Letter from the editor:

Dear Readers,we're approaching the New Year very rapidly and it's high time to settle up and start again. I know you're saying to yourself, "But Haas, the New Year started 12 days ago!" Well, not in my world honey. If I was gonna count Jan 1st as the new year, it'd be a bleak future my friend seeing as I was catapulted smack into the middle of a Nazareth power ballad the moment that frigging ball dropped. So as is tradition around these head quarters, we're sticking with the Chinese New Year as our start and finish. And on that note, you must be aware that the Year of the Cock is quickly waning and it's time to start preparing for the Year of the Dog. It's been a good run, but it's definately time to move on.

We've been having some arguements here in the office as to WHEN the actual Chinese New Year starts...we've got shirts saying Jan 29th, and skins saying Feb. 6th. Unfortunately our fact checker went out for cigarettes 12 days ago and never came back. So while we settle this argument over a quick game of hi-lo, if you all would be so kind as to email us

1. your favorite record of the year,

2. your favorite restaurant of the year,

3. your favorite movie of the year, and

4. your favorite book of the year.

That'd be great, please send an email to meghan@thehaas.net by Jan 26th and we'll do some complicated tabulature and some higher math and see how things fell for the Year of the Cock.

Of course the experts here on staff will have their own top tens, possibly bottom tens too in the fields of their expertise...stay tuned.

here's to the Year of the Dog, (clink clink) xo Haas

Stay tuned for Sophie B.B.'s rhinestone covered list of faves and not so faves in the club and party circuit.

While Ezzy Mae will let us know which restaurants kept her palate the happiest this year.

Dollface Lansbury will hip us to movies and films she found worth her time

While Alotta Zeal Hurston will tell us why it's totally worth it this year to resolve to get Hooked on Phonics.

I of course will have my own list of random likes and dislikes.

We're looking forward to hearing from you

yours, Haas

To contact any of the HCR staff, go to the Contact's page for each person's email. Xo Haas.

You can contact the me at the HCR offices thru this email address:

meghan@thehaas.net

don't forget to check back often