Quick and Easy Self-Care Exercises

Saving Time - Albert Bridge

Busy mothers juggle childcare, work, and many other tasks. However, self-care doesn’t have to be time consuming. Here is a list of quick and easy ways to relax amid your hectic life.

• Breathe Take five minutes to practice deep breathing. Try alternate nostril breathing where you close one nostril and breathe in for a count of five and then switch nostrils. You can also do triangle breathing. Breathe in for a count of three, hold for three and breathe out for five. Paying attention to the breath and making it deep will quickly relax you. 
• Pause For Tea A hot drink is soothing to the soul, especially on cold winter days. Take five minutes to make your favorite hot drink. Try paying attention to the process. Go slowly and make each movement intentional. Put your feet up and relax on the couch while you sip from your mug.  
• Close Your Eyes  Many times we are overtired. Simply shutting our eyes for five minutes promotes deep relaxation. This can be done anywhere, although the best position is lying down comfortably. Let your eyelids get heavy as your pay attention to your breath.  
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation  This simple technique is helpful when you are feeling tense. Close your eyes and slowly tense the muscles of your toes while breathing in for a count of five. The next step is to relax your muscle while breathing out. Repeat if very tense. Continue tense and relaxing each major muscle group of your body. You can fit this exercise into five minutes by choosing an area of the body to focus on.
• Take a Mini Walk  Five minutes of fresh air is refreshing and rejuvinating. On your lunch hour, after work or first thing in the morning, take time to get outside. Moving your body will clear your head.
• Self-Massage Massage doesn't have to be expensive or cost precious time. You can give yourself a five minute head massage. There are books to teach you how to give yourself a massage and massage tools to help. 
• Reading Break Inspirational reading promotes a sense of well-being and calm. Take a few minutes to read from your favourite author. Reading helps absorb you into the present moment, distracting you from distressing thoughts.
• Stretch A few simple yoga poses can give you a sense of calm. Some of my favourites are child's pose and pigeon pose. You can buy a matt and bring it to your office. Stretching can help reduce muscle tension and tightness.
• Create Art Being creative is rewarding and relaxing. You don't have to be an artist to create art. One of my favourite art exercises is collage. You don't have to draw or paint anything but it is still creative. All you need are scissors, glue and images from a magazine.
• Meditate Meditation is simply being present. You don't need to sit to meditate. Anything you do whether it's eating or walking can be used as a meditation. Try becoming present and letting your thoughts float away. Concentrate on your breath.

Self-care doesn't have to be complicated. It can be quick and effortless and give you lasting benefits.

Fred Schepisi's The Eye of the Storm with Geoffrey Rush

Author Patrick White, 1912 -1990, is revered in Australia. Arguably, not very widely read, but still revered.

Patrick White

A symbol of the emergence of Australia and its break from the ‘mother country’ in the 1960s, White’s receipt of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1973 was one of the country’s first high-profile prestigious international awards.

Whilst he had already written a number of best sellers, including Voss, winner of the inaugural Miles Franklin Award in 1957 and Riders in the Chariot (1961- his second Miles Franklin), the Nobel Prize propelled him, albeit reluctantly, into a very different public eye. Just a few months later he was made Australian of the Year, an award usually the exclusive domain of sport!

Although an award for a body of work, in presenting the Nobel Prize to White, the Swedish Academy specifically named The Eye of the Storm, published just weeks before their decision, as the book that confirmed White's designation as a Literature Laureate.

The Eye of the Storm

Cruel, manipulative, destructive, Elizabeth Hunter, the matriarch of her family, lies dying in her rambling Sydney home, surrounded by a much-reduced retinue of two nurses, a cook and long-time friend and legal advisor.

To her sickbed come her two estranged adult children, both in financial need. Sir Basil is a successful actor in the UK down on his luck after terrible reviews for his King Lear. Dorothy, the Princess de Lascabanes, is recently divorced and with title but no settlement.

