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Fri, Nov 14 at 3:02 PM

Even cuter than Cat Friday?! Dare I say it?

DJ Anna the Cat

Posted by Alison Hallett on Fri, Nov 14 at 10:29 AM

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Kicking your cat Friday off in style--AND keeping it oh-so-relevant--here's a picture of DJ Anna the Cat, courtesy of local musician Corrina Repp. Corrina's band band Tu Fawning is playing the Doug Fir this Sunday with the Nick Jaina Band (anyone else have a total rock star crush on that guy?) and That One Dude From Blind Pilot. 9 pm, $10.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Coats for Cubs

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Thu, Nov 13 at 10:29 AM

Whatever your attitude towards fur, if you have any you need to unload, I can't think of a better use than the Humane Society's Coats for Cubs drive, which kicks off this Saturday and and runs for a week, through the 22nd. Anytime between those dates, bring by your real fur or shearling clothing (including trim) and accessories to any Buffalo Exchange store, and they'll use it as comforting bedding for orphaned and injured wildlife like these little cutie patooties.

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Friday, November 7, 2008

Cat Friday.

Posted by Alison Hallett on Fri, Nov 7 at 10:53 AM

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(That's Blogtown reader Suzannah's cat Neptune, posing with Chairman Mao. Feel free to send me your cat pictures if you want to see 'em up here.)

Here's your rather disturbing cat news of the day:

Man apparently killed for killing cat

And while we're on the subject (of cats, not killings): My roommate recently got a new cat, an adorable-but-horrible little thing we'll call "Nermal," even though her name is Luca. My cat Queequeg rightfully despises Nermal, and has been spending less and less time at home since the new cat arrived. I have suspected for a while that he might have another family, because sometimes when he comes home he smells different--like one of those synthetic air fresheners. Sounds crazy, right? I know it does, because when I tried to tell my friends this they either made cat lady jokes or quickly changed the subject.

BUT. Queequeg came home a few days ago with a bite wound on his neck for which he had clearly received medical treatment. Someone else is caring for my cat, and it's kind of weirding me out. I mean, it's nice that he's found a new safe space since he obviously doesn't feel comfortable at home, but what if they try to catnap him? What if he has a new sex bear?
What if the family who's caring for him has a little crippled boy who's bedridden from the consumption, and I try to reclaim Queequeg and the parents are all, "That cat is the only thing that makes little Billy smile anymore"? And little Billy is like, "Cough cough... Please, mum, I do so love this cat...."?

I should note that while Q has a microchip, he rarely tolerates a collar for more than a few days at a time (and right now he does have a wound on his neck so putting even a short-term collar on him is not an option). I'm not sure what if anything to do about this--if anyone has any suggestions (either about resolving the kitty territory issues at home, making sure my cat doesn't get catnapped, or shutting down little consumptive boys) I would love to hear them.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Twisty Cat Thursday!

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Thu, Nov 6 at 2:07 PM

Normally Alison is in charge of the Mercury's "Cat Beat." However, I know if I passed this video on to her, there's no way in a billion years she'd post it. IT'S THAT DISTURBING.

Ladies and gentlemen, please say hello to the TWISTY CATS. Cats that have been bred to have inverted elbows -- on the flip-side, even though they walk around on floppy stumps, they're still ADORABLE. So there's that.

Anyway, this video (originally shown on Animal Planet's Weird, True and Freaky) is going to freak your shit out -- SO BE WARNED. And don't kill the messenger. I didn't breed the cats to look like this. And besides, isn't taking care of this sort of problem Barack Obama's job?

Monday, November 3, 2008

Aw: Lindsey Reif and Scraps for Cats

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Mon, Nov 3 at 9:58 AM

Here's a sweet story to set your week off on a positive note, from Portland designer Lindsey Reif. If you're an apparel designer or crafter who produces a lot of scrap it's also a good reminder that there's a demand for such things:

One thing I've realized about being a designer is that no matter how cautious a person is when cutting, sewing, designing, there is bound to be a staggering amount of waste fabric. Being the pack rat that I am, I have saved nearly all of my scraps over the past year, and this week I realized that I had 7 (!!) trash bags of scrap fabric in my basement that I really needed to do something with. I decided to post an ad on craigslist to find a home for the fabric. I received 38 emails in less than 12 hours, so I had to come up with some criteria for the lucky recipient. I decided that they had to be using the fabric for a good cause, and they could not be making money from the scraps.

