Friday - 1/13/12 

Steve Perry talks about "Don't Stop Believin'". Stevie Nicks planning a tribute album to her late mother.  Tony Iommi overwhelmed with amount of support from fans. Facebool rant because diner left no tip. Going to the gym make you happier. Long commute could ruin your relationship. Chose a different career than your partner. Why alcohol makes us feel good. How to cut down on dating costs.

JOURNEY/STEVE PERRY

Former Journey frontman Steve Perry shed some light on the story band's classic 1981 showstopper "Don't Stop Believin''." Perry, who helped put together the band's latest compilation, Greatest Hits Vol. 2, recalled to NYmag.com that the song, which was featured on 1981's Escape collection, was written on sleepless night while the Journey was doing a five night run in Detroit during their 1980 tour behind their Departure album. Perry recalled, "I was digging the idea of how the lights were facing down, so that you couldn't see anything. All of a sudden I'd see people walking out of the dark, and into the light. And the term 'streetlight people' came to me. So Detroit was very much in my consciousness when we started writing."

He also spoke about the fact that -- as most Detroiters know -- there is no "South Detroit" in the Motor City: "I ran the phonetics of east, west, and north, but nothing sounded as good or emotionally true to me as South Detroit. The syntax just sounded right. I fell in love with the line. It's only been in the last few years that I've learned that there is no South Detroit. But it doesn't matter."

Journey performing "Don't Stop Believin'" live in Houston, 1981

STEVIE NICKS

Granted, it's not the most reliable of sources for rock news, but The National Enquirer reported that Stevie Nicks is planning a tribute album to her late mother. Barbara Nicks died on December 28th in Paradise Valley, Arizona at age 84 following a battle with pneumonia. Nicks is quoted as saying, "She supported me and all of my dreams. She was the one that made it all possible."

An unnamed source close to Nicks added: "While sitting at Barbara's bedside, she recalled the tremendous influence her mother had on her life. . . Stevie has been writing constantly and wants to have the tribute album out by summer."

TONY IOMMI

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has issued his first statement since it was revealed this past Monday that he has been diagnosed with the early stages of a form of cancer called lymphoma. In the statement posted at his website, the 63-year-old metal legend wrote, "My fans, friends and colleagues, I just want to say how overwhelmed I am with all your messages of support, thank you so much. Well, it's not what I wanted for Christmas, that's for sure, but now I can't wait for the test results to come in and get going with the treatment."

Iommi added, "It's really good that the guys are coming over (to England) so that we can continue working on the album as things are going great in the studio. Well, not much else to say at this time, so thanks again. Bless you all, Tony."

• Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of cell that forms part of the immune system.
• The news, which shocked the heavy metal community, came as the original Sabbath lineup -- Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward -- are writing and recording their first album together in 33 years. The disc is set for release this fall and Sabbath is scheduled to embark on a world tour, although Iommi's illness could affect those plans.
• As Iommi alluded, the band had been working in Los Angeles, but is relocating to London to accommodate Iommi's plans for treatment.
• Billboard reported earlier this week that Sabbath was confirmed to appear at this April's Coachella Festival in California, but had to pull out at the last minute when Iommi's condition was revealed.

BBQ DINER NOT HAPPY WITH CUSTOMER WHO DIDN'T TIP

A BBQ restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia used social media to get back at a customer who didn't tip the wait staff. Boner's BBQ was so angry with Stephanie Stuck that the manager posted a picture of her on their Facebook page along with a message that read: "NOT WANTED! [Stephanie Stuck] left waitress 0.00 tip on a $40 tab after she received a Scoutmob discount. If you see this woman in your restaurant tell her to go outside..." Stuck said the Facebook rant is in response to her Yelp review of the restaurant. She told reporters, "To put me up as an object of ridicule for [the review] is probably the best example of how not to run a business." The owner of Boners BBQ, Andrew Capron, has removed the old posts and apologized on the restaurant's Facebook page, saying, "'Dear, Stephanie S. -- We are truly sorry, it was a bonehead move on our part. But more importantly -- it was rude to you and an inappropriate use of social media, which has been a driving force for our business because we can't afford traditional advertising. We rely on word-of-mouth. Your experience was yours to share and not mine to abuse . . . Please give me the opportunity to serve you again at our expense -- if not please allow me to fully refund your money on me." (CBS)

GOING TO THE GYM MAKES YOU HAPPIER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE

