On The Watch

As someone who prides himself on his pop culture awareness I have to say - The Watchmen came out of left field for me. The first I heard about it is when Joey B pointed out my old high school classmate, Malin, on the cover of Entertainment Weekly.

I have never been much of a comic book fan. When I was a kid, I would take a look if they happened to be lying around, but I was much more interested in novels of the young adult oeuvre. I am proud of the fact (but not in that pompus "I'm too good for this" kind of a way) that I have managed to resist all peer pressure and thereby haven't seen any of the Spiderman or Batman films (I broke down and watched Ironman with Joey B In December... meh). The truth is that these films hold very little appeal for me. I detest car chases, fight scenes and explosions. I could have cut at least an hour out of the final LOTR movie - without sacrificing a second of plot. Frankly, I'd rather have a Shamrock Shake (available now for a limited time!)

For some strange reason, I am totally jonesing (note: SpellCheck recommended replacing josesing with minnesinger) to see this film, to the point where I tried to get Joey B to go see a screening at 7am this morning in the IMAX theater on Navy Pier (I would have still been able to get to the office on time) but he thought we should purchase the Graphic Novel (read: comic book) before we see the film. I have been thinking about popping out of the office to grab a copy, but the weather and the huge number of slow walking tourists on Michigan Avenue have kept me firmly at my desk.

Still, the lure of this film (with reported full frontal CGI nudity) is palpable. I am definitely planning on checking it out as soon as I can sharing my thoughts with you. If you happen to catch a glimpse of a fast-moving blur progressing up the Magnificent Mile, there's no need to fear. It's not a bird (or a plane) it's just a man on a mission.

Fashion Forward? A FuddyDuddy Responds

I watched last night's address to congress with great anticipation.

It is no secret that it took me a while to warm up to Obama (I am a Hillary lover from way back in my High School days) but there is no question that he can command a crowd. Last night's eloquent pleas with congress to do what needs to be done to help America thrive hit exactly the right note. Michell Obama's outfit, however, didn't.

It could be that, now that I'm in my thirties, I have become a FuddyDuddy, or that I am my Mother's son, but I was shocked, SHOCKED, to see the First Lady appear in a sleeveless dress. In CONGRESS. It was undeniably lovely, and she has AMAZING arms, but it just seemed so inappropriate. This is where the business of government takes place, it is not the place for a cocktail dress (even a frock that one has worn on the cover of Vogue - though in a different shade).

It seems that I am the only one who seems to think so. In my search for an image to post here as an example I came up with nada, so I guess it's just me. It looks like the ladies and gentlemen of congress no longer need to wear their smart pantsuits and jackets - change has come to America.

Brace Yourselves, Kids

The three-headed jackal is baying at the moon, which can only mean two things. Either the end is nigh, or a new season of The Hills is fast approaching. Thankfully, it's the latter.

To really ratchet up the super fakeness that is a typical episode the trailer featured a Tarot Card reader who just happens to narrate the entire run of the Hills up to this point. I love really creepy coincidences like this - I have goosebumps!!!!

In sharp contrast to The City, I am totally willing to devote a half hour to a show where nothing really happens (and includes 10 minutes worth of aerial and traffic shots per episode). I had to get off The City bus after the third episode. Yawn yawn yawn.

Check out the trailer and let me know what you think. Are you as excited as I am? Do you think less of me for my 12-year-old-girl excitement level? Are you SO over it? Are you So over people who STILL say that they're over it??? Bring me up to speed in the comment section.

Tikkens, Inspired by Dyslexic Kittens

In an ongoing attempt to get the wretched right-wing ads off of my blog, I am using the good will and karmic redemption that only kittens can provide. Check out this adorable clip.

Name That Dame

Can you figure out who this is? Just put your guess in the comment section. The first correct response will win receive a small prize.

This is How we Roll

Ianovich is in town for the week and we are trying to make the most of the brother bonding time before we fly back to Niagara this weekend. Yes, I am flying into Buffalo airport, and out again on Sunday night when I return to Chicago.

