Happy Halloween from Basil Farrow and his mom, La Carmina! May you have a horrifying day!

I bought my Scottish Fold a cute witch-pumpkin hat from a pet clothing store in Tokyo (located in the Shinjuku Subnade).

Basil doesn’t mind wearing hats — that’s a benefit of having no ears.

What’s a Goth girl without her constant cat companion?

Sadly I won’t be spending All Hallow’s Eve with my pink-feet kitty. I’m in Mazatlan, Mexico for a travel journalism press trip. (The scoop about my Day of the Dead and video-hosting plans.)

But I wouldn’t be surprised if he snuck into my suitcase. Now that’s a trick AND treat!

Want to see my Scottish Fold kitten in action? Check out this playlist of his Scottish Fold cat videos on YouTube.

Here’s a funny one of Basil being rocked like a baby, to get you started.

PS: I’m selling my Putumayo White Rabbit watch, Hong Kong Snoopy sweater and more! Come browse my cute Sweet, Gothic and Lolita clothing and accessories; most are barely worn. Items are going fast, so please contact me ASAP with your favorites, and we’ll work something out. Click to shop.

PPS: Absolute last chance to win a Gothic illustrated book, (S)mythology. Enter now; all it takes is a quick comment.

What are you doing for All Hallows Eve? I have a fun costume this year, from HalloweenCostumes.com — can’t wait to show you!

Song of the Day: Crysalis – I Never Dance

Casting alert for you spooky kids! I’m consulting for an important photo and film project celebrating youth subcultures/fashion/lifestyle – and I really want you to be part of it. Please keep reading for how to join…

Are you passionate about Gothic Lolita, Jrock, Gyaru, Cosplay, Steampunk, and other underground cultures? Do you design your own J-fashion, or rock out at Visual Kei concerts? Get stopped on the streets because of your bright hair, piercings and torn-up clothes?

Notable photographer Danielle Levitt is looking for alternative youths like you — anywhere in the USA — to interview and photograph.

† Images are for her ongoing body of work on youth culture, and will likely appear in Dazed and Confused, Another Man, and other big magazines.

† Danielle has photographed celebrities including Katy Perry, Drew Barrymore, Mark Wahlberg and Tina Fey. Her work has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Time Magazine, NY Times.

I’m so excited to be part of Danielle’s project; she’s super talented (as you can see from these photos) and genuinely connects with the people she captures. I know many of us are marginalized and misunderstood – so this is a huge opportunity to celebrate YOU, just as you are.

† HOW TO PARTICIPATE: We’re looking for young, creative alternative youths living anywhere in the US. Please send a few details about you (such as the subcultures/styles you identify with), your full contact info (including phone and email), location (city/state), and at least 3 images of yourself.

† EMAIL the above info to: Stephanie (weareverywell@gmail.com) AND Danielle (daniellelevitt@mac.com)

† DATES & LOCATION: This is an ongoing project in the US; Danielle will figure out a time that works, and travel to you.

I urge you to take a few minutes to submit photos, and tell your friends about this awesome project. Your courage and creativity constantly amazes me, and here’s a way to get it out there!

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment in this post. Any help in getting the word out (Facebooking, Tweeting about this casting opportunity) would be much appreciated.

† For more about Danielle and her work, here is her portfolio and We are Experienced teen subcultures project. You’ve also got to see her film interview with Wolfie Blackheart of the Texas teen werewolves.

PS: above is my updated TV hosting reel. As you may know, I specialize in travel, fashion, and subcultures; credits include: The Today Show, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern for Travel Channel, NHK Japan, Dutch Pepsi, Sony Australia, Canal Plus France, Norway TV (NRK), Belgium TV (VRT) and CNN International.

La Carmina and the Pirates, my coolhunting and consulting business, has been busy lately. Naomi and I have been helping stores buy wholesale from Japanese Goth Lolita Punk brands, consulting on creative projects like NHK’s Kawaii TV, helping bands find concert venues in Tokyo, and even tour-guiding a a Japanese client around California.

