12 Firsts of Elton John

1. “Your Song,” released in 1968,  was John’s first top ten single in the U.S. It was the first of more than 50 top-40 hits.
2. In 1969, John provided piano for Roger Hodgson on his first released single, "Mr. Boyd" by Argosy, a quartet that was completed by Caleb Quaye and Nigel Olsson.
3. Backed by former Spencer Davis Group drummer Nigel Olsson and bassist Dee Murray, Elton John's first American concert took place at the Troubadour in Los Angeles in August 1970, and was a success.
4. Released in 1972, Honky Château became John's first US number one album, spending five weeks at the top of the Billboard 200, and began a streak of seven consecutive US number one albums.
5. The pop album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player came out at the start of 1973, and reached number one in the UK, the US, Australia among others which produced the hits "Crocodile Rock", his first US Billboard Hot 100 number one, and "Daniel"; number two US, number four UK.
6. Collaborated with Kiki Dee at Cherokee Studios for a duet "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" in 1976. "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" was also his first No. 1 single in the United Kingdom, topping the chart for six weeks in mid 1976. This also became his sixth No. 1 single in the United States, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks.
7. In 1979, accompanied by Ray Cooper, Elton John became one of the first Western artists to tour the Soviet Union, as well as one of the first in Israel.
8. 1995: Winner of the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution. Having previously won the award in 1986, he became the first person to win the award twice as a solo artist, a record which still stands in 2008.
9. In 1990, he achieved his first solo UK number one hit single, with "Sacrifice" (coupled with "Healing Hands") from the previous year's album Sleeping with the Past; it would stay at the top spot for six weeks.
10. He performed his first and only concert in Puerto Rico in the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot on April 28, 2007.
11. On 3 February 2012, Elton John visited Costa Rica for the first time when he performed at the recently built National Stadium.
12. In September 2013, John received the first Brits Icon Award for his "lasting impact" on UK Culture.

References:

http://m.imdb.com/name/nm0005056/trivia

http://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/tuesday-trivia-things-to-know-about-elton-john/article_19a535c2-b392-11e3-838b-001a4bcf6878.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John

12 Trademarks of Akira Kurosawa

1. Frequently uses the "wipe effect" to fade from one scene to another. This effect later became famous due to its usage in the Star Wars trilogy.
2. Likes to do Shakespearan plays in Feudal Japanese settings
3. Often casts Toshirô Mifune , Takashi Shimura, & Tatsuya Nakadai
4. Painterly compositions
5. Use of weather to heighten mood, most obviously rain
6. Female characters that are usually either sweet but weak and submissive or are deceitful, evil and conniving
7. Driven characters who frequently end up failing in the goals but ultimately learn hard won life lessons
8. His signature look on set: dark clothes, floppy hat and sunglasses
9. Revolutionary action sequences
10. Reoccurring cynical distrust of memories and nostalgia.
11. In his color films, use of bold, painterly visuals
12. The (often demented) elderly or deceased are frequently misrepresented or unfairly maligned by those remembering them.

References:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000041/bio?ref_=nm_dyk_trv_sm#trivia

12 Alternatives to LinkedIn

1. Makerbase - for individuals who make software, such as apps and websites launched in 2015 by ThinkUp’s founders – Lifehacker founding editor Gina Trapani and entrepreneur Anil Dash.
2. LunchMeet - iOS app influenced by the book “Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time” by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz and uses LinkedIn’s API so that you can schedule impromptu lunch meetings with your LinkedIn contacts in order to create meaningful face-to relationships.
3. Xing - founded in 2003 where you can find jobs, partners, advice, or list an opening in your business and the largest business network in German-speaking countries and has more than 14 million members. 
4. Plaxo - launched in 2002 by Napster co-founder Sean Parker, Plaxo is an online address book that automatically update, synchronize, recover, and unify your contacts. 
5. Beyond.com - proudly calls itself “The Career Network,” and since 1998 it has connected more than 45 million professionals with a wide-range of companies involved in the technology, healthcare, business, and marketing industries. 
6. Data.com Connect - Salesforce’s Data.com Connect provides both the phone number and email address of companies listed in its business directory. 
7. Sumry - publicly launched in 2014 and is a web app that builds online resumes and portfolios uniquely highlighting your education, certifications, skills, work experience, and even testimonials from people you have worked with in the past in a full timeline, as opposed to just another resume.
8. Jobcase - has been powering more than 100 job sites since 2009 but only entered the social media networking scene until 2015 as a way to ask questions or join groups relevant to your industry allowing you to create a comprehensive profile that describes not only your education and experience, but also your preferred salary, work conditions, personal traits, and whether or not you’d be willing to relocate. 
9. EFactor - founded in 2008 becoming the world’s largest entrepreneurial community where members have access to both online and offline access to the people, tools, and resources to make meaningful connections.
10. Bark.com - launched in 2014 and helps matches member to local businesses. 
11. Doostang - founded by Stanford University in 2005 as an online career networking community that help members locate career opportunities in finance, consulting, technology, media, and entertainment. 
12. LocalsNetworking - since 2013, it has been providing a platform for members to build their own referral network in their community.

