Settling In....

Baxter is really settling in to his new digs. He has totally mastered the concept of the litter box, which is amazing for a bunny so young.

We have him in my study where he loves to run and leap.
Underneath my drawing table is a posse of stuffed animal rabbits we've accumulated through the years. He's been hanging out with them and hobnobbing with the welcome wagon.


Baxter makes a new friend.

The most wonderful part of a new rabbit is watching them explore and use their curiosity around the room. He's taken a keen interest in this sign....


Baxter the Fierce.

The other bunnies are aware that he is living here now. Greyton and Twizzle were camped outside the gate looking at him..and this morning Princess paid her respects. It will be quite awhile before Baxter has any interaction with the others though.

And the Winner Is.....

My name is Baxter!


hmmm..with a computer I can get my own fan mail!



All tuckered out...good night folks!

Monday Bunday...

Get busy with this name game!


Our New Baby Bunny..."Hello everybody!"


Twizzle cleaning his face and ears...and showing off his big bunny tummy. He is large and in charge.


Twizzle in his favorite spot.

Our New Bunny...

Please welcome a new member to our family. Mrs. Pratt and I saw this little guy and he won our hearts. He is about 2-3 months old. He's a tortoise shell Dutch bunny.
We haven't decided on a name yet. You can help! Here are some suggestions..let me know what you think...

Bernie
Bentley
Harly
Madison
Harvey
Baxter
Franklin
Mr. Twitches

or do a write in vote for a name...email me at prattoons@yahoo.com

He seems happy in his new home..a little apprehensive at the new sights and sounds, but i think he'll enjoy his new life with us.

Wascally Wabbit...

What mischief can I get into today????

Say Uncle...

I became an Uncle again today..for the 13th time. My nieces and nephews live all over the country in about 6 different states. It's been hard getting to know a lot of them as they grew up because of the distance and full family reunions are rare. But another Pratt is out in the world now, and everyone is doing fine.

Monday Bunday...

Twizzle gives Greyton a good grooming. Haven't you seen a Hare Salon before?

Sing Along with Pratt....

In one episode of the Flintstones(The Hot Piano)..Fred hires a quartet to serenade Wilma. Sung to the tune of Rossini's William Tell Overture, these lyrics were written by the show's creator's Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera .And so in honor of my 11th wedding anniversary ...Here's the Happy Anniversary song which I play yearly for Mrs. Pratt. It's the one time her Look of Death is accompanied by a wistful smile.

Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary


Pour a cheerful toast and fill it
Happy Anniversary
But be careful you don't spill it
Happy Anniversary


Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary


Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary


Happy she and happy he
They're both as happy as can be
Celebrating merrily
their happy anniversary


Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary


Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary


We now state emphatically
its happy anniversary
Not another day could be
a happy anniversary


Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy (slow)
Happy (slow)
Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy (fast)
Anniversary!!!

I Shutter To Think...

I'm home today..becuase after months of waiting... a handyman came over and rehung our missing shutter. I'm shocked the neighbors didn't have a brass band playing at this momentous occasion. Now this photo is courtesy of my friend Mr. Snappy taken last month and the missing shutter was digitally enhanced.Oh and um..I don't really have that sign over my front door..but it looks so damn good. well this is your chance to ring my doorbell and run.Note bunny paraphenalia out front.

Monday Bunday

One snoozy Mr. Greyton.

When Greyton met Franklin Jr....

Lawn Gnome:"Pardon me sir, do you know where any Oompa -Loompa's may be found?"

Greyton: "I have a weird father."

So Shines a Good Deed in a Weary World...

Wake the kids! Phone the Neighbors! I found my Oompa Loompa autographed photo. We'll all sleep easier tonight.

Post Op Bunny...

Greyton had his ear surgery today. He is doing well, and doesn't need the pet collar that would make him look like Rocket Rabbit:Space Ranger. I bought him some Get Well Parsley.

I Want an Oompa Loompa NOW!