Most of what I had leftover was fleece, and I found the perfect match! Kathy Sayles, a volunteer for the Cat Adoption Team Shelter in Sherwood, OR ( about 20 minutes outside of Portland) contacted me about a possible donation. She makes beds for the kitties at the shelter, and is always in search of scrap fabric, especially fleece, to make the kitties feel comfortable. Kathy was very grateful for the donation, and it made me feel great as well! It's nice to know that I have a home for future leftover fabric!

And, here is one of Kathy's cat beds. Awwwww....

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Find other, less sentimental news about Portland fashion design and shopping on MOD.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Halloween at PCS

Posted by Alison Hallett on Wed, Oct 29 at 4:01 PM

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Guys, Portland Center Stage reeaaalllyy wants you to hang out with them on Halloween. And if you don't mind dressing up like a cast member from Cats, this is actually an incredibly sweet deal. (Or you could be all meta about it and pretend you're dressing up like a high school drama dork, if that helps.)

Dress up like your favorite Broadway character and get $10 tickets to the Halloween performance of Guys & Dolls or R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE. Then stay for the party and enjoy complimentary beer from Deschutes Brewery, as well as wine and a few treats, and a costume contest (judged by the Portland Center Stage costume shop) where you could win a pair of "Broadway at Home" season passes to PCS. It's the most fun you can have off stage this Halloween.
Enter the secret code SPOOKY to get your $10 Guys & Dolls.


Enter the secret code BOO to get your $10 Bucky.

All you have to do is drink $10 worth of beer, and the show is FREE! Or sit through a ten dollar show, and the beer is free! Either way.

Though my Guys and Dolls review elicited a particularly excellent reader comment (a trick to get you to click the link and actually read the review. Do it!), the show itself was underwhelming. But for $10? Even I might see it again. The one-man show R. Buckminster Fuller, about the loopy, idealistic inventor of the geodesic dome, is great, provided you have a modicum of patience for unabashed nerdiness. (I do. Check out the hoodie I'm getting for my birthday!)

Theater listings and reviews, as ever, here.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Tuesday Cat Blogging

Posted by Alison Hallett on Tue, Oct 28 at 4:01 PM

Oh, why not.

"It is my first time raising a cat, so I want to give her all my love..."

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(Thanks, Mark! I think.)

Friday, October 10, 2008

Cat Friday.

Posted by Alison Hallett on Fri, Oct 10 at 5:13 PM

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I'VE GOT NOTHING.

I was going to blog this, until a coworker coldly informed me that "desperation blogging is not good blogging."

I can't do this alone. Please direct cat-related adorableosity to ahallett@portlandmercury.com for Cat Friday consideration. Thank you.

Friday, October 3, 2008

It's Electric Toothbrush Friday!

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Fri, Oct 3 at 4:44 PM

Alison is on vacation this week, and I usually IM her these things... BUT! There's nothing that gets a weekend started off right like four minutes of a kitten slapping the shit out of an electric toothbrush. (Just when you think it's not funny anymore... it just gets funnier!)

Friday, September 26, 2008

Cattywampmoose?

Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Fri, Sep 26 at 3:13 PM

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Apparently Sarah Palin hates cats!

She is officially dead to me.

Kitty Speed Dating.

Posted by Alison Hallett on Fri, Sep 26 at 1:47 PM

What day is it? Hrm...

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Speed Dating is "Not Just for Humans," according to the Oregon Humane Society. (Online dating still is, right?)

Men and women looking for loving, caring relationships are invited to the world's first-ever speed dating event for ... cats! There will be wine and hors d'oeuvres served at the Sept. 30 event, with human guests spending five minutes each with 10 to 15 different cats over the course of the evening.

OHS, which has over 100 cats available for adoptions, will select feline dating candidates who vary in personality, age, and breed to insure there is a perfect match for all guests. Guests will receive care packages with the adoption of any cat during the event.

And unlike traditional speed dating events--there are no worries here. All OHS cats are spayed/neutered and vaccinated. They come with a microchip ID tag, one month of health insurance, and much more. OHS interpersonal relationship experts (otherwise known as adoption counselors) will be on hand to make sure the speed dating experience is a happy one.

It all happens on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 5 - 8 pm at OHS, 1067 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97211.

This sounds incredibly fun. Way more fun any dates with actual people I've had recently.

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