World's Oddest Museums

World's Oddest Museums

World's Oddest Museums. Ah, the great museums of the world: the Louvre, the Met, the Hermitage, the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets. What? You’ve never heard of the toilet museum? And you call yourself cultured. Pshaw.

OK, I’d never heard of it either. Nor several of the other rather odd museums mentioned in this piece by Jason Volker. Volker covers a lot of territory, spanning the globe in search of the weirdest places that people have collected weird things and put them on display for (let’s admit it) weird people.

Also making the list is the Meguro Parasitological Museum in Japan, and the British Lawnmower Museum in Lancashire, the kind of place that Monty Python fans would most definitely feel at home. So next time you're in India, drop in on the toilet museum. I've always wondered where all the toilets in India went.

Source: gadling

Rabies enhances sexuality

Unexpected effect, which, unfortunately, can not use.

stunning facts.....Rabies has increased seksualnostBeshenstvo one good side effect: it greatly increases the libido, has found out by doing a 28-year-old Indian woman. She asked the doctor, complaining (!) To suddenly aggravated sexual desire, increased arousal and multiple orgasms that she had for two days. She had no choice, as always to have sex with her husband, but "this is not remembered for all eight years of married life" - she told the doctors.
Unfortunately, the husband was happy for long: soon the woman developed aerophobia and hydrophobia (fear of fresh air and water), and the doctors suspected rabies. It was found that about two months ago, she was bitten by a puppy is not vaccinated, and since the bite was small, she decided not to go to the doctors. A few days later she died: rabies vaccine exists but is effective until the disease has not yet developed.
So what? Rabies - the best (and most deadly) - afrodoziak of all time? Indian Doctor Medical College Chennai with unpronounceable name Ponnia Тирумалайколундусубраманиан believed that rabies virus has increased in the brains of an Indian band, responsible for sexual desire. And no, he does not recommend using this method.
There are many other, much simpler and safer, way to stir up his (and her!) Libido. For example - go to the beach and sunbathe a little, or to arrange a feast, by submitting to the table all the top 10 aphrodisiacs.
Text: Daria Vakhrusheva
Photo: fotoimedia / pixmac

Interesting facts about cigarettes

Interesting facts about cigarettes

Interesting facts about cigarettes. Cigarettes - best-selling thing on the planet. Whole trillion cigarettes are sold every year. Tobacco industry revenues exceeding 400 billion per year, is one of the most profitable areas of activity.

Nicotine content in cigarettes of some well-known brands is constantly growing. Harvard University conducted a study on this subject, which showed that cigarettes Camel, Newport, Doral and nicotine content from 1997 to 2005 grew by 11%. In 1970 the U.S. signed a law that prohibited advertising on TV cigarette. Last cigarette advertising has appeared on TV in the USA December 31, 1970. Manufacturers of cigarettes sold in the United States far more in other countries. Such brands as Marlboro, Kool, Camel and Kent cover 70% of the total market cigarettes and tobacco products. The composition of cigarettes is arsenic, formaldehyde, lead, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and another 43 different compounds. In the 1950's in Kent cigarettes used a filter on the basis of asbestos fibers. As is known, asbestos - one of the strongest carcinogens. In most countries the sale of cigarettes is permitted to 16-18. In Japan - 20. Contrary to popular belief, cigarette smoking is allowed at any age. Sell ​​cigarettes to children and adolescents is prohibited, but they actually smoke the law is not prohibited. Scientists believe that a smoker loses an average of 14 years of living with active smoking. However, this does not mean dying young. Maybe people will live to 70 years, but could - up to 84. Nicotine reaches the brain within 10 seconds after the inhalation of tobacco smoke. "lightweight" and menthol cigarettes no less harmful than regular ones.

