On The Day Of The Burger I Had The Best Burger I Have Had Yet!

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IMG2022052820522828th May was National Burger day in the US – unfortunately, I do not see an International Burger Day! Oh well, so even though 3 days have passed, I am posting this today. And, I actually had this burger on the 28th – so yay Burger Day and I hope we make it an official international day of the burger.

The Burger Junction is the best place in Kochi to get a juicy burger. Infact that they are the best in the state and amongst the best in Asia. Their burgers are world class and never fail to satisfy and please your cravings. I usually rate their burgers an 8.5, 9 or 9.5. And I think I may have rated one or two of them as a 10! Those are rare by the way. Well, now here we have another 10. So awesome that I want to order one more right now!

This is their Gorgonzola burger. This amazing and large burger comes with a ciabatta bun, a beef patty, rocket leaves, spinach, avocado, Gorgonzola cheese and delicious rosemary garlic aioli. I decided to add a fried egg and bacon to it and OH…..MY…..GOD! This is a perfect 10 outta 10, filling and delicious from start to finish. Everything goes so great with each other. Now I know the fried egg and bacon are add on that you have to pay extra but still, it is an awesome burger.

Remember Why You’re A Writer/Blogger

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As a teenager of around 14 years old I first started to maintain a diary / journal. I don’t even remember why I started it or if anyone prompted me to start one. If I am not mistaken my sister had one, but if memory serves me correctly, I would discover that a few years later. All I remember is that I wanted to start one and using some of my pocket money I went and got a diary that had numbered dates on it, so I could do a daily entry into it.

At first it was mainly what was cool at school, if we went out that day, or if we ordered takeout what was it that we ate and was it good. If I spent some time with a friend or two then I wrote that and if my sister & I hung out with my cousins then I wrote about that too. It would not be more than 4 to 5 lines on each page. Pretty soon I started to add a Song Of The Day section at the end of the entry. When I first started blogging, I would do the same for quite a while but I stopped doing that ages ago. Anyways, that was what mainly I used my diary/journal for. To capture the day so I could go back and read about it many years later.

I remember as I started my 10th year in my school, which would be the final year of school (as back then we did our 11th & 12th in a college) and because I was feeling nostalgic at times, I would write about the school stuff in my diary. It felt bittersweet but I also enjoyed my final year of school, a lot. I wrote about the 3 day class trip we took to a hill station. And I wrote about the loss I felt despite initially celebrating the end of high school. That’s why I started writing a diary – to capture the finer moments in life. And it felt natural to transition over to blogs.

Prompt from I’ve Got 99 Blog Post Ideas, and Battling Writer’s Block Ain’t One

4 Common Misconceptions About India

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Hindi is the national language of India

Languages in India are as diverse as its culture and religion. Some 780 languages are spoken across the country, the second highest number of languages in the world after Papua New Guinea which is said to have 839 languages. Among these languages, 23 of them are recognized as official languages including Hindi, English, Bangali, Kashmiri, Nepali, Sanskrit, Tamil, Urdu, etc. While Hindi is the most prominent language in the country, with over 422 million speakers, it is not the national language as no language in India enjoy such a status according to the Constitution of India. Hindi is mainly spoken in northern and central India, and is one of the two languages used by the government (the other being English).

Indians are vegetarians

Vegetarianism is often considered the norm in India due to its cultural and religious traditions. Thus it is quite natural to assume that India might be a vegetarian majority country. This is not the case though. A survey conducted by India’s Sample Registration System (SRS) in 2014 showed that non-vegetarian population over the age of 15 accounted for 71%. Meat or fish consumption is prevalent in many communities especially among the Muslims as well as the coastal states like Kerala and West Bengal which is known for their seafood dishes.

In spite of that, India still has the lowest rate of the population consuming meat, and more vegetarians than the rest of the world combined according to 2007 statistics of the UN FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). It is a great country to visit for vegetarian travelers as vegetarian restaurants are easy to find and there are plenty of options.

The Language barrier

Did you know that India is the second largest English-speaking nation behind the United States? While there are accents due to the local dialects (over 19,500 of them…) most Indians can speak the language. In fact, almost all private schools in India instruct in English and the younger generation is quite fluent. In more remote areas you may find a language barrier, but it’s rare to have a conversation without basic articulation. Remember, some Indians may not have strong English conversational skills, but they understand what is being said.

