Adventures in Hippo Land!

Simply, Having, A Hippo-ful Christmas Time

2006-12-18T23:59:00.000-05:00

I know most people say that the Holidays are a stressful time because they cost so much money. Buying gifts and all. Well, being a cat has its advantages. First, you rarely have to buy gifts, but giving a gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse is a great small joy in this kitten’s routine of purring, meowing and relaxing with a good bit of nip. Second, and I would imagine that most of you do not know this, when you are this cute, people give you tips for simply sitting on a blanket. Hippo is all about the benjamins.

Purrs and Smooches,

Hippo

This Hippo Went On A Bender

2006-12-17T22:35:00.000-05:00

Last night was rough around these parts. Katie and Baxter stayed up late, so I stayed up late, stumbling around, eating too much chow, and watching too much meow-ball. By this morning, I was passed out in the bed upstairs, unable to rouse myself even as Baxter and Katie had been up and dressed for hours. It's been a full day of napping and cat hangover, but at least I get to sleep whenever I like. I know I tried to get a job earlier, but this pretty kitty is really more suited to the leisurely life.

Oh, Hippo Tree, Oh, Hippo Tree, How Lovely Are Your Meow Cats

2006-12-16T14:29:00.000-05:00

The Christmas season is coming into focus here at the Hippo Ranch. I like the decorations, and generally, everyone is just a little nicer around Christmas-time. Kittens like to share their chow, and it makes it just a little more pleasant to be a kitten. Don't you wish that every day was Christmas?

Silent Hippos, Holy Hippos

2006-12-15T00:36:00.000-05:00

I don't mean to be sacreligious, but it has been a week of holiness for the Hippopotameow. Meows are in abundance, purrs are all around, and I just super love people. Es-purr-cially MY people, who have been feeding me treats and giving me couches aplenty to lay about.

Really, there's nothing to meow-plain about, and that's how I like it.

Hippos Roasting on an Open Fire. . .

2006-12-14T23:36:00.000-05:00

. . . Even if Jack Frost is NOT nipping at my nose.

It's still not snowing around here, a fact which causes constant consternation amongst both me and Baxter, though Katie's pretty all right with it, as she hasn't been feeling particularly good and doesn't want disastrous weather to make it any worse. However, I'm still in the Christmas spirit, because that's what this pretty kitty does. And wouldn't your Christmas be better if there was a pretty Hippo to cheer you up?

It's Supposed to Be Beginning to Look Alot Like Hippo

2006-12-13T23:50:00.000-05:00

No one appreciates a good bit of acting from the Hippo bear these days. Since my shirt clearly indicates that I am Santa's Little Helper, I was attempting to place presents under the tree, or at the very least scope it out so that Santa can pile the dolls, racecars, and catnip mousies, in the most efficient manner possible. But alas, all my efforts were interpreted as simply a desire to eat the sparkly silver trappings offered by this particular tree.

In other news, the lack of snow outside is affecting even me, and I hail from the year-round balmy-ness that was Persia. It is hard to "Meowing Like a Winter Hippo-cat" when it is 50 degrees out. When Christmas comes my fur is supposed to match the landscape of fluffy whiteness. At least Hippo is here to remind you of what fluffy winter is supposed to be like.

Purrs and Smooches,

Hippo

Hippo Outtakes, Continued

2006-12-12T23:01:00.000-05:00

This would be my favorite shot if it wasn't so blurry. As a pretty but shy Hippo bear, I did spend much time avoiding the pictures, and that is why some of the shots did not turn out as well as I might have hoped. But I am so beautiful all the time, I suppose it just naturally comes out on film, even if I am avoiding the camera.

Has everyone starting singing carols? My favorite, so far, is:

Here Comes Hippo Claus
Here Comes Hippo Claus
Right Down Hippo Claus Lane

Katie and Baxter and all my people
Pullin' on the purrs
Cats are meowin', kittens purrin'
All is meowy and bright
Hang your stockings and say your prayers
'Cause Hippo Claus comes tonight!

Hippo Outtakes, Take 2

2006-12-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

My end photo actually is similar to this one, but this one went drastically awry. I don't know if it's my facial expression or what, but somehow it just didn't turn out right.

Who knew that this svelte cat could look chubby with the wrong shirt?

Hippo Cards: Outtakes

2006-12-10T23:43:00.000-05:00

Today Katie and Baxter subjected this pretty kitty to the horrifying embarrassment of taking Christmas photos. Now, I like sending out pictures of my purr-tiful face to everyone I know as much as the next cat, but I must admit that the actual taking of the photos is not my favorite part. But since I know that my blog audience is made up of people who like to see me suffer, I thought I would present some of the most hilarious of my photos as a funny reel. Don't ever meow that I didn't give you anything.

I really wanted to eat the nativity. Perhaps that's what made one of my eyes stay shut.

All I want for Christmas is My Hippo-Meow

2006-12-09T14:13:00.000-05:00

This Hippo is considering having a Christmas Party; would anyone like to come? This is my pretty party dress, and I would wear it to the party. I also appreciate gifts and cards, even though I am not looking forward to the ridiculousness that accompanies shooting my christmas Photo. But at least my loyal readers have that to look forward to.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Hippo

2006-12-08T22:00:00.000-05:00

Even though it is cold outside, this Hippo-bear has been having a great time laying on the couch and sitting on a blanket with Katie and Baxter. The white blanket and white fur is especially flattering, and I would love it if more people could come visit. It's also awesome because it gives me a chance to marvel at the similarities between snow and shets and blankets and hippos. Oh, and did I mention my fleas are going away?

I Am a Hippo Caught Between Two Worlds

2006-12-07T23:03:00.000-05:00

I am sitting mostly by the window tonight, watching the snow fall down, like soft strands of my fluffy white fur. I suppose the snow is often quite like my fur, as it covers everything and makes it somehow all seem happy and new, touched by the grace of something which may no longer be present but rings of happiness and comfort.

But in general I have moved towards sitting here, on the threshold between the kitchen and the living room and, more importantly, between cool and refreshing and warm and relaxing. I am such a kozy kitten (one who absolutely adores purr-poseful quaint misspellings), you see, that I have diverse and fascinating ways of being comfy. I contain multiples. I love the cool smooth shinyness of the kitchen floor, both for slide-based scampering and for the rush as it lightly chills my fur. At the same time, keeping my tummy pressed against the carpet makes me meow with contentment. Especially when the weather outside turns frighful, we all need a Hippo, who is, of course, so delightful.

Thankfully, Katie and Baxter have taught me a debate trick that solves this dilemma: the PURRmutation!!!

Purrs and Smooches,

Hippo

Deck the Halls with Meowing Hippos!

2006-12-06T22:42:00.000-05:00

Katie and Baxter went to the grocery store today and got all sorts of goodies for the making of Christmas treats. As a purr-tiful persian kitten, I tend to keep myself to the persual and consumption of kitten chow, but as of recently, I have switched food in order to facilitate the emergence of my beautiful smile, which the vet says is being hidden by tartar. So far it is quite scrumptious, and so I can understand why it is that Baxter and Katie would want to make special foodstuffs for the holidays.

But what I can't understand is why they would do this by going to the grocery store rather than laying on the couch and taking a nap. They really should look into getting someone to fetch their food for them, like I have done.

Bad Hippo Santa

2006-12-05T23:42:00.000-05:00

This is not my official Christmas photograph, but i thought that my viewers would get a kick out of the first of the outtakes, because I am an awesome Grumpy Santa Kitten. I think that I shall patent this phrase, though I can't really imagine another kitten in all the land who could play the role of the awesome Grumpy Santa Kitten better than moi. You cannot see the phrase "Santa's Little Helper" on the back, but let me assure you, there will be many a photo in the upcoming weeks to get you in the mood for the meow-riffic season.

I am a Purring Rock Star!

2006-12-04T22:25:00.000-05:00

Did I mention that this beautiful Persian kitten was the Catster Cat of the Day last Thursday? They don’t keep a record of them, so I can’t prove it, but if you want to see the email, I might be able to be purr-vinced to forward it to you. As a result of my awesome cuteness, many people have left me treats and given me rosettes and visited this blog, so hello, new people! Strike one for smooshy faced kitties everywhere!

How Can Anyone Resist this A-Purr-Able Face?

Nothing Says Winter For Kitties Like Blankets and Shopping

2006-12-03T08:31:00.000-05:00

This winter has just been exhausting. Even though I haven't left the house except to go the vet that one time, between the shopping and napping, I just haven't had much time to myself. I mean, I've watched some TV, and the blankets are always nice, but sometimes a kitty just needs to be, you know what I mean?

Luckily, it's Christmas season, so I've got a little time to catch up, take a snooze, and shop online for presents for all my kitty pals in the townhouse complex.

Riding in Cars With Hippos

2006-12-02T10:10:00.000-05:00

Katie and I went to the vet on Wednesday. I did not appreciate such things, as I am generally a kitten who does not like to leave the house. I wouldn't say that I'm agoraphobic purr se, but I have totally enjoyed the ways in which I have not had to leave the house since moving to Purr-chester this July. I tried to make my concerns known in the car on the way there, and my meows were met with much fawning. As usual, the vet was incredibly nice to me (the public loves me!) and hopefully the fleas that seem to have infested my beautiful fur will be solved soon by the medicine they gave me.

Plus, Katie made me ride in my carrier (even though I had my favorite purple blanket, so it wasn't all that bad) and we all know I prefer to lay on the console and glance out at the world around me.

Purrs and Smooches,
Hippo

Hippo-dailies!

2006-12-01T23:25:00.000-05:00

Peekaboo!

I caved and decided that if Katie and my auntie Karly could do this Holidailies thing, the Hippo-bear could too. Plus, it can be my Christmas Present to all my adoring fans out there. The thoughts I conjure for the month will probably not be as long as my normal Monday entries, but I promise there will be photographs, and that I will try to delve deep into my kitty subconscious to find many anecdotes and personal facts that you might have missed between the sumptuous white fur and cute button nose.

But for today, a little game of hide and seek; it is one of my favorites. Baxter tells me that the Rochester debaters are really into Connect 4, but I consider that beneath my tiger-like intelligence. Hiding and then pouncing is a much more useful skill.

Purrs and Smooches,

Hippo

The Many-faced Napitude of the Elusive Hippo-bear

2006-11-27T23:57:00.000-05:00

It was a Hippolicious holiday weekend, and though I kept my feasting to chow and catnip, I am really not in significant need of tryptophan anyway. I suppose chipotle cheddar mashed potatoes would help me get a nice little kitten nap as well, or maybe they would just give me enough spice to fire a run up and down the stairs.

Irregardless, there was no shortage of kitten-like naps over this long weekend. There were as many different varieties of nappage as there were situations over the weekend. On Thursday for instance, Baxter and Katie divided their time fairly evenly between frantic kitchen antics and time on the couch. Hence I divided my time between keeping their spots warm for them:

and snuggling with Katie as she waited for rolls to rise, pie crusts to bake or cakes to cool nearby:

Those were not my only types of sleep of course, since I had to sneak in fairly quick naps (for a Hippo at least) while my friends went out to see a play:

and also got the opportunity to have day long napstravaganzas while the crazy people who keep me in chow went shopping on the day after the turkey-bird:

Anyway you slice it, Hippos love to nap and we do it very well. There is virtually no where that I cannot sleep and virtually no time I can’t enjoy it. More proof is necessary. I submit my final exhibit; even if the impromptu pile of laundry at the bottom of the stairs is only going to be there for an hour or so, I can squeeze in a couple of persian-riffic snoozes.

Alright, blogging, not surprisingly, makes me a tired Hippo. Off to look for something soft and cuddly…like me!

Purrs and Smooches,

Hippo

Meowy Purr-sgiving!

2006-11-21T23:45:00.000-05:00

As we approach this Thanksgiving season, my Hippo-ness is aware that there is a great feast ahead. All my human friends will sit down at the table with a giant bird, some delicious mashed potatoes, and various other delights. While I might choose to take a lick of the whipped cream when no one is watching, I for the most part prefer to stick with chow.

While I understand that Thanksgiving is a gluttonous holiday for you folks, when it comes to the Hippo-bear, every day is a chance to eat to my little Persian heart is content. I admit that I am not the cleanest kitten on the planet, and I occasionally have a tendency to well, be less than perfectly contained:

You might say (I’m a meower, but I’m not the only purr…) that I could be a cleaner kitten. But, I say to you, why don’t you try to eat the delightful Country Bread Stuffing with Smoked Ham and Goat Cheese that Baxter is making this Thursday with your adorably flat Persian face smashed into the bowl. I think you’ll end up much messier and far less glorious.

