FAQ
Q. Why did your owner leave you the estate?
A. This was a way of publicizing his crusade. My owner contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion for minor surgery at a time when the disease still had a social stigma. He eventually passed away due to complications from his treatment. I have feline AIDS, and though it is quite different from the human variant (and not transmittable from human to cat or vice versa), our mutual illness made us quite close. He and I were inseparable over the last years of his life and I watched over him at his bedside in the family home until the day he died. I have not developed the "full blown" version of the disease and remain very healthy as it was caught early in my life. Despite becoming close to many staff members, I still sleep every night in my master's bed, waiting patiently for the day when he will come home/ we will be reunited. I visit his grave side, which overlooks the James River, every day when I go for my walk; rain, snow, or shine. After I pass on, the estate will be opened and the company will pass on to a charitable trust.
Q. How many people are needed to take care of one cat?
A. A lot! All of the original staff was retained. The home is quite large and full of family antiques, and the property has many rambling gardens that need to be maintained. I occasionally throw parties on family anniversaries, for the employees of Harrington International, for charity, and also replicate for private tours what the various holidays were like for the family that lived here over the past centuries. For example, last year the house was decorated for Christmas as it was in Victorian times, and this year it will be decorated as it would have been during 1940s war time. Formal teas are big here though I usually just drink cream.
Q. Are you related to the English Performer/Mentalist Derren Brown? I've seen pictures of you watching his show on television.
A. As closely as a cat can be...my owner's family was related, a fact that was found out when the front butler noticed I took an interest in watching Derren Brown's show on TV. Someone looked at a family tree made for an exhibition and saw that there was a connection, though it is quite far in the past.
Q. What do you eat? I saw a photo of you being served a turkey on a silver tray on the news.
A. I eat as much of a high nutrient dry cat food (sorry, I won't post the name brand as my lawyers say this could be seen as an endorsement) as I want and am given one can of wet food a day. I love salmon and turkey and on special occasions this is prepared for me, as you seem to have seen on TV. For example, on Thanksgiving a turkey is prepared "Louisiana Style" (deep fried in peanut oil) for me. This picture was used on a Christmas card I sent out one year and worked its way onto the news. I also take the supplements Glucosamine Chondroitin as a preventative. I eat a lot but have a high metabolism so I have no problem with weight.
Q. Your home looks incredible! Can I see more photos of it/visit?
A. I've posted more photos of my house and gardens at the link below. If you know Richmond you will recognize where I live...I'm afraid I can't be more specific than that because of security reasons. Go to:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/qfonchey/my_photos
and click on "Noodle Brown."
The house is open during parties and private events and also has guests stay overnight (especially for all night parties). We have a full time staff, 24 hour food catering and security. For example, last week included a movie night in the theatre, a scavenger hunt night, a River Run race (we have a certified 10k course through the gardens), Teddy Bear tea for children and a full tea for adults (this alternates between a Western and Eastern tea depending on the garden it is held in), an overnight stay by a foreign ambassador, his wife and two children, a Halloween bonfire with Apple Cider and Pumpkin Pie, and a dinner buffet for employees of Harrington International...and this was a slow week. I love children and will play with them over by the East tree house overlooking the James River for hours. As you can see I'm very busy and am often asked to pose for photos with our guests. It is considered good luck to be touched by my paw (When I was a kitten a party guest won the lottery shortly after this happened, which started the story) so people often try to get a photo of that happening. However, I will let you in on a secret: I will not touch you with my paw until the second time I meet you. No one knows why but me!
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name: Noodle Brown
Birthday: January 10, 1999.
Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia
Current Location: Richmond, Virginia
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Tawny Brown with Silver and White
Height: 1' 8"
Right Handed or Left Handed: I use both paws.
Your Heritage: My parents were Norwegian.
The Shoes You Wore Today: Does sleeping on your owner's shoes count?
Your Weakness: No opposable thumbs!
Your Fears: I don't like sudden loud noises, but I don't know many people that do.
Your Perfect Pizza: Anchovy. Extra Anchovy. In fact, forget the pizza part.
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: To have Harrington International complete our Asian expansion.
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: WTD (What the deuce?)
Thoughts First Waking Up: Petting?
Your Best Physical Feature: Eyes
Your Bedtime: Anytime's perfect for a nap.
Your Most Missed Memory: My owner
Pepsi or Coke: Coke
MacDonalds or Burger King: In-N-Out Burger "Flying Dutchman" style (tell them Noodle sent you)
Single or Group Dates: I like people one on one.
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Not allowed either, but my owner drank Lapsang Souchong.
Chocolate or Vanilla: Not allowed chocolate!
Cappuccino or Coffee: See tea question above
Do you Smoke: No
Do you Swear: No, but I hiss occasionally. I'm trying to stop.
Do you Sing: More of a howl.
Do you Shower Daily: Absolutely not. Do not mention this again.
Have you Been in Love: Yes
Do you want to go to College: Do you get petted there?
Do you want to get Married: I think I'm happy as is.
Do you belive in yourself: 100%
Do you get Motion Sickness: No, in fact I love riding with the top down in my custom built Miata (color matches my coat).
Do you think you are Attractive: I have been known to look in the mirror for a while.
Are you a Health Freak: I eat well and walk everyday, but I like to nap.
Do you get along with your Parents: They passed on due to feline AIDs as a child.
Do you like Thunderstorms: No, but I don't freak out or anthing like some wimpy dogs I've seen.
Do you play an Instrument: Occasionally I walk on the piano keys.
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: No
In the past month have you Smoked: No
In the past month have you been on Drugs: Just say no to catnip.
In the past month have you gone on a Date: No
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: Does the big Pet Store where I signed Paw Print Photos count?
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: No
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: Yes, but I ignore the rice and go straight for the fish.
In the past month have you been on Stage: No
In the past month have you been Dumped: No
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: I'm always skinny dipping.
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: One of the staffs Krispy Kreme donuts. Delicious!
Ever been Drunk: No
Ever been called a Tease: No
Ever been Beaten up: No, but I beat up a Golden Retriever that got loose on the estate. He was very embarrassed when they came to take him home.
Ever Shoplifted: No
How do you want to Die: At my home, buried next to my owner
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: I think this is it!
What country would you most like to Visit: Since my mom appears on the Isle of Man One Crown Coin (1991) I would like to visit there.
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color: Green
Favourite Hair Color: Silver
Short or Long Hair: Long Hair...have you seen me?
Height:
Weight:
Best Clothing Style: Au Natural
Number of Drugs I have taken: zip
Number of CDs I own: My owner had hundreds
Number of Piercings: None
Number of Tattoos: None
Number of things in my Past I Regret: I just keep moving forward
CREATE YOUR OWN!
Derren Brown