It was another tension-frought election on Sunday. And just like last year, this year’s winner was somewhat of a surprise to many. But before we get to the big announcement, there may be a couple of you guys who don’t know about this annual and very eccentric event. Each year we elect one of our cats “House Cat of The Year”. The voting committee is comprised of 3 distinguished and world-renowned cat experts: Pam, her mom Nancy and me. Voting for H.C.O.T.Y. is based upon several criteria, including but not limited to: friendliness to other cats (meaning no fighting, hissing or throwing of eye-darts), scratching -or not- the furniture, behavior in the bedroom, specifically being a decent, calm sleeping companion versus racing around the bedroom, stepping on our heads, yeowling at the moon or any other idiotic middle-of-the-night antics that keep us from sleeping. Puking doesn’t count since we all get hair balls every now and again. Here is a picture of the gang (a group of cats is called a “clowder”, by the by…). The nominees were…

That’s Isabella, Alice, Margaret, Charlotte, Aja, Sally and Oliver.

Sally has won this thing the last SEVEN years in a row! I didn’t vote for her last year. I wanted Charlotte, but Pam and her mom had some back-room caldestine dealings going on and ram-rodded Sally in there again. I hate politics, don’t you?

This year, here’s how the voting stacked up: Round 1: Sally: 2 votes, Oliver: 3 votes, Charlotte: 3 votes and Isabella got 1.
The top two vote-getters moved onto Round 2, meaning it was Oliver and Charlotte at the finish line. (At this point in the festivities, Sally got disgusted and left the room to go chase a dust bunnie.) The final results: I voted for Oliver this year. Pam and her Mom voted for Charlotte, so OUR NEW HOUSE CAT OF THE YEAR FOLKS, IS CHARLOTTE!!!! I was quite pleased with the outcome. Charlotte really deserves it. Here’s a picture of her taken after the election, totally enjoying the wild party that followed:

Charlotte was very busy the next day, granting interviews to cat magazines, newspapers and television. She is considering endorsement offers from Whiskas, Feline Greenies Cat Treats and Cosmic Cat Catnip.

I just re-read this. If you don’t live with an animal, it must seem like I’ve been puffing on the devil’s lettuce. Promise I’ve haven’t.

In other news – 2 movies you gotta see. The first one is playing now. Make SURE to see it in a good theatre with a nice big screen and sound system. It’s Rob Marshall’s remarkable “Nine”

It’s now in my top ten of all time! It is so visually stunning, I swear, I missed half of it. I couldn’t absorb it all at once. I MUST go again, because in watching the film, I missed the movie. Daniel Day Lewis is typically brilliant, as is everybody else. The music is fabulous. Director Rob Marshall (Chicago) is astoundingly talented. The last shot of the film is flattening.I cried. It doesn’t get the Jer-an-tee because if you like, say, Nicholas Cage or Will Ferrell movies, you’d ask me for your money back. But I will tell you, it is an absolute wonder. Just looking at it is a gift. Whoa.

Next, for any of you Broadway Rats like me, rent this:

It’s a documentary about the revival of “A Chorus Line” – intercut with footage of the original casting and rehearsing back in 1975. Including audio tape of Michael Bennett in a 22 hour meeting as he created the show. This is a remarkable film. I cried through the last half of it. (We all know I am a half chromosome away from gay.) Warning to mom and dad: It has the famous “T&A” number in it, just so you know. This film I am buying, I loved it so much. A brilliant film about one of the longest-running and most successful shows in musical theatre history. I’ve thought about every day since I watched it.

I just re-read this again. This blog is the least manly thing I have ever written. A cat contest and 2 musicals. I’ll never be allowed in Home Depot again. I better go grab a beer and change the oil on somebody’s car quick.

Love, Jerry