"What is this, a freak out?"-Violet Beauregarde

I wrote in my 100 things about me the other day that I had met an Oompa Loompa. I did honestly and truly, and decided along with my entry here today I would post the autographed photo I recieved from said Oompa Loompa.

For the last three years in Philadelphia, Wizard magazine , a publication that is all about the comic book industry sponsors a huge convention. It's in the city's convention center and for one glorious weekend it's the place to go to meet people who write and draw comics, or are intersted in sci- fi, fantasy, and nostalgia. Many famous people in the industry are there. In other words: it's the equivalent of a giant bug zapper for geeks.If you love this kind of thing, you can't resist it.

Along with all the comic book stuff there are usually autograph booths featuring stars of yesterday and today.The line-up each year varies becuase well , the Los Angeles show gets better celebs, and geez..it's the Philadelphia show. It's nigh impossible to get a decent author in this burg for a book signing let alone a sci- fi star.

Last year the line-up of celebrities were kind of lame. There was Marc Singer(BeastMaster!! That show "V" where the aliens were lizards!)and also um,...what's his name?you know.. the black dude from "Battlestar Galactica".(He played..um..what's his name..the black dude.) and I think they had a puppeteer from a Star Wars film. ZZZZZZZZ.

The year before there was Lou Ferrigno. Yessiree The Incredible Hulk himself. I went up to the table and I think people stopped and stared because the two of us looked like the "Before" and "After" in the Charles Atlas cartoon. If you didn't guess I was the "Before".

Now I had heard that Mr. Ferrigno had a hearing loss so of course like an asshat I'm speaking extra loud, and I think he had a digital hearing aid and didn't need me to screech..like uh,...Screech. This guy was huge though. His muscles had muscles. He signed a nice autographed photo of him at his Hulky best. I left quickly because I thought I was going to hear, "Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."Raaaaaahr.!( Exit.... soft piano music)

Off I went to the next booth..a lot of Star Wars people. Look! The guy who was Chewbacca! Look the guy who was Bob Fett! Look the guy in R2D2! Wait a minute! I had to meet himKenny Baker was also in one of my favorite movies, "Time Bandits" by Terry Gilliam. He played Fidget. It's a great film. I told him how much I enjoyed it. A nice moment.

A few tables down was another little person. This was Rusty Goffe. He played a Jawa in Star Wars. I was passing his table when I saw photos of the Oompa Loompas.
I asked if that was he and yes! He was one of the last actors still alive who played one ofthe Oompa Loompas in the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory ".

It was early in the convention(*SIGH-YES I GOT THERE EARLY..You can all say "Loooooooser"....happy? Get it over with? Good. Let's press on..)
There weren't many people at his table so I was able to talk about the Wonka movie.

Mr. Goffe was friendly and answered all my questions.It was filmed in Germany. Yes the voices were dubbed.Not all of the little people spoke English. Yes, Gene Wilder was very pleasant to work with.He liked the dance numbers. The children also. He had a wonderful time on the film and was happy to be associated with it.

He then autographed a nice photo - its a group shot of him and the other Oompa Loompas and he's lucky to be right next to Gene Wilder. I was thrilled.

So now I decide to write the above encounter down and to post the photo as well. I started looking for it. I have some big photo albums where I keep any autographs and photos. It wasn't in there..hmmm..

In the PrattCave is my library- it's my room where I write,read, draw, and generally just keep out of Mrs. Pratt's hair. It has a huge storage closet. I look..on shelves, in boxes, in a trunk..where did that photo go to?

Looking through more bookcases, boxes, inside of tall books, in the computer desk, under the desk. I was really tearing apart the room looking for this photo. There was stuff everywhere. In the middle of this frenzy my friend Mary ann calls.

Mary:"What are you doing?"

Me: "I'm looking for my Oompa Loompa."

(BIG SILENCE) Mary: "Ooooookay,if that's what it's called... do you lose it all the time?"

I explain the entire Oompa Loompa saga how by gosh it would just make my post so nice to include the photo before I spend a half hour blathering on about my meeting an icon of my youth and not having the photographic evidence..