Keep Your Pets Cool in Summer

Keep Your Pets Cool in Summer

Keep Your Pets Cool in Summer. Keeping your animals cool in the summer heat can be quite a challenge, especially with the extreme temperatures much of the country seems to be experiencing today. However, according to some experts it can be hard on a dog to bring them in and out, off and on, all day. Whereas a dog that remains outside the majority of the time in warmer weather may have more of a chance to get used to it and subsequently live with it easier than one who doesn't remain outside consistently. The problem with the latter scenario is that even a dog that used to being outside in warmer weath- er has limits on just how high a temperatures it can stand. For example, it would be hard for any dog to endure a 100+, even 90+ heat index, even if they were used to the heat.
We live in a very hot, humid area of the country and over the years we've tried a mix of scenarios, currently, our outside dogs become inside canines when the temperature is 86+ - period. We feel this is a must since they are either older in age, or, are a cold climate dog breed. We try to make up for the lack of exercise and interesting activities by allowing them to run for a few hours in the morning before the temperatures hit the mid 80's and again in the evenings when it's cool enough. It means getting up around sunrise, but we think they're worth it. Just the same, in the past, when the summer was a little milder, we've decided to let them stay outside the majority of the time. In doing so, we've found a few things that do seem to help beat the heat some, and we wanted to share a few of those ideas with you.


To Shave or Not To Shave
First, let's explore a controversial subject, to shave or not to shave. Many believe that a dog is much better off with their natural coat and that it provides a kind of insulation from the heat, actually keeping them cooler. Personally, with our particular pyrenees, this never appeared to be the case, their thick hair just seemed to make them hotter, dirtier and more difficult to maintain. In the last few years, we've decided to shave our dogs and this is our personal preference. However, there are a few disadvantages to this technique that must be considered before you make your decision to shave or not to shave.

Most important, after a dog is shaved there is a very high risk of acquiring a dangerous, painful sunburn. We do two things to address this concern, first we have the groomer leave about 1/4 inch of hair and then we still leave the dog inside, completely out of the sun, during the sunlight hours, for about a week. The second concern, and yes, this has been a problem for us, is that the hair stops growing in as thick, natural and pretty as it otherwise would. Just the same, for us personally, we feel the advantages of shaving our dogs outweighs the disadvantages. Shaving your dog for the summer is actually an important decision for both you and your dog and it should not be taken lightly. What works best for one person's dog may not be what's best for your particular canine and you should always visit thoroughly with both your veterinarian and groomer before deciding what will be best for your particular pet and it's specific needs.

The Two Absolute Musts
First and foremost, your dog will need plenty of fresh water available at all times. Ideally, this means more than just sticking a little bowl of water out on the porch once a day. In the hot months, you'll want to keep the bowl full, of course, but you'll also want to change it several times a day to keep it cool. To keep it cool as long as possible you'll also want to keep it in an area where it is shaded, you might also want to consider a plastic or ceramic bowl, as a metal one will absorb the sun's heat and make it undrinkable faster. Something else to consider, some puppies and playful dogs like to splash and stick their paws in their water, quickly making it dirty and undrinkable - in such instances you might wish to consider an alternative source of water such as an above ground mounted crock or lixit water bottle. A water bottle may not supply water fast enough, however, for high quanity requirements. Also, since water bottles and crocks hold less water you'll probably want to keep an alternative source around just in case.

Next, you'll want to make sure your dog has shade, preferably with a blowing breeze. If this area is limited in size you'll want to be sure it has shade throughout the day as the location of the sun changes course. A porch on the west side of the house might be pleasantly shaded and cool in the morning but become unbearably hot and sunny by mid-afternoon. Remember, the sun does move throughout the day.

Additional Beat the Heat Ideas
Once your dog has the essentials, water and shade, you might wish to explore some other ideas to help keep them cool. One thing that some of my fellow dog lovers swear by is a kiddie swimming pool with about an inch of water. My dogs always enjoyed this, but once again, the water can heat up quickly, so you'll need to keep it in the shade and refreshed often. My pyrenees puppy loved playing in water so much that I had trouble keeping her from jumping in the horse's water trough's and I had to switch to an alternative water source for my horses, one she couldn't reach. After all, they need clean fresh water too.

There are also some interesting products available today to help cool your pet down during the hot summer months. The canine cooler and similar products have grown particularly popular over the last few years. It's designed to provide your pet with a cool area to lay on, as well as, provide cushioning comfort for skin, body and joints. Once filled with water, it's easy to wipe clean and close to maintenance free. We liked ours fine, however, it can be heavy when water filled, so we found it best to keep it in one spot.