Indians do not eat beef

Though it is true that the vast majority of Indians do not eat beef, you can eat beef in some parts of the country. The strongest laws on cow-slaughter are in place in the north, central and western parts of India. Eleven states and two union territories (federally-administered regions) ban slaughter of cows, calves, bulls and bullocks. The central state of Chhattisgarh does not even allow the slaughter of buffaloes, even though they are not considered sacred. Eight states and one Union territory have no legislation regarding slaughter of any cattle. The states and the union territory with no ban: Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim and Lakshadweep.

How to avoid online distractions and focus on work?

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Silence all unnecessary notifications, take some time off

There’s absolutely nothing more annoying than those unwanted notifications that disturb your focus during work. In order to eliminate them, just take some time out to temporarily turn off the notifications for all the apps that distract you. As for the computers, you might not be aware of this but turning off email notifications is a great strategy to prevent online distractions.

Make sure you are taking ‘no screen time’ seriously

Screen breaks are undoubtedly a great way to gain your energy back and focus on work. Your eyes demand proper rest for better functioning and it is crucial to give them a timely break for a fresh focus. You can use this time to take a quick walk or a cat nap.But make sure, you don’t stretch that time for too long.

Make some time for a self-care routine

What is the first thing you do when you wake up? Scroll through your mobile phone notifications? Stop doing it! It is not advisable to look at the screen right in the morning.You can replace this with a self-care morning routine where you can work out to improve your health or meditate to calm your mind. Plan your day to maintain your concentration.

Replace your social media timings with recreational activities

While you spend more than half of the day working online, it is crucial to also have some recreational activities that make you feel fresh and help you become more productive. Spend time with your family, play outdoor games, and if you are into art, paint your blues away. The more you decrease your time online, the better you perform. The choice is yours!

Prompt from 121 LIFESTYLE BLOG POSTS IDEAS TO WRITE ABOUT IN 2022 at SheMeansBlogging

Top 10 Most In Demand & Hot Selling Products In India Online

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Apparels
Dresses constitute the largest segment of all products sold online in India. Close to 35% of the entire revenue generated from online sales comes from apparel and dress materials. Apparels include ladies’ clothes, men’s clothing, and children’s dresses.

Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are trendy items for sale on eCommerce sites. All brands and models available in the open market are also sold through online sites. For buyers, it is easy to compare among models online before buying a handset of choice.

Books and Stationery
Buying a book could be really time-consuming if bought from the open market. It is easy for a buyer to locate a seller of their selected titles across eCommerce sites. Educational, fictional, and reference books from Indian and overseas publishers are available across eCommerce sites. Since the lockdown, many brands have started selling stationery online. You can sell customized, print-on-demand, and quirky stationery online that otherwise is not common in shops.

Consumer Electronics
eCommerce sites are excellent platforms for buying/selling consumer electronic goods like laptops, tablets, and digital cameras. By 2025 India is expected to become the world’s 5th largest consumer durable market.

Footwear
Online is perhaps the best place to search for and buy footwear. The varieties are exhaustive and include shoes, slippers, sandals, and sneakers for both ladies and gentlemen. People get to choose among leading brands from across the world.

Jewellery
Buying exclusive jewelry items is often a tough task when bought across counters. The entire process of selecting preferred items and buying from global leaders is done conveniently through eCommerce websites.

Fashion Accessories
It is obvious that after jewelry items, fashion accessories are a popular product category sold online. Belts, handbags, purses, wallets, headbands, and watches are items bought widely online by Indians.

Beauty Products
Skincare products like cream, lotion, face masks, moisturizers, and perfumes are demanded items sold online. Haircare products like gel, cream, color, shampoo, dryers, etc., are widely hot selling products through eCommerce sites.

Computer Hardware, Software, and Accessories
Desktops, disk drives, storage devices, printers, scanners, mice, and switches are computing devices and accessories that people buy online in India. Market’s leading brands are available to customers at hugely discounted prices.

Video Games
eCommerce sites in India are used to buy video games, especially as gifts to children. Games ranging from FIFA World Cup, Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, and so on are all available online.

Top 10 Work @ Home Jobs In India That Pay You Well (1 to 5)

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You don’t need any proper skills or a degree to do most of these jobs mentioned on the list. You can start these, work from home jobs by either registering for free or making an account. Here is a list of the best online jobs in India:

Blogging

You can start this online work from home jobs anywhere. Blogging is one of the best ways to earn a handsome amount of money online. You can start by making a website on WordPress or a free one at wix.com. With very little investment you can start hosting at one of the various server space providers based in India. It is very cheap and you don’t have to worry about learning how to design a website, as you can take your blog online in just a few clicks through WordPress. People make a living out of blogging and it is considered one of the best work from home jobs in India. You can either write about topics that intrigue you or quench your conscience, or maybe something that is trending online, fitness-related, mental health, and much more.

