Model Material

For this post I'm going to take a brief break from my Christmas theme. Although I never really intended on using pop culture as a basis for any of my posts, I guess that's sort of what I'll be doing in this one.

So, who has heard of and/or seen the movie Zoolander? For those who don't know, Zoolander is a comedy that stars Ben Stiller as a male model. I haven't seen it in quite some time, but I always remember the model pose/expression that Ben Stiller's male model character deemed "Blue Steel". Blue Steel is one of those squinty-eyed, pursed-lip kind of model poses.

I bring up Zoolander and Blue Steel because I happen to know a certain kitty who has made me smile and laugh with his masterful Blue Steel skills on more occasions than I can count. And that kitty would be Trapper (you know, Thimble's sort of look-alike brother who belongs to my parents). Since Trapper's modeling skills bring me so much joy, I've decided that I want to share them with you. So, this post will be dedicated to Trapper's evolution as a male model in his nearly eight months of life thus far. Prepare yourself for some stunning good looks...

Trapper's modeling days started at a young age. Here he is in all of his infinite Blue Steel glory at roughly four weeks of age.

Not even romping with his brother Talon could distract baby Trapper from a model moment.

And even when the photographer couldn't manage a focused shot, young Trapper knew what to do.

By the time Trapper reached three months of age, he was willing to take risks for his modeling career, even climbing to the top of a scratching post for the perfect shot.

Trapper even started experimenting, such as by adding a head tilt to his Blue Steel gaze.

Even upon waking up from a nap Trapper has always been perfect model material (and even when his photographer yet again failed to get a focused shot).

Well before five months of age, Trapper had pretty much mastered it. He owned that Blue Steel look.

This is his pensive Blue Steel gaze.

By six months of age, expert Trapper was more than ready for a close-up.

As long as he doesn't get too full of himself, Trapper could make a career out of this modeling thing.