If you’re interested in hiring us as consultants, connectors, TV hosts/fixers, or anything in our fields of expertise, please don’t hesitate to contact us for rates and more info.

What do you think of Danielle Levitt’s subcultures project? Can you think of anyone who would be the perfect subject for her photos/films — maybe even yourself? Please submit your info (details above) — I promise you, it’ll be a tremendous experience!

Song of the Day: The Cramps – I Was A Teenage Werewolf

I’m lucky that my work enables me to travel so much (all trips are sponsored or paid for my companies, and always disclosed on this blog). I’m currently in Hong Kong and Macau, and then Italy next month.

The downside… I miss my Scottish Fold son, Basil Farrow. I know he’s in good hands, and I bought him cute presents. But life’s not the same without this fuzzy-face!

Many of you ask me questions about my earless kitty cat. In this post, I’ll attempt to answer the most popular queries; feel free to leave more in the comments.

Q: What happens to Basil Farrow when La Carmina travels the world?

A: He stays with his grandparents (my parents) in Vancouver. Don’t worry; they smother him with attention and spoil him silly. Basil is sensitive, so it’s best for him to stay in a familiar place rather than go on the road with me.

Q: Where did Basil Farrow come from? Where can I get a Scottish Fold?

A: Basil Farrow comes from a famous acting family! He grew up in Bridgewater, Connecticut with his grandma (Mia Farrow) and daddy (Ronan Farrow) – hence the blond fur and big eyes. I went to their house for Thanksgiving and fell in love with this round-faced teddy-bear. Since the Farrows were very busy at the time, we decided Basil could stay with me temporarily. Eventually, he ended up sticking with me permanently (though he kept his original last name!)

The Farrows got Basil from a Connecticut breeder. Unfortunately, they no longer breed Scottish Folds. However, there are many purebred Fold breeders around the US and worldwide; do your research, and get referrals. There is also the Scottish Fold Rescue to help abandoned cats find new homes.

Q: Why doesn’t Basil Farrow have ears?

A: He’s a Scottish Fold cat — a breed with folded ears. Basil’s are so small and folded, however, that it looks like he has no ears at all!

Q: What is Basil’s personality like?

A: He’s the sweetest teddy bear; he’s never scratched anyone in his life. Loves cuddling and tummy rubs, and “wahhhs” for attention (he doesn’t say “meow”). You can hear and see Basil in action on our YouTube channel.

Q: Is your cat overweight?

A: Basil looks like a Garfield, but he’s not as heavy as you think! Scottish Folds have round bodies and thick fur that makes them look plump. However, his vet says he’s within the healthy weight range. I only feed him byproduct-free, grain-free, high quality food, as well as catgrass and organic plain kefir.

Q: What’s up with the sideways feet?

A: If Scottish Folds are improperly bred, they have bone and joint problems. Basil doesn’t have this problem, but the same gene that causes the folded ears also made his feet point sideways! He’s perfectly healthy, and can jump and run around — he just looks like Charlie Chaplin sometimes.

For daily photos of Basil Farrow (my celebrity Scottish Fold cat), please follow my Twitter and add him on Facebook.

What happens to your pets when you travel? Got more questions about Basil Farrow? Write a comment and I’ll answer.

Song of the Day: Apoptygma Berzerk – Until the end of the world (The world was supposed to end today… did it?)

My “spooky friends” are the best. They’ve been working day and night on fcharity projects for Japan, as well as making waves in music, writing and fashion. Let’s salute them — starting with my Pirate First Mate, Naomi Rubin. (Above, with her boy-slave-of-the-day.)

Naomi created Help Japan Wiki, an editable compendium of ways to aid Japan’s earthquake relief. Anyone can add a Donation Resource or Fundraising Event to the charmingly designed site. The Resources page includes a list of reputable charities helping Japan, with info and links. Please pass the link along — www.helpjapanwiki.com — and add your events and charities to the listings. The more hands on deck, the better we can provide info for Japanese relief.