Mary: "So when did you last remember seeing it?"

Me: "Well, I had it tacked up on my wall."

(EVEN BIGGER SILENCE)

Mary: "So, you were what? 11 years old when you hung it like that?"

Me: "Ha ha. No, 35. You are not helping."

Mary: "What's in it place now."

Me: "A calender of bikini women from Hawaii."

Mary:"Oh , I see ...now you're 13."

Mary endured me rustling through every crevice of my library trying to find the photo.She made fun of me at my utter nerdiness. I think it may be in storage in the basement. I walk downstairs , Mary overhears me asking Mrs. Pratt if she's seen the photo.

Me: "Have you seen my autographed Oompa Loompa photo?"

The LOOK of DEATH appeared. I know she felt like a contestant in the "My Husband is an Idiot" show. I ran back upstairs.

Sadly, right now I have no Oompa Loompa photo to show off. This story will continue...I'm sure it will show up someday someway.

I wonder if any of the Munchkins are still alive?

Monday Bunday

Her Royal Highness Princess Jewel looks at the peasants warily from her kingdom.

100 Things...

The Blog of Pratt is now 5 months old and I think it's time to do the 100 things about me list...

1. I'm a Cancer....astrologically.
2. My birthday is July 20th.
3. I have 5 sisters and 4 brothers.
4. It's a Brady Bunch family situation.
5. But I haven't seen some of my family in 5-10 years.
6. I've been to Mexico and Canada.
7. I have no desire to go to Europe.
8. I've been to Hawaii.
9. I've been in 2 Hurricanes and several Blizzards.
10.I was raised Catholic.
11. But I don't go to church.
12. Not even Christmas or Easter.
13. I became disillusioned after the priest that married me and my wife was defrocked for abusing kids.
14. But I still believe in God.
15. Oh yeah I'm married to Mrs. Pratt.
16. We have no children.
17. We will not be having any.
18. I have House Rabbits as Pets.
19. The three I currently own are Greyton, Twizzle and Princess Jewel.
20. They rule the house which contains a lot of bunny bric-a-brac.
21. My house is called the PrattCave. My car the PrattMobile.
22. Mrs. Pratt endures my eccentricities.
23. I'm a Buffalo Bills football fan.
24. I'm a Philadelphia Phillies Baseball fan.
25. I am used to crushing sports defeats and seasons of not winning due to this.
26. Basketball bores me.
27. Hockey is only exciting for me in the playoffs...and then only if its the Flyers or Sabres.
28. Mrs. Pratt kicks my ass in Miniature Golf everytime.
29. I'm a registered Independent.
30. I'm voting for Kerry in November.
31. I'm Pro Choice.
32. I believe in gay marriage and respect for GBLT rights.
33. I have voted for both Republican and Democrats since I could vote.
34. I like to read Biographies.
35. I own hundreds of books.
36. I have thousands of comic books.
37. I work in a library.
38. I have a degree in History.
39. I finished it 20 years after I started it.
40. I have no tattoos or piercings.
41. But I've thought about it.
42. I've had open heart surgery in 2000.
43. I had major complications and had a difficult recovery.
44. I'm much better now..
45. I still drink coffee daily.
46. I dunk my donuts in coffee.
47. I drink mostly in moderation.
48. I don't smoke...cigarettes.
49. I realized that life is too short to not enjoy things.
50. Twizzlers are my favorite candy.
51. I was once a disc jockey.
52. I've been onstage in plays and done stand-up comedy.
53. I draw cartoons and have been published.
54. But I haven't let my creative side out in a few years.
55. I doubt myself constantly.
56. I cry easily.
57. I love to shop. Whether its the mall or the supermarket.
58. I hate wearing ties.
59. Boxer briefs.
60. I wear glasses but can't wear contact lenses.
61. The Marx Brothers are my favorite comedians.
62. I love old tv shows.
63. Reality tv shows annoy me.
64. Currently, My favorite tv show is "Dead Like Me".
65. I still scope out women.
66. I'll look until I'm dead.
67. My favorite book is "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac.
68. My favorite color is purple.
69. I know a Penthouse Pet.
70. I have been in the same room at different times with 2 ex-presidents,2 vice- presidents and a member of a royal family.
71. I've met an Oompah Loompah.
72. The Oompah Loompah was friendlier than any of the above.
73. I have an insane encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture.
74. I own hundreds of records(That's vinyl)
75. My favorite music is New Wave from the 80's.
76. A sense of humor is the most important thing I look for in a friend.
77. Black raspberry is my favorite ice cream flavor
78. I keep secrets.
79. I hate snow.
80. October is my favorite month.
81. I play piano by ear.
82. My ear hurts.
83. I love getting e-mail.Send me some.
84. I'm not a prude.
85. Chicken Parmesan is my favorite dinner.
86. I sing in the shower.
87. I sing in the car.
88. I drive Mrs. Pratt nuts by singing in the shower and the car.
89. Crossword puzzles are a daily passion.
90. My favortie comic strips are Mutts by Patrick McDonnell & "The Pirahna Club" by Bud Grace.
91. I read 3 newspapers a day..when I lived on Long Island it was 4.
92. I wear a size 11 shoe.
93. I like all vegetables except beets and lima beans.
94. I can unhook a bra with one hand.
95. I shout out answers when I watch "Jeopardy". I'm usually right.
96. I love the circus and carnivals.
97. I loathe rennaisance faires. Huzzah! Oddsbodkins!
98. Getting breakfast at a diner is wonderful.
99. I tip well.
100. I'm shocked you read this far.

