Archive for the ‘1980′s icons’ Category:
Steve Davis looks back at his Crucible career – BBC Sport
|
Steve Davis looks back at his Crucible career
BBC Sport "I'm probably the best player of the 1980s and it's natural I've lasted the longest coming into another era. I should have outstayed my era and the fact I'm ...and more » |
Paul Weller gets engaged to his 24-year-old girlfriend – Daily Mail
 Daily Mail |
Paul Weller gets engaged to his 24-year-old girlfriend
Daily Mail She sang with him in his 1980s outfit The Style Council and they married in 1988. They had two children together, Natt, 22, and 18-year-old Leah, ... and more » |
Calmer chameleon: Boy George on doing drugs, doing time and stomping the ……
|
Calmer chameleon: Boy George on doing drugs, doing time and stomping the ...
Independent After 16 years of sobriety, in 2003 he fell back into the drug-taking ways that claimed so much of his life during the 1980s, and began again to use heroin, ...and more » |
Microwave Ovens
If there was ever a kitchen appliance that was associated with the eighties, then the Microwave Oven is surely it. These wonder devices entered our homes with the promise of quick and convenient cooking, which was certainly true, but there was also a great deal left out of the marketing campaigns, as we all discovered when our household finally got one.
It may surprise you to discover that the microwave oven wasn’t actually invented in the eighties though. A patent was filed in the 1930s that proposed the groundwork for the method that microwave ovens use, and in 1945 it was found that microwaves could have a heating effect when a radar engineer discovered that a radar set had melted a chocolate bar in his pocket.
The first home microwave oven was launched in 1952 in the US, but it failed to catch on due to it’s expensive price tag. In the 1960s further models were released by various companies but it still failed to catch on, again due to expense and the unfamiliar technology. By the late 1970s prices started to come down, and by the time the 1980s arrived the cost was low enough for many normal families to consider buying one.
Cost however was not the only barrier stopping microwave ovens from coming into peoples homes. Scare stories about the effects of radiation of different kinds soon got linked to microwave ovens, and people were paranoid about these devices leaking rogue microwaves and slowly cooking them to death. Devices were even sold which were like mini Geiger counters for microwaves, which you could wave around your microwave oven to make sure it was safe.
Add to this fear the fact that you should not use metal containers in a microwave, and that anything you did use needed to be certified “microwave safe”, and it’s a wonder they took off at all!
Probably the biggest disappointment when you finally got a microwave was the look, texture and taste of the food once it had been cooked. Microwave ovens do not brown the food, so you end up with pale food that somehow doesn’t quite taste right.
Baked potatoes are a great example of this, as they were the poster child for many a microwave oven advertising campaign. “Why take an hour or more to make a baked potato when you can do it in minutes in a microwave?“, the adverts cried. How about because you want a fluffy inside with a thick crunchy skin to munch on afterwards?
Nowadays microwave ovens have fancy digital controls and lots of preprogrammed cooking options, but in the eighties it was typical two dial controls – one to set the cooking power, the other a timer dial. Hands up how many of you remember having to turn the dial clockwise then anti-clockwise in order to accurately set the time you wanted! Today you can also get microwaves combined with convection ovens and grills which help get round the browning problem.
The microwave oven is still a great invention, and over the years we’ve got used to the taste of microwave ready meals. Also, there’s one thing you can do in a microwave oven which you can’t do in a regular oven. Next time you have a packet of marshmallows, try popping one on a plate and putting it in the microwave, just don’t leave it in too long unless you enjoy cleaning up marshmallow explosions!
Amazon.co.uk Widgets Search for Microwave Ovens items on Amazon.co.uk
Search for Microwave Ovens items on eBay
Lady Gaga Video Leads To Apologies To Madonna – Crystal Air Productions (sat…
 The Guardian (blog) |
Lady Gaga Video Leads To Apologies To Madonna
Crystal Air Productions (satire) LOS ANGELES (CAP) - The new music video for the song Telephone, featuring Lady Gaga and Beyonce as scantily dressed, highly sexualized lesbian mass ... The Man Behind Lady Gaga's 'Telephone' Video: Jonas AkerlundMTV.com all 460 news articles » |
Ian Botham (Ashes 1981)
Or Ian Terence Botham. Or Beefy. Or Guy the Gorilla. Or Sir Ian.