Cotton Bale and Mistress Maya (who you may remember from the Andrew Zimmern episode) are participating in ArtGigTokyo1, a series of art happenings in public places. The first event is free, and presents 15 music / performance art works that transform the club into an improvised art gallery. Art Gig will also hold a silent art auction, with proceeds to support relief efforts in Tohoku.

Come see them perform on May 8th at Bar Exit in Shinjuku, from 15:00 – 03:00 (full info here).

Another artist friend who’s helping Japan… Dienzo, who made the “Carmina Rising” painting of me, has been fundraising. He just launched a store, which sells prints, T-shirts and canvases of his dark, Gothic artwork. If you type the discount code LACARMINA (all caps), you get 10% off.

Congrats to my friend B.Jevanael, who published her first book. She gave me a sneak peak of her gripping novel, The Reality Filter. “The evidence of a murder turns up in your photography project. Evidence from your rocky-road past invades the dreams of your happy present. Your best friend is dead at your hands, and wasn’t who you thought she was from the beginning. The worst part is, you don’t remember a thing, and you’re trapped within a world you built up around reality to save yourself.”

With a Gothic horror aesthetic, and an eloquent plunge into mental delusions, it’s a read I bet you’ll enjoy. The Reality Filter is available as an e-book from Amazon and Barnes and Noble; more info here.

Sophia, vocalist of Blood Stain Child, never ceases to inspire me. She sings on several tracks of the new Princess Ghibli CD, a collection of metal covers of Studio Ghibli. That’s right: Miyazaki meets metal. More info and song previews here. (Coming up, Blood Stain Child will perform at A-Kon in Texas, June 10-12.)

Last but not least, thank you to Katy Kamikaze for sending me this adorable, handmade wallet. Basil Farrow loves the cute bentos and animals. There’s more cuteness on her Pineapple UK Etsy store. (The sparkly butterfly ring is gifted from Soho Hearts.)

Thanks to everyone who supported the Iron Fist auction; congrats to Rochelle for triumphing and donating to Japan! I hope you’ll pass along the HelpJapanWiki resource and contribute to it. Let’s keep putting our efforts into helping Japan.

Song of the Day: Imaginary Flying Machines, “Princess Ghibli” album trailer featuring Sophia

Sigh. I’ve spent the day snuggling with my Scottish Fold cat, Basil Farrow. Japan’s Tashirojima, also known as Cat Island, was most likely destroyed by the tsunami.

Tashirojima is a small island in Miyagi prefecture, famous for its large stray kitty population. Hundreds of cats live here, outnumbering the humans on the isle! more than humans. In Japan, cats are known to bring wealth and good fortune (the Maneki Neko, or beckoning cat statue, is seen everywhere). There are at least ten cat shrines and over 50 stone cat monuments on the island, which is known as a peaceful and magical place to visit.

Sadly, the small islands off Northeast Honshu (Miyagi prefecture) were near the epicenter of the 8.9 magnitude Japan earthquake. Cat Island was definitely hit hard by the tsunami. And… brace yourself… the isle was most likely completely or partially submerged.

I am doing my very best to find 100% definite news about the status of Cat Island. I’m scouring the Japanese media and eyewitness reports for accurate information — and will update you here and on Twitter.

Let’s hope for the best. And please keep in mind the animals that were stranded and hurt by the Japan disaster.

Here’s a list of animal rescue organizations you can donate to.

The Animal Rescue Kansai is located in Japan, and relief goes directly to the animals affected.

Stay strong, everyone, and give your pets a hug. I’ll keep you posted on the status of Cat Island here and on Twitter.

UPDATE: Promising news! A few sources (see the comments) are saying there much building damage at Tashiro-jima. But the cats and people seem to be okay; the island is not submerged. However, they desperately need human and cat food, and officials aren’t putting much attention to this island. So please donate to organizations that will help the cats (see links above).