Monday night we joined Jason Fab and our friend Matty at Sidetrack to enjoy show tunes, cocktails and good company. We had such a wonderful time and I will definitely try to go more often. I did get a free drink from one of the bartenders, so at least my foregone days of glory haven’t completely disappeared. Though, I did have to endure a very intoxicated woman who kept telling me that the bartender was “really into me.” She assured me that she was never wrong, with a knowing gleam in her eye, but then fell halfway off her stool – destroying all her credibility.

Last night we joined Joe O at Halsted Bar & Grill for some pre-volleyball food and then headed home to play our new Wii Agatha Christie Mystery game. We were super excited, and then dropped off like flies, one by one until the entire household was asleep by 9pm. To say that we can’t party like we used to was an understatement.

Tonight, an early show of Confessions of a Shop-a-holic and then dinner at Chelsea Grill. Hurray!

This Tranny Mess needs a Bitch Slap

The Hot Tranny Mess herself, Christian Siriano, espouses the belief that Rhianna must have done something to provoke that kind of response from Chris Brown.

I hear women who wear red dresses deserve to get raped as well. Somebody PLEASE bitch slap this irrelevant basic cable pixie - I would say it's long overdue and, hey, he asked for it...

Banner Ads are All the Rage

In my day to day life, I produce interactive advertising campaigns. So basically my job is creating the ads you stare at every day, while perusing TMZ or slumming with Smerez Smilton.

The advertising here on Rage-A-Holic is generated based on what I write about. This is the reason why, after excoriating the right-wing harpy known by the last name C.O.U.L.T.E.R, suddenly ads for the crazy bitch's books started appearing.

I have tried to pull them down myself, but it isn't possible without removing all ads from my site, which wouldn't buy Daddy all those lovely shoes. I am going to have to be very, very careful who I write about in the future. The fingers of the Right-Wing Republican conspiracy are in every pie. Lesson learned.

Happy President's Day!!!!

Billy Bragg gives Ragamus Prime a Smackdown!

Billy Bragg has always resonated in my adult life. Much like my other touchstone artist, Ani Difranco, he seems to have songs that relate to every emotional predicament I face.

A friend of mine used to say, "Ani knows" with a very meaningful look, the expression of her deeply felt belief that no matter what you were experiencing in your personal life, Ani has written a song about it. Et tu Billy?

It's no secret that I work in advertising, and that I have a very specific (and sometimes surprising) love for it. Well today, for the first time, I find myself cut to the quick by Billy. I have placed the lyrics to a certain song below. Fear not, though I am conflicted and crying on the inside, on the outside I am ducking out of work two hours early to go shopping.

A very fitting response - Just ask Ani, she'll tell you all about it.

Some Days I See The Point

Never saw a meaningful TV advert,
I don't think shopping
Is a metaphor for life.

Don't waste my time at the gym
In the morning,
Try to keep trim by living my life.

Wanna feel the wind blowing in my hair,
Wanna hear the waves crashing on the beach,
I'm not seeking easy answers or inner peace,
I'm just looking for some release.

I want to help to make the world better,
But I can't do it all on my own.
Try to keep the lead
On my disappointment,
Cause cynacism's such a cop out,
I know.

Watch the shadows of clouds
Moving on the hill,
Open my eyes and drink my fill,
On those days that I feel dejected
I come up here for a bit of perspective.

Gonna follow the path
That climbs up through the trees,
Walk along the cliff top
And gaze out to sea,
I feel free when I come up here and
If it's clear,
Some days I see the point.

Long Delays are all the Rage

Hi Kids,

So sorry for my extended absence. I have started a new job at a much larger firm and have been psychotically busy, busy, BUSY! I'm on the ladder and I'm climbing as fast as I can.

I gave myself a month to get into the groove of my new job with no distractions. Finally, I'm very pleased to say, I am on top of my crazy workload (mostly).

I promise, once again, to offer you my particular brand of commentary on all things political, social and -most of all - POP.

Ladies and gentlemen - the bitch is back!