Throughout his test career, this man was the business. He started in 1977 with 2 test matches against the old enemy, at Trent Bridge and then Headingley, during which he made 25 runs and took one catch AND took 10 wickets (two 5 wicket innings) for 202 runs. England won the Ashes 3-0 - including the two games in which he played. ITB had already made his mark on Ashes history.
But of course this is an 80's blog, so enough about the 70's, what did our (my) hero do in the 80's? Well his first 80's series was the 1979/80 non-Ashes-post-Packer series. It was a good job that the Ashes weren't up for grabs as England played poorly and the series ended 3-0 for Australia. Of course ITB wasn't poor, taking 19 wickets for just under 20 and scoring 187 at 37.4 in the 3 tests. On the way home from Australia, England played a single test in India and won the game by 10 wickets. ITB was in the thick of the action, scoring 114 not out in the English first innings and then taking a total of 13 Indian wickets at 8.15.
Next up, back to back series v West Indies with Botham as Captain Calamitous. A 1-0 defeat in the summer of 1980 was followed by a 2-0 reversal in the West Indies during winter 1980/81. Of course next up during Sir Ian's brief tenure as England Captain were the first two tests against Australia in summer 1981. Things went from bad to worse as Australia went one up in the six match series and Botham lost the captaincy. Things, it could be argued, weren't going that much better under Mike Brearley as at close of play on day 3 England were 6 for one, following on some 221 runs behind. On day 4 things quickly got even worse as ITB joined Geoffrey Boycott at the crease with England 105-5, still 122 behind. When Botham had finished his work (149 not out), ably assisted by Graham Dilley (54) and Chris Old (29), the Aussies were set 130 to win. That they fell 18 runs short was in truth down to Bob Willis's blast of 8-43, however Botham's all out assault on that Monday meant that the tourists were never quite in control of their faculties for the rest of the summer.
At Edgbaston in the fourth test, with the series score 1-1, the stakes were high, even if the run totals weren't. Needing just 151 to win in their second innings, Australia were coasting at 105-5 until Botham polished off the innings with a 5 wicket blast for just one run in 28 balls. He scooped his second Man of the Match award and the circus set off for Old Trafford. England were in the ascendancy in the series and momentum was with them. Botham's contribution cannot possibly be under estimated.
And so to Manchester. England's first innings score of 231, featuring the grand total of zero from ITB was looking thin until Australia were bowled out for just 130 in just 30 overs. England finished the second day on 70-1 and things were set for a huge total. That they managed to get to 404 is down again to that man. After the good start given to them by Boycott and Tavare (Gooch fell with the score on 7) England were in a spot of trouble at 104-5 when Brearley was removed by the Marsh-Alderman combination. With the limpet like Tavare at the other end, Botham let all hell loose scoring 118 in just over 2 hours from 102 balls including 6 sixes. When he fell with the score on 253, the platform was set for Knott and Emburey to stretch the lead to 505. Allan Border's stubborn resistance meant that the Aussies managed to get to 402 - but in the final analysis they were 103 runs short, England had won the series and the Ashes with a game left to play and Botham, misfit captain in the first two tests, had scooped his third consecutive Man of the Match award.
The sixth test at The Oval was, predictably a draw, but of course by then the series was over. Botham's full series analysis shows that despite two 'lost' tests when he scored a total of 34 runs and took 6 wickets, overall he was England's top batsman with 399 runs at 36.27 and took more Aussie wickets even than Bob Willis, with 34 at just 20.58 - oh, and he took 12 catches (wicket keeper Bob Taylor only took 13).
