Happy B-day Duke

Just because someone has passed doesn't mean we should stop celebrating their birthday, does it?

Duke Ellington left us in 1974, he was 75 years old. Today, he would be 111 (and probably not of much use on the band stand).

Duke became one of the most influential artists in the history of recorded music, and is largely recognized as one of the greatest figures in the history of jazz, (though his music stretched into various other genres, including blues, gospel, film scores, popular, and classical). The clip below is from his groundbreaking short film, Black and Tan, filmed in 1929.

Happy Birthday Duke, you made the world a better place and your music and inspiration lives on.

a Note from the Right Side of My Sleepy Brain

Yes, it's true, my blogs have been short and weak lately, I know. So, here's the deal, I'm in over my head right now. I'm peddle to the metal on a short screenplay, (American Spin),that should have been finished months ago and I've just accepted a gig as a contributing writer for a pop culture website (more on that in the near future) and I'm trying to meet a deadline for that as well. I've taken a big bite and I'm chewing as fast as I can but, in the process, the Rage is going to suffer a bit.

Truth be told, I've got notes for this page that could choke a jack ass, everyday I'm reading yet another story about our current state of affairs that makes me want to hammer away on this keyboard until my fingers bleed but, I haven't got the focus or time for that kind of bafflegab right now.

So, please be patient, there are more exciting, spiteful, hilarious and awkward rants to come.....soon.

Happy 4/20

Just legalize it already, damn man, it's.....2010....right? It is 2010 isn't it?

Happy Monday

blah, blah, politics, blah, blah, show biz, blah, blah...Happy Monday.

a Little Trippy Hippy to Clear the Palate

Before it was the theme to House; it was the groovy, chill track Teardrop by Massive Attack. Love this tune and it's adaptability, it's the perfect soundtrack for centering your Chakra, a long drive in the country or snorting a line of Peruvian marching powder off your partner's drunk and naked body, take your pick, anything goes, it's the weekend.

Have a good one!

Just Another Day in Nottingham

This seemed like an appropriate clip for Tax Day Eve. Screw those weak ass previews for the Russell Crowe Robin Hood, Disney's always going to be my favorite. Enjoy, and don't forget to bend over, Tax Day is almost here!

Take Five

Happy Monday, today's post is a bit of classic jazz to help get you into a nice groove as you begin your work week. It's also my way of saying; I had a nice quiet weekend and didn't write or prepare a damn thing. I have several pieces I'm working on at present but they're not exactly what you would call "bite size" and they're requiring a little time and research. Yes, it's true, I'm often just pulling this stuff out of my posterior, (like today), but I've promised myself, no matter what shit I throw on here, I should at least polish it up and dabble a little aqua velva on there, you deserve no less. Besides, every now and then, we just need to chill and listen to some Brubeck

Stay tuned....

The Best (sort of) Easter Pop Song of All Time

...it also happens to be the ONLY Easter pop song.

Of course, I'm talking about the Edwin Hawkins Singers excellent and unlikely hit, Oh Happy Day. Edwin's gospel classic holds the distinction of being the most secular song to ever climb the pop charts, (followed closely by the Australian nun, Sister Janet Mead, with her groovy interpretation of the Lord's Prayer). This catchy little ditty also remains the only straight up gospel tune to ever hit the Billboard top ten, peaking at number three (and, no, Foreigner doesn't count, even if it was your "best prom ever"!).

When it comes to Christian holiday tunes, Easter really did get the short end of the treble clef. No one's dreaming of a "White Easter egg" and, sure, you can start with an, "O' Easter egg, O' Easter egg, how lovely is your roundness...", but it's going to be straight downhill from there. Yes, you could try, "Jesus, the saviour, was a jolly, happy soul..." or "Here comes Jesus Christ, here comes Jesus Christ, right down Jerusalem way...", but it's unlikely you'll find very many people willing to sing along with your twisted variation.

It's hard to say why Easter never caught on the way Christmas has, one might suspect a Madison Avenue conspiracy of sorts, the cynic in me thinks they just never found the proper way to market it. Let's be honest, the Easter Bunny concept is so lame they didn't even bother coming up with an actual name for him, seriously, would Christmas be as popular if we'd simply called Santa Clause the Gift Man? That's just bad P.R. if you ask me, somebody should have called Don Draper at Sterling Cooper.

It is possible the reason for our rather low key Easter spirit could simply be due to the fact that, in April, we're still digging out of the debt hole we dug for ourselves in December. And, yes, it seems like only yesterday we were taking the icicle lights down from the roof (for some of us, it actually was). The truth is, the holiday probably arrives just a few months too soon. Hindsight says Easter might have fared better in June, with passion plays and wine coolers by the pool.

