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Handsome Hunky Men Headquarters

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:13:31 -0600

As of November, 2009 this has become the new home for the Handsome Hunky Men Group on Squidoo. As before, the Group is accepting only the best pages on the subject. Remember, your hunky, handsome man could be an actor, a model, a sports personality or simply the guy next door. If you think your man qualifies, please submit your page because we need to see him here! All the pages in this Group can be found at the bottom of this page, and as usual, NO X-rated material will be considered. Intro image: by Vanessa_Hutd on Flickr : Photo license: Attribution, Share Alike

Diana Rigg

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:01:36 -0600

Mention the name of Diana Rigg (born July 20, 1938) to most people and they conjure up a picture of the sexy, leather clad agent, Emma Peel, of the 1960s TV series, The Avengers. However, there has been so much more to the acting career of one of Britain's most respected and successful actresses. In addition to her television work, Ms. Rigg has starred in several major movies, but it is in the field of theatre that she has received the accolades and the respect of the acting community and audiences alike. Image: Diana Rigg at Allposters .

Sexy Celebrity Girls Calendars 2012

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:15:14 -0600

Some Sexy Celebrity Calendars: Why not brighten up 2012 with one of your favorite sexy female celebs hanging on the wall, gazing out at you. Aimed at the guys in the house, these girl celebrity calendars will continue to please throughout the year, as a new picture of a bodacious star is revealed each month. Checking those appointments and birthdays could never be more enjoyable than having Jessica Alba, Angela Jolie, Audrey Hepburn or whomever you prefer giving you a helping hand, or ensuring you don't miss that important date. And you might know someone who just cannot live without their favorite star being close at hand, because these celebrity calendar girls are the gift that keeps on giving all year long. New calendars will be added here as they are released. Be sure to bookmark and check back in future months.

Ryan Reynolds

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:34:40 -0600

Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds came to my attention around ten years ago when he was starring as Berg in an almost forgotten sitcom called Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place. Since then, I haven't caught much of his acting work, until recently, when he had a role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine alongside Hugh Jackman, and the recent romantic comedy The Proposal with Sandra Bullock. What really caught my attention was his photo shoot for the magazine Entertainment Weekly - and particularly the cover shot, which can be seen below. Was this really the same actor I had seen a decade earlier? I must admit my eyes weren't focused on his face at first, so I guess I could be forgiven for not recognizing him immediately. Just in case you don't know who Mr. Reynolds is, or like me, just enjoy a fine specimen of a man, then read on.... Image: Ryan Reynolds Poster Print - 22x34 Movie Poster Print

Hunky Celebrity Men Calendars 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:45:54 -0600

2012 has arrived and these calendars are here so that you can have one of your favorite handsome celebrities hanging on the wall, gazing out at you from this selection of celebrity calendar guys for 2012. Aimed at the ladies in the house, these calendars will continue to please throughout the year, as a new picture of a handsome star is revealed each month. Checking those appointments and birthdays could never be more enjoyable than having Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, George Clooney or whoever you prefer giving you a helping hand, or ensuring you don't miss that important date. And you might know someone who just cannot live without their favorite star being close at hand, because these celebrity calendar guys are the gift that keeps on giving all year long.

What is Guy Fawkes Night?

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:16:28 -0600

Who is Guy Fawkes? What was the Gunpowder Plot? How is Guy Fawkes Night celebrated? What are the trappings of Guy Fawkes Night? For many Americans the Fall season sees the celebrations of Halloween. In Great Britain, the major celebration is Guy Fawkes Night (or Bonfire Night, Fireworks Night, Cracker Night), which takes place on the evening of November 5th. If you are unaware of (or even know about) Guy Fawkes and his involvement in the Gunpowder Plot, and why many in the UK commemorate the Fifth of November - then here is your chance to find out the history and celebrations behind the Night. Fireworks image source Guy Fawkes: Allposters.

Block Buster! British Glam Rock of the 70s

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:55:11 -0600

At the beginning of the 1970s, my husband was in his early teens, an excellent age to appreciate a new phenomenon about to hit the British airwaves: Glam Rock. At the time Glam Rock was a joke. Those with Sweet records were laughed at by friends who were fans of "real" music: Yes, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin et al. Slade were unhip, as were T.Rex. Even the mighty David Bowie was a "pop star" laughed at for the make-up and clothes and was only rehabilitated when punk bands started namedropping him. The Glam bands, however, were to form part of the blueprint for UK punk. The American version of the Glam Rock phenomenon related more to the Velvet Underground and the Stooges. However, just listen to Action by the Sweet or anything by T.Rex or Alice Cooper, and you can almost feel the UK version of punk bursting forth. The history of British Glam Rock of the 1970s is documented here by its appearances in the UK charts of the time. Why use the charts as a guide? Because, if you weren't in the charts you weren't glam enough!

America: The Band - A Music Video Showcase

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:37:42 -0600

The English/American folk rock group America became popular during the early 1970s. Their first hit was the smash Horse With No Name, reaching Number 1 on the US Billboard charts and Number 3 in the UK. More successful recordings followed throughout the Seventies and into the 1980s, and these are gathered together here to bring you this America Video Showcase. All images: PicApp.

Sexy Tan Through Men's Swimwear

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:20:02 -0600

When Summer hits, what better way to avoid those inevitable tan lines than picking from this sexy, lightweight Men's Tan-Through Swimwear. Whether you are at the beach or poolside in the backyard, these comfortable and cool racer suits, surf shorts, board shorts and swimming shorts allow you to obtain a natural tan, right through the fabric. The lightweight material lets through sunlight, making it possible to get a tan as quickly as you would with an SPF6 sunscreen. Made in the USA and available in a variety of colors and patterns, this swimwear will be perfect for your next vacation, giving you an all over tan as simply as by walking along the beach or laying out on the deck of a boat. It could not be easier to achieve that full body tan!

Novak Djokovic

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:57:09 -0600

Novak Djokovic: professional tennis player, (born 22 May, 1987): "To see him, such a young boy...he's so light and fresh..." "The time for the young and intelligent Djokovic has arrived and his talent and witty (tennis) game will bring him many more titles and medals..." Update: Novak Djokovic wins the 2011 Australian Open Tennis Men's Singles Championship beating Andy Murray in three straight sets, as well as the 2011 Wimbledon Tennis Championships and US Open in four sets per match, defeating Rafael Nadal. Image: By Alex Lee (Djokovic) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Godalming, Surrey, England

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:57:24 -0600

The town of Godalming has a population of more than 21,000 and is situated in some of the finest countryside in southern England in the county of Surrey. Godalming is midway between London and the south coast and both are easy to reach by public and private transport. This location has played a major role in Godalming's development since it was first recorded in the will of King Alfred the Great of Wessex in AD899. Narrow attractive streets, lined with many ancient and historic buildings, lie alongside the River Wey, and the town centre has been enhanced for pedestrian use. Godalming is a town with many famous sons and daughters and in 1881 became the first town in the world to have its own electric power supply. Let's take a tour! Image: Warofdreams at the English language Wikipedia, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL, from Wikimedia Commons

The 10 Worst Songs Ever

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:25:22 -0600

The votes are in and these tracks have been voted some of the worst songs ever. You know, sometimes you are listening to the radio and a song comes on that just forces you to hit the off button. While it is, or has been popular, the song nevertheless annoys you to no end, inducing grimaces, groans and, in some cases, outright hatred. So it is that Spinner.com came up with the twenty worst songs ever which, for many, now incite laughter, horror and despair. It's always difficult putting a list like this together, because one man's junk can always be another man's treasure. I have to admit that I actually like some of these songs, but I'm not going to admit which! However, here in descending order are the top ten of those twenty worst songs ever. Do you agree? If not, then you are invited to suggest your own song here.

UK Number One Songs of the 70s

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:42:44 -0600

1970s popular music in the UK proved that variety is the spice of life, and the Number One hit songs of the decade reflect this phenomenon. From 1970 onwards, the music scene in Britain changed dramatically and a myriad of musical styles reinforced the varying tastes of the average record buyer. Some of the most popular styles that took the British charts by storm were Glam Rock at the beginning of the decade, progressing to Disco and Punk Rock towards the end. In between saw novelty records, the progression of the rock single and the continuing evolution of teen pop, represented by the likes of David Cassidy, Donny Osmond and the Bay City Rollers. Most of these styles and artists were very popular for a time, and their records sold by the shed load. To see the musical changes across the decade is a fascinating exercise, and so this page brings together all the Number One hits from the UK in a video package, together with some short comments regarding each one. The source for this compilation is the Record Retailer/Music Week chart, which was broadcast by the BBC each Sunday evening.