YouTuber

YouTubers nowadays are rolling in their Lamborghinis, Cadillacs, Mercedes, Tesla, and all those natty clothes from Cucci and Armani. To name a few, you must check out Mr. Beast, Logan Paul, JackSepticEye, Dude Perfect, and PewDiePie to get an idea about their lifestyle. In India, you can see how well Ashish Chanchlani, Bhuvan Bam, and Carry Minati are doing.

Social Media Manager

Social media management is a growing field that requires you to handle social media accounts of small, medium, and big companies. Even celebrities and public figures need social media managers. So if you are pondering how to work from home jobs in India, this is one of the best ways.

Translator

Knowing your own native language, or a third language can now benefit you a lot. If you consider yourself to be fluent in Hindi, English, Spanish, German, Tamil, Telegu, etc then you can utilize your skills on these freelance websites. You can go to Fiverr and Upwork to start today. Free registration and these genuine work from home jobs can help you pay your bills and rent. You will receive a lot of opportunities from Indian and western businesses, and even authors.

Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant helps keep track of a business’s data, by doing administrative tasks and keeping everything organized. Virtual assistants are basically freelancers working at home or remotely. You have to handle various tasks like composing emails and responding to them. You also need to create business documents with PowerPoint and do data entry in Excel. You are also responsible for responding to business inquiries, managing blogs, websites, sales data, and more. Being a virtual assistant can fetch you a decent income, help pay your bills, and cover all basic requirements.

Piranha 3D (2010)

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Piranha 3D is a 2010 American 3D horror comedy film that serves as a loose remake of the comedy horror film Piranha (1978) and an entry in the Piranha film series. During spring break on Lake Victoria, a popular waterside resort, an underground tremor releases hundreds of prehistoric, carnivorous piranhas into the lake. Local cop Julie Forester (Elisabeth Shue) must join forces with a band of unlikely strangers—though they are badly outnumbered—to destroy the ravenous creatures before everyone becomes fish food.

Directed by Alexandre Aja, the film stars Elisabeth Shue, Adam Scott, Jerry O’Connell, Ving Rhames,  Jessica Szohr, Steven R. McQueen, Christopher Lloyd and Richard Dreyfuss. A sequel, Piranha 3DD, was released in 2012. Piranha 3D received generally positive reviews, with film critics praising it as a fun and entertaining B-movie.

7 Amazing Benefits Of Eating Dragon Fruit

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Dragon fruit is always been tempting but it is only recently that I have started eating me. If like me you haven’t tasted this awesome fruit, here are some reasons to have this powerhouse of nutrition, equipped with many health-benefiting properties become part of your diet:

1. Low Cholesterol : Dragon fruit is extremely low is terms of cholesterol, as well as saturated and trans fats. Regular consumption of the fruit can not only be refreshing but also help you in maintaining a healthy heart in the long run. Those of you who are on a weight loss regime, it may be a good idea to include it in your diet. Moreover, the seeds present in the fruit are loaded with omega 3 fatty acids which are essential for your well-being.

2. High in Fiber : According to a study done by the researchers at the University of Leeds, increasing consumption of fibre-rich foods can lower risk of both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Dragon fruit is a good source of dietary fiber, therefore it is not only great for the heart, but also helps in maintaining blood pressure and weight.

3. Antioxidant Rich : Vibrant in colour, which also means that dragon fruit is filled with phytonutrients that can provide you your much required dose of antioxidants. Antioxidants help in fighting free radicals which could damage your cells and even lead to cancer. A diet rich in antioxidants is said to keep your heart healthy and the skin young.

4. Heart Healthy : Because dragon fruits are loaded with fiber and antioxidants, they both contribute to keeping the heart healthy and young. They fight against plaque clogging up in the arteries, maintaining the blood circulation in the body.

5. Skin Care : The exotic fruit is commonly used in natural remedies for beauty because of its high antioxidant content as well as vitamins. Ancient beauty practices in the southeast Asian countries believe that making a paste of dragon fruit flesh and applying it regularly on the face can help in slowing down the process of ageing, making you look younger. The paste is also used in treating acne and sunburn.

6. High Source of Potassium : Dragon fruit is loaded with essential minerals, particularly potassium and calcium which help in maintaining bone structure. Regular consumption of potassium is extremely vital for cellular, electrical, nervous functions of our body. In simpler words, potassium plays a key role in maintaining water content, pH or acid balance in our body. According to a study done by Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan, if you are a diabetic, having a diet rich in potassium may help you protect your heart and kidney.