At any rate, just like Christmas, I hope we can all take a moment today and give some thought to the reason for the season, which is, of course, as everybody knows, peeps and malted milk balls.

But seriously heathens, take a moment to wish the Lord and Saviour a second Happy Birthday and enjoy your Easter Sunday by showing your friends and family a little love. Of course, if that requires you to down a couple glasses of 80% proof egg nog to make that happen, so be it, that's one Christmas tradition that seems better suited for this one anyway.

I need to wrap this up before lightening strikes my keyboard and I'm roasted into a pile of ash. Happy Easter, He Has Risen.

Gee Whiz!

A central Florida urologist has posted a sign on his office door warning supporters of President Barack Obama to find a different doctor, the sign reads; "If you voted for Obama, seek urologic care elsewhere. Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years."

As the Brits might say; he's taking the piss out of people who have problems taking a piss (it's funnier if you read it out loud with a bad accent). Whiners have argued it's not very P.C. to deny the P.P. While supporters believe in the doc's right to freedom of speech, no matter the leak.

Actress Anna Paquin says she's bisexual

It was reported yesterday that actress Anna.........z z z z z z z z z z zzzzzzz

It's Time to Play, Laugh or Cry?!

A new feature I'm introducing to the Daily Rage is a weekly game I like to call Laugh or Cry. Each Friday I'll be offering a moment from the week that will either make you want to laugh or cry and, yes, sometimes it may very well be both.

This weeks moment comes from a House Armed Services Committee Hearing and features Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson's questioning of Admiral Robert Willard regarding the building up of military and their families on the island of Guam.

Yes, you will laugh, and then, when you consider Hank Johnson is one of the many congressmen who voted for the government take over of your health care, you will cry.





T.G.I.F bitches, have a nice weekend, try to stay out of trouble and if that's not possible, try and keep it out of the papers and off the net!

Adam Lambert Admits He's Straight

American Idol diva Adam Lambert has come "in", describing himself as a "fortunate heterosexual man". The once celebrated Queen of Funky posted a message on his official website yesterday stating "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate heterosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am". Upon hearing the news, famously gay musical theatre composer Elton John twittered, "this is a serious blow for the gay community" (though it remains unclear if a bad pun was intended). Former pop star and current bathroom attendant George Michael changed his facebook status to the simple but succinct, "Devastated". Teen heart throb and future gay man, Justin Bieber, was unavailable for comment.

As news of Lambert's defection spread there were reported riots in both the East Village of Manhattan and North Hollywood California. Protesters attempted to burn CD's while singing a poignant and surprisingly well arranged choral version of Tears for Fears Mad World, the song that put Lambert on the map after his stirring performance in season eight of American Idol. Some looting was reported on both coasts, the most popular targets being Sushi restaurants and the clothing store Banana Republic.

In a possibly related story, Perez Hilton was admitted into Cedars Sinai Hospital and has fallen into a deep sugar coma after, what sources tell us, is, most likely, the result of an overdose of Haagen Daz Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. Doctors have diagnosed Hilton as "disappointed", a full recovery is expected, though not desired by anyone who actually knows him.

Happy April 1st, my mischievous malcontents, make with the mayhem and make it count!

Obama Bows to King of Burgers

In an attempt to gain support for his Free Burgers on Thursdays Bill, President Barack Obama met with the Burger King Thursday morning at a restaurant baring the Monarch's name, on Secor Rd. in the hungry yet corpulent city of Toledo, Ohio.

The bill has yet to gain the support needed for passage and recent polls show 62% of Americans oppose what they believe is unconstitutional and an intrusion into their fast food freedoms. During his speech at the Sandwich Summit, Obama made it clear he has no intention of backing down despite the dwindling polls and lack of a clear majority, " We did not come to fear the burger. We came here to eat it. Because that is who we are. That is our calling. That is our character. This is our Burger".

The loudest voices in the opposition claim Obama's Whopper Bill would deprive millions of Americans the freedom to choose between the burger or the fish sandwich and includes no option for chicken fingers. During a Q and A with the President, Wendy, who many claim has a long history of being hot and juicy, challenged the President's assumptions that burgers were, in fact, enough to satisfy the masses, "Where are the fries, Mr. President?! How can you have a burger without the fries?!"

Outside the franchise a demonstration by the Unhappy Meal Party lead by Conservative clown Ronald McDonald chanted, "More Lies, No Fries!" and "Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, your burger bill will just upset us!".

Robert Gibbs, the President's Press Secretary, speculated that the Unhappy Meal party is, "not only practicing in the art of thinly veiled racism but is also, quite possibly, inciting people to desperate acts of vegetarianism".

Happy April Fool's Day or, as we like to call it at the Daily Rage, National Day of Hope and Change!