Houston Firefighters Calendar 2010

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:32:57 -0600

2010 saw the release of the next in the series of Houston Fire Fighters calendars, following on from the 2007 and 2008 calendars, as well as earlier versions. As a girlfriend of mine mentioned, they are burning hot and I am moving to Houston and when I get there, I'm setting my house on fire!!! These pictures are all taken for a good cause, the details of which can be found further down this page, indicated by the large arrows.

James Bond: Sean Connery or Roger Moore?

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:00:54 -0600

The character of James Bond found worldwide popularity upon the release of the first Bond movie, Dr. No. Between 1962 and 1985, a total of 15 Bond movies starred the two actors who were to become the most identified with the role. It was Scottish actor Sean Connery who became the original Bond and portrayed the character until 1967's You Only Live Twice, and he would reprise the role four years later in Diamonds Are Forever and again in 1983's Never Say Never Again - the latter of which was an "unofficial" Bond movie. 1973's Live And Let Die saw Englishman Roger Moore take on the role of James Bond finishing with A View To A Kill in 1985. To date, he is the longest serving Bond portraying the character in seven movies over a period of 12 years. While Connery depicted Bond with a steely intensity, Moore's interpretation of the character was considered more laid-back. So, who was your favorite Bond: Connery or Moore? Image: James Bond 007 Logo Poster

The Sweet Glam Rock Video Showcase

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:40:46 -0600

Glam Rock band, The Sweet (or Sweet, as the band later became known), was one of the premier groups from the Glam era of Seventies British commercial pop/rock music. This page follows the band's progress from bubblegum band in the early Seventies, through their heyday as Glam Rock kings, to their later years as hard rock gurus, with the use of videos showcasing all of their hit singles during this period. Album Art: Level Headed at Amazon

The British Slang Quiz

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:37:46 -0600

British slang: Having been married to a Brit for over ten years, I have now managed to get past the accent, but I also have found myself learning this whole new language. Having lived in the UK for some months, I found myself saying seemingly innocent things that really had me in trouble, and alternatively, had me stifling laughter when I heard certain phrases that are everyday expressions over there. British readers should breeze through this quiz - but if you are from North America, how well do you know your British slang? Here are ten words and phrases to test your knowledge of colloquial speech, used frequently by our cousins across "the pond". So, go ahead and find out whether you are "the bee's knees", or whether you will get "brassed off" after having completed this "crackin'" quiz!

Chris Evans: The Actor

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:45:19 -0600

Actor Chris Evans (born June 13, 1981), recently starring as Captain America: The First Avenger, is a native of Sudbury, Massachusetts and decided to take up acting during his junior year of high school. He interned at a casting office in New York during the following summer while also taking acting lessons. During that summer he met an agent who helped him start his acting career by getting him a role in the TV series Opposite Sex. However, it was his starring role in the 2001 comedy film Not Another Teen Movie that brought him major attention. The film contained a somewhat notorious spoof of the Varsity Blues movie, where (to attract the attention of a girl) Evans entered the room wearing nothing more than whipped cream around his nipples, crotch and a banana sticking out of his backside. Evans went on to co-star in films such as The Perfect Score, Cellular and London, but is perhaps best known for starring in 2005's Fantastic Four as Johnny Storm, AKA The Human Torch. The film was a surprise international hit. Evans dated 7th Heaven actress Jessica Biel from 2001 until 2006. He and Biel were both featured in Cellular and London. Chris has since been linked with singer Jessica Simpson and supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Some of Evans' recent projects include roles in the films The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond and The Losers. He has also reprised his role of Johnny Storm in a sequel to the Fantastic Four movie and will be seen in the upcoming The Avengers movie. Intro Image: Fantastic Four Poster Mexican E 20x40 Chris Evans

Suzi Quatro

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:01:23 -0600

Suzi Quatro, although American by birth, achieved greater success as a recording artist in the UK and Australia during the 1970s than she did in the USA. While she had been recording as part of the Detroit based garage band The Pleasure Seekers during the Sixties, it was not until her move to the UK in 1971 that she found fame and fortune. She was paired up with hit songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, and soon became the most prominent female representative of the British Glam Rock boom. Between 1973 and 1975, she achieved seven UK Top 40 hits, including two #1 songs, Can the Can and Devil Gate Drive, and has since gone on to see further success as an actress and radio presenter. Major acclaim appeared to elude Suzi in the US, with most people only remembering her there either as Leather Tuscadero from the TV comedy Happy Days, or for the hit song Stumblin' In, a duet with Chris Norman. But for some she will always be fondly recalled as the leather-clad, diminutive Queen of Glam from the 1970s, brandishing an electric guitar almost as big as herself. As one of her songs noted - Suzi Quatro was "The Wild One". (Picture courtesy of jeaneeem)

Marion Cotillard

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:57:22 -0600

Marion Cotillard (born 30 September, 1975) is an Academy Award winning French actress. In 2008, she earned international recognition when she won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as Edith Piaf, in the movie La Vie En Rose. Here, we take a look at her career so far, which has now come to the attention of an international audience.

Cleveland Indians Baseball

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:55:20 -0600

Like me, are you a fan of the Cleveland Indians? Are you a baseball collector, looking to add to your Cleveland Indians haul? I have been a follower of the Indians all my life and I am always trying to find unique and novel items to add to my ever expanding collection. While I collect, I also like to suck up as much information as I can about my favorite baseball team, as well as baseball in general. Hopefully, this page will help you discover more about The Cleveland Indians, while finding something extra to enhance your own Tribe obsession! Intro image: Cleveland Indians Writing Logo MLB Decal Vinyl Sticker on Amazon.

The Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ever?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:55:40 -0600

In my opinion, Alfred Hitchcock created some of the best movies ever, and continues to be one of my favorite movie directors. He remains an iconic and highly influential film director and producer, pioneering many techniques in the suspense and thriller genres. Hitchcock directed over fifty films, so reducing them down to just a few favorites is a difficult task in itself. However, this page sets out those movies which I consider to be his best and most influential. You may agree or disagree with my choices, so I give you the opportunity to voice your opinion below.

Linda Thorson

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:36:43 -0600

Linda Thorson (born 18 June, 1947) came to international attention in 1968, when she won the role of Tara King in the 60s cult classic TV show, The Avengers. Only 20-years-old at the time, she had the daunting task of replacing Diana Rigg's Emma Peel as John Steed's avenging sidekick, with her character relying more on feminine guile than the judo and karate of her predecessors. Many critics felt that Ms. Thorson could never adequately fill Diana Rigg's leather boots, although in retrospect she coped well with her role. Unfortunately, she nor Steed could battle the No.1 show of the time, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, and The Avengers was canceled in 1969. In 2006, Ms. Thorson found herself in another top-rated UK serial Emmerdale, this time playing the formidable character Rosemary King, a woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Underrated and under-appreciated, Linda Thorson has enjoyed a consistently rewarding career without truly regaining the attention she received at the age of twenty. Hopefully, you'll appreciate and enjoy this tribute to a fine actress.

Hugh Dancy

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:57:26 -0600

English actor Hugh Dancy became one of my favorites when he took on the role of Luke Brandon in the movie adaptation of Confessions of a Shopaholic, based on the novel by Sophie Kinsella. Having previously starred in the English theater and more minor movie roles, this film brought him instant fame and immediate international recognition. Following Confessions, Dancy went on to appear in the award-winning film Adam, in which he played a young man with Asperger's, a role for which he was nominated as Best Actor at the Satellite Awards. Whether comedy or drama, this young actor is able to adapt to both worlds, and therefore I celebrate the career of Hugh Dancy and hope you enjoy finding out more about him. Photo source: Alotofmillion at en.wikipedia: CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 from Wikimedia Commons

The New Avengers: The TV Series

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:42:27 -0600

The New Avengers: The TV Series and how it returned: Actress Linda Thorson (Tara King) was the final partner for John Steed in the original, classic Avengers series which ended in 1969. While American (and to some extent British viewers) had not taken to the character, the French loved her. The story goes that French TV producer Rudolf Roffi employed both Thorson and Patrick Macnee (John Steed) to make a TV commercial for champagne (see below). Roffi had been a fan of the show and now realizing that it was no longer in production, asked Macnee why. He explained that there was no financial backing and even if some was forthcoming, he felt a remake would never recapture the special qualities of the original. Undaunted, Roffi approached Brian Clemens (one of the producers of the original series) who confirmed the financial predicament, but expressed his desire to do another series if the money could be found. Roffi acted quickly and contacted Clemens again - this time with backing worth £2 million. Within three months Clemens and Albert Fennell (his co-producer) had teamed up with Avengers theme composer Laurie Johnson to form Avengers (Film & TV) Enterprises Ltd. In association with French company IDTV, plans to bring John Steed back to television in 26 new episodes were almost complete. Of course, this all hinged on Patrick Macnee's agreement. He, thankfully, changed his mind and ultimately declared his enthusiasm for the project. The updated show, broadcast in the UK in 1976-77, would be called The New Avengers, but there would be notable differences to its classic predecessor...