7. Vitamin C : Since dragon fruit is a good source of vitamin C, it helps in strengthening immunity, aiding the absorption of iron by the body, producing collagen which makes our teeth healthier, and promoting a healthy and glowing skin. Vitamin C also helps boost your immunity, thereby keeping you from getting sick.

Why You Should Be Considering Real Estate Investing

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Investing is very much something of an opportunity, and if you miss your opportunity, then you could miss out on some huge returns. The real estate market is something that is currently skyrocketing all over the world, and you’ll find that the longer you leave it, the more money it’s going to cost you to get into it. If you’re looking to make some secure investments, now is the time you should be considering investing in real estate.

Not everyone has enough money to invest in large properties, but you can start small by renting out some of your own space. If you’re living in a property with room to spare, it could be a good introduction to real estate and what it’s like to have tenants.

It can be made easier

Putting all of your eggs into one basket is very nerve-wracking, especially when you’ve got no experience with it. You might feel like you don’t know the best way to handle and interview tenants, as it’s a lot to trust someone with. You could instead consider hiring a property manager to oversee the interviews and selection of tenants. Property managers are trained and experienced, so you can be sure that will reflect in the tenants who are filling your property.

It can be highly profitable

If you’re looking for a relatively quick way to make some money, you could consider house flipping. Purchasing a property and having some desirable renovations to it can help you to quickly raise that price tag, allowing you to make a quick and large profit. Obviously, most people aren’t able to do this, as properties are expensive enough as it is without all of the extra work that would need to be done.

Relatively safe investment

There’s always going to be an infinite demand for real estate, and you can be sure that you’re going to find tenants willing to accept your cost of the rent. Unlike other investments, yours will have a high demand consistently, so you can feel safe knowing that your money isn’t going to vanish in a matter of moments or while you’re sleeping.

If you’re having trouble finding suitable tenants, you could instead go back to house tipping and finding someone to help you at least break even on your investment. It’s much better than a total loss, even if it had cost you a few months of your own time.

Consistent and smooth cash flow.

A huge part of the reason that people are interested in real estate investments is that it’s a steady and smooth cash flow. You’re getting paid for rent and utilities consistently, and you can rely on that to pay for your own life for the time being. You’ll have to wait quite a while before you see high overall profits, but for the time being you have a safe income that you can rely on – many people don’t live with financial security, so this is highly valued.

RIP Ray Liotta

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American actor Ray Liotta, whose career breakout came in the 1990 Martin Scorsese crime classic Goodfellas after co-starring in Field of Dreams, has died. He was 67. Liotta died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, where he was shooting the film Dangerous Waters. Raymond Allen Liotta was born in Newark, New Jersey, on December 18, 1954. Having been abandoned at an orphanage, he was adopted at the age of six months by township clerk Mary (Edgar) and auto-parts store owner Alfred Liotta. He graduated from the University of Miami, where he studied acting and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1978.

He moved the New York City and worked as a bartender for 6 months before getting an agent. Among his earliest screen roles playing nice guy Joey Perrini on the popular NBC soap Another Worldfrom 1978-81. In movies he appeared in the Jonathan Demme-directed Something Wild (1987), scoring a Golden Globe nomination, and then played banned Chicago White Sox superstar Shoeless Joe Jackson opposite Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones in 1989’s Field of Dreams. Liotta then quickly followed playing gangster Henry Hill in Scorsese’s Goodfellas, opposite Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in what was to be the defining role of his career.

That signature role led to Liotta becoming a big-screen regular during the ’90s, when he would star in such films as Unlawful Entry, No Escape, Unforgettable, Turbulence, Operation Dumbo Drop, Cop Land and Corrina, Corrina. He continued to be busy in the 2000s with roles in Ridley Scott’s Hannibal,  the Silence of the Lambs sequel starring Anthony Hopkins; Ted Demme’s Blow, with Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz; Narc, opposite Jason Patric; Nick Cassavetes’ John Q., starring Denzel Washington; James Mangold’s Identity, with John Cusack and Amanda Peet; and Joe Carnahan’s Smokin’ Aces with Ryan Reynolds. In the 2010s, Liotta appeared in Date Night with Steve Carell, in Charlie St. Cloud, the independent drama Snowmen, and The River Sorrow, which stars Liotta as a detective. He starred alongside Brad Pitt and James Gandolfini in the 2012 Andrew Dominik film Killing Them Softly and the 2013 Ariel Vromen film The Iceman and a supporting role in Muppets Most Wanted (2014).