Anyway, I am extremely thankful to have laps to lay on, couches to curl up on, blankets to snooze on and great friends and admirers throughout the world. I will join you all on Thursday, as deep in my chow as you are in gravy. Happy Turkey Day everyone!

Purrs and Smooches,

Hippo

Debate Hippo

2006-11-13T22:46:00.000-05:00

So I must admit, weekends where there are debate tournaments but only one of my friends Katie or Baxter is gone are my favorite kind of debate weekends. It's not that I don't enjoy being alone, because I do. This pretty kitty likes to have time for introspection and pondering the uni-purr-se, but I also like to have a friend at my demand, should I need anything. This weekend, with Katie at home and Baxter at the Wake Forest Debate Tournament in Winston-Salem, NC, was perfect. Katie did laundry, so I got plenty of chances to dart in and out of the laundry room (which they insist on keeping locked much of the time, and which I totally do not understand, as there are cobwebs to run into and spiders to bat, not to mention large machinery to hide behind). We watched much TV, including 3 movies, and a few episodes of the View, which I heart, as I purr Rosie O'Donnell.

This weekend, though, I decided that the best thing for me to do to get to see a little more of the country would be to debate for the University of Rochester. So I started by exercizing my jaw, getting ready to read aloud.

I did some speed drills, but all they did was make my mouth tired.

Then I decided to take a break, do a little research, and gear up for much work.

After all that hard work, I thought about writing some arguments out, practicing my second affirmative constructive, but then I decided that it would be better to take a nap in my tub.

I Have a Hobby, I Maintain the World's Largest Collection of Sea Shells, Perhaps You've Seen It, I Keep it Scattered On Beaches All Over the World

2006-11-07T00:09:00.000-05:00

Meowy meow. With Halloween in the past and the insanity of the constant buzz surrounding the question of how adorable I would be in my lobster costume behind me, I am a fairly laid back kitten until Thanksgiving time. Baxter and Katie were around all weekend, petting me, brushing me, and generally enjoying what I like to call the Hipposity of the world. There were admittedly large stretches where they had taken off to places that seemed to be either work at the debate office, a trip to the Orchestra and a Packers’ game.

So I have developed a new primary hobby, as the quote from one of my favorite comedians above indicates. (Steven Wright, by the way. One liners fit my attention span.) It is not done to the exclusion of my other hobbies, like eating chow, batting at string or playing on the stairs. My brand new hobby:

That is correct. Sitting on the back of the couch. You might be tempted to say, “Hey Hippo. How’s it goin. Lovely day isn’t it. Oh, you haven’t been to the window today to see the weather outside? You should, its lovely. Anyway, I don’t think that sitting on the back of the couch itself necessarily constitutes a hobby.” I would say this to you, however: 1) Your argument contradicts itself. I have been so busy in my hobby that I have not even made it over to the beautiful window today to look outside. 2) You obviously know little about sitting on the back of the couch. Here’s a brief rundown.

You can sit in multiple directions, to analyze the geometry of the living room, to look alternately at the stairs, the TV, the kitchen, or either the front or back door. Here is me checking out the patio.

You can wrap your tail around your face, either to curl up all like an adorable red panda or to do a Darkwing Duck impression. Darkwing Duck is a great show by the way, I have been downloading reruns. Anyway, here I am, wrapped up like a Hippo in a blanket, aka, The Hippo Burrito.

But for the most part I am still just attempting to master the most basic component of sitting on the back of the couch. Some would say it was the preliminaries, but in reality, it is like the serve is to tennis, like putting is to golf. It takes more practice than you think, but I am putting in my hours. Cuz ladies and gents, the meat and potatoes of sitting on the back of the couch, is napping. And I will leave you with one last shot as I get back to my hobby of the week.

Purrs and Smooches,

Hippo

Many Meows and Purrs for a Happy Halloween!!!

2006-10-31T21:31:00.000-05:00

As promised, I bring you the updated version of Hippo Costume-palooza, 2006 edition. This year, I decided to be . . .

A Lobster!

Here is Baxter and I, all dressed up and celebrating the Meow-lo-ween.

I do have to admit, I am not entirely sure that I was pleased to be wearing the outfit. I mean, I am completely adorable, but I am adorable every day. And today was a big day in the grooming department - I had a bath, Katie brushed me too much, I was blow dried twice and am still not completely, AND I had to wear a halloween costume?

But at least Baxter looks cute.

Note that I also helped Katie carve a spectacular pumpkin.

And then I ended the night with a little dance in my hat, because it was slightly bothersome but also incredibly fun to dance around the townhouse.

Happy Halloween!!!!

Almost Happy Meow-loween!

2006-10-30T21:31:00.000-05:00

I know that this pretty Hippopotameow promised a picture of my secret Halloween costume, and I am afraid that I am going to have to disappoint you all, my dear readers. I have not yet taken my holiday bath, which means I am not yet willing to subject myself to photographic memory in my lovely costume. Its stunning color choices make it necessary that my fur be as white and pristine as possible, and I just did not have time to bathe today. Over the weekend I was pretty low key, even though Baxter told me explicitly I could have a costume party, but I thought it better to save my thunder for the actual Halloween day.

I did think that I should give you a little taste of the awesomeness that is me in a costume. So if you'll recall, exhibit A: my halloween costume last year. I was a dragon.

Exhibit B? My Christmas Costume. I was a snow-cat.

Exhibit C? My Easter Costume, 2005.

Exhibit D? My getting fixed Baby Costume, May 2005.

Exhibit E? My Easter costume from this year, which was beautiful.

And finally, Exhibit F. The Dress Katie bought me for the upcoming holiday party season.

What this means for you? Tomorrow there will be a special super-duper non-Monday edition of Hippo Blogging, wherein I show you my lovely and as-yet undisclosed Halloween costume.

Why Do You Meow Me Up, Buttercup?

2006-10-23T00:26:00.000-04:00

What could be a better way to start a weekend than this sign?

I must say, I did not actually attend the kitty show, mostly because I had much napping and kitty chow eating to do, but I sent my missives (i.e. Katie and Baxter) to check out the scene and see if any of the kitties there were worthy of being my friend. Turns out there were more kitties there of the Persian variety even than the Siamese kitties for which the cat show was named. Alas, however, they did not bring me a friend. They did bring me a new toy that I am just getting the hang of, so I will save pictures of it for later.

--
I know everyone around me is wondering the same thing: what is this pretty kitty going to be for Halloween? I have my costume all ready to go, but I don't think that I will reveal it just yet. Instead, I will show you my practice costume, a dress that Katie was kind enough to get for me on clearance at Target.

Am I not the most adorable Hippopotameow on the planet? I mean, who else could make this dress look so spec-cat-ular?

Next week: My Costume! If you're lucky, I'll even take a picture with a Care Bear, also in costume.

Big Weekend in Hippoland!

2006-10-17T00:49:00.000-04:00

Hello! A very tired meow to all my readers, because its been a busy weekend for the Hippo bear. Katie and Baxter decided not to leave town this weekend, but did decide to spend most of their time away from their house. I overheard something about running a tournament, but to be honest, I am generally so fascinated by other catnip flavored toys or the beauty of my own fur to pay attention to what others are saying.

They did decide to stop back at the house occasionally on each day, really with just enough time to ruin my typical Saturday debate weekend schedule:

6:00 am: wake up: race up/down stairs to attack first available piece of dangling textiles

6:15 am: scratch green scratchy-house to wake up my claws and get in a good stretch

6:23 am: nap

8:00 am: Hippo snacks for breakfast, maybe sneak a nip of cream
8:20 am: post breakfast nap
10:00 am: continued napping
12:00 noon: brief moping while lamenting the lack of laps within which to sit, ultimately resolved by finding a pile of laundry, blankets or electrical cords
1:00 pm: start drinking cream
3:30 pm: hard cream drinking afternoon nap
5:00 pm: wake up to have a brief snack and recover for the big night ahead
7:00 pm: party

7:30 pm: nap

9:05 pm: Party!

9:09 pm: nap

10:17 pm: PARTY!!!!
10:21 pm: nap
10:23 pm: party
10:26 pm: nap

And so on. Instead of this pretty reasonable schedule mixing work and play, I had to leave whatever cozy nest I had created to investigate the people stopping by to put things in the fridge or pick up insane amounts of mustard. That’s not even to mention the amount of different guests that visited the Hippo pad. At one point there were six people in one room of the house! Everyone was very nice and paid a pretty reasonable amount of attention to my beauty, even though I made myself scarce during the hard partying. I have noticed that people drinking a lot of beer sometimes act like Hippos after one too many pinches of nip, so it was probably the safest all around play. I managed to gather that the visitors included Kathryn, Joe, Jen and Christy (well Ken and Gordie too, but they are always dropping by) all of whom share the same “leave my adorable persian cat for the weekend to attend a debate tournament” mentality. There was a lot of discussion of mackerel, though I for some reason no one offered me any tasty fish.

Anyway, I have been told that this weekend I will be cuddling on the couch while watching football with my favorite people. While this is exciting for me, I am actually even happier for Katie and Baxter, who must be very very tired of being without me. Even the best camera phone movies do not compare to living meowing Hipposity.

Purrs and Smooches,

Hippo

Hippo's Love Song for Baxter

2006-10-08T14:42:00.000-04:00

Katie and Baxter are in Kentucky this weekend for a debate tournament, which means that I have left to my lonesome for four days. Though I love having parties and slurping bowlful after bowlful of cream, I miss my Baxter. For the past year or so, I had really liked sitting with Katie more. We got up in the mornings together, checked our email together, and she is always willing to pet me and brush me and make me all pretty. And I still love Katie. She takes care of me. But as of late, Baxter and I's love affair has grown, and I love sitting in his lap.

Baxter always sits on the couch with his recliner out so there is plenty of space for this pretty kitty to lounge and stretch.

He changes my litterbox rapidly and always keeps food in my awesome Green Bay Packer Bowl.

He is always willing to sleep and smooch with me in bed.

He even shakes the feather so that we can cuddle while we bat at fun kitty toys.

Smooches for Baxter!

The Ballad of a Kitten and Her Feather

2006-10-02T15:05:00.000-04:00

I must admit that this whole Baxter and Katie going out of town thing is really getting old. I mean, I like the parties and the unlimited chow and cream, but I also really like Baxter and Katie, and when they are out of town, who will I lay with in the mornings? There is no one to pick me up and play games, no one to cuddle with in the middle of the night, and no one to brush and pet me. As you can see, this is not my favorite state of affairs. I am perturbed.

More than that, though, I am forlorn. Sad and crushed that there will be no one to play with me.

At this point, only my feather is here to comfort me. We lay together and wish for Katie and Baxter. I reach my arms out towards the feather, and the feather reaches back.

Maybe if I give them this look, Katie and Baxter will just stay home?

Until then, I will be looking and Waiting.

Luckily, as it Monday, they have returned to me! We will run and frolic and play and smooch until Friday. I mean, who could resist this Hippo Bear?

Something In the Meow Tonight

2006-09-26T00:38:00.000-04:00

So it's Debate Season Up in Meow: last weekend marked the official return of debate season at the House of Hippo-Bear. Though I've been spending a few weekends alone Chez Meow as Baxter and Katie gallivant about on vacations that they do not take me on (even though I would totally love to stay in the occasional hotel, or maybe a kitty day spa - I saw them on Animal Planet and am meow-rageously jealous), this was the first one that was for debate, which has a different feel altogeth-purr. I had a small gathering Saturday afternoon to watch a marathon of Project Runway, and then followed it up with a cask of cream and a rousing game of limbo.

I am meow-riffically excited at the transition to fall. I have spent many an afternoon peering out the back window, which I enjoy immensely. The crisp fall air reacts nicely to my fluffy fur and makes me look especially beautiful in the autumn sunshine. I love the way that I can see the animals and the leaves fly about, though I am worried that when the parking lot gets re-tarred next week, it will ruin the scent for a few days.

However, I should be able to keep myself busy doing laundry and helping Katie and Baxter around the house. I know that they have been quite busy, so I have been doing my best to be adorable, play with my mousies, and fold the clean clothes into a basket.

See you all next Monday!

We Want the Meow, Give Up the Meow, Ow We Need the Meow, Gotta Have that Meow!