We've also had a lot of success with the kuranda above ground dog bed, our dogs love them and our little pygmy goat does too. We have three. They work well during all seasons, in the summer they help get your pet up and into the breeze, and, in the winter they help by getting them off the cold damp ground. We also like the comfort factor that their taut hammock style construction seems to offer too.

Micro-bead wearable products have also become popular, we think these are a great idea when your with your pets and you can keep an eye on them. Under these circumstances, not only our pets wear them but we do too. Current choices include bandanas and body wraps filled with micro beads, once soaked in cool water for about twenty minutes, these products provide a kind of cooling effect as the water evaporates from the beads. A bandana soaked in ice water, then wrung out also helps a little, but for a much shorter period of time. For safety reasons, we do feel strongly that your pets should not wear micro bead products or any other hanging objects, when left unattended, as they can catch and hang up on fencing and other items.

Fans are often utilized and there are some nifty battery operated crate fans for time limited situations. However, for everyday long term use we've always been concerned regarding safety issues with most fans, since they involve electric cords and are usually designed for outside rather than inside useage.

We've also tried misters but found that they made the ground below very wet and that our pets didn't like sitting under them. But they may be worth a try and work for others under different circumstances.

Clearly, the summer heat and your pet's safety is something to taken very seriously. What will work best for both you and your pet will vary from situation to situation and dog to dog, depending on your dog's age, their health, their body size and hair, available shade, your ability to keep their water fresh and clean, actual temperatures, humidity levels and more. It's always advisable to visit thoroughly with your veterinarian regarding this and other issues, before making any decisions on lifestyle, products, grooming or general pet care, regarding their advice on what will be best for your pet's specific needs.

Source: apetsblog

Genetic Link Depression

Genetic Link Depression

Scientists say they have discovered the first solid evidence that variations in some peoples' genes may cause depression -- one of the world's most common and costly mental illnesses.

And in a rare occurrence in genetic research, a British-led international team's finding of a DNA region linked to depression has been replicated by another team from the United States who were studying an entirely separate group of people.

"What's remarkable is that both groups found exactly the same region in two separate studies," Pamela Madden, who led the U.S. team at Washington University, said in a statement.

The researchers said they hoped the findings would bring scientists closer to developing more effective treatments for patients with depression, since currently available medicines for depression only work in around half of patients.

"These findings ... will help us track down specific genes that are altered in people with this disease," said Gerome Breen of King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, who led the other research group.

The researchers said they believed many genes were involved in depression.

These findings are unlikely to benefit patients immediately, with any new drugs developed from them likely to take another 10 to 15 years. However, they will help scientists understand what may be happening at the genetic and molecular levels in people with depression.

The first study analyzed more 800 families with recurrent depression, while the second examined depression and heavy smoking in a series of families from Australia and Finland.

Both studies were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry on Monday and both teams reported a strong link between depression and genetic variations in a region called chromosome 3p25-26.

"Normally in genetic studies of depression, replication of findings is very difficult and frequently takes years to emerge, if ever," said Breen, who gave a briefing in London about the work.

Major depression affects about 20 percent of people at some point in their lives. Severe and recurring depression affects up to 4 percent of people and is notoriously hard to treat.

The World Health Organization has forecast that depression will rival heart disease as the health disorder with the highest disease burden in the world by 2020.

According to a 2006 study, depression is responsible for 100 million lost working days a year in England and Wales alone at a cost of 9 billion pounds ($14.6 billion).

Studies of families with depression have indicated that the disorder has a genetic link and scientists think around 40 percent of the risk of developing it is contributed by genes, with the rest down to environmental and other external factors.

"We are just beginning to make our way through the maze of influences on depression and this is an important step toward understanding what may be happening at the genetic and molecular levels," Michele Pergadia, who worked on Washington University study, said in a statement about the findings.

Breen's team is now conducting detailed gene sequencing studies in 40 of the families involved in the first study to try to find specific genes and variations that show a link.