Heath Ledger

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:17:00 -0600

Heath Ledger (born April 4, 1979 - died January 22, 2008) was already something of an established actor in his native Australia, but upon his move to the United States he was offered a part in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You. However, because of the nature of his role in that film he felt as though he was already beginning to become stereotyped as a he-babe. Consequently, he began to take as many serious roles as he could. The result: an Oscar nomination for Ang Lee's cowboy drama, Brokeback Mountain and the plum role of the Joker in Christopher Nolan's Batman sequel, The Dark Knight. Here are his thoughts on his celebrity: My ambition is all in my head. I'm on a journey. I'm on a walkabout. It's about collecting wisdom of emotions and heart and self and understanding. Being absolutely comfortable with your body and life and the Earth, sun and moon being the only truths. That's what my success is, getting underneath that. At the end of the day, that's the only thing you're going to carry with you when you die." Intro image: PicApp

The Avengers: The TV Show

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:30:04 -0600

T he TV show The Avengers is a blend of espionage, fantasy and occasional science fiction that has appealed to those who enjoy witty, off-beat television. While this British program acquired a huge international following back in the Sixties, for many it had been nearly forgotten until its revival in its cinematic incarnation in 1998, and its recent re-runs on BBC4 in the UK and BBC America in the USA. It has, however, always been a cult favorite and considered by many to be among the best of its genre from that era. The series aired in the United Kingdom from January 1961 until May 1969, and comprised 161 episodes. The Avengers became one of the most popular television series of all time, when it was bought by television companies from 120 different countries. The majority of the show's popularity was due to the pairing of Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg as agents John Steed and Emma Peel. While this duo are probably the best remembered and most loved, there was certainly more to the series than just Steed with Peel. This is my homage to television at its best...the style of the Sixties lives on in The Avengers. Image: The Avengers : Buy This at Allposters.com

Marc Bolan and T. Rex

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:08:12 -0600

The saga of Marc Bolan (born 30 September, 1947 - died 16 September, 1977), leader of glam rock group T. Rex, is one of a spunky little dreamer who looked and played the part of an elvish minstrel. His bizarre voice and songs were dismissed by critics as a fleeting novelty or, worse, a bad joke. His most laughable trait of all was a near mystical belief in his own importance and destiny. In short, a surefire loser who played by rules all his own and went on to become the biggest pop star in Britain. From "The British Invasion - From The First Wave To The New Wave" by Nicholas Schaffner.

Eurythmics: The Ultimate Collection

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:18:33 -0600

One of the defining bands of the Eighties pop scene was Eurythmics. Annie Lennox has, perhaps, one of the most sublime and uplifting voices of any female singer over the last twenty five years. It came as something of a surprise to learn that more than a quarter of a century has passed since we first heard that powerfully sequenced synth bass line and watched the striking video to Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) which introduced the infamous orange crew cut of Annie Lennox. Yes, it was 1983, when Michael Jackson, Culture Club, David Bowie and The Police were also doing their thing and MTV had not long started to bring 24 hour music into American homes. Over that time, many of the popular acts from this era have faded from view, but Annie Lennox's unique voice has continued to thrill fans around the world, either as a solo artist or as part of the incomparable Eurythmics. So sit back and enjoy a journey back in time to the 1980s (and beyond) with the sound of Eurythmics. Album art: Eurythmics: Revenge

Madonna: Papa Don't Preach Song Lyrics

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:36:06 -0600

Papa Don't Preach is one of my favorite tracks by Madonna, and one that caused a lot of controversy when it first became popular. The lyrics recount the story of a young girl admitting her teenage pregnancy to her father, while stressing her decision to keep the baby. All of this against the backdrop of Madonna's Catholic upbringing. Criticism came from many quarters, but the most vociferous were those concerned with abortion and teenage pregnancy rates. Madonna herself responded to the debate by saying, "...I thought, wait a minute, this song is really about a girl who is making a decision in her life. She has a very close relationship with her father and wants to maintain that closeness. To me it's a celebration of life." Source Whatever the controversy, there is no denying the success of the track. Topping the music charts worldwide, the single sold in its millions and has become a classic in the Madonna discography. Intro Image: Madonna Poster

The Invaders: The TV Series

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:36:07 -0600

The Invaders: Alien beings from a dying planet. Their destination : The Earth. Their purpose : To make it their world. David Vincent (Roy Thinnes) has seen them. For him it began one lost night on a lonely country road, looking for a short-cut that he never found. It began with a closed, deserted diner...and a man too long without sleep to continue his journey. It began with the landing of a craft from another galaxy. Now, David Vincent knows that the Invaders are here, that they have taken human form. Somehow he must convince a disbelieving world that the nightmare has already begun. So began the cult 60s sci-fi show The Invaders, which ran in the US at the same time as Star Trek, and for my money included better storylines, suspense, drama and cliffhangers - oh, and some really spooky music. Intro image: The Invaders Print From Amazon

Isla Fisher

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:10:26 -0600

Isla Fisher (born 3 February, 1976) is an actress who grew up in Australia. As a child, she was selected to appear in several Australian television commercials, leading to a minor role in the Australian TV show Bay Cove. Following this, she appeared in the series Paradise Beach. When that program came to an end, she landed a role in the long running Australian soap opera Home and Away. While working on that series, she was able to further another of her interests: writing. She has since published two best selling novels, Seduced By Fame and Bewitched. Since leaving Australia, she has appeared in several moderately successful movies, including "Wedding Crashers". However, she has now hit the big time since taking on the role of Rebecca Bloomwood in the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic, based on the novel by Sophie Kinsella. Image: PicApp

Michael Jackson Fan Favorites

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:21:15 -0600

For 40 years Michael Jackson was the King of Pop: he was the consummate entertainer and one of the best selling artists of the last century. While we cannot ignore the strange behavior, the court cases and his ever changing appearance, Michael Jackson's legacy as an artist will be his music and his performances. Unlike many singers, his musical influence spread worldwide with fans not only in the US, but also as far apart as Europe, Asia and South America. His music was influential at a time when the soul and rock genres were going through a transitional period, during the emergence of hip-hop and solo rock in the Eighties, leading to his all time best-selling album "Thriller". Although he is sadly no longer with us, Michael Jackson's legacy will live on in the memory of those who grew up with his music and those who he "thrilled" during his live concerts. Michael Jackson: August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009 Image: By R. Engelhardt (talk | contribs | Gallery) (German Wikipedia). [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Bruno Tonioli

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:11:24 -0600

Bruno Tonioli has been a popular judge on all seasons of the ballroom dancing competition, Dancing with the Stars and its UK counterpart Strictly Come Dancing. He is a top choreographer and has worked on countless films, plays, music videos, commercials, concerts, trade shows and television series, with such music icons as Elton John, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney. Talking of music videos, one of his other claims to fame is appearing in the 1983 Elton John video for I'm Still Standing, which can be seen here along with all other things Bruno Tonioli. All photos: PicApp

101 Fabulous Free Downloads & Services

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:58:53 -0600

The best things in life aren't just free - they're indispensable! Some of these programs you may know already, or others may be completely new to you. Each link points to either the website in question or to PC World's website, where the program can be downloaded for free! Check out these outrageously useful downloads, sites, and services. You won't regret it...after all, they're all free! Please note that some of these downloads and services may have been updated since this page was first published. Image by Iliad [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Honor Blackman

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:45:29 -0600

British actress Honor Blackman (born August 22, 1925) is probably best remembered for her roles as Cathy Gale in the cult TV series, The Avengers, as well as Pussy Galore in the James Bond movie, Goldfinger. Although she has starred in numerous other theater, television and film productions, these are the two characters for which I remember her most and in which I enjoy watching her perform. Intro image available from AllPosters.com

Unique Crochet Designs By JustBon

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:58:02 -0600

JustBon Crochet Designs: Are you looking for original, handmade snowboard & ski hats, EMO and regular style beanies & rasta hats for both men and women, as well as fashionable hat & scarf sets too? Here they are! All my crochet patterns are unique and professionally made. Please take a moment to scroll down and take a look at what this page has to offer. A little further down the page is an area where you can leave your comments - I'd be happy to hear from you! Oh! And I will be unveiling my new, improved and highly original crocheted hamburger very soon! Please check back often to see when it becomes available and the story behind it. It's no calorie, no carbs and totally healthy! Need a custom made item? I'd be happy to help...just let me know! In the meantime, please join me at my Etsy Shop (currently on hiatus) and hopefully, you too will get "hooked"! Sadly, my wife passed away in October 2010. This page is a tribute to her creativity. Thank you.