 Getting back to the gym -- or first starting -- usually sucks. The best way to get over the pain and frustration? Get some results! After noticing just a little weight loss, one woman said, "Instead of leaving the gym grumbling, by the end of week three my aches had stopped and I was enjoying exercise. But it wasn't just the physical benefits. Usually I wake up at least a couple of times in the night, my mind racing, but after a few days in the gym I was sleeping for ten hours. What's more I was waking up full of beans, jumping out of bed to start the day. I was also becoming happy -- ridiculously, singing-to-myself happy. And I was so productive!" (Daily Mail)

A LONG COMMUTE COULD RUIN YOUR RELATIONSHIP

 Apparently a long commute could destroy your relationship. ScienceDaily found that long-distance commuters are more likely to break up than others. And not just by a little bit -- the study found that long-distance commuters run a 40 percent higher risk of separating.

CHOOSE A DIFFERENT CAREER THAN YOUR PARTNER

 Couples who do similar jobs find it harder to maintain a proper work-life balance, a study has found. Researchers looked at the lives of more than 600 academics, about half of whom had significant others working in the same sector. They asked what hours they worked, how strong their boundaries were between work and home life, and how often one sphere affected the other. The team found that those with a so-called 'work-linked' partner tended to struggle more to maintain a healthy work-life balance. They also typically worked longer hours. The researchers concluded: 'The findings suggest that doing similar work to your partner means that work issues are more likely to "spill over" into home life and threaten work-life balance. Evidence was also found that having a partner who does similar work can be beneficial, as this can enhance mutual understanding of working conditions and increase support during stressful times.' (Lifecoach-directory.org)

HERE'S WHY ALCOHOL MAKES US FEEL GOOD

 Why does alcohol make us feel so good? Apparently it leads to the release of endorphins in certain areas of the brain that produce feelings of pleasure and reward. The researcher of a new study said the finding is the first time that endorphin release in response to alcohol consumption has been directly observed in humans. She explained, "This is something that we've speculated about for 30 years, based on animal studies, but haven't observed in humans until now. It provides the first direct evidence of how alcohol makes people feel good." The study, published in the Science Translational Medicine, found alcohol intake in all subjects led to a release of endorphins -- and the more endorphins released in the nucleus accumbens part of the brain, the greater the feelings of pleasure reported by each drinker. (UPI)

HOW TO CUT DOWN ON DATING COSTS (CupidsPulse.com)

Check Groupon: Groupon is one of the best things ever to happen to daters. From restaurant specials and farmer's markets, Groupon has really leveled the playing field when it comes to savings. Finding a 75% discount on a flight simulation may not seem like a great idea to do solo, but if you are paying pennies on the dollar, it could really be a memorable experience.

Date during off peak times: Another way that businesses try to rake up business is to offer specials during off peak hours. Movie theaters, dining and theme parks offer great deals if you choose to go during the week, or during the day. Instead of waiting until Friday or Saturday to go on a date, consider seeing a movie earlier in the evening on a Tuesday, or even going on a Sunday afternoon. Another advantage to going during off-peak hours is that there will not be as many people around, and you will be able to enjoy whatever you are doing without the throngs of people getting in the way of romance.

Go Dutch: Splitting costs, especially earlier on in a relationship, can help with dating costs, and no unneeded pressure is placed on either dater. There is nothing wrong with today's modern woman paying her own way to the movies or to dinner and most people understand about being frugal.

Get outdoors: The typical dating traps like dinner and a movie are not only cliched, but they can be expensive, too. There are tons of great things to do outdoors that are free to see. Being outside is almost guaranteed to be good for conversation and takes pressure off the moment. There is hardly anything worse than sitting over a costly dinner with a glass of wine and straining for conversation. Doing an activity outdoors can save not only money, but also win you points for being unique as well.

Cut your date short: Your date has gone well, you have impressed one another, and you two have really clicked. It is still early on in the night and that twinkle in her eye says she is hoping for a nightcap or drinks after dinner or that long walk through the planetarium. One way to save is to cut the evening short, and call it a night. Alternatively, consider finding a park bench near a lake or the beach, or even a table at a Starbucks. If you can save on drinks, or paying more to spend more time together, you have that little bit of extra cash for next time. If you decide to call it a night, then you will also help to build suspense for the next date.

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

xoxo,

Jennifer Tyler

Fabulous Mid-day Diva

GO TEXANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!