Weak, vulnerable and at times pathetic, Basil and Dorothy are patsies to their vindictive mother as memories, emotions, love, hate and tragedy are played out against the backdrop of privilege, suspicion, mistrust and dislike as staff and children eye the family fortune.

The Eye of the Storm is an epic novel. But sadly, the film is not.

Film adaptation

Rambling, at times incoherent, the sheer nastiness of Elizabeth Hunter as she lies on her deathbed is completely missing. This is no towering, all-fearful matriarch but a privileged 80 year-old in the last moments of life. And, in spite of flashbacks jumping in and out of the narrative, there remains no sense of fear or this ‘she-who-must-be obeyed’ that is responsible for the dysfunction of the family.

As a result, there is no sense of sympathy for the siblings who have become two weak characters who made a few wrong choices and are now regretting it: there’s no indication as in the novel that it is the mother who totally undermined them from an early age and stunted their emotional independence.

Thus there is no dramatic tension – ghosts of times past may appear and secrets revealed, the young nurse Flora (an excellent performance by the director’s daughter, Alexandra Schepisi) may not have got her hooks into Basil, but, with no emotional depth, who cares?

A deeply disappointing adaptation in what is Australian director Fred Schepisi’s first home produced film in more than 20 years.

Personal rating: 2 stars

The Eye of the Storm

• Directed by Fred Schepisi (Roxanne, Evil Angels)
• Written by Judy Morris (Happy Feet, Babe: Pig in the City)
• Produced by Gregory J Read (Darklovestory, Rocket Compulsion – documentary), Antony Waddington (Spirits of the Carnival – documentary)
• Starring Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech, Pirates of the Caribbean), Charlotte Rampling (Stardust Memories, Swimming Pool), Judy Davis (My Brilliant Career, A Passage to India)

Brighton's Giant Ferris Wheel: a Bonus for the City

Standing around 50 metres high, it was shipped over from South Africa with its 36 gondolas, each of which accommodates six adults and two children. Riding on the wheel permits panoramic views of the coastal resort of Brighton and Hove and beyond. But its erection has divided the city. Some love it, others hate it. What is certain is that no one is indifferent to the Brighton Eye.

The wheel will run from 10.00am until midnight, and when it is dark, it will be illuminated, providing a spectacular sight on Brighton's seafront.

Objections to Erection of the Brighton Ferris Wheel

The following comments sum up the main arguments about the structure which stands around 110 metres east of Brighton's Palace Pier.

• "Inappropriate for what is predominantly a residential area," says a resident.
• "They say the structure is temporary but to me, five years is not temporary. I may be dead in five years," says a local woman, whose flat overlooks the structure.
• The Regency Society, a local charity, says, "It is inappropriate and overbearing."
• "We shouldn't be having a tall bulding in a conservation area," says resident Ms Audrey Simpson.

Planning consultant, Ian Coomber, has a different take on the structure.

• "One of the fantastic things about the wheel is that it's open all the year so it should stretch out the season for Brighton and Hove. All the local businesses will have visitors as a spin-off from the wheel during the months of the year when Brighton is not busy.

The Brighton Ferris Wheel Goes Ahead

Despite the objections, construction began on 22 September, 2011. The company responsible for the erection on the seafront near Madeira Drive, and close to many listed buildings, is Paramount Attractions.

Paramount Attractions say the ferris wheel is definitely a good thing for Brighton. For a start, it's providing around thirty full-time jobs and will attract around 250,000 visitors a year. The company managed to convince Brighton and Hove City Council, who met on Wednesday, 27 April, 2011 and agreed the construction could go ahead, at a cost estimated at around six million pounds. It was at this meeting that the suggestion it would be a "temporary" arrangement of five years, was made.

Previously, a similar arrangement was made regarding the famous London Eye and that has now been standing for ten years.

