Fleetwood Mac talks about cocaine use. Is Meat Loaf retiring? Def Leppard acoustic medley on iTunes. What if your cup could alert you to a roofie in your drink? Amazon smartphone on the way?  You can track Santa with an app. Five holiday stress triggers and their solutions. Eleven iPhone apps to help you fight colds & the flu. Four clues that she wants you to propose.

FLEETWOOD MAC

Fleetwood Mac took time out to talk frankly about their cocaine use during the 1976-1977 Rumours sessions. The band, who's heading out on the road in April, will release two expanded versions of Rumours on January 29th, featuring a remastered version of the multi-platinum collection, along with two discs of outtakes, and a new "making of" documentary. In the new Mojo cover story on the album, drummer Mick Fleetwood -- who has gone on record as stating that the band would've thanked their coke dealer in the album's liner notes, had he not been murdered -- admitted, "When it comes to these war stories about our substance abuse, I am the prime candidate. I was very open about my cocaine use. These days I try to de-romanticize all that. But it's true. It happened. I always imagine us making Rumours was a bit like Paris in the 1920's."

Lindsey Buckingham added, "My attitude was 'when in Rome. . .' But I was never the guy buying the stuff. On Rumours, I don't think I went more than 36 hours straight without sleep. Though I can't speak for the rest of the band and certainly not Mick."

Co-producer Ken Caillat recalled: "Rumours was the beginning of their cocaine use. At that time, they were amateurs. The bag sat there for anyone to help themselves. But of course, that meant there were times when we worked 'til 4 a.m. and then had to take the next day off."

Stevie Nicks said that the emotional trauma of every one in the band suffering through a romantic breakup during the sessions pushed the group towards coke: "You felt so bad about what was happening that that you did a line to cheer yourself up."

As cocaine took over the industry, Stevie Nicks says that they all originally believed it was entirely non-addictive: "Y'know, I thought as I was going through the '70s and cocaine was introduced into everybody's life, and told that it was recreational, and that it was not dangerous. But, y'know, that's what we were told, really. On the other side of that, we were also told, 'Don't ever do heroin, because if you do it once, you'll have to do it every day, because you'll never feel that good again, and you'll be chasing that, that high for the rest of your life.' So, it was like, I was told not to do heroin and told why and didn't. But cocaine, we were all told was cool -- that's why we did it. Of course, then we all got extremely addicted to it."

Fleetwood Mac kicks off its 34-date North American tour on April 4th at Columbus, Ohio's Nationwide Arena.

MEAT LOAF

Is Meat Loaf really retiring??? It's been five years since he's first gone on record as saying the end is near, but according to his publicist, his upcoming spring UK and German dates will be among his last, saying, the shows -- dubbed, the "Last At Bat" -- are his chance to "bid a final goodbye to his fans." The two act show will feature an opening set comprised of Meat Loaf's string of post-Bat Out Of Hell tracks, with the second set showcasing the 1977 blockbuster in its entirety. There's been no announcement on any North American dates yet.

Meat Loaf recently canceled four New York dates due to Hurricane Sandy and has battled health problems -- including recent knee surgery. He spoke about the tour, and was quoted by Ultimate Classic Rock as saying: "When (songwriter) Jim (Steinman) and I first came together, we couldn't have dreamt the profound effect Bat Out Of Hell would have on both our lives and the lives of our fans around the world. . . This show promises to be an exciting event. I know the fans will enjoy the show as much as I enjoyed putting it together."

Filmmaker Bruce Klein, who directed the recent documentary on Meat Loaf called In Search Of Paradise, explained that although it's easy for Meat Loaf to fall back into the character he played during his late '70s heyday, it's even easier for his audience: "We have this desire to freeze icons at a specific time and a specific place. And there's this issue of, y'know, 'Can an icon evolve?' And everyone wants to see him frozen in time in 1978 with the greasy hair and yet now it's 30 years on. I think it speaks to how powerful that character he created; that red bandanna and that long hair and the tuxedo -- it's the most unlikely, bizarre character."