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:49:13 -0600

Sophie Kinsella (born December 12, 1969) is the pen name of British author Madeleine Wickham. As Sophie Kinsella she has become well-known for the creation of the very successful Shopaholic set of novels, featuring the mishaps of her central character, Becky Bloomwood. Following on from the success of this collection of books, the first in the series (Confessions of a Shopaholic) was released as a major motion movie in February 2009, starring Isla Fisher as Becky and Hugh Dancy as Luke Brandon. In addition to the Shopaholic books, Kinsella has also written several novels under the name Madeleine Wickham, including Cocktails For Three and Sleeping Arrangements. Image by Elena Torre from Viareggio, Italia (Sophie Kinsella) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Greatest TV Intros Ever

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:45:06 -0600

Do you remember a time when television shows had really great intros or openings? Back in the 60s and up until about the 80s, program makers loved to entice their audience with some very exciting opening credits which were almost like a mini movie in themselves. It seems that those days are now gone and instead we have either no program opening or a poor excuse for one. Broadcasters are more interested in condensing these down to allow for either commercials or to tell the audience what's coming up next. It seems that the good old intro has suffered at the hands of the advertisers. Thanks to the internet, these intros can be found playing over a wide range of video sites, and my husband and I have gathered together what we believe to be several of the greatest intros ever. Now, of course, this list is purely subjective and there are plenty more shows out there with great intros, but these are our personal favorites. Also included towards the end of the page is an all time classic kid's program, which used to be shown in England and Europe repeatedly back in the Sixties and Seventies. It is a show which my husband always watched when he was growing up: The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. It had a very short intro, but had one of the most magnificent theme tunes, which can be heard in the video below. Play it a couple of times and you too will be hooked. In fact, as well as having great intros, these TV shows had some of the greatest theme tunes too. So, (in no particular order) travel back with us and enjoy these TV memories from yesteryear. Image: by Beige Alert on Flickr through Creative Commons.

The Best Sanyo HDTVs

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:50:42 -0600

Having been a satisfied owner of a Sanyo HDTV for several years, I wanted to discover what were the best and most popular models the company is currently offering. Here, you will find many different sizes and combinations of the most popular Sanyo HDTV televisions, whether you are looking to replace your current one or wanting to add a second or third television to other rooms in your house. There are a dozen Sanyos featured here, for all spending criteria and for all parts of your home.

The Music of Spandau Ballet: Gold

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:43:12 -0600

Let's take a trip back to the Eighties and remember the music of British New Romantic group, Spandau Ballet - its members being Gary Kemp, Tony Hadley, Steve Norman, John Keeble and Martin Kemp. From dance tunes to ballads, Spandau Ballet became one of the most popular New Romantic bands in the UK and Europe and, for a short period of time, their tunes became a staple of US radio stations. This exposure in America gave them four hit singles, but only two reached the Top 30 - True and Gold, both of which had Top two placings in the UK. In their homeland, the band actually produced twenty Top 50 hits, some of which can be enjoyed in the videos below. Image credit: By Peter.Wetter [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Beatles: Eleanor Rigby

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:11:57 -0600

Eleanor Rigby by the legendary Beatles was recorded in 1966 and included on the album Revolver. It would go on to reach Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in August of the same year, staying there for four weeks. Written by Paul McCartney, but with a credit to both Lennon and McCartney, the song tells the tale of loneliness and despair in one of The Beatles' most poetic lyrics. In fact, the song highlighted the transition of the group bridging it from its pure pop sound to its psychedelic experimentation of the late 1960s. A simple string backing added to the desperation of the atmosphere of the track, the group not playing on the recording at all. As with all of The Beatles songs, Eleanor Rigby has become a pop classic and remains one of my favorites. Album Art: Revolver: Available at Amazon

Barry White Music

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:23:52 -0600

Barry White has always been a favorite singer of mine. His deep and sexy voice reverberating on his late night love songs can always put me in the mood for a hug and kiss with my beloved. Alternatively, his uptempo numbers are perfect for dancing close to your partner. Songs like Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe, You're the First, the Last, My Everything and Never, Never Gonna Give You Up made him a household name in the 1970s and beyond, and brought him many awards. Along the way, he earned nicknames like The Walrus of Love and the Lurve Machine. Sadly, he passed away in 2003 and his distinctive voice will be sorely missed. To keep his memory alive, gathered together here are some of his most celebrated songs and music. Intro Album Art: I've Got So Much To Give

Houston Fire Fighters Calendar 2008

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:09:58 -0600

Following on from the success of the calendar for the Houston Fire Fighters 2007, featured here is the addition to the collection for 2008. As a girlfriend of mine mentioned, they are burning hot and "I am moving to Houston and when I get there, I'm setting my house on fire!!!" These pictures are all taken for a good cause, the details of which can be found further down the page.

Memento: The Movie

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:00:53 -0600

Memento - one of the best movies of 2000 - was inspired by a short story by Jonathan Nolan, the brother of the film's director Christopher Nolan. The short story, Memento Mori, became Memento and stars Guy Pearce as a former insurance fraud investigator (Leonard Shelby), who is hunting for the man who he believes raped and killed his wife during a burglary. Unfortunately for Leonard, he now has anterograde amnesia, which he contracted from severe head trauma during the attack on his wife. This renders his brain unable to store new memories. To cope with his condition, he maintains a system of notes, photographs, and tattoos to record information about himself and others, including his wife's killer. He is helped in his investigations by Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) and Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss), neither of whom he can truly trust.

The Mole: The TV Reality Game Show

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:18:59 -0600

One of the best reality game shows, The Mole, returned to US TV screens during June of 2008. The show had been on hiatus since 2004, when the fourth season was aired. Described as "the smartest reality show ever", The Mole began on ABC-TV at the beginning of 2001, and was followed by a second season (also with civilian contestants) towards the end of 2001, but was not completed until the summer of 2002. Anderson Cooper was the host of both series. Ahmad Rashad hosted the next two seasons, which pitted celebrities against one another in Celebrity Mole: Hawaii and Celebrity Mole: Yucatan. The format returned in 2008 with civilian contestants trying to discover the identity of The Mole: a saboteur intent on causing dissension, mistrust and ultimately to prevent money from being added to the winner's pot.

Mark Ballas | Dancing with the Stars

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:47:17 -0600

Mark Ballas (born May 24, 1986) is one of the professional dancers who appears on Dancing with the Stars. Season 13 sees him partnered with actress Kristin Cavallari. Over the seasons of the show, he has danced alongside celebrity partners Sabrina Bryan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Kim Kardashian,Shawn Johnson, Melissa Joan Hart, Shannen Doherty, Bristol Palin and Chelsea Kane, winning the coveted mirror ball twice. Here, you can view many of those past performances and enjoy finding out more about Mark Ballas. All image credits: PicApp

Akron, Ohio

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:04:31 -0600

Akron, Ohio has been my hometown all my life. I was born and raised here. Located in Summit County, North-East Ohio around fifty miles south of Cleveland, it can now boast the fact that it is also the hometown of basketball sensation, LeBron James, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Over the years the city has undergone many changes. Formerly known as the Rubber Capital of the World, due to its indelible link with the rubber industry, it is now known as the City of Invention as it homes The National Inventor's Hall of Fame as well as an interactive museum of invention, referred to as Inventure Place. As well as its moniker as the City of Invention, Akron also enjoys many notable "firsts", as well as a diverse cultural and historical background. My hope is to highlight some of this diversity here, as I take you on a tour of Akron, OH. Image: By Sleepydre.Threeblur0 at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

Queen Emily

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:52:11 -0600

Queen Emily (David) took fifth place on Season 3 of the hit US television show, America's Got Talent, during the summer of 2008. She hails from Stockton, California and is a highly talented soul and R&B singer. She started singing in church and at an early age had aspirations of becoming a professional entertainer. Unfortunately for her, life got in the way. As a single mother, she put her singing career on hold to raise her two daughters, but she always held on to her dreams of performing. By auditioning for America's Got Talent, she is now realizing her dream, by displaying a rich, powerful and soulful voice as well as a magnetic stage presence. She now stands on the verge of a successful recording career and wooing audiences around the USA and the world.