Sources:

• "Brighton wheel construction work continues," John Keenan, The Argus, 4 October, 2011.
• BBC News, 27 April 2011, http://www,bbc.co.uk
• ITV 6 O'clock News, 24 October, 2011.

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Castor Oil for Hair Growth and Darkening

Castor oil (often spelled incorrectly as caster oil), the oil extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, is an ancient natural remedy for a variety of conditions and complaints, including constipation, skin care, and shingles or herpes zoster (for the latter, try mixing it with tea-tree essential oil for enhanced antiviral action)..

One of the better known purported benefits of castor oil is promoting new and healthier growth of hair, eyelashes and eyebrows. It is also said to darken them.

Does Castor Oil Work?

The results of clinical studies - and there haven't been very many of those - are ambiguous. So is anecdotal evidence. For some, it seems to work wonders; for others, it seems not to work at all.

There is, however, a solid body of personal experiences (including this author's personal experience) that show definite improvement of hair growth, including eyelashes and eyebrows, after having applied castor oil for a few days, weeks or, in some cases, months.

Most astoundingly, there have been cases where the hair treated with castor oil turned dark; in some cases new, dark hair growth appeared where there had been none, or where grey hair had been growing.

Castor oil has no dark pigment of its own, so this could not be the effect of pigment transfer. In other words, castor oil has no colour that could "rub off" on the hairs.

How To Apply Castor Oil

Before applying castor oil take precautions to protect your clothes because it stains them yellowish, and the stains are very difficult to remove.

To promote hair growth on the scalp, warm the oil ever so slightly, to improve its penetration. Then apply it with your fingertips on the area of the scalp where you want to boost hair growth. Spread the residue left on your fingers over the hair, or rub it into your hands. (It may even make dark or "liver" spots disappear.) You can improve the penetration of the oil by wrapping a towel around your head, or using a bathing cap.

Leave the oil on for two hours or overnight, if possible, then wash the hair.

Repeat the procedure once or twice a week.

As an additional bonus, you may find that you do not need to use a conditioner, as castor oil is a wonderful hair-conditioner itself.

To combat acute hair loss, especially, but not exclusively, in cases of telogen effluvium, as well as chronic thinning of the hair, it could prove useful to add two or three drops of the purest essential oil of rosemary and/or ylang ylang. (There are other hair growth-boosting essential oils.)

Because of its low molecular mass, castor oil has an extraordinary capacity for transdermal penetration, which means that it will drive the essential oil deeper into the scalp than it would normally reach.

For the same reason it is a good idea to mix castor oil with an equal part of virgin coconut oil and/or argan oil, which provide great nourishment to the hair and the skin in and by themselves. (To get a recipe for a fabulous DIY castor-coconut oil cream, see here.)

For use on eyelashes and eyebrows the simplest way to apply castor oil is to wash your hands and put a drop of castor oil on the tip of a finger, then gently smear the eyelashes (along the rim) and/or eyebrows. You can also use an old, well cleaned mascara applicator. Some use Q-tips, but this method often has the unpleasant effect of leaving small fibres of cotton in the eye.

If the oil comes in contact with the eyeball, you may experience temporarily blurry vision, which is simply due to the oil spreading over the surface of the eyeball. It is nothing to be concerned about, and it should pass in a minute or so.

Is Castor Oil Dangerous for the Eyes?

Pure castor oil is not known to be dangerous to the eye. In fact, certain folk traditions use it against dry eyes and even against incipient cataracts. (To this author's knowledge, the efficacy of this remedy has not been corroborated by scientific research yet.) Also, it should be noted that castor oil is widely used in all sorts of commercially produced cosmetic preparations, including mascaras and skin care products.

Avoid Dangerous Confusion

Castor oil is a clear, slightly yellowish, very dense and sticky substance, with a faint "greasy" smell. It is typically sold in small, dark bottles, usually with its Latin name - Ricinus communis - listed as well.