DEF LEPPARD

Out now via iTunes is Def Leppard's new acoustic medley of songs played live during the band's 2012 concerts. The seven-and-a-half-minute medley features portions of such Leppard favorites as "Where Does Love Go When It Dies," "Now," "When Love And Hate Collide," "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad," and "Two Steps Behind."

Frontman Joe Elliott told AOL's Noisecreep, "We decided to change the acoustic section of the set for the Rock Of Ages tour, and what we ended up with just grew into a really magical experience every night. We all enjoyed doing it so much and it was so well received by our audience, we decided to do a studio recording of it. I think it complements our main body of work very well."

Def Leppard kicks off its nine-date Las Vegas residency on March 22nd at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The run, dubbed "Viva Hysteria!," will feature the band performing its 1987 classic Hysteria album in its entirety.

The upcoming Vegas stand isn't the first time that Def Leppard has revisited Hysteria. Back in 2006, the band released a two-CD package featuring the remastered original album, along with a series of live cuts, single B-sides, and rarities. Guitarist Phil Collen said that it was blast going back in time for the project: "It's actually great. I mean, normally, you'd, you'd think kind of re-hashing something from the past is kind of not very exciting, but it was something that all of us were, were very proud of, and, like, a, a real big achievement, if you like, and it's, it's not often you feel that. And I actually think it's really cool, and it was great going over all the old photographs, and, I'm actually really pleased and quite excited about it. It's actually a. . . yeah, it's a milestone thing."

Def Leppard live in September performing the acoustic medley at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion

WHAT IF YOUR CUP COULD ALERT YOU TO A ROOFIE IN YOUR DRINK?

Boston-based company, DrinkSavvy, has announced plans to create cups and straws that change color when they come in contact with a drug-spiked beverage. DrinkSavvy founder Mike Abramson says he hopes the product will help raise awareness about drug-facilitated sexual assault. Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh with the World Association for Sexual Health says this technology is exciting because the most common date-rape drugs are colorless and odorless, which makes them very difficult to detect. Abramson intends to raise money to build the color-changing cups by raising money on the website Indiegogo. (Women's Health)

AMAZON SMARTPHONE ON THE WAY?

A Taiwanese tech website is reporting that Foxconn has an exclusive contract to build an Amazon-branded smartphone. Slash Gear reports that the phone is expected to run the Android operating system, and will be announced in mid to late 2013. Foxconn already manufactures Amazon's Kindle tablet, and reportedly Amazon has ordered five-million of the smartphones to be produced. Slash Gear reports the phone is expected to be offered internationally, and retail between one-hundred and two-hundred-dollars. (United Press)

YOU CAN TRACK SANTA WITH AN APP

You kid can track Santa's journey across the globe on Christmas Eve with a new mobile app from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD.) Stacey Knott, deputy chief at NORAD, says since 1955, the company has been telling children exactly where Santa is so that they can make sure they're in bed on time so their gifts can be delivered. The app not only tracks Santa's location, but also shows cameos from his route across major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China. Children can also use the app to play games and watch videos on the days leading up to Christmas Eve. The app is free and available for Windows 8, with similar versions available for iOS, Android, and web apps. NORAD also operates a hotline and e-mail account that will provide information on where Santa is on Christmas Eve. (Yahoo)

FIVE HOLIDAY STRESS TRIGGERS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS(Huffington Post):

1) Travel Stress: Your flight has been majorly delayed or even canceled, and you're not able to make it to your holiday destination. You're spending hours on the phone with the airline, trying to rebook your flight.
 

Solution: The main stressor with holiday travel is the amount of disruption to routine and the amount of novelty that is involved. Therefore, the key to reducing stress is by anticipating it to the greatest extent possible. Dr. Steven Meyers, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University says, "For example, with the stress associated with travel, it's oftentimes in people's best interests to add an extra margin of time so they wont be arriving in their intended destination with no time to spare." Dr. Franklin Schneier, professor of psychology at Roosevelt University, adds that coming up with a game plan -- what you can do if travel headaches strike -- can help you to keep your cool.

2) Avoiding Conflict At The Family Dinner: There's a family member you really can't stand who will be at the annual holiday dinner. You don't want to dampen the mood for everyone else -- what's the best way to handle this person?
 

