Author: Keith Bowers

I'm senior editor at Catster, and I occasionally write for Dogster. I'm a broad-shouldered, bald-headed, sharp-witted, cat-lovin' man who valiantly attempts to use left and right brain in equal measure. I grew up mostly on the East Coast (Navy brat) and my ancestors are Southern (go figure), but I came of age in the Wild West. So my worldview resembles something like an old drive-in horror movie or a song by the Cramps.

A friend and former roommate once borrowed words from Dr. Hunter S. Thompson to describe me: "A high-powered mutant, never intended for mass production."

Holy Toledo.

Full Name (Including Embarrassing Second Names): Keith Steven Phillips Bowers

Nickname: Felix (after Felix the Cat, who is tattooed on my right shoulder).

Location: I live in Corvallis, Oregon, located in the Willamette Valley, north of Eugene and south of Salem and Portland. I lived here once before, in the 1990s, early in my journalism career. I've lived numerous places in North America (see: Navy Brat) and have permanent wanderlust. Other places I've called home include multiple locations in Northern California (Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco), Rhode Island, Florida, Nebraska, and South Carolina.

Where You Can Find Me on the Internet: Here on Catster.

What I Do for a Living: I assign, edit, and write things for Catster. I write a column called Cat Dandy, from the perspective of a well-dressed, fashion-conscious man who loves cats. Sometimes I take on serious topics, sometimes I interview celebrities of the cat world, sometimes I just make people (and myself) laugh. I round up images and videos for the site, too, and I help update social media sites with the things we do here at Catster HQ.

What I Do for Fun: I ride (and build and tweak and break) bicycles. I ride motorcycles. I do fine art (photography, painting, drawing, and junk sculpture). I perform (a mix of storytelling, stand-up comedy, and confession). I read (endlessly). I write (for fun and profit). I drink lots of coffee (because coffee makes everything better). I spend time in graveyards and on dramatic coastlines. I meditate. I go see other people perform. I spend as much "unwired time" as possible. I pet cats.

The Furry Member of My Household Is: Thomas, a mackerel tabby whose aliases include Little Mr. Big Paws and "Thomas Tigger Tiger tiKKy." My former feline furries include Topper, Max, Violet, Fraidy, Hobbes, Cleo, Tiger Lily, Baxter, and Petra.

My Favorite Things to Write Are: Commentary, comedy, parody, satire, the occasional righteous (and well-informed) rant.

My Pet Peeves Are: Needless panic. Showboatery. Words used by people trying to sound smart and innovative that end up sounding dorky and confusing, such as "global proactive full-service e-commerce solutions synergy."

My Guilty Pleasures Are: A rare steak and a dry martini. Reading a copy of The Economist cover to cover on a long plane ride. Doctor Who.

How I Deal with Dog/Cat Hair: Wear it proudly (and then brush it off when no one's looking).

What I Want to Be When I Grow Up: A good Buddhist who can laugh and know better, no matter what the situation.