Source:  Reuters

New Star Trek Animated

New Star Trek Animated

Star Trek: The Animated Series was a strange experiment in bringing more adult-themed adventure programming in the animated world, back when it happened in the early 70s. You might assume it was the result of someone who didn’t understand Star Trek thinking that it was kids stuff, but somehow the animated series avoided being a totally dumbed down version of the show. It was an interesting, side trip into the Trek universe at a time when there was no actual live action Star Trek out there for fans to consume. A time a lot like now.

Paramount’s Star Trek team is taking its sweet time about getting another movie done, and there hasn’t been Star Trek on television since Enterprise was cancelled exactly six years ago. I’d call that a drought. The answer to that drought could be the same as it was back in the seventies: Paramount has been talking about making a new Star Trek animated series.

Responding to a tweet from TrekMovie, Star Trek writer Bob Orci revealed on his twitter feed tonight that he’s been talking about putting together an animated Trek. Just exactly who he’s been talking to about this remains a little unclear, based on the context of the conversation it’s either something he’s been mulling over with his Star Trek co-writer Alex Kurtzman, or it’s something he and Alex have actually been talking about with Trek rights-holders Paramount and CBS. Either way, I like the thought process.

Bottom line, even if they actually do get around to making another movie, Star Trek really needs to get back on television. Live action hasn’t really worked, but animation could. Here’s the best thing about doing animation: They could actually set the thing in the original series, in the same way the 1973 animated series was. Maybe even draw the characters to look like the original actors who portrayed them. Give me William Shatner’s young Kirk. Spock should always be played by Leonard Nimoy. Resurrect DeForest Kelly and James Doohan to play Dr. McCoy and Scotty in animated form.

Let those characters live on forever, and I’m a happy Trek fan, as long as they gear it towards adults and use this as a way to do smart science fiction. The possibilities are endless. This needs to happen.

10 Most Luxury Apartments in US

If a big discount is one sign of a good deal, then New York is a bargain-hunter's paradise — for luxury apartments, anyway.

New York

778 Park Ave., No. 15/16

• List price: $24.9 million
• Previous list price: $46 million in May 2008
• Reduced: $21.1 million
• Price cut: 45.9%

This duplex apartment was the residence of the late philanthropist Brooke Astor. It occupies the entire 16th floor and part of the building's 15th floor and has five bedrooms, four bathrooms and one half-bath.
Corcoran listed the unit for $46 million in May 2008. Stribling & Associates relisted it in February 2009 for $29 million and then for $24.9 million in August 2009, according to StreetEasy.com. Architect Rosario Candela designed the building in 1931.

New York

812 Park Ave., penthouse

• List price: $15.9 million
• Previous list price: $36.5 million in November 2007
• Reduced: $20.6 million
• Price cut: 56.4%

This 6,500-square-foot triplex penthouse is on the 13th, 14th and 15th floors of a pre-World War II cooperative on Park Avenue. Sotheby's International Realty listed it for $36.5 million in November 2007, and Brown Harris Stevens listed it in June 2009 for $22 million.
Architect James Carpenter won an award from the American Institute of Architects' New York chapter for his work on this building in 1927, according to Corcoran.

New York

740 Park Ave., No. 4/5C

• List price: $26 million
• Previous list price: $35 million in August 2008
• Reduced: $9 million
• Price cut: 25.7%

This 6,700-square-foot duplex has four bedrooms with walk-in closets and en suite marble bathrooms, in addition to a laundry room, staff rooms, a private elevator landing and a marble gallery.
Sotheby's International Realty listed the property on StreetEasy.com for $35 million in August 2008 and reduced the price to $26 million in January 2009. The building, designed by architect Rosario Candela, also has been home to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and John D. Rockefeller Jr.

Las Vegas

1 Hughes Center Drive, No. 1901

• List price: $11.7 million
• Previous list price: $20 million in January 2008
• Reduced: $8.3 million
• Price cut: 41.5%

This two-story penthouse in the Park Towers was listed by Prudential at $20 million in 2008 before being relisted for $15 million in 2009, according to Zillow.com. The price was cut to $13.2 million in February 2010 and then to $11.7 million in September, according to Zillow.com.