Liotta married actress and producer Michelle Grace in February 1997 after they had met at a baseball game, had a daughter, Karsen, before divorcing in 2004. At the time of his death, he was engaged to Jacy Nittolo.

8 Proven Benefits/Pros For Using Olive Oil

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#1. It works against your heart diseases controlling bad cholesterol LDL and increasing good cholesterol HDL in your blood.

#2. The antioxidant properties present in olive oil is great for skin health. It prevents skin ageing and acne breakout.

#3. Polyphenols present in this oil have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties which helps improving heart health.

#4. Polyphenols are also great in controlling both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

#5. Olive oil is low in saturated fats which improves blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.

#6. It helps reducing risks of common types of cancers that includes skin, lungs, breast, colon and ovarian cancers.

#7. Another most alarming pros of olive oil, Oleocanthal, a substance present in olive oil inhibits toxic proteins that damage brain cells causing Alzheimer’s disease, proved according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Pharmacology and Toxicology.

#8. Olive oil is great for bone health. According to a research, people with high levels of olive oil in their diet are less likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. It also helps in improving mineralization and calcification of bones. (Source : Webparx)

Five Weird Laws In Tunisia

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The Tunisian dinar is what is known as a closed currency; it is actually illegal to either import or export Tunisian dinnar. Make sure that you declare how much foreign currency – in cash – you‘re bringing into the country, or it won‘t be leaving with you.

Using a drone or even owning it may put you in jail . It is illegal for any Tunisian to own it without permission and illegal to deploy it.

It is illegal for any Tunisian to own it without permission and illegal to deploy it. It’s not impossible, however. British nationals wishing to buy property in Tunisia have often been advised to do so through a Tunisian friend.

Like many Muslim countries, homosexuality is illegal and a criminal offence in Tunisia. According to Lonely Planet, “Sexual acts between two consenting adults of the same sex are punishable by up to three years imprisonment.”

It‘s technically illegal for mixed-gender couples who are unmarried to share a room together. It’s not much of a problem in western-style hotels, but elsewhere, just say “wife/husband” rather than “boyfriend/girlfriend” when talking to hotel staff. A gold ring worn on the appropriate finger can smooth the way, too.

Suicide Prevention & Crisis Helplines In India

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Today some of us learned about the death of a former colleague. Apparently he committed suicide. Not only am I saddened and chocked on learning the news I am also angry. Angry at learning about the details behind the reason why this man, who is around my age, decided that he could not handle life anymore and took the drastic decision to end his life. Such a shame. He also has children.

If You Know Someone in Crisis this is one of the numbers you can call :
91-9820466726 Hours : 24 hours, 7 days a week Languages : English, Hindi.

Crisis helplines & Suicide Prevention numbers:
112 is the national emergency number for India. Call 112.

Kiran: 1800-599-0019. A national 24/7 toll free helpline launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to help people with suicidal thoughts, depression and other mental health issues.

1Life (https://1life.org.in/): +91 78930 78930, a 24/7 helpline for suicide prevention and crisis support

Sneha India (http://www.snehaindia.org) is available 24/7 on the phone by calling +91 44 24640050 or +91 44 2464 0060.

iCall (https://icallhelpline.org/): +91 9152987821 (Mon to Sat from 10 am – 8 pm). It is a telephone and email based counselling service run by School of Human Ecology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, that offers free telephone and email-based counseling services.

5 Interesting Facts About Nurses

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May 12th is considered to be International Nurses Day. I missed the exact date but I would like to share some interesting facts about nurses and the nursing profession.

The 1st nursing school was established in India in 250 B.C.

During this time, only men were allowed to attend the school because they were viewed as more  pure than women. Now  woman practically dominate the field statistically. Data from the 2009 U.S Department of Health and Human Services stated that approximately 5.8% of nurses in the U.S were male. It wasn’t until the 1800s that nursing truly became a systematized practice.

 Nurses are consistently named one of the most trusting professions.

The annual Gallup Survey has named nursing as the highest-trusted profession for the 14th year in a row. Nurses are viewed as having high ethical and honesty standards by 85% of the public who took the survey.

There are over 100 nursing professions to choose from.

According to DiscoverNursing.com, there are currently 104 nursing professions to choose from. Nursing is one of the most customizable careers you could pursue, as there are several types of degrees, certifications, job characteristics and categories you can select from. Some of these categories include:

  • Advanced Practice
  • Clinical
  • Community
  • Surgical
  • Family
  • Management

Nurses walk on average 4 miles a day.