2006-09-19T00:58:00.000-04:00

Meow meow meow. Despite the incredible fall weather that we’ve had for, well, most of the summer, the Hippo cat got to enjoy some serious warmth today as the temp in Rochester made it into the 80s. That was slightly compromised by the fact that someone decided that instead of cat-napping my way through the afternoon, curled up in an adorable pile of cords behind the TV

I should have to dart back and forth constantly curious about the loud noises being inflicted on me. Katie and Baxter have been telling me that they are in fact loud noises towards a productive goal of “less potholes in the parking lot,” but that seems far less likely then that it was directed at the annoyance of me. Here is my theory: somewhere in this complex there is another persian kitty. By virtue of she or he being a persian kitty, she or he is no doubt incredibly adorable, but paw-bviously, not as adorable as me. Evidence, this is how freaking cute I am sleeping in the feaking car:

So my only guess is that, in an attempt to make her/himself the cutest persian kitty on the block, this other kitten tried to disturb my beauty sleep. There were two flaws in this strategy.

1) I am arguably even more adorable when waking up grumpy then at any other time. By increasing the ratio of waking-up moments to hours slept, my rival bit it like a big chunk of tuna fish. (let me use this parenthetical (new Hippo vocab word) to make a brief analogy Tunafish: Hippo:: Spinach: Popeye (also “bit it like a big chunk of tunafish: Hippo :: drop it like its hawt: Snoop Dogg)). Proof, you demand. Meow! I retort!

2) I am a very persuasive kitty-bear. I just popped to the door and suggested that everyone go out for a tasty glass of cream until I was ready to run, climb, play, etc. A little purr goes a long way.

Now, however, there is a catnip mousey somewhere calling my name. Seriously, can it get better than that combination. Catnip=awesome, mousey=awesome. Catnip mousey=awesome^2. That’s some old school math skillz, Hippo style. Keep it meowy!

Purrs and Smooches,

Hippo

Are We Meowing for some Purr-ball?

2006-09-11T21:41:00.000-04:00

So the school year is officially in full swing for this pretty kitty. So far, it appears to mean that there is more time where I am home alone with only Katie OR Baxter and not both of them at the same time. Not that I mind, though, because it means more attention for me! And they both appear to be purr-cellent at making sure my back door is open so that I can stare at my chipmunk-friends. The chipmunks appear to be coming more regularly now that the fall is coming, and there are many moths for me to bat my purr-fect claws at.

Did I mention that I had to take a bath the other day? I bet that I did not, because I was so meow-ingly mad about the subject that I had to wait until now to mention it, now that my fur is lush and long and no longer destroyed by the ridiculousness that is bath time.

In case you were not clear on just how angry this idea of a bath made this purr-tacular kitten, I give you exhibit B.
Luckily, the purpose of such purr-diculous activities is that my always lush and beautiful fur because almost luminescent when it is clean. I will grudgingly admit that I have never looked as beautiful as the next day after the terrible bath.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Skies are Meow

2006-09-05T22:20:00.000-04:00

This pretty kitty is very sorry to have missed the Monday cutoff for this week's Monday Hippo Blogging, but it was meow-riffically hard to maneuver the internet without Katie or Baxter in time to help, and to be honest, I was just a tinge depressed and lonely all by myself here in Hippo Land. Luckily, I had a friend, Ken, come to visit and watch baseball with me, so that was a bright spot for my labor day weekend. The kitty in the backyard was busy, so I wasn't able to have another purr-ty, so I contented myself with watching Big Brother and gearing up to play like the mighty kitty I am when Baxter and Katie arrived on the scene this afternoon.

Because it's been a week since I last updated, I didn't get to mention that it was Katie's birthday. I was instrumental in picking out a care bear for her, although it cannot compete with the Grumpy Bear I chose for her last year.

Luckily, I am an incredibly inquisitive purr-machine, so I have been able to keep myself busy investigating this lovely abode and learning the nooks and crannies of the carpet. I am hopeful that now that school is starting I will have many hours to chase mousies and fixate on my large array of kitten toys, because I am meow-riffic and chasing and finding such things.

Un-fur-tunately, it is now time for me to go behind the couch, as this Hippo-bear needs a nap.

Well We're Meowin On Up, To The Purr Side.

2006-08-28T11:20:00.000-04:00

It's another sleepy Monday morning here in Hippo-land, and I'm still recovering from a weekend without Baxter and Katie. They went to Philadelphia and left me here all alone, without even the back sliding door open to stare out at the backyard! Luckily, I've met a number of kitty friends in the backyard who run free, so we were able to coordinate a party of sorts on Saturday night here in the Hippo abode.

Animal Planet was showing Big Cat Magic, which is a show I highly recommend, as it is all about big cats, and who doesn't think big cats are magic? We gorged on chow, held races up and down the stairs, and generally had a meow-tastic time. We invited the skunk that lives in the backyard, but unlike Pepe LePew, he does not seem interested in taking a kitty lover. Maybe next time, when Katie and Baxter go to a debate tournament!

I also learned how to play around with some photos, as you might be able to tell from my gorgeous new blog header. I also made this photo, with the help of some Flickr tools:

Sometimes I think it is criminal how a-purr-ably cute I am. My playful side has been out in full force as of late as well, so you should be jealous that you haven't been playing with me and the feather toy. It has been fanCATstic.

The stairs are such a good place to continue my playing, as they give me multiple options for scratching and hanging and generally freaking Baxter out, who is not inclined to let me harm myself. I try to tell him I'm a teenager now and all grown up, but he will NOT believe me. He's so pushy sometimes.

Of course, when it comes right down to it, they'll never deny me anything, because I am too cute for words.

Out Here in the Meow, I Work For My Chow

2006-08-21T23:15:00.000-04:00

It’s a delightful evening tonight, so says this Hippo-bear. I can hardly pull myself away from the beauty of sitting along this window and keeping watch for the skunk that has been roaming around outside. I’ve been told that there is a cartoon skunk known for being romantically inclined towards kitties, which is obviously ridiculous. The few experiences I have had with the skunky suggests that it is interested primarily in garbage. Perhaps interested only in garbage, though the items on the back porch do not really allow it to express a diversity of interests.

I was helping Baxter work on his dissertation this afternoon and purring up a storm when I realized that I could play a fantastically interesting game called “knock toys down the stairs.” At this point I have only successfully been able to do this with small catnip flavored mousies and the like, but I have big plans to roll my two story cat condo down the stairs and ride it log-rolling style.

Its weird, I had my birthday a little over a week ago, but I don’t feel especially different. I am, however officially a teenaged meowcat. I was not the Dana fan that Baxter is, but her version of “Baba O’Reilly” inspired the recent love that I have developed for The Who. I was thinking of forming a Persian kitty cover band called The Mew, but as of yet, I have spent my time playing with new toys and getting the most out of the cat days of summer.

Nonetheless, I would be pretty pawesome as a rock and roll kitty. A couple of photos should illustrate this adequately.

In the first, we see that I have the face to be on the cover of our first album, Rolling Stone, Cat Fancy, whatever.

Additionally, I am a rebel. Even though Baxter constantly reminds me that we do not play with electrical cords, I do it when he is not looking. Maybe, when Katie is looking, or when someone is looking just enough to take a picture of me and then giggle as I leap up the stairs.

Occasionally I party really hard and enjoy a bit too much catnip and I pass out right in my toy basket. Its not the bathtub or a hotel hallway, but I have freaking standards. Not to mention the nip always gives me enough of a boost to get somewhere that is at least blanket lined.

I am not a big Orgy fan or anything, but if The Mew needed to tap into the Hot Topic crowd, I think I could probably go goth for a while. I mean, I’m not gonna invest in a case of kitten eyeliner or anything, but a hint of vamp here and there can bring in the whole spikey bracelet crowd.

Finally, it doesn’t hurt anything that I can belt it out when necessary. I’m not a loud kitty, but I have the pipes for some purrific notes when I need it. GOOD NIGHT MINNEAPOLIS!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Hippo Out!

Go Hippo, It's Your Birthday, We're Going to Meow-Purr like it's Your Birthday!

2006-08-14T14:38:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the lame birthday song reference, but it was all this pretty kitty could come up with to announce that I am, in fact, 2 years old! Despite the fact that my MySpace profile says otherwise, Saturday I turned 2 (or 14 in kitty years)! Katie and Baxter brought me some lovely presents, and I had a purr-tastic evening watching Animal Planet and gorging on Cat Chow. I don't really like any kitty food besides my be-meow-ed Purina Cat Chow, but toys are always appreciated around here. And I took in quite a haul; in fact, I got so many purr-sents that I haven't even taken them all out of the packaging, because there was just too much to play with all at one time!

First, Katie and Baxter donated some money to the PetCo animal charities on my purr-half, so I am officially a fur-lanthropist, and this makes me immensely proud. (Before anyone gets too excited, though, this purr-ty kitty would like to note that the donation was 23 cents, because PetCo has an awesome idea where you can round up your purchase to the nearest dollar and donate the rest. This is a meow-tacular idea, and all merchants should purr-ticipate, because all monetary transactions should be done in whole dollar amounts any-meows, so donation = purr-fect solution!)

Second, they got me a new stick with feather toy! I love sticks with feathers! And this one has a bell, so it is extra super fur-tacular. Here is the close-up of my toy:

And here is how much I love it!

I also got an awesome new catnip toy, because I LOVE the catnip. It is a cute fishy that rolls around on the floor with catnip inside, and although I haven't totally mastered the art of playing with this toy, it fur-scinates me.

I mean, I was totally into the whole toy thing, but the orange fishy is going to be my fur-vorite toy soon, I can just meow it.

My final toy set is these catnip mousies, which I haven't even opened because my other toys were so totally awesome. But primary colors are the new pastels, so I can only imagine the fun in store for meow.

The reason I didn't get to play with them is because I totally got distracted by this rubber band, which was not a birthday present but was thoroughly a-meow-sing to all parties involved:

Finally, Katie and I took my official 2nd birthday portrait, which I hope that you will enjoy as much as I did. Because I am beautiful.

Thanks for Making Me A Biter!

2006-08-07T11:54:00.000-04:00

Meow! I know that it has been millions of feline-years since this pretty kitty has updated, but my audience will forgive me for a few lovely photographs, purr? Pretty purr?

Moving has really taken a lot out of the Hippo. There have been stairs to explore, the occasional spider to eat, and a whole new set of windows to look out of at all new animals in the yard. It has tired me out.

In addition, there has been the addition of new fur-niture to my purr-tastic abode, so I have had to sit on it, and occasionally claw it, just to test out my clawing abilities. Don't worry, Katie and Baxter, I won't scratch up the new couch like the last one! Meow! Luckily, my favorite part of the new couch is its meow-rific nap accomodations.

There has also been an abundance of play-time here at the Hippo Castle. See how great the couch is as a springboard?

Un-fur-tunately, sometimes my toys get away from here. The couch works as a jungle-gym in that situation, letting me work as the jungle cat that I am!
This week looks to be a busy one: I still haven't sent out my housewarming notes as I had intended; I shall have to meow up a picture that is formal enough to send, no pussy-footing around it. Katie and I had purred about taking one outside with the two of us, but my artistic kitten ways have some other ideas. I won't tell you them now, but if I know you, you may be getting such a letter soon!

I will leave you with one precious photograph of my kitten-likeness, taken by Baxter while Katie was at the World Debate Institute, which I like because it keeps me in kitten chow but keeps Katie far away where I cannot sit in her lap at all hours of the day.

~meow~

Editors Meow:

As a result of my un-purr-tunate laziness, I have decided that order needs to be installed at this meow-tastic online space. After all, how can I purr-fect my HTML skills if I never update? How will Persian kitties of the world become more active or well-recognized? How will I continue to fight for reproductive freedom and an end to rampant Persian kitty discrimination? So order it is. For now, I will be updating this fur-ociously entertaining blog every Monday, just like today. I will still send out Notify list posts, but thought everyone might like a meow's-up on the happenings around here at Adventures in Hippo Land.

P.S. (Purr Script): I am actually a lover, not a biter, but mad props to Christina Aguilera! Meow Meow Purr!

Purrs and Smooches,
Hippo

I told you what April Showers Would Bring, Didn't I?

2006-05-09T21:47:00.000-04:00

Hippo Flowers!

Well, technically, the flowers were Katie's, given to her by Baxter for their monthiversary, but since all things in the house are really mine, it works out. Unfortunately, she wouldn't let me eat either the flowers OR Horace, so I had to make due with a sniff here and there and a little bite when she wasn't looking. Baxter will let me do anything I want, so I wait until he comes in and then steal a small nibble.

Baxter and I have been practicing for my upcoming senior photos, and I thought this was a charitable first attempt. Note how purr-tastic I am at crossing my paws at the wrist.