Solution: The first step is accepting that this "problem person" is going to act in a way that will bother you, Schneier says. Then, acknowledge that the only thing you have control over is how you interact and deal with this person. "Ask yourself what thoughts will be likely to be disturbing me," such as "He's so selfish!" or "She's thinks she's better than me," he says. Then, think about what you can focus on to help you decrease those negative feelings. For example, you could tell yourself: "Just because he has a problem, I don't have to let it get to me," or "I can choose not to react to her provocation. I'm going to focus on enjoying being with the people I want to see." The experts also say you can also try to minimize interaction with the person, or have a conversation with other people present to act as buffers.

3) Finances Are Tight: Money is tight this year, and you can't afford gifts/as many gifts as you gave last year. You're afraid of disappointing the kids.
 

Solution: First, identify what exactly about this situation is the most stressful, Schneier says. To get to the root of the problem, ask yourselves questions like, "Are the kids likely to be disappointed in the gifts?" If the answer to this is "yes," then perhaps they're old enough to be told the truth that this year is a harder time than usual. Meyers agrees, saying that when presented in an age-appropriate way, kids can often understand the reality of being "tight on money." Another option is giving kids something beyond the material, such as a new "freedom" or a privilege.

4) You're Running Out Of Time: You don't have time to finish everything on your holiday to-do list.
 

Solution: Begin by starting with realistic expectations. "Oftentimes people's hopes and aspirations are elevated during the holidays and the new year," Meyers says. For example, maybe you're expecting to be productive at work, but "many of your colleagues are taking vacation time, diminishing your productivity." So the best thing you can do, he says, is to be purposely kind to yourself." Build in a margin in advance to decrease your highest hopes, then remember to reassure yourself that often the consequences for not completing an entire list aren't as grave or as dire as you think at first," Meyers says.

5) You're Feeling Guilty Because You Can't Be There: You have to work on the holidays and can't spend it with family, which makes you feel guilty.
 

Solution: Consider thinking about the holidays as period of time lasting several days, and not just one make-it-or-break-it day, Meyers says." See if it's possible to schedule different times to get together," he says. "Viewing it as a holiday week is oftentimes less stressful than viewing it as a single day occurrence." Schneier also suggests pinpointing the exact kinds of guilty thoughts you might be having. If its guilt over letting down your family, instead think about other ways you can spend time with your loved ones and explaining to them the full circumstances. "I'm making the best choice for me and my family in the long run. Being together on the holiday is nice, but it's not everything," he says. Or, if the guilty feelings stem from wanting to work on the holidays to avoid gatherings, you could remind yourself that there are other ways to enrich family relationships, Schneier says.

ELEVEN IPHONE APPS TO HELP YOU FIGHT COLDS AND THE FLU(Huffington Post):

1) ZocDoc. This app takes the headache out of visiting the doctor's office. Simply plug in your zip code and insurance plan, and find a list of doctors in the area with open appointments. Pick the time that works best and book your visit through the app for free. Perfect for anyone looking for a new doctor or specialist.Free. Available for iOS and Android.

2) Fight the Flu. This app is a comprehensive guide to everything flu-related. Learn how to identify flu symptoms, track flu outbreaks in your area, get treatment and prevention tips, and locate nearby pharmacies and emergency rooms.Free. Available for iOS.

3) CDC FluView. The official flu app from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is all business. Get up-to-date information on flu trends as they develop, see flu activity levels throughout the country, and access state health departments for more local information. All of the information in the CDC FluView app is based on information collected from the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINET), so you know it's legit. Free. Available for iOS.

4) Sleep Cycle. One of the best ways to stay healthy is to get plenty of sleep so the immune system can perform at its best. Waking up to a jarring, beeping alarm can be unpleasant, but it also can adversely affect overall sleep quality. Sleep Cycle is a smart alarm clock that analyzes your individual sleep cycles and gently wakes you up at the lightest part of the cycle. It uses the iPhone's built-in accelerometer to monitor the very small movements that indicate which step of the sleep cycle you're in.$0.99. Available for iOS.