It is sold in most health stores and pharmacies.

(It is not unusual for pharmacies to sell refined castor oil only. Due to the complex interaction of natural substances, it is much better to play it safe and buy unrefined oil that hasn't been stripped of beneficial natural components.)

However, there is evidence that some people tend to confuse castor oil with "Castrol oil", which is a brand of motor oils, lubricants and greases. It is a mistake that could cause very serious and permanent damage; if ingested, it could be fatal.

DISCLAIMER: The information included in this article is intended for educational purposes only and is no substitute for professional medical advice.

Inflammation of the Conjunctiva - Pink Eye or Madras Eye

The conjunctiva is the transparent mucous membrane that covers the outer surface of the eye, and the inside lining of the eyelids. The conjunctiva is responsible for producing a mucous that helps thin the tears produced by the eye and assist in keeping the eye moist. Conjunctivitis is a condition where the mucous membrane of the eye and eye lid becomes inflamed or swollen and is also known as pinkeye. Another not so commonly known term for conjunctivitis is madras eye. The term madras eye came from the discovery of the adenovirus which is one of the causes of pink eye in Madras India in the early 20th century.

Adenoviruses, Staphylococcal, and Streptococcal Bacteria

Adenoviruses are the cause of upper respiratory illnesses and the common cold. An adenovirus travels through the mucous membranes of the body including the lungs, throat, nose, tear ducts, and conjunctiva when one is infected with an upper respiratory infection. In addition to the adenovirus, conjunctivitis is also caused by dryness, chemical exposure, allergic reactions, and bacteria. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), “conjunctivitis is an infection most often caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria from your own skin or respiratory system”.

The bacterial and viral forms of pink eye are extremely contagious and often contracted through exposure to respiratory secretions. This happens when the secretions are transmitted into the air by coughing and sneezing, or the secretions are transferred to the hands when blowing the nose or using hands to cover a cough. Then the germs are transferred to computer keyboards, cell phones, and faucet handles, door knobs and other inanimate objects from contaminated hands or as the respiratory secretions fall out of the air.

The Symptoms of Conjunctivitis, Pink Eye and Madras Eye

The symptoms of conjunctivitis are difficult to ignore as they often worsen quickly and although not every form of pink eye requires medical treatment it is important that a primary care physician or ophthalmologist be consulted whenever one experiences any of the symptoms of pink eye. Pink eye may only affect one eye initially, but due to the highly contagious nature of the infection often both eyes may be affected before it resolves.

The symptoms of conjunctivitis may include any of the following:

• A pink or red discoloration of the eye
• Swelling and redness to the eyelids
• Excessive mucous discharge
• Crusty exudate on the eye lids
• Burning or scratchy feeling when one blinks
• Intense itching sensation
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Excessive tearing
• Blurred vision

Good Hand Washing and Environmental Disinfection is Key

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) “the adenovirus is unusually stable to chemical and physical agents and to adverse pH conditions, thus allowing for prolonged survival outside of the body.” Due to its survivability outside the body for long periods the adenovirus often infects multiple people in a home, school, or work environment (sometimes repeatedly). The CDC recommends “strict attention to good infection-control practices, including contact and droplet precautions, is effective for stopping nosocomial outbreaks of adenovirus-associated disease, such as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis”.

One of the best methods to preventing the spread of conjunctivitis is by proper hand washing with soap and water at frequent intervals. Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer in between washing hands, and avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. When sneezing, sneeze into the crook of the elbow rather than hands or a tissue. Always wash hands after sneezing, coughing or blowing the nose and before eating, drinking, or smoking. Be sure to properly disinfection of the surrounding environment (doorknobs, keyboards, and other inanimate objects) at home, school or work where conjunctivitis is an issue to kill the virus or bacterium causing the infection.

Sources

• American Optometric Association “Conjunctivitis” (accessed April 18, 2011).
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Adenoviruses” (accessed April 19, 2011).