Sources:

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/12-professional-networking-alternatives-linkedin/139681/

12 Ways to De-Stress At The End Of The Day

Reposting a good article I have read while trying to figure out on what to do next after a short workout trying to relieve stress.

1. Leave your work at the office 
• The best way to de-stress at the end of the day is to leave your work at the office. Finish what you have to finish and then call it a day. Rid your mind of your to-do lists and other problems because you’ll have the next day to tackle it all. For now, let it all go.
2. Have a good dinner
• There’s just something about a good, warm meal that comforts you and makes you forget about all the stress of your day once you have that first bite. Go to your favorite restaurant and order that one special dish as your reward for a hard day’s work.
3. Have a drink
• Is that good meal not cutting it? Try having a drink (or two) to loosen up a bit and relax. CNN says, “At the ‘slight buzz’ level, alcohol is a social lubricant which often improves mood. You start to let go of a few worries, pay attention to the moment with friends.” Be careful not to go overboard though! You don’t want to nurse a hangover the next day on top of accomplishing all of your tasks.
4. Treat yourself
• You’ve been working hard all day. Walk over to the mall and treat yourself with a new pair of shoes, or new clothes. Even something as simple as ice cream will do. Treat yourself to anything, big or small, and go home happy and content.
5. Do some yoga and release all that tension
• If you’ve never tried yoga before, now is a good time to start. For beginners, you can check out Yoga with Adriene. For 20 minutes every day, calm your mind and feed your soul by following Adriene’s yoga for beginners’ video. You can also try her 30 days of yoga program, free on her website. You’ll find that even simple breathing exercises can change your mind set and help you relax for the rest of the day.
6. Watch your favorite show or read a book
• Escape your world and enter into another with your favorite show or book. There’s just something about these fictional worlds that make us forget about the one we exist in. Get lost in the pages of your favorite book and then have a good night’s rest.
7. Listen to music
• Even during your stressful work day, you can put on your earphones and listen to music to calm down or let loose. If you don’t already have the Spotify app on your phone, download it. There are a bunch of Spotify playlists that you can choose from to match your mood. Choose beats that will calm you down or pick you up – whichever you prefer.
8. Go for a run
• Don’t have a gym membership? No problem! Go for a run in your village or around your street and release those endorphins! When you go running, researcher MK McGovern says, “These endorphins tend to minimize the discomfort of exercise, block the feeling of pain and are even associated with a feeling of euphoria.” Get that runner’s high and get fit at the same time.
9. Hang with friends
• You probably talk to your friends all day in your various groups on Viber, Whatsapp, Line, or social media platforms. But being in their company is a whole lot of fun too! Catch up with friends after work and end your day with a lot of laughter and a warm heart.
10. Have a hot shower
• Get into the shower and lather on calming lavender bath gel, or any other scented bath gel you have lying around. Allow the hot water and scents to relax you and help you get ready for a good night’s rest.
11. Have a massage
• We’re lucky to have a lot of home massage centers all around the metro so that we can just call and enjoy a soothing massage in the comfort of our own homes. Book a massage and let your masseuse help you get rid of all that tension in your body.
12. Get a good night’s sleep
• Nothing is as comforting as finally ending your day in your soft and comfy bed. Make sure to go to bed early so you can have a long sleep to prepare you for the next day. 

References:

12 Easy Ways to De-Stress At The End Of The Day