So that was it, Ian Botham's contribution to the 1981 Ashes. Of course it was much more than mere cricket. In that summer of Royal Weddings and Adam Ant's number on hits, Ian Botham ensured his place in the Nation's consciousness, for then, for now and forever more.
 |
 AUTOBIOGRAPHYIAN BOTHAMCRICKETENGLANDSOMERSET  £.99
|
 Ian Botham Bob Farmer Acceptable Book £2.74
|
 Ian Botham 1981 Ashes Photo Cricket Memorabilia Picture £9.75
|
 Ian Botham 1981 Ashes Photo Cricket Memorabilia Picture £9.75
|
 Ian Botham 1981 Ashes Cricket Memorabilia Photo Picture £9.75
|
 IAN BOTHAM THE INCREDIBLE TESTS 1981 £2.00
|
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
Friday 29 August 1986
I went to town today and saw two people I knew called Darren. Well there you go. I also bought myself some new trousers and shoes AND a new computer game - Spellbound for the C64. The afternoon however was c**p - why didn't I play my new game? Oh Lordy, I don't b****y know, why you asking me?!
Tags: 1980's icons
Thursday 21 August 1986
Two mentions of the word 'boring', one mention of the word 'exciting' and the words 'Botham' and 'comeback' in the same sentence. Yes after a 60 day ban for cannabis use - admitted during a newspaper interview, Beefy was back to face New Zealand at The Oval in the third test of a three match series. Botham's performance - 3 for 75 in the Kiwi's first innings followed by an unbeaten 59 in England's first innings were in vain as the weather won the day with the match ending in a draw. New Zealand won the series by virtue of their win in the second test.
Oh yeah, and I posted out some letters to shops in town asking for a Saturday job. Don't suppose that I would have sent more than 10 though, me being me.
Madonna in the 80’s
Madonna is the biggest “pop” star of all time and has been called “The Queen of Pop”. She has dominated the music and video scene since her inception in the early 80’s. Madonna’s always changing persona, music and style, has kept her at the top of the game for a quarter of a century. Madonna explores religious symbolism and sexual themes in her work.
With the release of “Borderline”, people started to take notice of this young very talented star. In 1984, Madonna’s “Borderline became her first top 10 hit song. When Madonna performed her “Like A Virgin Song” at the MTV Music Video Awards she rocketed to instant stardom with her highly sexual performance while dressed up as a bride.
In 1985, Madonna took on the stage and starred in her first film; Desperately Seeking Susan. This movie was a box-office hit and launched her film career. By then, Madonna’s fan base was teenage girls who idolized her style and persona. Teenage girls had adopted her trademark appearance from the film.
With the release of “Papa Don’t Preach, Madonna again challenged taboo and controversial subjects. This song battled the pregnancy while not being married issue. Another song/video that caused much controversy for Madonna was the “Like A Prayer Video’. This video was banned by the Vatican due to portrayals of stigmata, sexuality and religious symbolism. This was definitely not the end by far. In 1990 The Blonde Ambition Tour depicted a highly theatrical show featuring both religious and sexual themes. This highly controversial show paved way for her “Truth or Dare” documentary of behind the scenes of the tour and her personal life.
In the later part of her career, Madonna yet again pushed the envelope by releasing her “Justify My love” video. This video introduced S&M, bondage, gay and lesbian acts. Although banned by MTV deemed too sexually explicit, it became the highest selling video of all time.
About the Author:
"Click here" to download all your favorite MP3 music and movies.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Madonna in the 80’s
Step Back In Time With 1980′s Fashion
The 1980's were good times on both sides of the pond. When we think back to the 80's we think of new wave, big hair, Pacman, Dallas, Reagan & Thatcher, Charles & Diana, FGTH, Wham!, Back To The Future, Ghostbusters, and the list goes on....
If you are feeling a bit nostalgic for those days - you can hardly deny it, you're reading this, LOL! - why not tog yourself up with some classic 1980's fashion? Of course Madonna was probably the hottest (female) pop star of that decade and today you can buy 80's Madonna costumes that are perfect for when you attend or throw a 1980's theme party.
There are some awesome 80's T shirts that are on the market today that feature some of the other big acts from back then including AC/DC, Iggy Pop, U2, Prince, Michael Jackson, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, another list that just goes on... Who can forget Bob Geldof the charity rock concerts, watched by millions of thousands of fans worldwide? Concerts such as Live Aid, Band Aid and USA for Africa were historical and monumental events.
Then there's television series, again The Racoons, The Dukes Of Hazzard, Diff'rent Strokes, The A Team (all American I notice), yet ANOTHER never ending list...