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Indian Derby Weekend

The Indian Derby is a horse racing event that takes place in Mumbai. It is one of the elite sporting activities of the place and also one of the major events in the Mumbai social calendar. This week long event and attracts around 25,000 people yearly.

What Happens During the Indian Derby

The Indian Derby was first held in the year 1943. Traditionally, this race is run on the first Sunday of the month of February every year. The race covers a distance of half a mile. This event is held at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai in Royal Western India Turf Club. This word-class turf club was constructed under the enthusiastic guidance of Major E Hughes in the year 1880.

One gets to see the elite class of society at this event betting millions of rupees on their favorite horse. The event showcases a battle of the humans as well the animals at the Mahalaxmi Race course. Also known as the “Crown Jewel of the Triple Crown”, this race displays colts and fillies not more than four years of age.

In addition to the race, Indian Derby also hosts other attractions, such as international aerial ballet, professional salsa dancing, and live bands performing and playing the tunes of Cliff Richard, Rolling Stones and Beatles.

Where Does This Event Take Place

The venue of the race is accessible from Haji Ali Dargah as well as from the Khadye Marg. The Mahalaxmi racecourse is open all year round to the general public. There is also an inner field in the area where polo matches take place. The season of Mumbai horse-racing lasts from November to April, but the grand races occupy a special place among all the other events.

The Indian Derby offers the wealthiest price purse of all that goes up to 10 million rupees with over six million rupees. The stakes that are put on the racing horses run over millions of rupees. This high profile event attracts a huge crowd every year is attended by a number of dignitaries and celebrities of the country. Many tourists who are fond of the horse racing events also attend this event with great fervor and fervor. Due to the leisure and extravaganza of the event, more and more people choose to attend this event and cheer the horse of their choice. 

The Ancient Temples of Halebid

Halebid, which literally means a ruined city, is a small town located in the Hassan District of Karnataka. Halebid is a home to many strikingly beautiful Hoysala temples and Jain shrines which are epitome of the sculptural marvels and stone carvings.

Tourist Attractions of Halebid

Halebid was initially known as Dwarasamudra, which was the ancient capital of the Hoysala Empire during the 12^th and 13^th centuries, and is strategically situated at an isolated place. This city was ruined because of the invasion by the armies of the Delhi Sultanate’s invasion in 1311 and 1327. The Hoysaleshwara Temple was constructed by Ketamala and was accredited to Vishnuvardhana. It preserves within it Hoysaleshwara and Shantaleshwara, which are both named after the builder of these temples named Vishnuvardhana Hoysala and his queen wife Shantala.

Halebid is an ideal place to visit and comprises of a lot of tourists attractions, such as Hoysaleshwara and Shatleshwara temples, Basadi Halli, Belur and Kedareshwara Temple. Halebid is an excellent place to visit, especially because it represents the nation’s rich cultural glory of the past. Many tourists visit Halebid to see these magnificent temples, and students from art colleges also visit frequently in order to study the temple details and even stay at this place for several days.

The Temples of Halebid are masterpieces in terms of the carvings done on their exteriors. These carvings exhibit the stories of Puranas, Upanishads, and other religious and mythological sources finely executed. It also displays the stories from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Every detail holds a story within, and it takes almost 2 hours to explore the interiors and exteriors of the temples. One can also see carvings of sensuous dancers and fighting elephants on the walls of these temples that were inspired by the queen Shantala.

These temples are preserved with great care by the Archeological Society of India.  This place is best to visit in the months of October to February.

How to Reach Halebid

The historical place of Halebid, Belur is accessible by air, rail and road. Halebid can be reached best by road from Mysore, Bangalore and Mangalore. It takes almost 2.5 hrs to reach Halebid from Mysore. The closest airports and railway stations are at Mysore, Bangalore and Mangalore. There is frequent and easy availability of taxis at the airports. There is also one more railway station at Hassan, which is 28 km from Belur. From Hassan you can hire a taxi to get to the temples. 