Since Katie and Baxter (mostly Katie) have started packing up the house into the little boxes that will take us to place where I have to pay pet rent, I have had a variety of super meow-tacular places to law about in the house. As usual, the bench is my favorite. Es-purr-cially because my paws fit so nicely through the slats.
In other news, I think I have finally found a paying gig to make my pet deposit this week. Previously, I didn't feel comfortable offering my sage advice, but a few more pages of reading and desperate times mean I've finally gotten a job. My job title, you ask? Purr-ific Meow-ademic Consultant.
My specialty, of course, is Derrida, since that's what I've spent the most time reading/napping upon (obviously learning by os-meow-sis), but I"ll be doing consulting works on all the major works in Baxter's dissertation. It's only a summer job, but it'll pay the bills for now. Thanks for all the emails of support for my predi-cat-ment.

This Pretty Kitty Needs A Job

2006-04-24T19:26:00.000-04:00

As a beautiful persian cat, it has never occurred to me that I would ever need to move beyond naps, Animal planet, and a-purr-able playing with catnip toys in order to support myself in this cruel world. Of course the world wants to sit and admire my beautiful paws! My life is intended for leisure and decoration, not the toil and struggle of the working class! I am so bitter that my capitalist leanings have betrayed me; all these years, I thought the proletariat was underrated. Now I know, I should have known that Paris on Gilmore Girls was right when she said:

PARIS: Hey, boss. It's interesting, you know. Karl Marx has come alive for me today. I never understood what he was yammering about before, and now it just seems so obviously wrong that those who control capital should make their fortunes off the labour of the working class . . . I bet they all have money, too. Every one of those commodity fetishists.

Meow, you ask? Meow so bitter?

Well, as you may have heard, Katie and Baxter are moving to Rochester this summer in order to provide a better life for this here Hippo. They are looking at several apartments, some townhouses, and a few floors of houses. And at almost every turn, they are confronted with the need for pet rent.

Pet Rent! How ridiculous! I have never used $20 of services in any apartment I have yet occupied, and I would think that sheer cuteness would be giving back more than that amount to the world at large. My fluffy fur and precious face are an asset to whatever residence I occupy, and I resent any implication otherwise.

However, I feel it unfair for my beloved owners to take all the responsibility onto themselves. To that end, I have been furiously pushing loose change under the edge of the bed to create a stash for my July rent, but lord only knows what I will do if they make me pay my own security deposit! (Honestly, I think that bravado and good looks will get me through that one; after all, Katie gets an anniversary present every month, so I figure I'm due a few back presents to make up for lost past gifts). But now, only input will save me -- how shall I get a job?

These are the occupations for which I think I have the requisite skills.

I would make an excellent Nielsen Kitty, since I find television to be cat-tastic.

I could be a purr-sonal grocery shopper - I have learned excellent shopping skills from my family.

I could definitely be a purr-sonal meow-sistant, since I heart the computer, although after awhile, keyboards do cause me to need a catnap.

My only other idea is to let people take ridiculous photos for money, since, unfortunately, such photographs pop up now and again and I might as well be making a little rent money for them.

Luckily I still have the gift certificate I got for Christmas from Baxter's Dad and Erin to Petco to help take care of my expenses -- Maybe that will count for the first month?

Here Comes Hippo Cottontail . .

2006-04-16T21:22:00.000-04:00

Meowin' down the kitten trail,

Hippo-ty, Hoppity,

Hippo-ty, Hoppity,

Easter's on its way.

Bringin' every girl and boy

Baskets full of Easter joy,

Things to make your Easter bright and gay.

He's got jelly beans for Baxter,

Colored eggs for sister Kate,

There's an orchid for your Mommy

And an Easter bonnet, mate.

Oh! here comes Hippo Cottontail,

Meowin' down the kitten trail,

Hippo-ty hoppity, Hippo-ty, Hoppity

Happy Easter day.

Nap Time is the Best Time for Kitties

2006-04-12T12:30:00.000-04:00

I am not sure if I have meow-ntioned adequately how absolutely purr-tastic it is to have friends home all the time. Since Katie and Baxter re-purr-ed home from their last debate tournament (an activity, by the way, that I am purr-sitive I would be meow-tastic at, since I meow loudly and insistently, which I could use to get the judges to always vote for this pretty kitty), we have played and cleaned and played some more. They have this nasty habit of taking way too many purr-tographs, but I use that to my advantage by showing my beautiful fur off for all to see on this here website.

(However, we have not taken Easter photographs as of yet so I am reserving judgement on the soundness of allowing so many photographs to be taken of my precious puss.)

Having the house clean means that there are so many more places for me to nap, not to mention observe the action. For example, there is the back of the couch:

Baxter's Laptop (which I also adore because we are super-kitty-fans of the Green Bay Packers):

Not to mention the lovely coffee table, which is es-purr-cially clean and I just purringly adore:

But honestly? The best part is that I can sleep comfortably on the top of the world, right by the air conditioner, by Eeyore and outside birdies.

April Showers Bring Hippo Flowers

2006-04-08T12:58:00.000-04:00

I am attempting to purr a Hippo-resolution that I update my blog more often. I don't have much of an excuse, except that Baxter and Katie have left me for long periods of time without an internet connection, and my paws begin to hurt when I have to purr-ance to the library in order to check my Hippo-email. And by the time that I pad all the way over there, give the lovely librarian my cat id, and then get my email checked and blogs read, I am simply too tired to update this blog. But I feel like my creative kitty energy is being sapped without the outlet that is this magical online forum, so I will strive to update more often.

Katie and I began cleaning the apartment yesterday. Her blog makes it sound like I am mildly Obsessive Cat-pulsive, when in fact I just prefer to have as much space to lay and purr as possible. How would you see how cute I am next to the sewing if there were piles of junk to impede my purr? (Please excuse my yellow eyes - this pretty kitty has not mastered Photoshop just yet.) I am pleased to re-purr-t, however, that my fur is looking luscious and cared for, and Katie and I have spent many a day just meowing around and noting my beautiful coat.

Did I mention that it is spring time in Lock-purr-t? It still seems cold out, at least from my vantage point at the window, but Horace and I have been enjoying the sunshine and tanning in the windows. (Horace and I, we used to have a slightly antagonistic relationship in that I preferred to have him as a snack than a sibling, but we have since worked out our differences and lay together, chatting about the weather and sitting with the carebears on the windowsill.)

I try not to watch television purr-grams that Baxter and Katie enjoy while they are out of town, since then I have to watch them again when they get home and my short kitten attention span is displeased with that arrangement. I will meow-mit, however, that I oc-cat-sionally watch a program when the TiVo is running out of space, since I know it will be deleted anyways and I just can't bear to miss my favorite purr-grams. Last night we watched Las Vegas, which I do enjoy, though not as much as American Idol (did I mention how purr-terbed I was that Mandisa was eliminated?!? Is there NO JUSTICE in this world? I mean, I know she's a little bit too religious and meow-viously, we disagree on the subject of GLBT rights, but wow could she sing).

This pretty kitty must be leaving now, since Katie's lap has appeared and I am in the mood for a good tummy rub. This tummy is always available for rubbing.

Purrs and Smooches,
Hippo

Floor Cat

2006-03-11T12:18:00.000-05:00

So I mentioned earlier how much I had liked hanging out on the highest place that I could get to, which was fun for awhile. But now that Katie and Baxter are back from their incredible sojourn up and down the east coast, I have become a floor cat. I like the clean carpet so much that I lay there as much as possible to take in the carpety goodness. I just hope that Katie and Baxter get the message eventually that in order to keep my lifestyle up to par, the floor must be vacuumed every other day, but only in rooms that I am currently not occupying, since I do not like the noise associated with said vacuuming.

See how lovely the carpet looks? Not to mention my beautiful face. I like to take up as much of the carpet as possible to let it know that this pretty kitty in charge.

And if you thought to yourself, I am not totally sure that this beautiful example of cat-hood is really persian, this smoochy Hippo would like to correct your incorrect assumption while also demonstrating the loveliness of the carpet around me.

~~~~~
Has everyone else been watching American Idol? Of course I like Kat-harine McPhee, since she carries on the brilliance of the feline persuasion. Taylor Hicks is almost as good a dancer as I am, and kitties everywhere aspire to have so much rhythm. But Simon is totally my favorite, since his grumpiness is much like mine and we have similar opinions on performances.

Our Grumpy looks even match! But sometimes, I can't even bear to make such a purr-fect smoochy face, because I am so enamored of the show that I can't turn away.

Even if that dude did totally suck.

~~~~~
In other news, I have been taking anthistamines for this rash I seem to have developed, which is purr-fectly fine since I cat-viously dislike the itching, but I am just meow-rageously against the ridiculousness that is how I get said medicine. I leave you with photo example number one of the Hippo Burrito, in hopes that you will rescue me from such future indignities.

Happy Hippo Valentine's Day!

2006-02-18T12:13:00.000-05:00

Meow Meow Purr,

This Hippopotameow is having a lovely time in her newly-clean apartment! I have been an incredibly helpful kitty, helping to make the bed, keeping my area clean, and generally being as adorable as possible (I know, it's a sacrifice we cute ones have to make to the world). However, I have gained two odd habits that I am thinking of working on but am hoping will not require a visit to el vetrinarian.

1. I am very into licking things these days. Sometimes this means my lovely kitten bottom, sometimes my arms, and sometimes the wall or the back of a bookshelf. Katie and Baxter are not sure if this is a good thing, but I like to assure them that I am purr-fectly in control of my pretty kitty tongue and would never harm anything. I have, however, taken off quite a bit of my lovely fur, which concerns me. Maybe I will slow down with the licking and just take more naps.

2. I also really like the refrigerator. Part of this is because I like to lick the back wall, which Baxter informed me last night that small but precious kitties should not be doing, and part is because I like the simultaneous feeling of hot and cold on my fur (this is why I just
love to lay on the window in Baxter and Katie's bedroom, because I can feel the cool air of the window on one side and the heater on the other), and a third part is because I love to squeeze myself into the smallest space possible, and the refrigerator presents so many options! Since I haven't been spending as much time in the fridge since Baxter blocked it off a few weeks ago, I like to dash into the fridge whenever someone opens it, which is not very much recently considering the amount of takeout that has been consumed in this household as of late (which I do not mind, but I wish there was more Kitty Yoga to do. I miss Kitty Yoga.).

Anyways, I leave you with one vintage Hippo shot, because sometimes I just cannot handle my own beauty and inventiveness.

PS. I am sorry I did not actually discuss Valentine's Day in this post. Baxter and Katie left me to go on some obviously boring adventure (how could it be interesting? I was not there!) and I spent the day pondering the intersection between purchases and capitalism. I will post those thoughts soon, but I need to sort out the intersection between my desire for fuzzy cat toys and my utter distate for the exploitation of the worker.

Still the Most Beautiful Cat in the Universe!!

2006-02-01T01:36:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe that it has taken me so long to purr-fectly update this here blog of mine. It's been a busy last couple of weeks, what with settling into my apartment, clawing the side of the couch, and getting way to many baths for one small kitty.

Luckily, it seems like the apartment is well on its way to being clean again, I have found a new perch from which to lay in the bedroom, and my white fluffy fur is beautiful as always, so life can't be too bad.

Here is where I was forced to lay before cleaning was done, because there was nowhere else free of laundry. The indignity! I was even smooshed sideways!

A couple of procedural notes:

1. I have updated my Catster site! Everyone should come visit, give me some cat treats, and find new kitties to be friends with! I aim to increase my popularity one kitty at a time. I would like to be friends with some puppies on Dogster, but as of yet, I haven't figured out how to do that.

2. Katie and Baxter seem to have failed miserably on taking a critical mass of pictures of my lovely self this month. Though you can see the new sets over at Flickr, I find it majorly cat-pressing that some of my best shots are getting so old. At least this one showcases both my extreme beauty and the new sheets on the bed that I so heartily adore.

In other meows, I had my yearly kitty check up last week. All of the nurses love me, obviously, and all went well. Since I still have a rash of some sort, I seem to have stumbled into some new food bowls, which I love! Things I do not love: the rash that has sparked said beautiful new eating implements. Ahh well, the price we pay for high-end dishes. It may, however, put an end to my passed out eating binges on my plastic tray, since I may be allergic.

I have a new favorite laying place: all the way up by the ceiling in Baxter and Katie's room! With that, I have been practicing my jumping skills, and all interested parties should be a-meow-ed at how spectacular this pretty kitty is getting at the pounce. You can't tell from the picture, though, cause mostly I just like to nap.

It is getting late in the kitty world, and I must go cuddle with Baxter, since he is not feeling well.

Purrs and Smooches,
Hippo!

