by Annalyn S. Jusay (now blogging at www.annalyn.net)
Posting live from the West Coast, USA, Cathy – simply called The Ca t, is a groovy middle-aged lady who can be considered one of the most prolific bloggers in the Pinoy blogosphere today. Her blog, found at www.cathcath.com, is a fascinating hodge-podge of facts and trivia about politics, science, history, travel, entertainment and all that jazz written in the author’s trademark humorous and engaging style. Her WordPress-driven blog is awash with interesting categories that will make even first-time lurkers to her pastel-colored site take a second look. One may ask: how many cats does The Ca t own? The answer is none; her asthmatic condition prevents her from taking care of such pets. However, her monicker, The Ca t, evolved because her blog portrays a Cat talking to a Mouse, her computer mouse. Get to know more about this lady who was born to blog in the following interview:
Q. How did you start to blog? How many blogs do you maintain?
A. I started blogging when I heard the word blog… that was when I fell from my bed.Hehehe.Sorry, I can’t help it. . It’s really my personality to make fun of anything that takes my fancy.
It was year 2003 when I put up a blog in Blogspot but it was in Jan. 2004 when I decided to make it a real blog . I was missing my lifestyle in the Philippines where my day job was that of a corporate ass kisser and a part-time e-joke-ator in the evening. Here in the States, I am alone most of the time. My acquaintances have different work schedules and time-offs are reserved for those elusive naps. Inspired by the song Ben ( you know Michael Jackson’s song about the friendship of a lonely person and a rodent), I started writing a diary addressed to a mouse. My computer’s mouse. So my blog entry starts with Dear mouse.
The mouse represents an imaginary friend and a confessor who would listen to my whines, my angst, my corny jokes, my loneliness. Poor mouse. My first expired. It could no longer take the beatings. I got a blog entry for it.
Then Sassy Lawyer took notice of my blog and encouraged me to write some more. Manuel Quezon III wrote some inspiring remarks too. Tatang Retong of Karinderia was the first to feature me in his blog.. Angelo A. also gave me a pat on my shoulder.(It almost broke my collar bone). Oh yeah, Manny Viloria liked my Kung Fu Shus antics.
Yes, I am a namedropper, baby.
I maintained three blogs. Now What, Cat ? (http://cathcath.com)was my original blog which was first hosted in Blogspot. I featured pictures of cats together with my commentaries on politics, life, entertainment and news. When I transferred Now What, Cat ? to Ploghost, I opened a sub-domain, Choice Cat (http://choicecat.cathcath.com) which was about my personal experiences on paranormal phenomena.
My pinaysaamerika.blogspot.com chronicles my first years as an overseas worker in the US together with the stories of fellow Pinays, whose lives deserved to be written not only to give inspiration but also to share lessons in life to those who would like to follow their footsteps.
Q. Don't you find it difficult maintaining three blogs? What advice can you give other people on maintaining multiple blogs?
A. It is really difficult to maintain three blogs. My blog about the paranormal is not updated not because I have no materials to use but I have to spend more time in writing an article.
I think I am not in a capacity to give people advice because I myself can not update my other blogs regularly.
Q. What do you like about blogging as a personal activity? What is the best thing that blogging has brought you since you started?
A. For one, it sharpens my mind. I do not have to use a sharpener. Hehehe. I have to read and think a lot. Observe a lot too.
When I read other people’s blogs, I come to understand about my life too. As if I am looking at the mirror when I am reading someone’s blog whose life is parallel to mine.
Q. Do you think a blogger should maintain some sort of privacy in is/her blog? What do you think of people who "tell all" in their logs?
A. Yes, especially if it affects the lives of innocent people—friends, relatives and fellow bloggers.
Define “tell all”. If you mean, it is an honest to goodness blog about the family, then I give two thumbs up for that kind of blog. But if the “tell all” is about some bed activities using sexplicit words and posting pictures of their prized trophies, I would recommend a password protected entry or a disclaimer. Don’t shoot me. By nature, I am still conservative because I conserve water…ehekk
Q. Do you abide by a certain blogging philosophy (ies)? What are these?
A.Yes, I do, Pilosopo ako eh.
Never blog when you are angry. The best way to cheer up oneself is to cheer up others, so I see to it that even my commentaries are humorous. I also put variety in my blogs.
Q. What are your online/blogging habits.
A. I have bad blogging habits. Sometimes I sit on my desk with no idea in mind what to write. Then I start writing, publishing and editing it later. Lots of mistakes. When an idea comes to my mind, even if I am in the bathroom, I walk out of the bath tub dripping wet, click open the computer and write. Oftentimes, my chicken adobo becomes chicken adobe, hard and black when I cook and blog at the same time. Multi-tasking.
Q. What are your plans for your blog(s)?
A. I am planning to separate my “diaries” blogs in a sub-domain like what I did to my photoblog/travelogue.
Q. What do you think is the role of "design" in a blog? Can you tell us more about the design of your blog?
A. The design is the first thing that a reader notices. It should be simple and pleasing to the eyes.
Retzwerz (http://www.retzwerx.com/) designed my blog. He is a talented young man teaching Business with Computer Applications in a university. He is a web designer too.
Q. What about the choice of language ~ some people blog in English or in Tagalog only but some people like you appear to be comfortable in both languages.
A. I used to blog in English only. My Choicecat is in English. While blogging , I realize that there are some thoughts that are best expressed in the native tongue. Like funny stories are best narrated in Filipino.
Q. What blogging trends do you see in the future? Do you think blogging is here to stay?
A. I can see the trend now. Some businesses are now using blogs as promotion vehicles for their shows, products and activities. I am not talking about websites. Some blogs are made to appear as personal blogs when they are not.
(For comments and inquiries, email annalyn.jusay@gmail.com)