Best Rock Music Sites for Discovering New Indie Music Artists

Best Indie Music Sites - Giacomo Ritucci

Independent label music, or indie music, is a category of music that includes artists that are not signed to major record labels. Because most of their music is not mainstream, fans of indie music may have a difficult time discovering new indie artists and trends. Fortunately, many rock music sites feature the best new indie music artists.

Most of the music created by these artists can be considered a form of rock music, although some indie music can fit into the pop, electronic or hip-hop categories. These artists may be newly discovered and therefore do not yet have the popularity to attract offers from major labels. Others have gained fame, yet still remain loyal to the independent label that gave them their start.

These are some of the best rock music sites for finding the newest indie music trends.

Discover New Indie Music Artists at Blender.com

Blender.com is the online version of Blender magazine. This site explores all that is new in mainstream and independent label music. Their music review section, The Guide, contains reviews of mostly indie artists, such as The Vines, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and PJ Harvey.

Blender also features a blog where readers can read interviews and find out more information about indie artists. Reviews of live shows and festivals are also included in the Blender blogs. Finally, visit the video section for music videos, artist interviews and live performances.

Find Indie Rock Music at Spinner.com

Spinner.com is another resource for indie music fans. Listeners can listen to new indie artist performances, read album reviews and see music videos. Find out the latest news about new and favorite indie bands. Fans can also view their music lists, such as "Best Songs of 2010 (So Far)."

Another feature of Spinner is their free mp3 downloads. Each day a free download from a new artist is available from i-tunes. If the listener likes the song, the entire album can be purchased as well. This site also offers over 350 streaming radio stations that play every genre of music imaginable. Finally, visit the Listening Party section to stream entire new albums.

Fans of indie rock music can easily hear new music and find out information about their favorite bands at Spinner.com and Blender.com. Anyone interested in what is new in the music industry in general can also use these sites as a resource. Listeners can find song samples, free mp3's, artist interviews, videos, streaming radio and blogs. Find out more about where to get Free Legal Music Downloads.

Ukulele Renaissance

ukulele sunburst - mary rayme

Are ukuleles enjoying a resurgence in popularity? George Harrison (of the Beatles, hello!) was a huge ukulele player and proponent. Tiny Tim was also a uke strummer but most people would rather forget that. Now it seems that this 4-string mini-guitar-like instrument is making a small but eloquent comeback.

Origins of the Ukulele

Invented by Portugese immigrants in Hawaii, the ukulele has the advantage of being small and portable. It's better than a back-packer type guitar because it has a richer, fuller tone than the portable guitar. The ukulele may be second fiddle to the guitar since it's smaller and has four strings to the guitar's six, but it's still an instrument that has a wide range of tone.

There are also several sizes of ukulele such as:

• soprano 13”
• concert 15”
• tenor 17”
• baritone 19”

There are also rarer ukes in sopranino and bass.

Ukulele Festivals Around the World

Besides Hawaii, there are ukulele festivals in Southern California, Northern California, Oregon, Colorado, Chicago, Florida, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin. There are international ukulele festivals in Belgium, England, Italy, New Zealand and Sweden.

The Uke in Popular Culture

The popular TV show, Scrubs, has a female character named Stephanie Gooch who goes around playing her ukulele. It's a weird and funny TV show and the quirky character Gooch is played by Kate Micucci. There is a cute video making the rounds where the Gooch character sings a duet with a potential love interest. It is charming and funny.

There are also ukulele virtuosos such as Jake Shimabukuro of Hawaii, whose fast fingers make you forget you are listening to a cute, little uke. This guy is the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele, especially on his version of George Harrison's “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”

Danielle Ate the Sandwich

If you haven't heard of Danielle Ate the Sandwich, chances are good you will soon. Born in Nebraska but currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, Danielle Anderson is a singer songwriter who backs herself up on a Samich UK-60 Greg Bennett design ukulele. (Check out her uke strap on her videos, only the best for this hip chick.) Drawing her inspiration from words and experiences, Danielle also admires the work of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. Danielle's second CD is entitled Things People Do, and reveals a sensitive soul with a wicked sense of humor. (And all recorded in her kitchen.)