Happy Hippo New Year!

2006-01-11T13:06:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of kitty-updating that has taken place the past few meows - I had to take a nap break after all of the ridiculous effort put into my 12 days of Hippo-Mas. I hope you all enjoyed the picture purring party!

Katie and Baxter got home yesterday afternoon, and although I was quite glad to see them and cuddle, I was not pleased at all that they had decided to leave me. Plus, Katie tried to take all of my hair out and brush me a billion times, so that was not as fun as it could have been. I did get a few good purr in, though.

Today, I thought that I would share my last photo of 2005. Aren't I adorable?

The TWELFTH Day of Hippo-Mas!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-01-04T08:08:00.000-05:00

Everyone sing along!

On the twelfth day of Hippo-mas, my meow cat purred to me:

Twelve Hippos Cuddling,

Eleven Villages Terrorized,

Ten Cats a-Pouncing,

Nine Kitties Kissing,

Eight Purrs a-Meowing,

Seven Hippos Hiding,

Six Cats Attacking,

Five Smoochy Hippos!

Four Lovely Looks,

Three Costumes,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

The ELEVENTH Day of Hippo-Mas!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-01-03T11:23:00.000-05:00

On the eleventh day of Hippo-mas, my meow cat purred to me:

Eleven Villages Terrorized,

Ten Cats a-Pouncing,

Nine Kitties Kissing,

Eight Purrs a-Meowing,

Seven Hippos Hiding,

Six Cats Attacking,

Five Smoochy Hippos!

Four Lovely Looks,

Three Costumes,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

The TENTH Day of Hippo-Mas!!!!!!!!!!

2006-01-02T01:34:00.000-05:00

On the tenth day of Hippo-mas, my meow cat purred to me:

Ten Cats a-Pouncing,

Nine Kitties Kissing,

Eight Purrs a-Meowing,

Seven Hippos Hiding,

Six Cats Attacking,

Five Smoochy Hippos!

Four Lovely Looks,

Three Costumes,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

The NINTH Day of Hippo-Mas!!!!!!!!!

2006-01-01T11:12:00.000-05:00

On the ninth day of Hippo-mas, my meow cat purred to me:

Nine Kitties Kissing,

Eight Purrs a-Meowing,

Seven Hippos Hiding,

Six Cats Attacking,

Five Smoochy Hippos!

Four Lovely Looks,

Three Costumes,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

(Happy New Year!)

The EIGHTH Day of Hippo-Mas!!!!!!!!

2005-12-31T00:04:00.000-05:00

On the eighth day of Hippo-mas, my meow cat purred to me:

Eight Purrs a-Meowing,

Seven Hippos Hiding,

Six Cats Attacking,

Five Smoochy Hippos!

Four Lovely Looks,

Three Costumes,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

The SEVENTH Day of Hippo-Mas!!!!!!!

2005-12-30T10:19:00.000-05:00

On the seventh day of Hippo-mas, my meow cat purred to me:

Seven Hippos Hiding,

Six Cats Attacking,

Five Smoochy Hippos!

Four Lovely Looks,

Three Costumes,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

The SIXTH Day of Hippo-Mas!!!!!!

2005-12-29T15:44:00.000-05:00

On the sixth day of Hippo-mas, my meow cat purred to me:

Six Cats Attacking,

Five Smoochy Hippos!

Four Lovely Looks,

Three Costumes,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

The FIFTH Day of Hippo-Mas!!!!!

2005-12-28T22:06:00.000-05:00

On the fifth day of Hippo-mas, my meow cat purred to me:

Five Smoochy Hippos!

Four Lovely Looks,

Three Costumes,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

The FOURTH Day of Hippo-Mas!!!!

2005-12-27T01:19:00.000-05:00

On the fourth day of Hippo-mas, my meow cat purred to me:

Four Lovely Looks,

Three Costumes,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

The THIRD Day of Hippo-Mas!!!

2005-12-26T22:26:00.000-05:00

On the Third Day of Hippo-Mas, my meow cat purred to me,
Three Costumes,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

The SECOND Day of Hippo-Mas!!

2005-12-25T10:51:00.000-05:00

On the Second Day of Hippo-Mas, my meow cat purred to me,

Two Sleeping Cats,

And a Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

The FIRST Day of Hippo-Mas!

2005-12-24T02:40:00.000-05:00

So I have heard that it is customary in humyn circles to begin the 12 days of Christmas sometime something like 12 days before Christmas day, but I believe that Hippo-mas should start on Christmas eve and travel 12 days forward, in order to extend the holiday ex-purr-aganza for all of my kitty fans. Also, this means that I will be having one post per day for at least the next 12 days, so my loyal fans should be sure to check back daily.

Time to sing along!!!!!

On the first day of Hippo-mas my meow cat purred to me:

A Very Grumpy Hippopotameow!

Games Hippos Play

2005-12-06T21:41:00.001-05:00

I am purr-fectly sorry that I have not been updating the kitty blog as of late - I know that I am totally behind. I know that it is not good kitty manners to wait so long, since my audience waits with baited kitty-chow breath for all of my newest adventures. My only excuse is that Katie and Baxter have been out of town at debate tournaments and though I would normally let you in on all my cat-ploits via the desktop computer, it hasn't been working. Which is worse for me than you, since instead of cruising for pals on Catster, I had to make do with Animal Planet and the occasional nap.

I am a wee bit cranky at the moment, because I just had a bath. I understand its necessity, and I am purr-tastically excited about the Christmas pictures that are soon to follow - which I swear I will post ASAP, and will accompany my soon to be annual Hippo Christmas letter. The letter will stay on my blog for my legions of fans to visit, but I will mail cards so you can have a reminder all year of just how purr-ociously cute this Hippo is.

But for tonight, a game! Now that we have finally gotten the house together (and I obviously use the royal kitty we, since I would never deign to actually clean, and the vacuum gives me a little kitty scare) and cleaned, I have begun to play hide and seek.

To start, an easy one. If you cannot find me, you need remedial instruction in Hippo Hide and Seek.

Slightly harder, but pretty easy. Beautiful Hippo alert!

Can you see me? Where is Hippo?

Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling Hippo-tine. You are lost and gone forever, oh my darling Hippo-tine. Can you find me?

Purrs and Smooches,
Hippo Bear

Hippo Loves the Yoga!

2005-11-20T14:49:00.000-05:00

IMG_0616, originally uploaded by katekauf.

I have a new hobby that I wanted everyone to know about - Yoga! Whenever Katie gets her mat set up to do yoga with the TV, I like to do some stretches as well.

In other news, I am thinking about composing a Christmas letter to send along with the obvious photo of my purr-fect kitty self. I haven't quite decided yet, but I really do believe that the world would be interesting in reading a recap of the last year's adventures of the Hippo Bear.

More Soon!
Purrs and Smooches,
Hippo

2005-11-06T19:15:00.000-05:00

So while this pretty kitty hesitates to update because it will obscure my purr-ific halloween photos, I had a couple of incredible pictures taken in the past couple of days that I just had to show.

First, I know that this is not the greatest picture of me ever, but it is a good indicates my new favorite place to sit - and to type. Though I still enjoy the coffee table and the kitchen floor, they are not nearly as exciting as running as fast as I can, jumping onto the couch and nestling as close as I can to both Katie and the laptop. It helps me to type, and whoa am I cute.

This is my new favorite photo of myself. I look so a-purr-able!

For some reason I have also decided to take naps next to my food dish. I am the only one who doesn't seem to find this hilarious, as Katie and Baxter take turns coming in and giggling at me. I guess I just had so much kitty chow that I needed a nap.

Happy Halloween!

2005-11-02T10:21:00.000-05:00

I know that this post is late, but being a persian cat is so busy. I spent the weekend decompressing while Katie and Baxter were out of town, just chilling and watching TV. I thought about throwing a major party with the kitties in the basement apartment, but in the end decided that this pretty kitty's mental well being was more important than a keg of cream. Maybe I'm growing up?

I did wear my costume on Monday, but since no one was around to see it, it got rather old fast. Luckily, Katie and Baxter got home in the evening and we were able to spend a couple of hours purring and watching TV, cuddling up with kitty chow and a blanket.

I went to the vet yesterday, and I have gained half a pound! I hope that I am not getting fat, but my purr-cious self is only 7 pounds, so I figure I am maintaining my petite figure cat-tastically. And how can one resist the delectable taste of cat chow?

Anyways, I know the real reason that my loyal readers tune in is to see me in my costume, so I will not delay the suspense any longer.

Purrs and Smooches,
Hippo!

This is my best Halloween photo. Aren't I a cat-rageous dragon? The hat was especially fun to wear.

A close up of the hat. This picture is not my most flattering, but my cat-mittment to my dear readers shines through, as I am purr-fectly devoted to making sure you can see my lovely costume.

This is me and Katie hugging in my costume. I would list it as one of my favorites were her arm not in the way of my loveliness. But aren't I adorable?

And finally, my least flattering photo, but hilarious all the same. I did not like the way that I couldn't really move my legs while im-cat-onating a dragon. I really felt like I became the dragon, but it was hard work during the transformation!

Long Time, No Purrs

2005-10-27T11:25:00.000-04:00

I know that it has been forever since this pretty kitty updated her blog, but life has been incredibly hectic here at the Hippo house. Katie and Baxter went out of town last weekend and I spent a calm one, hanging around and gorging myself on Animal Planet. I seem to have these itchy spots all over my purr-cious body, but they will not stop my enjoyment of the lazy Hippo lifestyle!

I thought I would add a couple of pictures for your enjoyment, though I will save the Halloween costume reveal for the actual day!

Purrs and Smooches,
Hippo

Baxter likes to think that this is his side of the couch, but we both know who's really in charge around here.

I can never decide whether the computer works better as a place to surf the internet or a rocking place for naps. Most of the time . . . the nap wins.

Did I mention that this is one of my favorite places to nap? Sometimes Baxter wants to move, though, and that just cramps my style.

Hippo Secret

2005-09-30T00:38:00.001-04:00

I just thought that I would raise anticipation by letting you all in on a little secret in the hippoverse: I have my halloween costume all picked out!!!

Katie and I tried it on last night, and I must say that I look abs-fur-lutely purr-tastic in it, and for awhile thought about wearing it straight through from now until my first Halloween in our household, but decided against it, mostly because I knew that the sheer cuteness of me in my halloween costume would be too much for Baxter to handle and he might implode.

So it was out of the goodness of my kitty heart, I meow you, that I decided not to wear my pretty kitty costume until my photo session. But then, it's never coming off!!!!

Here is a hint about what I might be (though MUCH MUCH cuter and more purr-cious): A DRAGON!!!

Purrs and Kisses,
Hippo

Hippo Venturing out onto the internet!!!

2005-09-19T18:09:00.000-04:00

I have joined Catster!!! You should all come visit and give me treats. I will see if I can do something to make my page less lime-green, since it is not pleasing to these persian kitty eyes. Something in a light teal or pink would be purr-fect, I think.

One picture of my loveliness, and then I must be off. Katie and Baxter have gone to Rochester to coach debate, and I'm going to watch Animal Planet and drink cream all night!

Purrs and Kisses,
Hippo

Bookshelves are the new windowsill

2005-09-18T01:19:00.000-04:00

Though I have ringworm and am not the most beautiful ever in my purr-cious life, life is still excellent in the hippo-verse. I am sleepy because it is late, but I thought I would let my purr-tastic fans see my latest adventure. Look where I have learned to lay!
I like how cute I look, though I was not really in the mood to have my purr-tograph taken. And if you wanta close up of my beautiful fur, here it is:
Aren't I adorable?!? I do so love the Zizek.

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens . . . These are a few of my Favorite Purrs!

2005-09-03T00:06:00.000-04:00

Meow Meow!

Well, now that the Katie Birthday Extravaganza is over, things are settling down at the Hippo pad. I am pleased that almost all of the wrapping paper and boxes have been picked up; I love the wrapping paper and batting it about is a pasttime of mine, but I am always a meow-ier kitten when my apartment is clean. I am something of a neat cat like that.

On a sadder note, I have been rapt with attention at the hurricane. I am not normally drawn to cat-astrophe television, but I am an animal lover, and I am worried about those hidden by the disaster - the pets. I read a story on the internet about people being evacuated and not being allowed to take their pets, which makes this pretty kitty sad and bereft. I absolutely hate the bathtub, and I know that it is not even near the same scale, so I cannot imagine how awful it must be for those animals. If anyone is looking for more information on this subject or ways to help, I would suggest this site.