A MEDSURG Nursing study called How Far Do Nurses Walk? found that 146 nurses walked an average of 4-5 miles total during their 12-hour shift. Compare that to the average American, who only walks 2.5-3 miles on average daily. Its no surprise that nurses manage to get those steps in they’re on their feet for 12 hours straight!

Only 3 of 5 nurses actually work in hospitals.

Most nurses work in hospitals, but like mentioned above, there are nearly 3 million RNs practicing in the United States. Want to work in a school? What about hospice care? Thought about nursing in the homes of patients? There is a long list of possible locations and job titles that determine where a nurse will work. Some non-hospital nursing careers include: nurse midwife, forensic nurse, nurse educator, school nurse, academic nurse writer, and legal nurse consultant. With a nursing degree and specialized training, nurses don’t only have to work in hospitals anymore!

ROSHAN’S ELEVEN : Fun Facts About Stairway To Heaven

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  1. Stairway to Heaven remains the biggest-selling sheet music in the history of rock. An average hit sells 10,000 to 15,000 copies of sheet music. Stairway to Heaven has sold well over one million copies.
  2. Stairway to Heaven was performed in almost every concert by Led Zeppelin and it was omitted only on rare occasions, when shows were interrupted by curfews or technical problems. The last time the band performed the song was in Berlin on 7th July 1980, which was also their last show ever as the full band, and this version also was one of the longest ever, lasting almost fifteen minutes.
  3. Stairway is still played 4,203 times a year by America’s sixty-seven largest AOR (album-oriented rock) radio stations, according to trade magazine MONDAY MORNING REPLAY (stat from the early 90s).
  4. US communications company MediaBase lists ‘Stairway to Heaven’ as having been played a total of 1,432,403 times around the world as of May 2008.
  5. The guitar introduction is one of the most famous pieces ever played on the guitar, but was in fact borrowed from the song Taurus by Spirit, who were touring with Led Zeppelin at the time. They have been interviewed about this and apparently do not mind.
  6. Fans believe that the song is influence by The Lord of the Rings. Long before Peter Jackson’s blockbuster movies, Zeppelin’s band members were big fans of The Lord of the Rings. And J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel inspired several of their songs, including “Ramble On,” “The Battle of Evermore,” and “Misty Mountain Hop.” Many Tolkien buffs believe “Stairway” also leads straight to Middle-earth. According to one theory, the lyrics echo the “The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen,” a story of two lovers told in the appendix of The Lord of the Rings.
  7. The lyrics, written by Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant next to an evening log fire, were inspired by his search for spiritual perfection. A seminal influence was the book Magic Arts in Celtic Britain by Lewis Spence, which Plant had recently read; it contained references to May Queens, pipers, and “bustling hedgerows.”
  8. In 1982, a California State Assembly consumer-protection-committee hearing featured testimony from “experts” who claimed that “Stairway,” when played backward, contained the words: “I sing because I live with Satan. The Lord turns me off — there’s no escaping it. Here’s to my sweet Satan, whose power is Satan. He will give you 666. I live for Satan.” Evidence of a demonic message? Or was the backward-masking controversy started by a failing electronics firm as a ploy to get teenagers to ruin turntables by spinning them backward? Swan Song Records also issued the following statement at the time which said:“Our turntables only play in one direction—forwards.”
  9. In 2003 it was named #31 in Rolling Stones ‘Top 500 Songs of All Time’ and #3 in VH1 in their 2000 awards for the ‘100 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time’ awards.
  10. The tendency for many aspiring guitar players to learn to play the introduction to the song was spoofed in the 1992 Mike Myers movie Wayne’s World, when a “No Stairway to Heaven” regulation is enforced at a music store visited by the title character. The intro was replaced with a more generic, non-“Stairway” riff in later releases of the movie, making the joke incomprehensible. Plant himself referenced the scene’s “No Stairway? Denied!” line during a concert appearance with Page in 1995.
  11. Zep’s lead guitarist was known to dabble in the occult, but the so-called “magical” instrument he used for his “Stairway to Heaven” solo wasn’t infested with demons or blessed by witches or anything cool like that. It was simply a 1959 Fender Telecaster he got from fellow British shredder Jeff Beck. Page also used that Telecaster during his days with the Yardbirds and on sessions for the first Zeppelin album. “A bit of a magical guitar, really,” Page said.