About

profile4Here is everything you never cared to know about the writer behind The Reluctant Cat Owner’s Journal. An interview of Cary Vaughn by Cary Vaughn.

Who in the Hell do I think I am?

What I am: an average, multi-cat owning, 40-something-year-old, gay man in Memphis.  What I am not: YouTube, Vine, Facebook, or Instagram famous. What I’ve been told I am: handsome, rude, funny, two-faced, generous, arrogant, thoughtful, stuck up, smart, pretentious, or selfish to name a few (I know all sorts of people).

Why do I think my thoughts and opinions matter enough for a blog?

Blogga, please. Call it a website. It sounds more prestigious than “blog.” Anyway, I’m just one of thousands and thousands of other writers on the world-wide web. I’m not here to change the world. I’m not here to be web-famous. I’m here to exercise my writing voice. The occasional attention from tens of twenties of readers is just a bonus.

Why should I expect anyone to even care about this website?

Please don’t. Care about something important like education, protecting our environment, or the eradication of Facebook quizzes that claim to tell you which [insert fictional story here] character you are.

I see I don’t have any ads on my site. Am I a loser or something?

There are a couple of reasons why I will not find ads or sponsored posts. One is that I don’t wish to make money from this website. The other is because by coming to this site, I am not reading fucking John Irving or David Sedaris. What I will read, instead, are bread-and-butter articles that I wrote (mostly on a whim). So why bog down and clutter a website with annoying ads?

I see I haven’t posted any sort of awards on my site like the rest of the other bloggers. 

That is true. My list of losses outnumber my accomplishments.

  • In April, 2016, The Reluctant Cat Owner’s Journal received Honorable Mention from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists Contest in the category of Online, Blog, Multimedia Under 100,000 Unique Visitors.

However, I’ve lost:

  • Best of Memphis – Best Blog Category (wasn’t even nominated in either 2014 or 2015)
  • BlogHer Voices of the Year (not even sure they got my submission)

Stay tuned because the latter list is sure to grow.

That wasn’t a question, but okay. If I think I am even slightly interested in reading other articles I have written, where can I find them?

Click each to open the site.

profile2I’m already pretty bored. Is there anything else I want to say?

You can also find write-ups about my work and my appearance at So Then Stories and Scattered Wrecks. For example:

“At RCOJ, Cary shares lots of funny adventures – but he also has a wonderful way of writing about ordinary everyday things that just cracks me up.” – So Then Stories

“The reason I love Cary’s blog isn’t because he writes about cats, it’s the way he writes period. He leaves it all on the page. Whether he’s writing about cat vomit trickling down a wall or his battle with depression, his heart, the core of his being is out there on the page for all to see. It takes a lot to let yourself be that vulnerable to another human being let alone the world.” – Scattered Wreck

Feel free to contact me via email at reluctantcatowner@gmail.com. I read all article requests, hate mail, and gay porn suggestions. But be warned: I have a very thick skin, an adamant disposition, and a dangerously smart mouth.

What others are saying about The Reluctant Cat Owner’s Journal:

“I used to tell my friends and others that know you that you have a website now, but that it’s a bit raunchy so I quit telling people about it, and those that I have told, I hope they’ve forgotten.” – Mom

“Based on your corporate access policies, access to this website has been blocked because the web category ‘PORN’ is not allowed.” – Work

33 responses to About

  1. 
    Steve December 27, 2015 at 5:32 am

    Thanks for coming in to see me at Steve Says…come again, stay a while – have a drink even. Happy blogging! Oh, and if you like music don’t forget to check out my music blog http://talkaboutpopmusic.net/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. 
    Gunmetal Geisha November 15, 2015 at 11:14 am

    Oh and, “blogga, please.” Dying! The best.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. 
    Gunmetal Geisha November 15, 2015 at 11:11 am

    Cary, oh dear god, this is the best. YOU’re the best. It’s hard to get me to crack a smile at the crack of dawn, but here you, being the best.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. 
    Prince Charles November 12, 2015 at 1:18 pm

    But you are attention hungry, Blanche, you are!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. 
    Rae September 17, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    I think I love you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. 
    Elyse July 24, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    This is one of the most clever About pages I’ve seen. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. 
    allthoughtswork July 22, 2015 at 10:06 am

    Yaaay! The cool blog design is back.

    Waaah! The comments are turned off again.

    You are such a tease. But I’m still telling friends to check out your site so I guess I’m into teases now.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • 
      Cary Vaughn July 22, 2015 at 11:01 am

      Yeah. I just COULDN’T get used to the “new” design. It fell flat like New Coke did in the late 80s. And I’m going to have to check on the comments thing. I didn’t change those setting…hmmmmmm.

      Like

      Reply
    • 
      Cary Vaughn July 22, 2015 at 11:02 am

      Hmmm…I just checked and allows comments when I view the page. Which post were you not able to comment?

      Like

      Reply
      • 
        allthoughtswork July 22, 2015 at 2:48 pm

        It was the writing contest article. Don’t know why I clicked on Home and got there. Perhaps the venom from the yellow jacket wasp sting I received earlier has already spread through the internet. Are you experiencing any redness or swelling? I mean, any more than usual?

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  8. 
    Herman June 28, 2015 at 7:46 am

    Hi Cary. Thank you for visiting and following HoB. Much appreciated!

    Like

    Reply
  9. 
    IntarsiaJones June 16, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Your revamped “About Me” made me guffaw. “I’m already pretty bored. Anything else I want to say?”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. 
    Joy Christi June 12, 2015 at 2:40 pm

    Hilariously matter of fact like all of your writing.

    Like

    Reply
  11. 
    kdcol May 29, 2015 at 11:29 am

    I about fell over when I read what your mom and work had to say. I can say Yep and Yep to both of these!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. 
    HusbandAndHusband May 22, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    Great blog!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. 
    Margie April 9, 2015 at 12:35 am

    So THIS is where you’ve been hiding Cary! I see that Mr Tiddles and Blind Murphy have gained some siblings. 🙂 I freaking LOVE you site btw!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. 
    millienoe October 2, 2014 at 11:01 am

    Hey gay cat owner guy, you are hilarious. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve added you to my list of Blogs I Love. That means that my Mom will read your shit,

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. 
    allthoughtswork September 5, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    It’s so sad that the hysterical comments are no longer visible. I really enjoyed reading people’s feedback, you have some clever friends. (Ahem.)

    If it’s a case of one or two meanies gumming up the works for the rest of us, this page has instructions on how to evict the baddies one at a time. http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/09/13/attack-of-the-mean-commenter-blocking-commenters-and-comments-on-your-wordpress-blog/ Plus, you know, Delete.

    I sent you an email. If I don’t hear back from you I’ll assume I’m part of the problem, drink and cry myself to sleep for a few days, and leave you in peace.

    Either way, much love and kitty kisses.

    Anna

    Like

    Reply

Trackbacks and Pingbacks:

  1. 2016 Column Contest Winners Announced in Los Angeles – National Society of Newspaper Columnists - June 27, 2016

    […] Honorable Mention – Cary Vaughn, The Reluctant Cat Owner’s Journal […]

    Liked by 1 person

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