New York

610 Park Ave., penthouse

• List price: $25.8 million
• Previous list price: $32.8 million in March
• Reduced: $7 million
• Price cut: 21.3%

This duplex penthouse has 7,700 square feet of living and entertaining space and 1,450 square feet of roof terrace. It features five bedrooms, a maid's room and a solarium. According to StreetEasy.com, Corcoran listed the unit for $32.8 million in March, reduced the price to $29.8 million in May and cut it again to $25.8 million in September.
The building, formerly the Mayfair Hotel, was converted into luxury condos by Donald Trump in 1998, according to Observer.com.

Los Angeles

1 West Century Drive, No. 34A

• List price: $8 million
• Previous list price: $14.3 million in June
• Reduced: $6.3 million
• Price cut: 44.1%

This 4,497-square-foot condo in the new Century residential tower has four bedrooms, five full bathrooms and a half-bath. Prices for units in the Century, which New York-based developer Related Cos. built, have dropped 10% to 25% across the board, according to Curbed.com.

Las Vegas

2777 Paradise Road, No. 3801/3901

• List price: $10 million
• Previous list price: $16 million in January 2009
• Reduced: $6 million
• Price cut: 37.5%

This penthouse offers more than 12,000 square feet of living space, including more than 3,000 square feet of wraparound terraces that provide a view of the Las Vegas Strip. The unit has five bedrooms and nine bathrooms and a dining room with a vaulted ceiling, according to Prudential. Florida-based developer Thurnberry Associates built the property.

Miami Beach, Fla.

800 S. Pointe Drive, PH-A

• List price: $16 million
• Previous list price: $22 million in 2008
• Reduced: $6 million
• Price cut: 27.3%

This new luxury condo development, named Apogee, was built by Miami-based developer The Related Group in 2008. The penthouse, which first listed for $22 million in 2008, occupies the top two floors of the building, with 11,000 square feet of terrace and balcony. The rooftop has a private pool and built-in kitchen.

New York

43 Fifth Ave., fifth floor

• List price: $19 million
• Previous list price: $25 million in January
• Reduced: $6 million
• Price cut: 24%

Features in this apartment include 10.5-foot ceilings, bay windows overlooking the Gothic Revival First Presbyterian Church, intricate molding, wainscoting and dark-stained white oak flooring. It has five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.
It was listed on Trulia.com by Anne Weintraub in January for $25 million and reduced to $19 million in April. The building, built in 1903 and converted to a cooperative in 1978, according to Cityrealty.com, was once home to actor Marlon Brando.

New York

770 Park Ave., No. 8D

• List price: $11 million
• Previous list price: $16.8 million in May 2008
• Reduced: $5.8 million
• Price cut: 34.5%

This renovated, four-bedroom apartment receives light through 28 windows spanning four exposures. It was listed for $16.8 million by Brown Harris Stevens in May 2008 and reduced to $11 million in October 2009, according to StreetEasy. The 18-story building was designed by Rosario Candela in 1930 in an H-shape to maximize light and air, according to the book "New York 1930, Architecture and Urbanism Between the Two World Wars."

Meet the Youngest Top 10 Album Artist

Meet the Youngest Top 10 Album Artist

Jackie Evancho, a 10-year old vocal prodigy who was the runner-up in September on America's Got Talent, enters The Billboard 200 at #2 with O Holy Night. Evancho is the youngest artist ever to land a top 10 album. Michael Jackson was 11 in 1970 when the Jackson 5 landed their first top 10 album. Zac Hanson was 11 in 1997 when Hanson first scored. Stevie Wonder, LeAnn Rimes and Miley Cyrus were each 13 when they first reached the top 10 (counting Hannah Montana for Cyrus). Evancho is a "classical crossover" artist in the style of Charlotte Church and Hayley Westenra, who were 13 and 17, respectively, when they first cracked The Billboard 200.

 O Holy Night is a four-song EP which consists of two Christmas standards ("O Holy Night" and "Silent Night") and two classical crossover pieces. Evancho sang one of those pieces, "Pie Jesu," on both America's Got Talent and Oprah. The singer, who lives with her family near Pittsburgh, has also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show and The View. (When I was 10, I had a paper route.)
Evancho first charted last summer with an (aptly-titled) album, Prelude To A Dream, which debuted and peaked at #121. The independently-released, digital-only album was thereafter pulled from the market on the theory that it didn't reflect the singer's current sound. Evancho's new release is on Columbia Records.