There is also Dent May and His Magnificent Ukulele. Dent's languid yet soulful singing voice leads a wonderful cover of Prince's When You Were Mine.

So the next time you hear the plunky-plunky of a ukulele backing up your favorite singer, you'll know that the Uke Renaissance has hit and it's here to stay for awhile. A tip of the writing lid to good friend Doug Van Gundy who is now the proud owner of several ukes. Check out his version of James Brown's I Feel Good here.

1980s Music You Won't Ever Forget

The 1980s was a fabulous decade of unforgettable pop culture trends, from the delightfully bizarre 1980s fashions to the angst filled 1980s teen films. But perhaps most memorable of all was the pop music of the 1980s. Who can forget the synthesizers, the pretty boy bands, the mindless lyrics, and the unforgettable characters like Prince, Boy George, Michael Jackson, and Cyndi Lauper?

The 1980s were a fascinating and somewhat troubling time in U.S. history. Two cultural values reigned: conservatism and consumerism. Ronald Reagan and the newly powerful Religious Right brought back 1950s conservatism. As malls, yuppies, and Nancy Reagan's designer wardrobe became cultural icons, unapologetic materialism became the norm. The political change movements of the 1960s had been long overshadowed by the Me Generation of the 1970s, and kids found themselves growing up in a culture with little emphasis on politics and a good deal of emphasis on consumer frivolity, image, and spectacle.

Pop music acts like a pulse on the culture, and the music of the 1980s portrayed the frivolous excess of the 1980s with joy. Here are the Top 10 iconic pop songs of the 1980s.

1. Material Girl by Madonna. This song is both a theme song and a satire of the 1980s. The image of Madonna decked out in diamonds in the video to this song says quite a bit about the era.
2. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper. Who can forget the strange neo-punk girl with the orange hair who had such great hits as She-Bop and Time After Time? Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is one of the most memorable songs of the decade, and the frivolous message is so 1980s. Girls don't want to be protesting in the streets or fighting for women's rights. They want to have fun.
3. Thriller by Michael Jackson. Remember back in the day when everyone still loved Michael Jackson? Alone, this song isn't memorable, but the video makes it an icon. This fourteen minute video was an $800,000 spectacle of choreography and music. MTV played it constantly.
4. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham! This may be the ultimate frivolous, cheesy, and downright annoying 1980s song about dancing and having a good time.
5. Purple Rain by Prince and the Revolution. This was the theme song to Prince's movie, which was all about how Prince was sexy and cool and misunderstood. 1980s narcissism at its best, complete with delightfully bad acting.
6. Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston. Ah, Whitney, we miss you and those great pipes and wish you hadn't gotten all mixed up with Bobby. This 1980s classic is all about self-esteem. What's the greatest love of all? Learning to love yourself.
7. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club. Boy George was one of the most fabulous characters in the 1980s-- part drag queen, part pretty boy, 100% frivolous pop spectacle fun. This upbeat song didn't say much and was great dance music.
8. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield. A great shallow 1980s dance song about wanting your best friend's girl. Pretty boy Rick Springfield's icon status was enhanced by his appearance on General Hospital back in the old Luke and Laura days.
9. Money for Nothing by Dire Straits. This song pokes fun of talentless MTV era musicians. It includes a guest appearance by Sting singing "I want my MTV." Dire Straits performed this memorably at Live Aid, the massive 1985 "fight hunger" concert that also became a 1980s icon.
10. Straight Up by Paula Abdul. Yeah, she really did used to sing before her American Idoldays There were lots of mindless dance songs in the 1980s, but this one was one of the most fun.