As a way to give everyone a little brightening on this sad day, I thought I would give a list of my favorite purrs:

1. I looooooove clean sheets. I would like to give them many purrs and smooches. Katie and I change the sheets together, and it is always a cat-tastic time.

2. Many purrs and kisses also go out to the dresser in my bedroom. I am not much of a jumper, but I do love to climb up through Baxter's sweaters and lay out on the dresser. It is always very cool, and I can stretch all the way out and survey my holdings. If I am a very nice kitty, sometimes Baxter and Katie will stop by and pet me on the head and scratch my chin.

3. I am doing a purr-tastic job helping Baxter write his dissertation! I have decided that although I am still more interested in representational practices and their effects of socioeconomic status and oppressed populations, I am taking more of an interest in both continental philosophy and pyschoanalysis, hoping to broaden my horizons and make a little bit more of an effort to be an educated kitten. So far, I believe I have been indispensable to the process, although my suggestion that Baxter use kitten themed titles for all of his chapters was not accepted.

4. I am going to be a supermodel! Katie insists that I must see the movie Zoolander, which I do not understand, but I have a distinctly favorite pose in photographs. I believe I have perfected my look, and love to emphasize my curvy shape and luscious fur.

5. Finally, my new favorite hobby is web design. I love visiting various cat-themed pursuits, be it cats in costumes, sinks, or just playing about. I continue to vociferously protest the blatant discrimination that faces Persian kitties in such endeavors, but as I believe that the most structural change occurs through working with the system, I visit them all the same. Besides, I need to start getting ideas for my Halloween Costume.

Thank you all for visiting!
Purr,
Hippo

Oh Hippo, You Came and You Purred Without Meowing, And You Fought With Your Mousey, Oh Hippo!!

2005-08-26T20:02:00.000-04:00

Meowers. Its been a bit weird since my b-day last week, maybe partially becuz I have had a couple good doses of the catnip Baxter and Katie got for me. Katie also did a bit of cleaning in the living room and put all my toys in a very cute little basket on the floor. I had to pull the fishy-pole and the pink feather toy out to throw them around and a couple times it meant that I just played with pencils, blankets, rubber bands, books, electrical cords (umm, Katie and Baxter, if you're reading, ignore that last one) and the like.

One of the crazy things about the month of August is that once my birthday-extravaganza is over its time for the Katie birthday extravaganza. I have been saving up and consulted with Baxter about some things that she might like. Here's a picture of our pow-wow on the subject of Katie-presents:

Baxter has worked pretty consistently on his dissertation all week, which meant that I got to spend alot of time studying along with him, as well as occassionally taking a cat-nap or two on the desk. I hadn't read alot of The Interpretation of Dreams but as you can see based on this picture from today, I have really gotten into it.

I have been watching So You Think You Can Dance and in all honesty, I think a 2 hour tape of me sleeping in the window would be more entertaining. At least every 10 minutes I would rub my cute little paws on my face and you could go "awwww" instead of hearing pretentious dance people arbitrarily choose whether or not they "felt it." On the other hand I've been watching Kathy Griffin's reality show on E! and she is kinda meowtastic. She has two puppies and apparently no kitties, but a fountain that I would love to play with, stairs that I would love to run up and down, and lots of big windows to look out of.

Finally, there are two new puppies who live in my building and I have seen outside a couple times. One is a little black lab and the other is an 8 week old English Bulldog, I think they will be my new friends.

Purr,

Hippo

Birthday Kitty!

2005-08-13T16:37:00.000-04:00

Hello All!

As I'm sure everyone is aware, yesterday was my first birthday! Katie and Baxter bought me some presents, though they have told me that I haven't received them all yet. I find this suspicious - don't they trust me with my purr-prises? Just this morning, I found CATNIP that had been being held from me. The sheer nerve.

So since I know it's what my fans demand, a few choice and purrtastic photos of my birthday, and then a few others.

Here is my first birthday present! I found it cat-tastically entertaining.

Another of me and my favorite toy!

And then a couple of me sitting on Baxter's neck! How cute am I, sitting up.

AND, MY CUTEST FACE EVER:

Cuz I've Got One Paw in My Pocket, and the Other One is Batting a Fuzzy Mouse

2005-08-03T00:25:00.000-04:00

Sorry its been so long, I have been busy. Katie is still gone, my fur is less than perfectly shiny and smooth, and Baxter completely gives in to whatever I meow. Sometimes I just walk into the room and meow at him and then make him follow around the apartment as if I wanted something, even though I don't. Its pretty funny. I have also developed a couple new fun places to sit. My favorite is prolly (thats pretty sweet huh, I picked up some net-lingo there, /\/\e0w !!) over on Katie's nightstand which is almnost completely devoid of objects with her not around. Even glancing at this picture makes me purr with adorability:

Anyway, not much has been going on in this part of the world. The weather looks very nice outside, makes me kind of want to sit under a tree and chase birdies. Then I realize two things 1) I am not much of a jum-purr, since the top of the couch without a climb is kind of a stretch I doubt I would be able to reach up to the nest 2) I really like my comfy air-cat-ditioned bedroom. The only time the air-cat-ditioning hasnt been keeping my bunny-soft luxurious coat at a comfortable coolness since we've been home was yesterday, when some sort of storm wreaked havoc on our electicity.

I must admit, for the brave flat little face that I put up when I have to defend myself against a pink feathered toy, for instance, or when the shadow of my mobile toy strikes me in the wrong way, I am occassionally a bit of a scaredy cat. At first, the loud bark-like noises in the distance didn't deter me from sitting comfortably in the windows. But as the wind started to rattle them, I decided to move into the living room with Baxter, since, if nothing else, he would likely drown out the noise by talking to me about some television program that I had not been keeping up on or asking me what I want for my birthday. A concept, I have told him many times, that I do not understand. Though I must admit, a set of pink fuzzy sheets for my (excuse me, our) bed would be welcome.

When the lights started to flicker on and off, I had had it. I opened my big persian eyes as wide as I could, to let in the little bit of available light and crouched in the kitchen to wait out the storm. Almost 2 hours we had no lights, no TV, and nothing to keep my frantic self chilled and relaxed. When it was all over and done with I had to chill out with a couple White Persians, a delightful drink I developed featuring Vodka, Kahlua, Godiva White Chocolate Liquor, and Whipping Cream.

Finally, heres another pictures for my adoring paw-blic. This is a new game I have developed, called Pony Rides for Kitties. Hope you enjoy.

Purr,

Hippo

Back in Lock-purr-t!

2005-07-18T16:20:00.000-04:00

Meow!

Hippo here, re-purr-ting on my trip back to the apartment that I rule in Lockport, NY. I haven't updated in quite some time, and I am very sorry for the omission, but I've been busy napping and purring, and rolling around on the new rug that Baxter and Katie bought for me. I had a purr-fect time staying at Baxter's Dad's appartment in Rosemount, and I absolutely adore the staircase that he has. I became a master at running up and down, up and down, and turning corners right into the kitchen to slide right up to my food dish. I spent one evening up in Saint Paul with Katie's debaters, and while I had a meow-riffic time meeting Natalie and company, I think there were too many kids for my liking. I am more of a two person cat.

Speaking of which, Katie is out of town. This depresses me, since she is not there to lay on top of while she sleeps, and Baxter is NOT up to snuff when it comes to brushing. However, I thought that people would like to see how awesome my naps were on the way home. I got a little antsy on the second day of driving, so I found the purr-fect place to nap!

Cutest Kitty in the Universe signing off,
Hippo

New Hippo Cover Tune!!

2005-06-30T12:46:00.000-04:00

If you feel that it's real I'm on purrs
And I'm here in your kitchen
Like a cat in your lap
I am purrbox and I'm spent with meow effort

Through a Precious Cat your throne
Is the one Hippo zone
Take me to the Hippo for control
Take me to the Hippo of your soul

Take me to the Hippo
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the Hippo
I am but a stranger

Take me to the Hippo
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the Hippo
I am but a stranger

Meow Meow Meow
Meow Meow Meow
Meow Meow Meow Meow-Meow Meow Meow Meow

Take me to the Hippo!!

Disgruntled Hippo

2005-06-13T13:45:00.000-04:00

Katie and Baxter decided that today would be a good day to give me a bath. Needless to say, I disagreed heartily, but was outvoted. I got through it with minimal dis-purr-bance by humming my cover of "Meow Meow Purr" repeatedly. I thought everyone would like to see photos of my beautiful self, even though it has been subjected to de-fur-rifying because I am all wet.

In other news, Katie and Baxter have been cleaning the apartment incredibly throroughly, which I have enjoyed meow-tastically. I love having clean spaces upon which to jump and dive, and Baxter plays a mean game of hide and seek. My favorite part was changing the sheets on the bed, since I hid under each of the layers as it was put on and then jumped around at various items being batted above the sheets. Baxter is so cunning! Anyways, since the photos I posted above were not my most flattering shots, I thought I'd give you a glimpse into the world of sheet hide and seek.

and finally, me and Baxter kissing

AWWW.

Purr,
Hippo

Morning for the Hippobear

2005-06-11T10:14:00.000-04:00

Me-ow Me-ow!

I know that it has been forever since I updated my loyal fans with fur-tographs of my glorious self, but I have been very busy. I got my sutures out at the vetrinarian (I really like the vet tech, even though she always tries to clip my nails) on Wednesday, and my pretty tummy has been healing meow-tastically. I am enjoying myself wonderfully, especially since Baxter and I have resumed our play-heavy schedule, and I have been able to use all of my toys and climb in and out of my condo without any pain. Since it's been quite hot here in Meow-alo, I've also found a perch on the coffee table that is fur more than satis-fur-ctory. I lay there almost all day, except when Katie picks me up to pet me and scratch my tummy, but usually she sets me back on the cool cool table when she's done and my nap is unchanged.

this is my perch on the table:

this is the face I make while napping:

I had heard rumors that Katie and Baxter would be leaving me to go on a trip, and then they DID up and leave me for two days, but it seems that they won't be gone for too long. This is purr-ific, as I like having them around to wash my face and brush my hair and give me deep tissue kitty massages. They serve these functions quite admirably, I must say.

So, a few more photos of my lovely self.

This one is actually from BEFORE I got stitches on my tummy, but I am so darned adorable that I can't help but share it:

This is my perch on the Hippo couch, since I am the only one who sits there on a regular basis:

This is me napping on the shelf of the wine rack that is mine. I like to spin around and look outside occasionally as well:

A couple of hilarious pictures of me playing in a stool, though not my most graceful:

And finally, a closeup of my fur-ocious and purr-fect puss. I am SO gorgeous!

PS. A Final Kitty Thought. I know that going several days without new pictures of my fantastic fur can be traumatizing, so I thought I'd let you know that if you want to see all of my photos, you can go to Baxter's photo site, http://www.zorpia.com/pyampya . Most of the photos are devoted to me, although there are a few boring ones of Katie and Baxter on vacation and in random places about. I choose to ignore those because they don't involve me and I am obviously the most interesting of the three of us.

Meow Meow Purr!!!!

2005-05-30T23:03:00.000-04:00

This Cat is
Automatic, su-purr-sonic, hypnotic, frisky fresh
Work my body, so furr-odic, this purr rolls right through my chest
Everybody, cat and kitty, came to party
Grab somebody,work ya body, work ya body
Let me see you meow meow purr.

Rock it, Don't Stop it
Everybody play on the floor
Bat the fuzzy ball
We about to chase the bell
Let me see you meow meow purr
I love it when you meow meow purr
Everybody meow meow purr
We just love to purr

Catnip is
Outrageous, so contagious, make you crave it
kittens made it
My furr's been parted since the day I started
Strut my stuff and yes I flaunt it
Little mousies I pounce on em
No I can't control myself
Now let me do my meow meow purr

There you have my long awaited cover, which I have been dancing to on a pretty regular basis everyday except the ones I spent sidelined after surgery. Its the first time in my young kittenish life that I have ever really felt that Barry Bonds was anything but a boldfaced liar. I mean, I still don't get how the man can be layed up for a year after knee surgery, but I understand how hard that recovery period can be. Today was the first time I really scampered along the kitchen floor and pounced on the rug sending both this fluffers and aforementioned rug skittering into the cabinets.

Anyway, just wanted to share the tune for the moment. You can imagine how addictive it is, I may have to make a music video so I can show off my meowy purry goodness to the world. When I execute the back paw front paw crossover shuffle change, you would swear I am like Mikcat Barishnakov or something.

Purr,

Hippo

Pretty Kitty Back in Business!