(Amazingly, Evancho isn't the only 10-year old who is making noise on this week's charts. Willow, the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pickett Smith, is riding high with her hit "Whip My Hair," which reached #11 on the Hot 100 a few weeks ago. Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Fallon (as Neil Young) sang a deadpan parody of the song last week on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.)

O Holy Night debuts just behind Susan Boyle's The Gift, which holds at #1 for the second week. This marks the first time that holiday collections have held down the top two spots on The Billboard 200 since December 1957, when Bing Crosby's Merry Christmas and Elvis Presley's Elvis' Christmas Album were #1 and #2.

Boyle was the runner-up in 2009 on Britain's Got Talent, so both of this week's top two albums are by artists who rose to fame on reality TV shows. Simon Cowell is credited with discovering both artists.

But the best news for Rihanna is on the Hot 100. "Only Girl (In The World)" will rise to #1 when that chart is officially released tomorrow. "Only Girl" is Rihanna's fourth #1 hit on the Hot 100 so far this year, following "Rude Boy," Eminem's "Love The Way You Lie" (on which Rihanna is featured) and "What's My Name?" (featuring Drake), which hit the top spot just two weeks ago. Rihanna is the first artist to amass four #1 hits in a calendar year since Usher scored in 2004.

Only Girl (In The World)" hit #1 in the U.K. last week. It's Rihanna's third song to reach #1 in both the U.S. and the U.K., following "Umbrella" (featuring Jay-Z) and "Take A Bow." Among female artists, only Madonna has had more transatlantic #1 hits (five). Whitney Houston is tied with Rihanna with three.

Two songs from Glee are listed in the top 10 on Hot Digital Songs for the first time in the show's history. Gwyneth Paltrow's cover of Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" debuts at #1, based on sales of 192K copies. The cast's medley of Gene Kelly's 1952 classic "Singin' In The Rain" and Rihanna/Jay-Z's 2007 smash "Umbrella" debuts at #7, based on sales of 140K copies. This is Glee's first "mash-up" to make the top 10.

The new album includes such holiday perennials as the Carpenters' "Merry Christmas Darling," Wham!'s "Last Christmas" and Jerry Herman's "We Need A Little Christmas" from Mame.

Eminem's Recovery this week becomes the first album to sell 3 million copies in 2010. This is the earliest in the year that an album has topped 3 million in year-to-date sales since 2006, when the first High School Musical album hit that plateau in the week ending Sept. 3. Josh Groban's Noel was the only album to top the 3 million mark in 2007. It reached that plateau in the week ending Dec. 23. In 2008, no album reached 3 million. Taylor Swift's Fearless was the first to top the 3 million mark in 2009. It rang the bell in the week ending Dec. 27. This is a little bit of good news for the beleaguered music industry.
Here's the top 10 on Hot Digital Songs. The Glee version of "Forget You" debuts at #1 (192K). Cee Lo Green's original version of "F*** You (Forget You)" vaults from #12 to #2 (191K). Ke$ha's "We R Who We R" dips from #2 to #3 (189K). Katy Perry's "Firework" holds at #4 (175K). P!nk's "Raise Your Glass" holds at #5 (171K). Rihanna featuring Drake's "What's My Name?" holds at #6 (147K). The Glee version of "Singin' In The Rain"/"Umbrella" debuts at #7 (140K). The Black Eyed Peas' "The Time (Dirty Bit)" drops from #3 to #8 (140K). Rihanna's "Only Girl (In The World)" dips from #8 to #9 (131K). Far*East Movement featuring Cataracs & Dev's "Like A G6" drops from #7 to #10 (130K).

Three of the acts that debut in the top 10 on this week's Billboard 200 have reason to be both pleased and a little concerned. Kid Rock, who debuts at #5, opened at #1 with his last album. Rascal Flatts, which debuts at #6, bowed at #1 with its last four studio albums. Keith Urban, who debuts at #7, started in the top three with his last three studio albums. These lower debuts are largely a function of the logjam in the top 10. With so many superstars releasing albums at the same time, some acts are bound to lose ground in the chart wars.

