Chickfest

Gotta make sure the right 45 is cued up

I'm always looking for new blog material. I'm sure Mr. Breeze won't mind if I "borrow" one of his ideas. Saturday was our monthly pawpawty to raise money for a wonderful animal charity. The theme for this pawty was Chickfest and it benefitted the Forever Home Feline Ranch in Springfield IL.

Since I can't afford to give money, I donate my time instead. What better way to do that than spin tunes that make anipals dance. Music is in our family's blood and I'm now following in the peeps' giant footsteps.

For those who don't know, my Pop was a DJ on a listener-sponsored NYC radio station in the late '70s-early '80s. Ma was a writer for the alternative music press in the '80s and early 90s. Altho Ma helps me pick my songs and post them, we run everything by Pop for his blessings. I learned from Pop's fundraising days to mention the url to donate after every song I play.

I only found out the Chickfest theme 2 days before the pawty which isn't much time to prepare. My criteria for a playlist is threefold: it has to tie into the theme of the pawty, it has to make my furrends move their paws and dance, and most importantly, it has to be fun to listen to at home. I won't play anything that I wouldn't play otherwise.

There were a couple of ways to go w/Chickfest, the easiest being using my playlist from last year's pawty with the same theme. I nixed that because I really don't like using blip-fm anymore now that I've discovered Grooveshark. Hmmm, I could play songs by chicks or songs written by chicks or songs about chicks. What to do? Ask Pop's opinion, of course. Pop liked a mix of the three with some transgender acts thrown in for good measure. This is what I came up with along with some of my remarks. (You knew I couldn't keep this relatively short, didn't you?)

Right from the start my plans changed when I noted that SanjeetheCat closed her set with a mambo. That gave me the opportunity to start with one of my own:

"Another mambo! Chicks dig the long ball!" Yankee Mambo – NY Yankees' Theme Song

"Let's Have a Pawty" Let's Have A Party – Wanda Jackson

Then my most popular song of the night. I was surprised and delighted that this puts smiles on some of my furrends' faces: "Ladies: take off ur pink! Ur LIBERATED! O BONDAGE UP URS!" Oh Bondage Up Yours! – X-Ray Spex

Next song was dedicated to MariodaCat/Ladycat3 "Ur having a purrsonality crisis!" Personality Crisis – New York Dolls

Then one for my good furrend Herbie_cat "This is 4 @Herbie_cat. He's the cat w/the most cake." Doll Parts – Hole

"Courtney Love's best friend Inger Lorre! Abbys cousin" Sad and Damned – Nymphs

"What would Chickfest be w/o the LunaCHICKS Yard Dog" at which point I tried to start a mosh pit along with my posse Tuna Katt and Jamal Jonez. Yard Dog – Lunachicks

"B4 those chicks there was The Runaways JAILBAIT!" Cherry Bomb – Runaways

"@Pandafur I don't give a damn about my Bad Reputation" Bad Reputation – Joan Jett

"B4 there was Jayne County, there was Wayne County!" Rock & Roll Resurrection – Wayne County & the Electric Chairs

"There r grrls here who I could dedicate this to but I'm not saying" Tell That Girl To Shut Up – Holly & the Italians

"Hey there @crazykittykat1 Enjoying the #pawpawty? U & Herba r a nice couple" Rip Her To Shreds – Blondie

"I'll Tumble 4 Ya by Culture Club 4 the cross-dressers here"

"@Wildboutbirds r u on the dance floor *shakes hips & tush wildly*" Pata Pata – Miriam Makeba

*takes off pleather jacket and thinks about taking off fur* All this dancing is making me hot"

"@Hollieferguson JESUS DIED 4 SOMEBODIES SINS BUT NOT MINE!" (At which point, we were singing and dancing at home.) Gloria In Excelsis Deo – Patti Smith

"Let's slow things down 4 a second" Around and Around – Mo Tucker

"Has everyone see my new tat? Now I can dance w/my Tattooed Love Boys" Tattooed Love Boys – Pretenders

"THANX 4 PUTTING UP W/ME 4 THE PAST HOUR! @Georgetheduck will take over now." Why D'ya Do It? – Marianne Faithfull

My tough chick dj avitar

Uncle Don—RIP

My Uncle Don passed away this week at the age of 85. He left behind my Aunt Amy, 3 grown children and several grandkids. He loved animals and raised a family of animal lovers. He was also a WW II veteran. Just like me, he didn't believe in harming or abusing animal in any way. For a while, Uncle Don even had a farm, which was really cool! When his granddaughter had to pick a charity to volunteer for in high school, she picked the Brookes Legacy Animal Rescue. Her Mom wound up volunteering with them also. My Aunt Karen works with animals in her real job too with Ark Naturals, which sell natural products for pets. In fact, Uncle Don was so passionate about animals that his family has asked friends to donate in his name to the West Milford Animal Rescue, where he adopted many animals. I was going to add one of those Chip-In gadgets for them but The Woman refuses to get a PayPal account cos a friend of hers had a bad experience w/PayPal. I never met Uncle Don but I wish I had.

Wordless Wednesday: Nothing beats an unmade bed

Stunning Keisha

Alleys vs Toms: A long, hot summer

Many of my furrends have been axing me about my cryptic Facebook posts regarding the Alleys and Toms. Ok, nobody has actually axed but many are curious, after all, we are cats. Ok, 2 furrends seemed interested when I mentioned it.

Years ago, I lived out in the streets of CommuniPAW Avenue. This was before I was captured and put in jail until the peeps bailed me out. It was a rough 'hood, full of the usual gang violence and warfare. Picture West Side Story done with a rap/hip hop soundtrack. It was kill or be killed. Female felines were expected to represent the gang that our boyfriends belonged to. In my case, that was the Alleys. Tuna, my BF, is an Alley leader. He works with Jamal, Lamont, Georgie, etc. to clear the streets of Toms. He was ruthless and he still is. I'm proud that he's in my posse. Even prouder that he's my mancat.

Tuna has been working with the Arson Squad for years—the best in the business. You want someone burned out, he's your cat if the money is right. You always know his jobs because they go to 3 or 4 alarms. He makes a good living.

Jamal in the "big house"

Tuna will light your fire

Don't mess w/Henry

It had been a quiet winter when the sky lit up orange 2 weeks ago. The Toms torched an Alley hideout in JC. Then another one went up 2 days later in UC. Word went out that PeeWee was dead in one of the infernos. I can't relay specifics but Henry, bless his soul, has been picking them off back on the 'Paw. Two nights ago, Tuna did his best work in a long time. Made national headlines. Those smokey Toms were running in all directions for their worthless lives. The Alleys will win this war. Expect a long, hot summer in the hood.

HAPPY EASTER FURRENDS! XOXO