2005-05-27T21:34:00.000-04:00

So as a cat who cares whole-purr-edly about her fans, I thought it would be-paw me to let everyone know that I have survived the past few days and the surgery they have entailed. I'm a little tired, and a little more hesitant to purr, and Is seem to have four stitches on my pretty kitty tummy that are blue and I would really like to lick every second that I am not cat napping, but Baxter and Katie are just not allowing that to happen. Sad, really, since I do enjoy cleaning myself so much. The only thing that really irks me at this point is that I have this baby outfit that Baxter and Katie make me wear when I get to licking my tummy too much in earnest, and I look absolutely ridiculous in it. I managed to get it off one time while Katie and Baxter were at the mall, but then they put it back on.

But since I care more about attention than much of anything else, I figured I would post a couple of the best photos of me in my new outfit.

--
and, since I haven't posted in a while, I thought I would include a couple of photos that were from before my surgery, but show my near-purrfect beauty in its full form.

me napping.

me and Katie kissing.

i like laying under the covers.

ready for my closeup!

Sunday Morning for the Hippo-Bear

2005-05-15T11:34:00.000-04:00

Meow!

I know that it has been forever since this pretty kitty updated, but I have been both busy and seething in anger at the unfairness of www.kittenwar.com! I recognize that this site is awesome and addicting; who wouldn't like looking at kittens all day long? But from my time spent meowing and clicking on their website, I have noticed a pernicious problem of rampant discrimination against persian kitties. As a persian afficionado, I obviously noted the beautiful flat faced cats available for my purr-usal, and voted for them as often as possible. However, when I did, I would note that even the most fur-ocious and purr-fect of Persians would fall victim to fat cats, ugly cats, hiding cats, as long as they were not Persian! How can we live in the twenty-first century and still allow this travesty to purr-petuate itself? I declare, affirmative action for Persians!

Luckily for my adoring fans out there, I have a few new photos of my meow-tiful self to share. I have an online photo album somewhere; maybe Katie or Baxter will share it at some point. I would also like to note that I was subjected to the ridiculousness of a bath yesterday, which was purr-fectly AWFUL, but now my fur is lush and soft. At least there was only one casualty - I got a good scratch in on Katie's face. Baxter escaped unharmed.

Onto the photos!

this is me in a bag in Baxter's office, chilling while he worked on his orals. Luckily he passed or I might still be there for moral support.

This is how I look after attacking the canopy. It is not one of my better facial pictures, but it gives you a sense of my fur-ocious nature.

This is me on top of my new cat condo! It is very fun, and I especially enjoy convincing Katie and Baxter that I scratch it and not the couch when it is clear that the couch is very dear to my claws.

Inside the cat condo. I love the view.

I am posing here on my favorite bedspread, the quilt Katie and Baxter got as a wedding present. It is on the bed all of the time and I enjoy posing with such bright colors.

this is me on my stool. Katie sometimes uses it to reach things up high in the kitchen, but obviously it belongs to me. I was stretched out here between it and the laundry basket.

and finally, me taking a nap in the laundry. Obviously BEFORE I had the bath that left me soft and sparkling. But I am purr-fect all the same.

Hippo Rox!

2005-05-06T22:26:00.000-04:00

so since i figured that i have some fans out here in the Hippoverse, I am making my first fur-ray intp fashion modelling. Persian cats, as you know, are by far the most beautiful specimens of kittens available, so I thought i would enter myself into a little contest to verify this truth. So Vote For ME!!!!! http://kittenwar.com/kittens/3045/ - it has to be approved by a moderator, so if you go tonight, you might not get to see my kitty beautifulness, but you should check back until it's possible!

Pretty kitty signing out!

Purr, Hippo

congrat-purr-lations! (or, an email sent to Baxter upon completion of his Master's Degree)

2005-05-02T15:06:00.000-04:00

Meow,
Katie just purred that you had passed your orals, so I wanted to send
a hearty meow-ra! I'm purr-sitive that it was my cat-like brilliance
in napping on your books that helped you to vict-meow-ry, so I will
expect payment in those delectable xs and os as soon as you get home.
I heard you might be taking a va-cat-ion soon, so I thought perhaps we
could catnap together while watching Desperate Housecats - it' a new
favorite of mine.

Purrs and Kisses,
Your Baby Cat Hippo

PS - I was so happy I even snorted once or twice!

Meow for Fighting

2005-04-14T20:35:00.000-04:00

I can’t stand to purr
I’m not that naive
I’m just out to meow
The fluffy part of me

I’m more than a tabby...i’m more than a Maine
More than some pretty pouf beside a train
It’s not meow-y to be me

Wish that I could meow
Fall upon my paws
Find a way to fluff
About a windowledge I’ll never see

It may sound absurd...but don’t be naive
Even Persians have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed...but won’t you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
It’s not easy to be me

I can’t stand to purr
I’m not that naive
Cats weren’t meant to meow
With chow between their paws

I’m only a cat
In a funny red sheet
And it’s not easy, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm...

Its not easy to be me

--
The hippoverse has been busy the last couple of days, what with Katie cleaning all the time and a constant feeling that I might be about to get a bath, not to mention the foreboding that comes from knowing a vet visit is imminent. But I promised to update with new pictures for my devoted fans, and this pretty kitty tries not to dissapoint. I'm feeling a little stuffy, but these photos are purr-ific, if I do say so myself. Some of them were taken in the effort to get the perfect Easter shot, which many of you received in your meow-mail a few weeks ago. For those of you who missed out, this is a purr-fect chance to fix your gaze on a beautiful Persian.

Lazy Saturday in the Hippoverse

2005-04-09T14:21:00.000-04:00

The last couple of days have involved intense brushing in the Hippo-verse. I had many mats and am glad that my fur is now looking purrific. Also, the sunshine has made my perch upon the window sill behind Katie and Baxter's bed even more ideal, though it is marred by the occasional rolling off onto the bed.

Un-fur-tunately, I seem to have spread more ringworm to Katie, but I cannot keep myself from sleeping on her face. She does not seem to like it when I cat-uate myself perfectly, since it usually involves my butt in her face, but I happen to think it is a lovely seating arrangement.

New Pictures Soon!

Purr,
Hippo

Janice Dickinson is Like The Opposite of Catnip

2005-04-01T22:51:00.000-05:00

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!! I just got, the coolest toy of all time. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love my fishypole and the long green stick thing with the pink elastic and the bell on the end. Even the plastic balls with a little bell inside are worth a couple solid minutes of fun, up until I kick them under the couch or lose them somewhere random. Nonetheless, this toy is ricockulous (I'm not sure what that word means, it wasn't in the dictionary or the thesaurus, which are two of my favorite new non-battable/bitable/scratchable toys, but I think it fits in here). Its a neony-blue spinny base with four little dangly toy things from it. There is a pink sparkly puff and a long string and a pink ladybug and a jingly bell. Not only can I choose to fight with any of the various extremeties, I can bat them in succession to spin the whole thing around. Loves it.

Katie is finally home, which makes me purr all over. Its nice to have another person to pet me, though it does entail another person who can clean me as well. I think Baxter is so concerned with my being mad at him that he washes a little gentler than he needs to. While I suppose I was a little dirtier than necessary for those two weeks, I forgot how nice it is to have my adorable white kitty face so clean and beautiful. It makes it even more likely that I will attack the mirror in the bedroom.

As one last note, let me say thanks for all the positive responses I've gotten on the PersisMeowMeow story. Maybe I will make a story book about it. If you have any interest in illustrating it, drop me a line at my new email address. I know I'm a little backward on my technology angle, starting with a blog and working back to email, but I'm so fluffy and adorable, give me a break. Hit me up at Hippopotameow AT gmail.com

Purr,

Hippo

The Legend of PersisMeowMeow

2005-03-20T21:06:00.000-05:00

Hi, my name is Hippopotameow, and I have March Madness. I admit it, I am addicted to the NCAA tournament. Initially I just watched because without Katie here I figured Baxter could use the company, but I got into it really fast. The drama, the excitement, the last minute action. Sometimes its so much that I simply have to curl into a tight little ball and take a nap. Not to mention, there are alot of teams named after cats, I am just surprised there is not a school whose mascot is the Persian.

Some people, of course, are not aware that Persians are among the most ferocious of all the smaller cats. I was playing with Baxter the other day and attacking my kitty brush, then my catness took over and I lit into Baxter's hand attempting to rip it off at the elbow. After he pulled it away I explained that sometimes I just lose myself in the attack. Its like my ancestors who chased all the tigers out of persia. Baxter apparently did not even know this story, so I was telling him the legend of PersisMeowMeow, the first cat to ever move to persia.

PersisMeowMeow was a beautiful gray cat and he lived near Egypt. One day he was simply bored with the whole being worshipped pyramid thing so he decided to go East. He was a big fan of General Tso's Tuna, a new dish he had just gotten to sample from the local chinese buffet in Cairo. As a result he thought he would take a leisurely trot accross the Middle East and into China, napping in the soft desert sands along the way. After a couple days of traveling PersisMeowMeow encountered a gigantic band of travelers, refugees even, fleeing to the West. "Where are you all going?" the small gray cat asked, adding "Do you perhaps have a bite of fish to spare? I've been eating nothing but camels for most of my journey."

"Oh beautiful cat," one of the pack replied, "We are an unfortunate people seeking refuge from our homeland. An evil clan of tigers has invaded our beautiful home and chased us away. It would take an entire army to remove them and we have not the resources."

"I am deeply moved by your plight." PersisMeowMeow responded. "Lead me back to this home of yours and I will see what I can do."

The people were of course skeptical, but without options, they followed the kitten's adorable hoppy gait. After a few days they reached their homeland and PersisMeowMeow could see, even from a distance, the enormous orange and black beasts that roamed the streets and homes of this once proud place. "Wait here" he told the flock of refugees. "I will go on alone."

One of the tigers noticed the cat approaching. He was a cocky young animal and joked to his tiger friends "Watch me impress the local tigresses as I rip this cat to shreds." He raced off into the sand towards PersisMeowMeow. Though all the people behind him feared for his life, the smaller cat stood his ground and at the last minute, PersisMeowMeow crouched, shook his butt, and attacked, knocking the predator to the ground and holding a sharp kitten-claw to his throat.

"Go to your leader and bring him or her to me. Tell them that PersisMeowMeow wishes to "speak" to them." The large creature crawled away, slowly at first, then sprinting with his tail between his legs, failing to ignore the guffaws of his fellows and the giggles of the tigresses nearby. Only minutes later a tiger who dwarfed all the others appeared. Sauntering slowly towards the gray kitten he roared "What do want of me? Why do you bring these miserable people alongside you?"

"I am PersisMeowMeow and I come to request that you give these people back their homes. Surely such intelligent members of the feline family can find some way to coexist with these peaceful folk. Besides, you have already proven your ability to best them in combat. What chance do they stand against your kittenish wiles?"

"Silly domestic. We have taken this land as our own. We enjoy the facilities the humans have built here and have no desire to share. Besides, we are not kittens. We are majestic predators who have far outevolved your purring silliness. We do not share our living space with them. We have heard of your trip to China, and we shall let you pass. But they must turn around and leave, lest they be devoured."

"I had hoped it would not come to this. But if it must be the case, we shall battle. BRING IT!!!!!!!!"

A fierce battle ensued, the mighty tiger and the smaller cat. A cloud of sand surrounded the fierce combatants. After several minutes the dust began to clear and atop the orange furry mess stood PersisMeowMeow, grey and proud.

"Now," he softly but firmly purred "your tiger kind will leave this place. Go on to China and fetch me some General Tso's Tuna!!"

Fearing for their lives the great beasts followed their leader and dashed to the East. "What happened!?!?!" they demanded of their leader. "What will we do!"

"Oh we will show that PersisMeowMeow! We will go to China alright, but we WILL NOT bring back his General Tso's Tuna!!"

The people rejoiced and raised PersisMeowMeow on a slik cushion singing his praises to the sky. "Thank you thank you beautiful kitten!" They cried. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am." PersisMeowMeow replied. "Though it appears that my face has been smooshed in the fight."

The people were so pleased to have their homes back that they did everything for the cat. They provided him with their most succulent dish, something they called "Kitten Chow" and gave him free reign to climb or nap anywhere he wished. They brushed his long beautiful fur and brought him a beautiful female cat, so they could have many kittens. They even went so far as to name all his descendents and even their new country Persia, after the cat that had saved them. As a reminder of his bravery amongst all other cats, Persians even today have the same smooshed face as their great great great grandkitten.

The End.

Such a beautiful story. It gets me right here. And right here.