Kiosk Me No Questions....

Mrs. Pratt and I went to the gigantic local mall for dinner. It was a nice way to kick off the holiday weekend. Drinks and dinner were very good and since it wasn't late we decided to stroll around the mall for awhile.

This mall is the largest on the East Coast and walking the whole thing is great exercise. If any blog friends need a place for Xmas shopping this is it and I can give you a tour.

We wandered around the many miles of mall and soon started approaching the specialty kiosks. You know the ones.They are little booths that sell just about anything you never knew you needed.

Since it was Friday night and the mall wasn't crowded we decided to run the gauntlet of kiosks. Knowing full well they would be sending us their sales pitches.
A deep breath was taken and we began.

Scalp Massager Guy was first. You've seen these spidery massage devices. Sometimes they are whimsical in the shape of an octopus..but it mainly looks like Freddy Kreuger giving you a Stan Laurel hair toussle. gah.

Scalp Massager Guy: "Massage? Need a good head massage?*"

Mrs. Pratt made an Ick face and muttered to me as we walked by- "No thanks..I don't want lice."

*(Editorial note- If they had any woman asking this question instead of a gorky 6'2" guy with a big mullet, it would be like shooting fish in a barrel because men are stupid and when women smile and say things like that we usually respond with "I'll take 7!")

The next booth was Hat Guy. Hat Guy can put anything on a hat. He had a computer and fonts and could write anything Then a machine stitches it on the hat. Hmmm... future swag? So I asked how much. one hat -$20.

Unfortunately there was a language barrier. I think he was Greek or Israeli or from Mypos. Definitely swarthy but friendly.

Hat Guy:"What you write on hat?"

Me: "Blog of Pratt." (I tried to ennunciate)

Hat Guy: "Block of Crack."

He starts typing 'block of crack' in the computer.

Me: "No, no...Blog of Pratt..B-l-o-g.."

Hat Guy: "...of Crack?"

Now if I got a hat that said "Block of Crack" on it..well, I guess Courtney Love would have an Xmas present...but I started to backpedal before this became a further Abbott and Costello routine. I said maybe I'd get one another time. He was cool because other customers appeared.

As we walked away we heard him ask two girls what they wanted on their hat.

Woman:"Shaniqua and Tamika."

Hat Guy:"She neater and taprika?"