Shameless Plug: The Beatles were late to the digital "Revolution," but they're "Here, There and Everywhere" on the digital charts in the week after they finally allowed their music to be sold digitally. Forty seven Beatles songs enter the Hot Digital Songs chart this week, while 17 of the group's albums enter the Top Digital Albums chart. I have all the details in a Chart Watch Extra.
Here's the low-down on this week's top 10 albums.

1. Susan Boyle, The Gift, 335,000. The album holds at #1 for the second week. It's the first #1 album to post a sales increase in its second week atop the chart since Michael Buble's Crazy Love in October 2009.

2. Jackie Evancho, O Holy Night, 239,000. This new entry is the first top 10 album for the 10-year old singer. It's also #2 on this week's Christmas Albums chart.

3. Rihanna, Loud, 207,000. This new entry is Rihanna's fifth studio album in a row to make the top 10; her fourth in a row to make the top five. Five songs from the album are listed in the top 10 on Hot Digital Songs, topped by "What's Your Name?" (featuring Drake), which holds at #6.

4. Josh Groban, Illuminations, 191,000. This new entry is Groban's sixth top 10 album. Groban's last album, Noel, debuted at #10 in 2007. His last non-holiday studio album, Awake, debuted at #2 in 2006.

5. Kid Rock, Born Free, 189,000. This new entry is Kid's sixth top 10 album. That's his entire output since his 1999 breakthrough except for a 2006 live album

6. Rascal Flatts, Nothing Like This, 165,000. This new entry is the country trio's seventh straight top 10 album. It's the band's sixth #1 album on the country chart. "Why Wait" drops from #114 to #177 on Hot Digital Songs.

7. Keith Urban, Get Closer, 162,000. This new entry is Urban's fourth top 10 album. "Put You In A Song" drops from #95 to #107 on Hot Digital Songs.

8. Various Artists, Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album, 161,000. This new entry is the seventh Glee album or EP to crack the top 10. It's also the week's top soundtrack. Two songs from the album are listed on Hot Digital Songs. "O Holy Night" debuts at #116. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" bows at #179.

9. Taylor Swift, Speak Now, 146,000. The former #1 album drops from #2 to #9 in its fourth week. Two songs from the album are listed on Hot Digital Songs. "Mine" drops from #42 to #56. "Back To December" drops from #51 to #74.

10. Nelly, 5.0, 63,000. This new entry is the rapper's sixth top 10 album. Two songs from the album are listed on Hot Digital Songs. "Just A Dream" drops from #9 to #11. "Liv Tonight" (featuring Keri Hilson) debuts at #46.

A Day To Remember's What Separates Me From You opens at #11. This is the metal band's first top 20 album...P!nk's Greatest Hits...So Far!! bows at #14. This is P!nk's fifth album to crack the top 20, though it failed to follow the other four into the top 10. Greatest hits albums simply don't mean what they used to.

Bruce Springsteen's The Promise bows at #16. The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story debuts at #27. The former album includes 21 previously-unreleased songs that were recorded during the sessions that produced Springsteen's 1978 album Darkness At The Edge Of Town. The latter album is a three-CD, three-DVD box set. (If the sales for the two albums had been combined, Springsteen would have debuted at #10 this week, which would have upped his total of top 10 albums to 17.) Darkness, which reached #5 in July 1978, was Springsteen's follow-up to his 1975 breakthrough album Born To Run. (That album also inspired a successful archival project, Born To Run: 30th Anniversary Edition, which hit #18 in November 2005.)

Lee DeWyze's Live It Up bows at #19. This is the lowest entry for an album by an American Idol winner. Last year, Kris Allen became the first Idol winner to fall short of the top 10 with his debut. (Kris Allen opened and peaked at #11.) While DeWyze and Allen haven't set off the sparks of such Idol superstars as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, these diminished chart numbers are largely a reflection of the series being past its peak. It's still a hit show, but it's not the force it was. If Clarkson and Underwood had won the competition in the last two years, instead of in Seasons 1 and 4, would they have been able to overcome this Idol fatigue and still chart powerfully? Discuss amongst yourselves.