Calvin Harris Releases Lyric Video for 'Drinking From the Bottle'

Calvin Harris - Photo Courtesy of Rukes, MSO PR

On Dec. 4, it was announced that international electronic music sensation and producer Calvin Harris released the lyric video to his newest track “Drinking From the Bottle,” while he was touring in Australia as part of the Stereosonic festival.

The song features English rapper Tinie Tempah on vocals and it was co-written by Harris, Tempah, as well as Mark Knight and James F. Reynolds. It is the ninth track from his latest studio album entitled “18 Months,” which was released on Oct. 26, via his record label, Columbia Records.

From an international standpoint, his newest CD has already sold 3 million units, meanwhile in the United States, his hit single “Feel So Close” has been certified platinum and “Let’s Go” is approaching that milestone with over 850,000 units sold. Both of these aforementioned singles have reached the Top 15 and Top 20 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Top Ten Albums of All Time

The Eagles Have the Best Selling Album - Photo by Steve Alexander

According to Digital Dream Door, these are the top ten best selling albums of all time in the USA, which thus not surprisingly include some compilation albums but also some all time classics such as Thriller by Michael Jackson and The Wall by Pink Floyd. The Beatles only get one album in the chart, and that is the untitled 1968 release that became known as The White Album.

What is interesting is the variety of musical styles from the rock sounds of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin to the country pop of Shania Twain.

Though this list is in the order initially published by Digital Dream Door, a surge in sales since Michael Jackson’s death may have elevated Thriller to the number one slot.

Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 – The Eagles

Asylum Records put out this compilation in 1976 and includes nine previously released singles and “Desperado”, which was the title track of their second studio album.

Thriller – Michael Jackson

Released in 1982, Thriller was Michael Jackson’s sixth studio album. Part of its success can be attributed to the music video of the title track, which was more of a short film than a traditional music video.

The Wall – Pink Floyd

The Wall was released right at the end of the 1970s and was the band’s eleventh studio album. The double LP contained 26 tracks the most famous of which is “Another Brick in The Wall”, which was the Christmas number one in 1979.

Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin

The band’s fourth album had no title as such with just four symbols on the sleeve, which meant some also called it Four Symbols. Released in 1971, the album contains arguably the most famous of the band’s tracks – “Stairway to Heaven”.

Back in Black – AC/DC

Australian rock band AC/DC released this their sixth studio album in 1980 and it was their first album without former lead singer Bon Scott, who died earlier that year.

Greatest Hits Volumes I & II – Billy Joel

This double compilation album came out in 1985 and contains songs released between 1973 and 1985. The initial release had 21 tracks but a CD version was later released with four additional tracks.

Double Live – Garth Brooks

This live album was recorded during Garth Brooks’ world tour in 1998 and was released later that year. During its first seven weeks it was released with seven different covers.

Come on Over – Shania Twain

This was Shania Twain’s third studio album and was released in 1997 and is claimed to be the best selling country studio album of all time and is also the best selling studio album of all time by a female artist and best selling album by a Canadian.

The White Album – The Beatles

This double album actually has no name. Its all white cover earned it the nickname The White Album by fans and the name stuck. Released in 1968, it was the band’s ninth album and the first one on the Apple label. Key tracks included “Back in the USSR”, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and the George Harrison song “While My Guitar Gentle Weeps”.

Rumours – Fleetwood Mac

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac was released early in 1977 and stayed top of the Billboard charts for 31 consecutive weeks. The eleven tracks included “Gold Dust Woman” and “Dreams”.

Top Ten Albums and Bubbling Under

As usual with charts such as these, some of the more interesting albums lie just below the most popular in terms of sales and this is no exception with Boston’s debut album and Whitney Houston’s The Bodyguard soundtrack just missing out on the top ten albums. Not much further down the list are greats such as Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin, Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf and Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen.