Monday Meet And Greet! "Catsparella!!" "Pop Culture Pussycat, All Cats. All The Time"

Hi Everyone!!

Happy First Monday Of The New Year!!

My Mom and I wanted to start off the year on a bright and fun note and what better way to do that than to feature one of my Mom's and my favorite blogs:

My Mom and I cannot believe the number of posts that Stephanie (the human behind Catsparella) does in ONE DAY....we are in awe!! We have no idea as to how many but we know that she is ALWAYS posting!!

I asked my Mom if I could ask Stephanie some questions because I was eager to learn more about her and her blog and she said I could! Stephanie was so nice to let me do an interview!

Here we go! (my Mom typed this up for me, I did the dictation, if there are any mistakes of course it is HER FAULT!)

 Cody:When did your fascination with cats begin?

Stephanie/Catsparella:I can't remember exactly when or how it started, but it wasn't until I was a teenager. Oddly enough, growing up we always had a dog in the house. We never had cats, and I wasn't particularly around any cats. However, I was always into Hello Kitty and cute things like that, and for some reason around that time, I became really interested in collecting cat things. I didn't get my first cat until I was 20 or 21.

Cody: Wow! 20 or 21? You are as bad as my Mom! MOL! When did your fascination with pop culture begin?

Stephanie/Catsparella:I don't know! As long as I can remember, it's something I've always been really interested in and passionate about.

Cody: Why did you decide to combine the two?

Stephanie/Catsparella: It was a natural combination because it brought together two of my favorite things!

Cody: Yeah, I guess that is kind of like when I bring together 2 of my favorite mousies. Where did the name "Catsparella" come from?

Stephanie/Catsparella: I came up with the name Catsparella around 2002, long before I started the blog, or even thought about blogging. I was trying to think of a name that was unique and cat-related. I also wanted something that sounded kind of glamorous. At the time I was very into reading Catwoman comics, and was reading "Catwoman and Vampirella". I was also thinking of other characters with "ella" type names. When I decided to start a cat blog, the name seemed like a perfect fit.

Priscilla

Cody: Yes it is a purrfectly intriguing name! How many cats have you owned in your life?

Stephanie/Catsparella: Two - Priscilla and Charlie.

Cody: How many cats do you have now?

Stephanie/Catsparella: Same two! :)

Cody: Do you have any pets in addition to your cats?

Stephanie/Catsparella: We had a dog named Teddy, but sadly he passed away last year.

Cody: Awwww, I am so sorry about Teddy. That had to be quite hard. I was also wondering what state are you from?

Charlie

Stephanie/Catsparella: New Jersey

Cody: Yay! Just like The Sopranos huh? MOL!! I don't want to sleep with the fishies so I guess I better leave that one alone! What made you start a blog?

Stephanie/Catsparella: It got to the point where I was reading so many blogs, and sharing so much content with my friends, that I decided to create a site where I could compile all of the things I found and loved in one place.

Cody: What is the satisfaction you get from blogging?

Stephanie/Catsparella: It's a good creative outlet for me. I love turning readers on to new things and being able to promote things that I enjoy. It's also nice to connect with people who have similar interests.

Cody: What is your favorite item you found to feature on your blog?

Stephanie/Catsparella: I only feature things that I really like, so it's hard to pick a favorite. If I had to choose, two posts that stand out are "The Cats of Jersey Shore" (http://www.catsparella.com/2010/09/cats-of-jersey-shore.html) and all of the interviews I've done, especially "Catching Up With the Kitten Massage Therapy Cats" (http://www.catsparella.com/2010/10/catsparella-exclusive-catching-up-with.html). I also love Cat Cupcake Tuesdays (http://www.catsparella.com/search/label/cats%20and%20cupcakes), because it's just another way to include one of my non-cat related obsessions on the blog.

Cody: ohhh so I see that you are obsessed with cupcakes like I am about when I will get my next meal. MOL!! What is your least favorite item you found to feature on your blog?

Stephanie/Catsparella: Of course there are certain posts I like more than others, but if I really didn't like something, I wouldn't post it..so none!

Cody: When is your favorite time to write your blog?

Stephanie/Catsparella: I'm always trying to think of new ideas or looking for content, but there's no particular time I prefer to write. Some days I get more inspired than others, and I tend to be creative at night for some reason. My favorite place to blog is at the library.

Priscilla

Cody:  Who is your favorite cat in the pop culture world?

Stephanie/Catsparella: Hard question, because there's so many! At the moment I've very fond of Shironeko (http://kagonekoshiro.blog86.fc2.com/), the "Basket Cat".  My favorite cat blog is The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee (http://www.theittybittykittycommittee.com/). I love Charlene Butterbean, the site's kitty "mascot", and Laurie Cinotto does amazing work for the Tacoma Humane Society by fostering kittens and raising money for the shelter. She also posts the best cat pictures you will find online, paws down!  and Goma (http://mycatgoma.com/) always make me laugh.

Cody: Hmmmm...I notice a blatant omission here. Let me remind you of who is featuring you on HIS blog. (tapping paws on table). Last I looked THEY aren't interviewing you!! I AM!! Well, well, I will just have to give ya a little swat for that one! Moving right along...who is your least favorite cat in the pop culture world?

Stephanie/Catsparella: None!

Cody: Thank goodness my blog isn't pop culture. I was afraid for a minute you were gonna say "Cody" MOL. What is your favorite NON pet related blog?

Stephanie/Catsparella: Jezebel (http://www.jezebel.com), and celebrity gossip sites like Dlisted (http://www.dlisted.com/) and  Oh No They Didn't (http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/).

Cody: Thanks! I am sure my Mom will want to check those out! What are some of your hobbies other than cats?

Stephanie/Catsparella: I love to travel and hope to be able to do more of that in 2011. I like to craft, cook, and do yoga and zumba. I also volunteer at the local animal shelter and go to meditation classes. I watch pretty much everything on Bravo, and am really into Mad Men, Dexter, and Glee.  And obviously, I spend way too much time online! :)

Cody: My Mom LOVES to cook too and between you and me she needs to calm down a bit and yoga would do her a world of good! She needs so "zumba" her fluffy butt around too! My Mom also likes Bravo and now is becoming hooked on OWN. She has been having a little marathon with it this weekend. Well  Stephanie thanks so much for doing this interview, I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me. In spite of your glaring omission little faux paux,  it was such a pleasure to meet you officially! If anyone would like to visit Stephanie from  "Catsparella" (and my Mom and I suggest that you do!),  here is how to find her!

http://www.catsparella.com/

twitter.com/catsparella