Purr,

Hippo

H-H-H Hippo, Beautiful Hip-po, you're the only c-c-c-cat that I adore

2005-03-13T13:05:00.000-05:00

I know that it has been forever since I updated, but I blame that on Katie and Baxter. They went out of town last weekend for the longest time EVER and turned off Katie's computer so that I could not update on my own. When laptops are around, it's almost a shame not to update, but I was far too lazy to bother figuring out how to boot up the desktop.

This week has been a lot of medicine, and I am not pleased. However, I have been placated with many toys that I deign to consider, knowing they are intended to make me feel less bad about the dreaded yellow towel and pink bubblegum medicine. It's easy for a kitty to be grumpy under those circumstances. Add in that I accidentally jumped into the bathtub yesterday while there was still two inches of draining water in it from Katie's shower and you are lucky that I am not permanently hiding under the bed.

The one thing continually brightening my mood is the fact that I have figured out how to sit on the window ledge in the bedroom underneath the venetian blinds and the canopy, and look out the window. No bother that I usually fall off, land on Baxter's head, and wake him up while he is sleeping. The view is breathtaking.

Purr,
Hippo

Oh, Give me the Meow Cat and Make Me Purr, I Want to Get Lost in Your Fluffy Fur

2005-03-01T21:33:00.000-05:00

I know its been a while, but its been hectic in the Hippo-verse. To begin with Katie and Baxter left me for like three full days, which was not at all purrific. I had to sit around watching College Gameday all by my lonesome with a bag of Kitten Chow and a dish of cream. If I had freaking opposable thumbs and could rock either a whisk or the stand mixer I would have whipped it up and dipped strawberries in it. Maybe not strawberries. Prolly Kitten Chow. Maybe tuna.

Regardless, I have been told that the debate season is winding down and that while Katie will be out of town during Spring Break, Baxter and I will have plenty of time to discuss Heidegger, which normally Katie frowns upon. I have been trying to determine what exactly is the necessity of "Being-towards" versus "Being-alongside." I have been trying to read Being and Time with Baxter, but for some reason he moves me away whenever I attempt to sit on the book and read. Not to mention that he won't even let me read the first chapter of "Crash." Something about destroying my kittenish innocence.

Two closing notes today:

1) I recently succeeded in my first epic battle against the evil canopy. I worked on it pretty hard over the weekend and after a number of flying attacks, I brought down its Katie-side flank sometime Monday evening. I only had about 12 hours in which to celebrate my victory though, since when I awoke from a mid-afternoon nap it had returned to form. I have a new strategy which I will soon deploy...

2) Bo Bice is the my meow. Some of the h8rs (I just started with my txt lingo) thought that his version of "Driftaway" (which in tribute I have re-written, see the title) just got lucky, but he rocked the house last night. When Simon is willing to say that a rocker gave one of the best male performances in Idol history you know it means something. He, at least implicitly, seemed to be comparing it to Fantasia's version of "Summertime" which I did not see, but read about meowstensively. I dig him like he was a patch of fresh catnip.

Purr,

Hippo

2005-02-25T00:42:00.000-05:00

I have been so pleased with my own beauty the past few days that I just haven't had the paws to update. Today Baxter gave me a new yellow ball to bat around our lovely abode, and wow am I tired from all that strain. However, I have figured out that even when my toy goes behind the computer, into Katie's shoe, or under a table, my excellent flexibility prevent me from having to get help! I have excellent dexterity in my arms, being the powerful hippo kitty that I am.

To Root -- my life is taking deep breaths. i am convinced we are soul mates.

Purr,

Hippo

pictures of my lovely hippopotameow-cat self

2005-02-19T21:05:00.000-05:00

in my infinite kitty wisdom, i have finally figured out how to get html coding to post beautiful photos of myself over christmas and hanging out. everyone agrees i am a star!

Me!!!!!

2005-02-19T20:55:00.000-05:00

Grrr

2005-02-19T15:07:00.000-05:00

So today in the process of cleaning up the apartment for what seems to be some sort of upcoming debate event, Katie and Baxter closed the hole in the bedspring in which i have been hiding. This is monumentally frustrating - where will I go to get away from them? Not that I want to hide all that often, but a kitty needs her alone time.

I am excited for the Project Runway Marathon tomorrow. Several of the episodes took place before I came to live with Baxter and Katie, so I'm a little confused. I know that I am a Jay fan, but I'd like to see where the storylines originated - it's so hard to be an organic intellectua-cat when media is so scattered and without purpose.

I'm finally starting to get dry from the bath I had this morning, which is no piece of cake with my beautiful, lush fur.

Sleepy time for Hippo Cat.

Purr,
Hippo

Ferdinand de Saus-purr

2005-02-18T22:00:00.000-05:00

So I was thinking about the meow the other day and how difficult it is, as a cat, to relate to alot of linguistic philosophy. I mean, obviously, cats don't just say meow, we meow and mew and purr and roar and squeak and click and so on, but we have a pretty limited set of sounds. I don't mean to underrate the meow, but its hard to say that the system of signfiers is an exclusive one that operates on solely on the basis of difference when you say "Meow" to mean both "Give me some food" and "Dude, could you get my mouse from under the couch, its stuck." That said, I think the meow is still the best of the various animal noises. Moo, bark, quack, there is no chance. There is no versatility there, I mean, you can't bark demurely, its always sort of a jilting noise. Quack makes you sound very aloof and obstinant. I won't even dignify moo with a comment.

Katie and Baxter have some mixed up idea about taking an Easter picture of me and to that aim they came home from the mall the other day with a ridiculous lamby-basket. In case its not clear what I mean, let me explain, that it is like an Easter basket, its about that size and has a little handle, however, instead of being a colored wicker-affair, it is wooly and has four legs and a lamby face. The second she got it home she stuffed me in it and giggled at me. Luckily for everyone involved I was very mild mannered. I attacked her feet later while she was asleep and took a running jump at the canopy, so I feel vindicated.

I'm considering becoming a singer/songcat. I have written what I think is a potentially Grammy winning album and would at least pick up nominations for Best Female (Cat) Solo Artist, Best Record by a Kitten, Debut Kitten Performance, and Most Meowriffic. I'm tired, I'm gonna go hide in the box spring for a nap.

Purr,

Hippo

Happy Meowentine's Day!

2005-02-14T22:37:00.000-05:00

So Baxter and Katie took their laptops with them when they left me alone for two full days this weekend, so I had no chance to post an update. I mean, I could have sat at the desktop or gone out to a cyber-cafe, but I'm fundamentally a cat. An afternoon trip to Wal-Mart resulted in my getting a collection of brightly colored pastic wiffle balls with bells inside them, so I've been busy.

I've really become an Itallio-phile lately. I love the Southern Renaissance, bruschetta, and even Giorgio Agamben. I was even thinking how much I wish Antonio Negri hadn't decided to write Empire with Michael Hardt, since the concept of the muliplicity is entirely lacking in the philosophical rigour which features so prominently in The Savage Anomoly for instance. I think it started when people started referring to me as Hippo di Bippo, which I like both for its Milan-Naples-Venice flair and the fact that it rhymes. It attracts my attention, alot like shiny objects or things that dangle.

Here is what I don't understand: why don't I get any chocolate? Katie seems to dig it and she got a nice big box of truffles today that I think would be a perfect follow up to a dish of Kitten Chow. I promised not to get any of the chocolate on my fur, but as of yet as I have not succeeded. Its not even unique, notably, since I rubbed up against the fan last night and got a good chunk of my pretty white coat smudged and gray. I wonder how that will ever get clean...

Hope everyone's Valentine's Day is meowriffic, since this is my first I will have to come up with some new traditions. To begin with, I think I will try an early evening nap...

Purr,

Hippo

Canopy!

2005-02-10T11:41:00.000-05:00

So this morning, I discovered what Katie and Baxter feared- how much fun it is to play with the canopy on their bed! See, they put it up awhile ago, but I never really investigated how much fun I could have sitting in the pools of fabric on the floor, batting it around, and generally trying to make the shiny stuff move. I know that Katie especially is worried that I will hurt it, but I am sure that my playing will do no harm.

On the bad news front, I had to have a bath yesterday. It was awful and they came at me with something loud and blowing air at me which I was having none of, so it took my beautiful fur FOREVER to dry. At least I am fluffy now and slightly less itchy, but I am not sure it was worth it.

Time to bat the canopy again!

Purr,
Hippo

I Will Scratch Open the Damn Refrigerator if I Have To...

2005-02-08T22:32:00.000-05:00

Baxter and Katie seem to have gone out to dinner and, while they were kind enough to bring me back a tasty piece of fish, they appear to have mistakenly put it inside a styrofoam container in the fridge, rather than, for instance, my food dish. I'm sure this will be remedied soon.

I woke up today, then I stretched out, yawned, and decided to take a brief nap. A little later I decided to leave the basket of laundry and on my way to the kitchen I ran into a comforter, which I decided warranted a good stretching and a nap. I eventually did make may way to the kitchen, where I selected a tasty combo of Kitten Chow "o"s and kitten chow "x"s for lunch. There was a good looking bowl of fresh water set out next to it, so I got a little bonus.

I found a mousey that I had recently misplaced and after standing up on my back paws like a little ewok and throwing it around for a while, I was left to think about Freud's discussion of the fetish object. While the step from random pointless thing to an object that bears some specific relation to the loved individual is easily distinguished, it is not entirely clear to me what it is that enables the object to become a true fetish as detached from that individual and itself overriding the entirety of the sexual aim.

After that I batted a pen around on the tile floor. It spins when you hit it on one side or the other, it also makes a really neat clicky noise.

Purr,

Hippo

My theme song for the day

2005-02-07T23:53:00.000-05:00

Some girls kiss me, some boys hug me
I think they’re o.k.
If they don’t give me proper snuggling
I just walk away

They can beg and they can plead
But they can’t see the light, that’s right
’cause the boy with the kitty chow
Is always mister right, ’cause we are

Living in Hippopotameow's world
And I'm a Hippopotameow girl
You know that we are living in Hippopotameow's world
And I'm a Hippopotameow girl

Some girls scratch me, some boys pet me
That’s all right with me
If they can’t raise my interest then i
Have to let them be

Some girls try and some boys lie but
I don’t let them play
Only boys who throw my fishpole
Make my rainy day, ’cause they are

Living in Hippopotameow's world
And I'm a Hippopotameow girl
You know that we are living in Hippopotameow's world
And I'm a Hippopotameow girl

Living in Hippopotameow's world [Potameow!]
Living in Hippopotameow's world
(repeat)

Naps may come and Naps may go
And that’s all right you see
Experience has made me yawn
And now they’re after me, ’cause everybody’s

Living in Hippopotameow's world
And I'm a Hippopotameow girl
You know that we are living in Hippopotameow's world
And I'm a Hippopotameow girl

Hippopotameow's, Hippopotameow's, Hippopotameow's, Hippopotameow's world

Living in Hippopotameow's world [Potameow!]
Living in Hippopotameow's world
(repeat and fade)

My First SuperBowl Sunday

2005-02-07T01:54:00.000-05:00

I've heard alot of talk about the Patriots and dynasties, but this is the first time I've seen them play in the big game. They are good and while I respect their work in the age of free agency, I am not entirely convinced. I read Vince Lombardi's book and Bill Belichek, you are no Vince Lombardi. I will really miss football until the fall and from what I saw today, I think the AFL is a poor substitute. As far as I am concerned the AFL is to football what the Jacobins were to tea parties.

On the commercial front, I think there was some funny stuff, but the fake kitty murder may have crossed a line. I mean, it makes me think of representational arguments from Adorno to Baudrillard, even along the lines of Frankfurt school critiques like Debord's The Society of the Spectacle. Mrow. Mrow, mrow.

Its freaking late, by the way, whats with an all new Simpsons at 10:45. Somebody better be working the tivo up in here. Thank Whiskas that I am nocturnal.

Wendy Pepper sucks by the way. I love Jay. I want to find his postal uniform in a clothes hamper, turn around on it a couple times, and take a nap.

Purr,

Hippo

I Went to the Vet Today...

2005-02-05T00:47:00.000-05:00

...and damn do they need to find some advancement over anal thermometry.

In positive news, Katie left her coat on the floor and its hella comfortable.

I don't care what anyone says, btw, I think Lindsay Lohan rxrz. Totally meowriffic.

You'll never believe what I had for dinner, Purina Kittenchow. It had the flavors of chicken and tuna and there are two all new shapes, both X's and O's. It does wonders for keeping my fur soft and wonderful.

Purr,

Hippo

2005-02-04T02:37:00.000-05:00

I am Hippo, hear me roar! Meow!

Time for a nap.