Airplane! The Movie

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:58:26 -0600

In Airplane! The Movie, ex-Navy pilot Ted Striker has been nervous about flying ever since THAT incident during the war. He's on a flight which would cause anyone concern: he seems to be the only sane person aboard. Of course, everything that could possibly go wrong on this flight does go wrong. What do you expect with a co-pilot who doesn't realize he's a basketball star, and an air traffic controller with a substance abuse problem? Image: Airplane! from Amazon.com

Serve and Volley: The Tennis Group

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:41:32 -0600

Welcome to the Tennis Group! If you have a good quality tennis-related Squidoo page, then you are more than welcome to add it here! Anything from tennis personalities to tennis merchandise - and everything in between. Serve up your best tennis! Intro image: Bo Mertz (originally posted to Flickr as IMG_3538.jpg) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Great Britain at the Beijing Olympics: The Medal Winners

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:15:12 -0600

Great Britain finished the 2008 Summer Olympics with a final tally of 47 medals, placing it fourth in the medal rankings behind the United States, China and Russia. Great Britain also ranked fourth in the medal table for the quantity of individual color medals, again behind China, the United States and Russia. News of the individuals and teams that won medals for Great Britain can be found below.

Stanislas Wawrinka: Tennis Professional

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:47:25 -0600

Stanislas Wawrinka (born March 28, 1985) is a professional tennis player who is currently ranked among the world's top 30 professionals. He hails from Switzerland and is that country's Number Two player, behind World Number Four, Roger Federer. Current ATP Ranking - Singles: 22 Career High ATP Ranking - Singles: 9 (9-Jun-08) Current ATP Race - Singles: ?

Christian Bale

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:19:51 -0600

Christian Bale (born January 30, 1974) is a popular British born actor of Welsh background, who has filled movie theaters as Batman in The Dark Knight, alongside Heath Ledger as The Joker, as well as with roles in movies such as American Psycho, Harsh Times, Rescue Dawn, Equilibrium and his Golden Globe/Oscar winning performance in The Fighter. Bale made his professional debut on the London West End stage, and then auditioned with 4000 other juveniles for the coveted role of James Graham in Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun in 1987. Bale received a special citation for Best Performance by a Juvenile Actor from the National Board of Review - an award specially created for his performance in Empire. In the succeeding years, Bale has appeared in Shakespeare, dramas and comedies demonstrating a versatility, depth and range that has made him one of the best reviewed actors, as well as one of the most popular actors on the Internet. Upcoming for Christian Bale are the movies, The Flowers of War, The Dark Knight Rises, Lawless and Knight of Cups.

Alexandre Despatie: Diver

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:46:07 -0600

French-Canadian diver, Alexandre Despatie (born, June 8, 1985), captured the hearts of Canadians when he won a gold medal on the 10M diving board at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and suddenly became an overnight celebrity. Since then, he has accomplished what no other diver has in history. At the 2005 World Championships, cheered on by a partisan home crowd, Alexandre became the first diver to be world champion on all three boards. He claimed the gold medal on the 1M and 3M in Montreal to go with the gold he captured at the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona on the 10M board. 2003 was also a big year for Alexandre as he won his first world championship title on the 10M and then won three gold and a bronze at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo. That success carried on to the Athens Olympics where he won the silver medal on the 3M board, the first Olympic diving medal for a Canadian man. 2006 got off to a great start as he captured three gold medals and one bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Returning to Melbourne, this time for the 2007 World Aquatic Championships, Alex won silver medals in the 3M event and the 3M synchro with partner Arturo Miranda. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he won a silver medal for the 3M springboard event.

Poster Caption Humor

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:20:27 -0600

You've seen them - those wonderful posters that speak volumes, but to which only YOU can give your personal voice. Whether they be children, animals or situations, each of the ten poster prints I have gathered here are crying out for a great caption. I, therefore, ask you to take a peak - like the black cat to the left - and give each picture your best shot!

Gary Puckett (With The Union Gap)

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:18:40 -0600

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap recorded a string of top selling, melodramatic chart ballads during the late Sixties. Dressed in Civil War-era costumes, and complete with fictitious military ranks, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap were in their own way as far-out and singular as any other act of the period. The group also sported a lead singer with a voice that was wonderfully full, robust and stylistically controlled. One which was one of my favorites from the 1960s.

The Golden Corral (Akron, Ohio)

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:59:04 -0600

If you're in the mood for a buffet style meal at a very reasonable price, then you really cannot beat the food at the Golden Corral. Admittedly, it's not the most swanky place in town, but the menu is wide ranging and most people can find something mouth watering to eat there. Each day of the week offers a different dinner speciality, so everyone's tastes are catered for from Sunday to Saturday. Golden Corral's headquarters are based in Durham, North Carolina, but it has restaurants across 40 states in the US. My local location is an easy 15 minute drive away in Akron, Ohio, and benefits from a very welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff members. But you're sure to find a Golden Corral on your travels. So, whether you arrive on a Monday when it's Seafood Extravaganza or a Saturday for the Beef Lovers dinner, you're sure to find something that you like. Photo courtesy Ho0n and Creative Commons.

Patrick Macnee

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:37:15 -0600

Patrick Macnee is probably best remembered for his role as the urbane super sleuth, John Steed, in the Sixties television series, The Avengers. While he will be forever identified with this role, Macnee has also carved out a successful career as a television producer, as well as a stage and movie actor. Now in his 89th year, he has retired from acting, but continues to provide voice overs for a variety of projects.

Best (& Worst) Christmas Songs of the Seventies

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:33:54 -0600

For many years, the record industry in Great Britain has rightfully looked to the run up to the Christmas period as a time when huge sales of records (or CDs and downloads nowadays) can be made. The industry geared itself up to either promote a new artist's song or to cash in on the seasonal cheer by having an established singer or band record and release a Christmas themed song. The intent was to see if that particular song could achieve the coveted position of No.1 on the charts over Christmas. The competition became so intense over the years that even the bookies were taking bets as to which record would eventually climb to the summit of the Top 40. While there had been plenty of Christmas songs before the 1970s, not many of them had been aimed at those all important younger record buyers. And so it was that around 1972, singers and bands that appealed to the 13-30 age group started to release contemporary Christmas ditties, that have continued to be popular to the present day. So, here is a rundown of those songs that appeared on the British Singles Chart during the 1970s, although many of them never achieved that much sought after No.1 spot.

Victoria Wood Comedy Showcase

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:08:23 -0600

British comedienne Victoria Wood could always make me laugh out loud! I have loved her observational and parodist humor since first seeing her some time ago. She is perhaps not as media visible these days, but her wit has stood and still stands the test of time. She is not so well known outside of the UK, mainly due to her specific British humor, but anyone watching her can pick up the observations of British society, class and everyday life. One of her funniest sketches, in my honest opinion, is included on this page: Two Soups. While she does not appear in it herself, her cohort Julie Walters takes central stage as the aging waitress waiting on two customers, who can barely keep straight faces. For those of you who know Ms. Wood, enjoy again these wonderful sketches and for those of you who don't know her, I hope you too will laugh out loud! Intro image: PicApp

Houston Fire Fighters Calendar 2007

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:05:21 -0600

Ah, the Houston fire fighters! They are burning hot, and quoting a girlfriend who saw this calendar: "I am moving to Houston and when I get there, I'm setting my house on fire!!!" On a serious note, I believe firefighters everywhere earn the respect of their local communities for undertaking such a courageous and life threatening job. Enjoy these pictures from the 2007 edition of the Houston fire fighters calendar, but be thankful for these and many other brave guys!

Ed Wood: The Worst Movie Director Ever?

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:58:20 -0600

Is Ed Wood one of the most misunderstood movie directors, or was he just plain bad? Over the years, Ed Wood has earned the title of one of the worst film directors ever, if not the worst. His movies included the now cult classics Plan 9 From Outer Space, Glen or Glenda and Bride of the Monster, among many others. These films in themselves have been recognized as some of the most poorly put together efforts ever committed to celluloid. But are we being fair to Ed Wood? Anybody who has seen the Johnny Depp biopic will understand the struggles that Mr Wood had in achieving his visions of movie greatness. Several of his attempts are shown here, and you can be the judge whether he garnered that greatness or just sheer movie ineptitude. Image by Angry candy at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

Manfred Mann's Earthband: Blinded By the Light Lyrics

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:24:53 -0600

I have always been confused by the lyrics to Blinded by the Light by Manfred Mann's Earthband. I believe that it is possibly one of the most misheard or misunderstood lyrics in rock music history. I have even found myself making up the words as I try to sing along, but thankfully now I have them to hand. Not that they make much sense to me, even after I have read them. I am not sure what planet Bruce Springsteen was on when he wrote them, but there must be some hidden meaning or double entendre involved. Nevertheless, this track was one of the biggest in the 1970s career of Manfred Mann, reaching Number 1 in the USA in February, 1977 and selling well worldwide.

DVD Region Codes Explained

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:52:35 -0600

Do you know the difference between the various DVD Region Codes? Are you aware that a DVD purchased in North America will not normally play in a DVD player in, say, Europe? Some years ago, my English husband moved to the United States with a large DVD and video collection in tow. To his dismay, he found that he was not able to play any of his DVDs or tapes using a regular American player. Why? Because the DVD format is divided into a number of incompatible geographical regions, while video tapes can only be played on a television of one of three compatible standards: PAL, NTSC and SECAM. If you're already confused, hopefully this page will go a lot of the way in explaining the differences that exist worldwide in DVD playback, and how you can potentially overcome these differences (and to some extent, the problems encountered with video tape recordings.) This is DVD Region Encoding explained.

Pop Culture From 1958

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:18:03 -0600

1958 was a great year: it was the year of my husband's birth :) In celebration of his 50th year (three years ago), this page looks back at the events and facts that made the year 1958 unique. Step back in time and take a look at the pop culture of the year - the music, movies, books, cars that were the rage more than fifty years ago.

The Pussycat Dolls: When I Grow Up

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:25:50 -0600

When I Grow Up by The Pussycat Dolls was the first of six songs to be lifted as a single from the group's second album, Doll Domination. Following on from the girls' previous successes, the track became a major hit worldwide, reaching the Top 10 in both the USA and the UK. Its lyrics speak of a passion to be famous, although often, they have been misinterpreted or misheard. Critics joined in a mild condemnation of the message of the song, but most agreed that its driving dance beat would do no harm to The Pussycat Dolls image or bank balance. While primary lead singer of the group, Nicole Scherzinger, carves out a successful solo career, one wonders whether we will hear more from The Pussycat Dolls. Image: When I Grow Up at Amazon

David Cook: American Idol

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:12:37 -0600

David Cook, the 2008 American Idol winner, already has a very successful debut album under his belt, along with several impressive single releases. He has recently returned to the spotlight with his cover song Don't You Forget About Me used as the exit track to departing Season 10 American Idol contestants. In addition, a new single release became available April 19, 2011, the title of which is The Last Goodbye. He has also completed his second album, This Loud Morning, which was released in late June, 2011. Here, we take a look at David Cook's music so far and celebrate his continuing success. Image: Mysticpurzderivative work: Axb3 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Actor: Jonny Lee Miller

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:35:08 -0600

Jonny Lee Miller (born November 15, 1972) re-entered the public conscious as the lead actor in the 2008-9 ABC television drama Eli Stone. Previously known for his starring role in the movie Trainspotting and the short-lived CBS series Smith, Miller's forgotten claim to fame was that he was the husband of Angelina Jolie for three years, having met her on the set of Hackers in which they both starred. More recently, Jonny Lee Miller has been seen in episodes of the US TV series Dexter, starring as Jordan Chase. Up until May, 2011 he was appearing at the Royal National Theatre in London in the play Frankenstein, directed by Danny Boyle. His next project is to star alongside Johnny Depp in the movie version of the gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, which will be in cinemas in May, 2012. Image: PicApp

Robbie Williams

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:30:37 -0600

Robbie Williams, singer of some of the best pop and rock music, came to my attention while I was living in England for a short time in the late 1990s. I was watching television one evening when he made an appearance as a guest on a chat show. He had me hooked when he performed an acoustic version of his biggest song, Angels. From then on, I have followed his music and have enjoyed each turn his career has taken him. I bought his album Life Thru A Lens, and it was in the car CD player constantly. I discovered later that Robbie Williams had been a singer and member of the British boy band Take That, but after falling out with them unceremoniously, he quit to start a solo career. Since then, he has gone on to win more Brit awards than any other artist, and secure a UK record-breaking deal with EMI Records. Robbie Williams has got to be one of the more accessible singers out there today. His lyrics make you think, make you sing and his music simply moves you. He can be catchy and up-beat in one song and introspective in another. He is like a good friend who knows how to cheer you up, who knows that life is filled with ups and downs. It remains a mystery to me why he has not become a major star in the US, as he is in the UK and the rest of the world.

Victoria Wood's Acorn Antiques

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:15:06 -0600

The extremely funny Acorn Antiques (written by Victoria Wood) was a parody of a mini soap opera (based on the long-running British soap, Crossroads) and set in a shop on the outskirts of the fictional town of Manchesterford, England. Viewers were gripped with the everyday dramas that beset Miss Babs (Celia Imrie), Berta (Victoria Wood) and the glamorous Mrs Overall (Julie Walters). Episodes included Babs and the Cup of Coffee, Mrs Overall and her Apron and the memorably classic Berta Coming Through the Doorway. Re-live the drama as Mrs Overall serves up another batch of macaroons and Babs discusses the future of the shop. What will be this week's riveting cliff hanger? Will the set survive?

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Dessert Recipe

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:12:41 -0600

Chocolate and peanut butter, just that mix of words bring a mouth watering moment for most people. Sometimes the most delicious things in life are the easiest to make, and this decadent combination couldn't be more easy. A treat at any time, this chocolate and peanut butter dessert is truly tasty. So, do you love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? How about Oreo Cookies? Then this is the ultimate recipe for you! Image: Chocolate & Peanut Butter candies shaped like Ohio's buckeye nut

David Archuleta

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:28:46 -0600

David Archuleta, the American Idol Season Seven runner-up, has gone on to carve out a successful pop career, beginning with a highly sought after self-titled debut album and a top selling first single, Crush. Although his follow-up recordings have not been so successful, and now news arrives that he has parted company with Jive Records, he still maintains a very active fan base which should assure him of continued good fortune in the years to come. Here, we celebrate much of David's career so far.

Greatest Songs of Halloween

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:34:50 -0600

October means Halloween is just around the corner, and with it comes some monster Halloween songs! As the stores fill their shelves with candy, costumes and decorations, people's attention is directed towards ghosts, ghouls, witches, pumpkins and all things frighteningly cute or just plain horrific. Parties and trick or treating are arranged, food is prepared - but what is better to put you in the Halloween mood than turning on the radio or slipping in your favorite CD of Halloween music. Featured here are some easily recognizable standards of the season, along with a sprinkling of newer ones...these are Halloween's Greatest Hit Songs!

Pop Stars Over 50: Old And In the Way?

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:41:46 -0600

Three of the most famous musicians of their generation turned 50-years-old in 2008. Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince all reached their half century during that year. So, was this a time to celebrate or commiserate? Are these aging pop icons now just old and in the way, or do they have something more to offer? In my opinion, Prince and Madonna should be celebrating. As for Michael Jackson, even taking into account the influence he has had on popular music, I believe he doesn't have much more relevant to say musically and may continue to find it difficult to recover from the lurid media headlines. Am I right or wrong here - are these three icons still relevant? Remember The Who singing "Hope I die before I get old"? Not that anyone should die, but does this idea (or rebel yell) still hold true in pop music? The devastating news arrived June 25, 2009 that Michael Jackson had died. This page and discussion was created many months before this event. It appeared that Jackson was on the comeback trail having arranged concerts in London, England. We'll now never know whether these shows would have jump started his career and enabled him to create new relevancy beyond his 50 years.

Chocolate Cake in a Mug

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:42:00 -0600

If you're ready for a quick, delicious dessert to satisfy those chocolate cravings, then here's the thing for you - chocolate cake in a mug! Let me walk you through a step by step guide on how to create this mouthwatering chocolate cake, which you can enjoy in around 10 minutes from preparation to eating. It's a simple recipe which could be a great cooking experience for kids, and can be shared with all your friends. What a treat for everyone!

Shareapic: An Image Hosting Site

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:40:11 -0600

Just recently, Shareapic, the image hosting site, was introduced to me. I'm usually very skeptical about singing the praises of websites that promise certain things (except Squidoo, of course), but having experienced the ease and potential power of Shareapic, I've since become a convert. What's different about Shareapic? Apart from being a great place to park your pictures, the site also pays YOU every time someone clicks on one of your photos. Now, I'm not going to say that you will become rich within a week, because you will not. Unless, of course, you have hundreds of web pages attracting thousands of visitors. Shareapic pays $0.22 per 1000 picture views, so you should treat the earning part of the site like collecting your change. Over time, it will build up largely without you noticing. The nice thing is that you can upload an unlimited number of photos and create an unlimited number of galleries. This is where the potential of the site comes into play, as users can add galleries to a vast number of websites, such as MySpace, Facebook, any blog and, of course, Squidoo. I have created several galleries, and I am really pleased with the overall tidy and crisp feel they convey. They work especially well with the new Squidoo layouts too, so it is very much a win/win situation. I have included a few galleries below, which I use elsewhere on my Squidoo lenses, to enable you to see the benefits of using Shareapic. If you like the gallery effect, you can join here.