We left that alphabet soup and walked by a few others. The asian girl selling blonde hair extensions and wearing them.Huh?
The 'Get your Official Family Crest' booth. I think mine had unicorns,rabbits and the corporate logo for Hooters on it.

The "Things you can only buy on TV " kiosk had a 'miracle iron' and a 'miracle juicer'. It would be a miracle if we bought that crap.Then the irony that we would indeed not be buying it from tv but there in person. My philosophical argument was met by "The Look of Death" from Mrs. Pratt.

Then Mrs. Pratt grew concerned..
Mrs Pratt:"Keep walking! Faster! ..don't look to your right.Hurry!"

I felt the rush of danger and the adrenaline had me dizzy. What possible mall intrigue was this?

Mrs.Pratt:"Thank god..we almost saw Lotion Guy."

Lotion Guy sells hand lotion. Some natural - it's so good for you- 'it comes from the rarests shell of Egyptian scarabs' type salve of stinkcream that it's his job to unload on people.

Mrs. Pratt:" The guys that work there they REALLY REALLY like to rub it in to your hands.They say things like."Mmm your hands feel so soft now.." and "It makes your nails shine.And he stares at you...without blinking."

I looked back and sure enought there was a guy who made Omar Sharif look like Dolph Lundgren.The open shirt and gold chains and platform shoes added to his suave demeanor.

For the rest of the walk through the mall I was imitating his voice and grabbing Mrs. P's hands.
"Ooooh these hands..five fingers..a knuckle sandwich of lovvvve.Let me envelope them in my lotion.I make a fresh batch daily." I sounded like Pepe le Pew.

We were almost out of the mall when we came upon one final kiosk. There was a big plexiglass enclosed container filled with sand and brightly painted shells -some like SpongeBob or Spider Man,the Flash or a football helmet.They housed hermit crabs. It was for selling terrariums for pet hermit crabs.

The saleslady said with a big jack o'lantern smile said to us,

Saleslady: "Tell me you want my Crabs!"

Our car roared out of the parking lot at about 85 mph.

Somewhere a hermit crab is wearing a hat,getting a scalp massage for its hair extension and having some lotion rubbed into his claw. As seen on TV.

Safe....

Mrs. Pratt and I went to our first Phillies game of the year tonight. Yeah, nothing like Sept.1st to start attending baseball games for a .500 team. This is the first season the Phillies are playing in their new ballpark.

In April it seemed like anytime we wanted to go to a game it was abnormally cold and rainy or the game was sold out. Mrs. Pratt had to finish a Spring MBA class then took summer classes too..so time was short-and it seemed like it was never a good time to go to a game. August had us busy every weekend so about a month ago we were determined to hit the ballpark before the end of the season.

The Phillies lost tonight in a ho-hum game 7-2. The pitching was stinky like week old cheeseteaks. The bats were listless. I love baseball but this game was as exciting as watching paint dry. But I was entertained.

A family of 5 ranging in age I guess of 5-13 sat behind us. Now this isn't a "let me tell you how they misbehaved " rant becuase these kids were gold. I enjoyed hearing them banter non-stop throughout the game and they were talking baseball.

I thought all kids today were obsessed with either soccer, basketball, or football. The national pastime seemed to have suffered in the last 10 years or so since their last major strike.

These kids sounded like ESPN announcers. They were observant of stuff like what kind of shift Atlanta's outfield was doing to Jim Thome. They knew how to fill out a scorecard. They were watching the out of town scoreboards and discussing who was playing whom...even naming the pitchers. This family loved talking baseball.

I wasn't the only one in the crowd paying attention to the kids. An old timer sitting near us looked at them and muttered "Those kids know their ballgames."

I wanted to thank the parents and tell them how refreshing it was to see kids enjoying baseball like theirs did. But the parents were up on the concourse patio restaurant that overlooked our seats having a brew or two.

The kids didn't notice. They talked favorite players and which ones they met for autographs and debated what they would do if they caught Barry Bonds 700th homer run.

Nice to see some optimistic future fans on an otherwise depressing night.