5) Livifi. Looking for a more holistic way to prevent winter illness? A balanced diet, plenty of water, and lots of sleep may help stave off the sniffles. Use Livifi to create specific health goals, research scientific information about each aspiration, and track progress over time. The app syncs up to Livifi.com, so you can stay on top of health goals from the computer, too.$4.99. Available for iOS.

6) Flu Defender. This app is an interactive launch pad to find anything you need to know about the flu, from symptoms to local flu activity. This app goes way beyond basic information with a "vaccine assistant" feature that can help you decide whether or not you need a flu shot, and a "vaccine finder" to (you guessed it!) find a local inoculation clinic. Stay updated with real-time news from blogs, podcasts, and the CDC Flu Twitter feed. Free. Available for iOS.

7) Reader's Digest Easy Home Remedies. Reader's Digest, the longstanding casserole and closet-organization magazine, has this app for old-school cures from A to Z. Find remedies to cure or alleviate 74 injuries and illnesses, from acne to arthritis. The cold and flu cures are comprehensive, with many familiar techniques (like inhaling steam for a stuffy nose) as well as less-orthodox strategies, such as spritzing the throat with pepper spray. Free. Available for iOS.

8) Time Off. Keep track of your remaining vacation and sick days at work with this app. Add separate categories for different kinds of days off (sick, personal, vacation, etc.), share the calendar via email, or roll over unused days off from a previous pay period. Knowing exactly how many days off you still have comes in handy when making the decision to book 7 or 10 nights in Hawaii. $1.99. Available for iOS.

9) iTherapy. This app is a comprehensive guide to complementary or alternative therapies that can help you get over a cold or any other illness. The app includes information on how to find an alternative therapist, the benefits of non-Western medication, and precautions to take before signing up for a new treatment. Some examples include: meditation, reiki, aromatherapy, and hypnotherapy.$1.99. Available for iOS

10) WebMD. Take the popular health site everywhere with theWebMD app. Use the Symptom Checker to ID a possible illness or injury, read the Drugs and Treatments section to find therapies for health problems, or find a medical professional in your area. For a more personal experience, enter your current medications and conditions to track, and even bookmark favorite articles. Free. Available for iOS and Android.

11) Cures A-Z. This app takes a whole-body, natural approach to staying healthy. Use the alphabetical list to find hundreds of health conditions and the corresponding alternative treatments to cure them. The app also has comprehensive information on nutrition including vitamins, minerals, and supplements, and the amounts of each to take for optimum health. Stay tuned for weekly Comprehensive Health updates from news, science, and blogs. Free. Available for iOS and Android.

  FOUR CLUES THAT SHE WANTS YOU TO PROPOSE(Men's Health):

1) All of her friends are getting married, and it's the best thing ever! If your girl can't stop gushing about her best friend's big day, something may be up. "Being excited for a friend is normal," says Steinberg. But if she's repetitively bringing up how much fun planning the event must be, or how great being engaged must feel, that's a dead giveaway it's on her mind, says Tracey Steinberg, a dating and flirting expert.

2) She's suddenly the master of hypothetical scenarios. Women will often use cues from TV shows or movies to pose hypothetical questions about your 5-year plan, your stance on kids, or your views on marriage, says Steinberg. Now this obviously isn't a bad thing - it's clearly an easy way to broach a serious topic. "But asking you about your desires for the future is a classic indicator that she sees you in hers," Steinberg explains.

3) Every engagement commercial warrants a response from her. If she's going out of her way to express how adorable every engagement commercial is, or comments on how creative each proposal was - chances are she wants you to get the hint, says Steinberg.

4) She's buttering you up. Some women choose to get their point across without saying exactly what they mean. Case in point: If she's consistently telling you how critical you are to her happiness, and that she can't imagine her life without you in it, that's pretty much your green light for proposal, says Steinberg. "It's the easiest way to let you know, that if you did propose, she'd clearly say yes," explains Steinberg.

Thanks for listening to The Eagle while you work. Keep it fabulous, Houston!

xoxo,

Jennifer Tyler

Fabulous Mid-Day Diva