The Weekly Links: Optimus Proposal, John McClane's Property Damage Bill, Dance Moms Take On A-Ha

Happy 2014 everyone! Hope you resolution makers become resolution keepers by year's end! I have made (and kept) resolutions in the past so best of luck to those of you who are looking forward to making some changes for the better in 2014. 

2013 was a great year for RD80s and I'm looking forward to what 2014 has in store. I changed the site's template in July back to more of a blog format which seems to have "clicked" with my everyone. RD80s received over 300,000 pageviews this past year (over 225,000 since the template change in July) which is mindblowing to me. Thank you all so much for "playing along" and giving me encouragement to keep blogging!

Here are some personal resolutions for 2014:

• More RD80s Podcasts: The feedback on the initial podcast was great and I want to keep it going. I actually have audio recorded to produce more episodes, but have lacked the production time and motivation. I hope to get back in the production studio soon to keep the podcast alive!
• More Blogging: I continually get ideas for blogposts all the time and anticipate much more blogging on RD80s and also as a staff writer for the UnderScoopFire.Com website. Really wish this was my full time job!
• Continue My Memoir: I laid out the foundation for a personal memoir a couple months ago which is mainly about some of my experiences as a child of the '80s. I'd like to complete it and see if any publishing opportunities could happen.

So there is my focus for 2014. Part of the blogging experience is also passing along content from other sites and connecting with other '80s bloggers. I hope to continue The Weekly Links as the main part of sharing the '80s community with my followers!

Man in China Builds Giant Transformers Replica to Propose to Girlfriend - Gizmodo

 - Now that's going all out to propose. Price tag for the steel alone was $10,000! What's he gonna do for the wedding? A life-size Devastator cake?

15 Cartoons From The ‘80s You Probably Forgot Existed - BuzzFeed

 - Pretty good list. There were actually 5 in the list that I didn't remember watching. The Potato Head Kids?

10 Cheesiest Songs Of The 80s - WhatCulture!

 - I'll agree with most of these on the list, but like one commenter noted, leaving Wham off a "cheesy" list is unforgivable.

9 Adorable Baby Nicknames Based on 80s Cartoon Characters - UnderScoopFire!

 - If you've got little munchkins running around the house like I do, here are some nicknames ideas based on '80s cartoon characters. In the teething phase? Try "Trapjaw."

What's The Damage? Die Hard (1988) - CinemaSins YouTube Channel

 - Found this video via The Laughing Squid. It's a fun idea of totaling up the damage caused in action movies. I bet Rambo's bill from that little town in the Northwest and the Army in First Blood was pretty expensive too.

10 Power Ballads From The ’80s We Still Love - VH1

 - Pretty good list. Check out the article comments too as many people added to the list.

Getting Slimed by the Oral History of Nickelodeon… - Branded In The '80s

 - I've had my eye on this book for awhile and Shawn gives a fun review after receiving it as a Christmas present.

Dance Moms: Take On Abby Season 4 Music Video - Lifetime YouTube Channel

 - Even though I don't watch the reality show Dance Moms, I thought this was a fun promo of the upcoming season. Last year they did a promo inspired by Michael Sembello's "Maniac."

The Best 80s Singles That Never Made the Top 40 (Part 1) - Huffington Post

 - Great list and looking forward to part two. Some of the singles were surprising that never made the Top 40 even though they are popular on 80s radio stations today. (Prime example: Modern English "I Melt With You")

Back to the 80s: Interview with Larry Wilcox from CHiPs - Kickin' it Old School

 - Officer Jon! This is a great extensive interview with Larry Wilcox that CHiPs fans will enjoy.