The 2008 Grammy Award Winners

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:53:33 -0600

The votes are in and the winners of the Grammy Awards for 2008 have been decided. It seemed that it was going to be Amy Winehouse all the way - until the surprise ending. Winehouse, the troubled British singer and songwriter who performed via satellite at the 50th annual Grammy Awards, took home prizes in five of the six categories in which she was nominated, including three of the big four categories: Record of the Year, Song of the Year (both for Rehab) and Best New Artist. In addition to Amy Winehouse, this page recalls many of the 2008 Grammy winners, along with video performances.

Eli Mattson

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:34:10 -0600

Eli Mattson, (born November 4, 1981), is a singer/songwriter who claimed second place on the hit US show, America's Got Talent in 2008. He hails from Duluth, MN but much of his life was spent in Wisconsin and then Chicago. He is a highly talented pianist, with a deep, rich voice that has some calling him the new Elton John or Billy Joel. He started playing piano at age 5. By the time he had left high school he was performing at local venues and had started to write his own music. At 21, he decided to leave home and tour with members of his country band, living from hand to mouth as he played in small towns around the US. Tiring of life on the road without much reward, Mattson made the decision to relocate to Chicago, where he has continued to work for several years as a singer / piano player. With wonderfully emotional performances, Mattson won his way through to the finals of America's Got Talent and, hopefully, is now on the verge of a successful recording career.

Nik Kershaw

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:39:49 -0600

Let's travel back to the Eighties with the music of British singer, Nik Kershaw. Kershaw became one of the most popular musicians in the UK and Europe for a short period of time during the 1980s. He accomplished six Top 20 British hit singles, with five of them reaching the Top 10 - Wouldn't It Be Good and I Won't Let the Sun Go Down On Me being among his biggest songs. Kershaw's fame may have been fleeting, but he left an indelible impression on the booming resurgence of the British music scene of the Eighties. His singles always had great videos to accompany them, and these can be enjoyed further down this page. Photo source: Nik Kershaw: Human Racing at Amazon.

JustBon Crochet Designs: Snowboard And Ski Hats Showcase

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:13:13 -0600

I have been crocheting for approximately 40 years. I learned the art from my grandmother and now enjoy creating my own unique crochet designs. My Etsy Shop name is Bon Crochet Designs. Come and visit MY SHOP and learn so much more about me! Please note that my wife passed away in October 2010. This is a legacy to her creativity.

Andy Murray: Tennis Player

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:34:44 -0600

Andy Murray is currently the Number One British tennis player and is presently the only Briton represented in the ATP Top 100 Rankings at Number 4. He is a staunch Scotsman, and at age 24 represents the only British hope of winning his home tournament, Wimbledon, since the retirements of both Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski. Photo source: Flickr - nhewson cc: Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Procol Harum: A Whiter Shade of Pale

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:10:48 -0600

Procol Harum released the now classic A Whiter Shade of Pale in May, 1967. It reached Number 1 in the UK Singles Chart a month later and remained there for six weeks. Surprisingly at the time, for a British band's debut song, it also managed the magic touch in the USA, where it climbed into the Billboard Top 10. To say the lyrics to A Whiter Shade of Pale are unusual would be an understatement, but they evoke a period of popular music when psychedelia was at its peak and the age of drugs and rock music became synonymous with each other. In the years since, it has become an enduring classic. Its accolades are many, but the truth is you cannot keep a great song from going away. Still played regularly today at many social gatherings and constantly on the radio, A Whiter Shade of Pale has rightfully earned its place in the annals of rock music history. Album Art: Procol Harum at Amazon

Nuttin' But Stringz

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:29:49 -0600

Nuttin' But Stringz are brothers Damien and Tourie Escoba, who placed third on Season 3 of the hit US show, America's Got Talent. They hail from Jamaica, Queens in New York City and are two highly talented violinists who infuse a variety of hip-hop, jazz and R&B into the classical music genre. The brothers have been playing violin since they were in elementary school where they participated in the music education program, Save the Music. They later enhanced their musical skills at the renowned Julliard School and Bloomingdale School of Music. After several years of playing gigs in clubs, schools and shows in subway trains, the duo has gained national attention after performing on The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and at The White House. They now stand on the verge of a successful recording career.

Grady Sizemore

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:17:58 -0600

Grady Sizemore arrived at the Cleveland Indians by way of the Montreal Expos, presently known as the Washington Nationals. He quickly became one of my favorite members of the Indians. Quite often, I could care less whether my beloved team win or not, as long as I have Grady Sizemore to ogle. For Mr. Sizemore is hot, not only on the baseball diamond, but also wherever else I happen to catch sight of him. Happily, I am not alone in my adoration and feel sure you will appreciate this tribute to one of the hunkiest men in sports. Image by Rubenstein (Grady Sizemore) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:33:35 -0600

I bought Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella a short while ago, mainly through a recommendation by a close friend. It has been sitting on my bookcase for some time, and now with the need for a little light reading (with more than a splash of humor), I thought this would be the ideal time to pick it up and start. Sophie Kinsella has written a whole series of these Chick Lit novels revolving around the central character of Becky Bloomwood. They have been so successful that a major motion picture of Confessions of a Shopaholic has been released, starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy. I've recently finished the book and I've really enjoyed reading about Becky's hilarious adventures. How about you?

Richard Gasquet

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:08:29 -0600

Richard Gasquet is currently one of the top ranked French tennis players, and is also ranked among the Top 100 players in the world. He reached a career high of World No.7 in July, 2007 after winning his way to the Wimbledon semi-finals, having beaten American Andy Roddick in the previous round. Following his solid play throughout 2007, he managed to qualify for the Tennis Master's Cup, but lost to David Ferrer of Spain. During 2009, Gasquet was reportedly tested positive for cocaine, but strenuously denied the claims. As a result, he was provisionally suspended but was later cleared of the charge, citing that he had unknowingly consumed the drug after having kissed a woman at a party who had herself consumed it. With the suspension withdrawn, Gasquet was able to resume competitive play in July.

Plan 9 From Outer Space: The Movie

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:15:20 -0600

The movie Plan 9 From Outer Space is a masterpiece in the science fiction/horror/fantasy genre. Well, masterpiece may be an overstatement, but it is so bad, it is good. In fact, Plan Nine From Outer Space is unintentionally hilarious. The cheesy special effects, the inappropriate use of stock film footage, the obvious breaks in continuity and the outrageously bad dialogue combine to make this movie a lot of fun, if viewed with the right people. Never mind that the tombstones are made of cardboard and bend on screen, director Ed Wood truly believed in his product. There have been men who made films for profit, there have been men who made films to exploit: Ed Wood made them because they were inside him, and he needed to get them out. That sincerity, in the face of total ineptitude, makes each one of his movies, and particularly Plan 9 From Outer Space, something special. Bad, but special.

Graham Norton

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:19:50 -0600

Graham Norton (born Graham William Walker, 4 April, 1963) is one of the most popular talk show hosts and comedians currently on British television. Despite his desire to become a serious actor, it was soon clear that Norton's future lay in making people laugh. The UK television station, Channel 4, offered him his own chat show and So Graham Norton was born. On one of my trips to the UK, I caught the show and it was a magnificent mess of the camp, the obscene and the hilarious. Happily, it was snapped up by BBC America and in turn, a US version was born to further cheers and laughter on this side of the Atlantic. Image: By Phil Guest from Bournemouth, UK (Graham Norton) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Leona Lewis

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:27:30 -0600

X-Factor winner Leona Lewis: Leona Lewis' striking beauty, charmingly down-to-earth personality, and huge, soaring voice has taken over the UK, where her debut Spirit entered the album chart at Number One and became Britain's fastest-selling debut of all time. Spirit's lead-off single Bleeding Love sold over 1 million copies in the UK in just five weeks. Ushering in 2008, Leona received four prestigious Brit Award nominations, the UK equivalent of the Grammy Awards and won an Ivor Novello Award and the Record of the Year Award. She has now received huge accolades in the US (and worldwide), where she has successfully conquered the American and international charts with her first single releases. Photo source: Flickr - branestawm2002-Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Kara DioGuardi

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:49:05 -0600

So what has Kara DioGuardi been doing since leaving American Idol in 2010? As far as television is concerned, she joined the Bravo series Platinum Hit in May 2011 as one of the judges overseeing singer/songwriter competitors to an ultimate $100,000 first prize, along with a recording and publishing deal. She has also appeared as herself in episodes of Sesame Street, The Simpsons and Hannah Montana. As of September 2011, Ms. DioGuardi switched from the pop world to musical theater when she appeared as Roxie Hart in a Broadway revival of Chicago. Her run in the part continued until October 30. So what is next for Kara DioGuardi?