Take That's Progress enters the U.K. chart at #1. The album sold nearly 520,000 copies during the week, according to the Official Charts Company. That's the biggest one-week sales tally in the U.K. since Oasis' Be Here Now, which sold 663,000 in its first week in August 1997. Progress is Take That's sixth #1 album in the U.K.

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part One was #1 at the box-office over the weekend. All seven movies in the series have opened at #1. The score by Alexandre Desplat enters The Billboard 200 at #74. It's the week's highest-charting soundtrack to a theatrically-released film. All seven Potter soundtracks have made the top half of The Billboard 200. This is the first Potter movie that Desplat has scored. John Williams did the honors on the first three. Patrick Doyle scored the fourth. Nicholas Hooper handled the last two.

Coming Attractions: Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday are expected to enter The Billboard 200 in the top two slots next week. Also due: My Chemical Romance's Danger Days The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys, Ne-Yo's Libra Scale, Ke$ha's Cannibal, Lloyd Banks' H.F.M. 2 (Hunger For More 2), the Burlesque soundtrack, Jay-Z's The Hits Collection-Volume One, Alan Jackson's 34 Number One Hits and Nine Inch Nails' Pretty Hate Machine: 2010 Remastered.

Be Thankful: What's the best Thanksgiving song of all time? The list would certainly include William DeVaughn's 1974 hit "Be Thankful For What You Got." The Rolling Stones also expressed the day's sentiments perfectly in their 1969 classic "You Can't Always Get What You Want" (the next line: "But if you try sometimes you just might find/You get what you need)." I also like Andrew Gold's 1978 hit "Thank You For Being A Friend," which gained immortality when it was used as the theme song for The Golden Girls.

The Great American Celebrities Who Quit Smoking

The Great American Celebrities Who Quit Smoking

This nonprofit organization urges smokers in America to quit the habit for 24 hours each November. A state chapter held the first smokeout and reportedly got 1 million people to quit for the day. Check out the celebrities who have gone nicotine free.
Catherine Zeta-Jones

This Oscar-winning actress started smoking quite young, and she explains her motive for quitting.


John Mellencamp

This Midwest-born rocker, who had a smoking-related aliment, has struggled to quit. His son started this social media campaign

Whoopi Goldberg

The daytime TV host decided to quit smoking in this fashion nearly three years ago, offering her take on kicking the butts.

Matt Damon

This A-list Hollywood actor used another method to stop smoking, and his longtime buddy did the same.

Gisele Bündchen

This Brazilian-born supermodel, who is married to a superstar, stopped smoking, and she encountered a side effect.

Christy Turlington

This former supermodel decided to kick the habit after she was diagnosed with a smoking-related disease.

Susan Sarandon

Although her split with this actor grabs the headlines, this Oscar-winner says her decision to stop smoking is part of the reason for one of her best features.

Vince Vaughn

The Hollywood actor says took up smoking because he wanted to be “more authentic,” but he decided to kick the habit a hard way.

Kelly Ripa

The daytime TV co-host credits a co-star with helping her kick her undercover smoking habit a second time and replacing the habit with a healthier addiction. She initially stopped smoking when her family started growing.


Jennifer Aniston

The Hollywood actress blames an ex-boyfriend for her difficulties giving up nicotine, but she finally was able to stop by using a Hindu discipline.

Charlize Theron

The actress born in South Africa says she struggled for years with her nicotine habit before using this approach to quit. But she credit smoking with having an effect on her career.

Jon Stewart

“The Daily Show” host started smoking at this point in his life and continued the habit a couple decades, using a vending machine to satisfy his nicotine cravings.

Courteney Cox

The actress’ split from her husband might be taking center stage, but back in happier times, they flew to Boston together to achieve their goal.

Sir Anthony Hopkins

The Welsh-born actor quit smoking years ago following using an expert’s method, although he continued to puff away on onscreen, including in this award-winning role.

Yul Brynner

This Hollywood legend, famous for these two roles, made one of the most poignant anti-smoking arguments  shortly before he died of lung cancer.