FAT CATS 101: MY SCOTTISH FOLD CAT ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL, ANIMAL PLANET TV! ANNABELLE COSMETICS GOTH & HARAJUKU MAKEUP INTERVIEW.
As you know, I’m the mother of the cutest cat in the world, Scottish Fold kitty Basil Farrow! The producers of Animal Planet / Discovery Channel’s “Cats 101” TV show found his YouTube videos and fell in love… and scouted him to be in an episode. Since they had already made a Scottish Folds segment, Basil Farrow is featured four times in the Fat Cats clip.
I feel I must preface the video with a Fat Disclaimer! My cat, Basil Farrow, is not obese or even an unhealthy weight. He is a male Scottish Fold; his breed is short with a stocky build, fat cheeks, and thick fur. While he appears to be roly-poly, he is in fact within a healthy weight range (albeit on the higher end…) Rest assured that he visits his cat specialist regularly (no normal vets for my bear!). Basil Farrow only eats byproduct-free healthy cat food, catgrass, and plain organic fat free yogurt. And he exercises daily by running up and down the stairs, and playing with his mouse toy.
Ready to watch my Scottish Fold cat’s appearance in Cats 101 above and here? He’ll give you a big furry kiss if you subscribe to our YouTube channel! (Thank you to my First Mate, Naomi, for taping it.)
You can see more cute Scottish Fold kitty pictures on Basil’s blog, and please add him on Facebook (he loves to make new friends).
Canadian makeup company Annabelle Cosmetics interviewed me about alternative beauty. They write that I’m “quite something of a novelty in the ever-growing blogosphere of same old, same old. Showcasing her fabulously freaky finds amongst keeping herself busy as a journalist and author… there truly isn’t anything this dame can’t do! From a twisted sense of fabulous fashion and wearing makeup truly as an outer expression, she dares you to experiment and tune into your favorite dark side.”
A few of my quotes from the interview:
“I adore alternative beauty because it challenges our expectations about what is beautiful. Even the macabre can be sublime: black and blue lips, pallid skin, spiked eyepatches, facial piercings. I find it thrilling to experiment with subcultural beauty; to create looks that even the most hardened person might find intriguing.”
“Waltz through the catacombs, deck yourself out in ostrich feathers, and make every day into a dark and decadent adventure.”
Et voila l’entrevue en Francais. Je parles Francais, alors vous pouvez me laisser des message dans cette langue…
I’m so proud of my Basil Farrow. Did you enjoy his TV debut? You can also read my makeup interview after the jump.
Japanese Word of the Day: Kichiku = Beast, barbarian
Song of the Day: Marc Bolan – The Wizard (Long live the dandy, glam rock and decadance!)
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JAPAN COSPLAY FESTIVAL, LARGEST TOKYO COSPLAYER EVENT. ANIME MANGA COSTUMES, JCF MEET-UP IN TOSHIMAEN AMUSEMENT PARK.
One of the most “trick-a-la-ti-doo” aspects of being a pirate (aka TV host and production coordinator in Japan) is that you get to access and film the most incredible youth gatherings. The Australian travel TV show wanted to explore the world of otaku, so Naomi an I set up the perfect outing: Japan Cosplay Festival, the largest annual cosplayer gathering in Tokyo.
Maid costume: Sebastian helped me pick out the skimpiest possible maid outfit in Akihabara.
Makeup: Green eyeshadow on the lids and orange over the top. Fake eyelashes. Pink lips and gloss.
Stripey bat knee socks: from Bodyline (300 yen only!)
Purple sandals: We had a 12 hour shoot with constant walking, so comfort came first!
The shoot began at Don Quixote in Shinjuku. (TV crews can’t just waltz in anywhere and start filming; that’s why you need us pirates to make arrangements in advance!) As their guide, I introduced The Two Tims to the costume display. They tried on masks and decided to splurge on Keroro and Pikachu full-body outfits — even though it was sweltering hot out.
The Japan Cosplay Festival takes place every year at Toshima-en amusement park. Once again, the pirates negotiated the filming permits and fee ahead of time. The TV crews generally are new to Tokyo, so they rely on us to take them from place to place.
I love kigurumi (left). Since they refuse to speak, we communicate by writing on a little white board hung from their necks. Some people think kigurumi (animegao dollars) are disturbing, but I hope my coverage here and on the TV show changes that perception. They’re the sweetest, kindest people you’ll meet.
Most of the cosplayers were in front of the carousel, where they posed for photos and hung out with friends.
The outfits are so intricate and bright. Pop quiz: can you recognize the manga or anime that these youths are cosplaying?
Cosplay means emulating a fantasy character in appearance and role. It’s different from Goth Lolita Punk fashion, which most consider to be a way of life.
However, cosplaying is certainly a youth subculture — and a fascinating one. Participants put much time and money into this pursuit.
We interviewed the young Japanese about when they started cosplaying and what they love best about it. (Arr, we pirates provide translation.)
So cute to see friends bond over their shared love of cosplay, anime, manga and video games.
This scary dog-demon is a coin-operated ride; insert 200 yen and he walks at a glacial pace. Do you remember the time I rode a Panda version of this device in Odaiba?
Have you ever cosplayed, or been to a cosplay event like this one? Which character did you emulate? Deep thoughts on my maid outfit?
Japanese Word of the Day: En ga kireru = Cut off relations. (There comes a time, me hearties, when it be n’ecessary to deliver… the BLACK SPOT upon a buccaneer. Send’im to Davy Jones’ locker!)
Song of the Day: South Park – Somalian Pirates We (Let’s take it from bar 14; all together now: With a yo-ho-ho! And a yee-hee-hee!)
LA CARMINA