David Archuleta: Crush Lyrics

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 01:26:09 -0600

Crush by David Archuleta was the first official track released as a single by this American Idol contestant back in August, 2008. As such, it was also included on the singer's debut album, simply entitled David Archuleta. The lyrics to Crush explore the age old question of true love and whether it is reciprocated, leaving the singer wondering whether his feelings are simply superficial or the real thing. In terms of success, the song managed to "crush" the competition upon release. It sailed to the top of the American charts and generally received positive reviews from the music press. Here, you can enjoy listening to the song and decide for yourself where it ranks in your heart. . Image PicApp

Monopoly: A Childhood Game

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:39:53 -0600

One of my most vivid childhood memories is of sitting around the family dining table and playing Monopoly with my older brothers and sister. It was usually in the dead of winter, when it was much too cold to go outside, that our mother gathered us together and pulled out that magic box that she knew would keep us occupied for hours. Having two very competitive brothers kept each game interesting and lively to say the least, while we girls also kept some tricks up our sleeves to keep them both on their toes. I still love to play board games today, particularly around the holidays when all the family is gathered together. The competitive nature is still there, and usually enhanced with a touch of the holiday spirit! Even in my adult years, Monopoly remains my favorite. Photo courtesy of Mark Strozier.

Why Dogs Hate Halloween

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:32:10 -0600

Personally, I do not have a dog, but after looking and laughing at these pictures, I can understand why dogs might hate Halloween. Judge for yourself as I present 20 reasons why dogs hate Halloween. Yes, these canine friends will be visiting a door near you, begging and whining for some Halloween goodies. And you better be extra specially nice to them - and don't get too close - because you never know what the trick might be! Dogs can be fickle creatures when they walk around looking like pumpkins, hotdogs, fairies and the like...revenge can be sweet. So go ahead and laugh and point from a safe distance ;)

Coldplay: Viva La Vida Lyrics

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:23:33 -0600

Coldplay's Viva la Vida was released in June 2008 as the lead single from the album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. The lyrics to the song have been open to wide interpretation, with its references to the French Revolution, the Catholic Church, Jesus Christ and/or Christianity. Coldplay have never really given a straight answer about the lyrics to Viva La Vida, but the fact that the sleeve to its parent album is a reproduction of Eug�ne Delacroix's painting Liberty Leading the People, commemorating the French Revolution of 1830, may give some strong clues. However, it seems that it is the melody to the song that has caused Coldplay some trouble. Accusations of plagiarism have come from several quarters, including American rocker Joe Satriani who settled a lawsuit with the band. Another accusation came from little known band Creaky Boards who also complained that Coldplay had stolen the melody to one of its songs (see below). Historically, though, Viva la Vida topped both the UK Singles Chart and US Chart, giving the group its first Number 1 song on both sides of the Atlantic. In addition, it won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2009. Album artwork: Viva La Vida at Amazon

JustBon Crochet Designs: Crocheted Hats

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:44:09 -0600

I have been crocheting for approximately 40 years. I learned the art from my grandmother and now enjoy creating my own unique crochet designs. I am currently re-establishing my Etsy Shop, and will be adding inventory there shortly. Please note that my wife passed away in October 2010. This is a legacy to her creativity.

Carrie Ann Inaba

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:07:52 -0600

Carrie Ann Inaba is currently one of the three judges on the highly popular ABC TV dance competition show Dancing With the Stars. Each week she is joined by her co-judges, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman, to pass comment on and score the latest routines offered up by the "celebrity" contestants. She is obviously no stranger to dance and choreography, having danced professionally with Ricky Martin, David Copperfield and Madonna, among others. She was also seen with Bruno Tonioli early in 2008 on her now completed and canceled television program Dance War: Carrie Ann vs. Bruno, where she led a team of amateur singers/dancers through an elimination competition. Image: PicApp

My Crocheted Hamburger

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:33:40 -0600

A crocheted hamburger? my mom said to me inquisitively. Yes, I replied, I thought it would look great in your kitchen, perhaps atop your refrigerator or over there on that ledge! I think she thought I had gone mad, but she knew how much into creating my own unique crafts I was. So she accepted it gratefully and it has remained in her kitchen for, oh, around forty years. That was the prototype. When I got back to my crocheting a few years ago, one of the first things I created was a new-look hamburger. The one you see on this page. I thought that others may like the look of it too, either for themselves or as a unique gift. That's when eBay came to mind and I tentatively listed one, just to see how much interest it garnered. I was amazed! My humble hamburger was getting inquiries from all over the world - and I was selling it at a steady pace. Well, it's back once more. For all those that love their hamburgers, but just don't want to add on those extra pounds, here is the no-calorie hamburger - made with a slice of cheese, tomato, lettuce and, of course, a hamburger patty. All topped off with a juicy olive. So much better than McDonalds ;)

Akron Attractions: Akron Zoo, Ohio

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:35:16 -0600

How would like to come nose-to-nose with more than 700 animals? At one of Akron's attractions, the Akron Zoo, Ohio - you can! Enjoy the excitement of seeing many of the most endangered species in the world, including penguins, tigers, leopards, jaguars and many more. But it is not just about the animals, as you can be entertained by live music, safaris and live and silent auctions on special days throughout the year. And many children's events are arranged to keep the kids happy too! Akron Zoo - You've Never Been This Close!

The Best Crochet Ever?

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:36:41 -0600

I created JustBon Crochet Designs at the beginning of November 2005, and it has been a whirlwind ever since! All the crocheted items you see are handmade and are completely the product of my creative juices. It is this creativity that led me to opening several online stores, together with the inspiration from something that I made my mother several years ago - a crocheted hamburger! Now, this is truly unique...you won't find one anywhere else...and those who have bought one have found that they really have an original - a real conversation piece! From there, the hats and scarves were born. I now have a line of crocheted beanie hats, ski or snowboard hats as well as hat and scarf sets. And of course, the hamburger is here too! You can see examples of my work in the pictures below and by clicking on them, you will be taken to the relevant page in any of my stores. I hope you will enjoy browsing through and also wearing my designs. Please be sure to visit often, as I regularly add new items. Thank you for visiting and taking the time to look at what I consider to be the best crochet ever. Of course, I am biased, but I'm sure you'll be convinced too! Please note that my wife passed away in October 2010. This is a legacy to her creativity.

The 100 Best Television Pages

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:49:43 -0600

These are the 100 best television pages on Squidoo, as determined by little ole me - JustBon! Included are pages on various genres of television, such as TV shows, television actors and actresses, televisions and so much more! I have tried to review as many television oriented pages as possible, in order to bring you this compilation of what I feel are the really great ones. As new television pages are created, this selection will change...

Danny Gokey

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:07:49 -0600

Danny Gokey (born April 24, 1980) was one of the finalists on Season Eight of American Idol. He took third place, but was heavily tipped as one of the contestants to eventually take the title. He hails from Milwaukee, WI where he has been active in a local church, acting as its musical director. Rather than concentrate on contemporary Christian music, he decided to audition his soulful voice for American Idol, in part because his wife encouraged him to do so. Sadly for Danny, his wife Sophia passed away shortly before his initial audition for the show, but acknowledges that she was the driving force behind his current success, stating that she was the one who believed in him when no-one else did. Although he secured a loyal fan base, which assured him of a Top 3 placing, once the votes were counted he was unable to secure a spot in the Final, as many had predicted. Post Idol, he released his debut album My Best Days in March 2010. Photo source: Keith Hinkle [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Stumpedia: The Search Engine

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:00:39 -0600

There's a fairly new kid on the search engine block called Stumpedia. It's unique approach is that it is a human powered search engine which allows users to submit sites along with matching keywords and phrases, which can then be rated and ranked by its own registered community. You can find out more about Stumpedia here. The purpose of this page is to bring together all those Squidoo members who have created a profile at Stumpedia, so that we can all see at a glance who's creating what - as well as taking the opportunity to make new friends and submitting lenses to a fast growing search community. If you haven't yet joined Stumpedia, you can do so here and then add your profile below. Current Squidoo/Stumpedia users are also encouraged to add their profiles.