Pop Culture is Eating Itself...

Punk Rock Girl

2008-10-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

The Dead Milkmen with "Punk Rock Girl"

There is a new MTV site, that has TONS of videos.

-Cliff

That Ukulele Player is a bad mother...SHUT YO MOUTH

2008-10-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a sentence I did not think I would type...

Here is the London Ukulele Orchestra playing "The Theme from Shaft" by Issac Hayes

Super Cool...

Enjoy!!

-Cliff

Songs From Open Mic

2008-09-13T04:41:00.000-07:00

Here are the songs I sang at Open Mic Night this week.

We did video the performance, and I will try to have it up within a week. Until then, these are some of my favorite songs, check them out from the original artists.

Gold Dust Woman:

Open Up your Eyes:

Hard Sun:

enjoy...

-Cliff

Open Mic

2008-09-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

I played an open mic this week, with a new friend of mine. We played an acoustic open mic at a restaurant/bar in Woodstock. We played 3 songs:

-Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac

-Open Up Your Eyes -Tonic

-Hard Sun - Eddie Vedder

It was a fun time, and good to play music in public again. It does not look like anything further will come of it (like a band or anything) but it was just fun to get out and sing again.

Sometimes you have to take the time to do what you love, and understand that it may just be what it is and nothing more. Have fun and move on.

-Cliff

Twelve

2008-09-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

I have not posted in a while...here is a little fun for your weekend.

The original we all know and love:

And since it's me, a remix:

Have a good weekend.

-Cliff

Little Death Star on the Prairie

2008-08-29T17:24:00.000-07:00

Look Pa a moon...

Half Pint, that's no moon...it's a space station.

Have a great Labor Day!!

-Cliff

Obama-Roll

2008-08-22T15:57:00.000-07:00

What happens when you combine Rick Roll and Obama:

This:

I am not slamming anyone, but this is too funny.

-Cliff

The Faux-Olympics

2008-08-21T03:24:00.000-07:00

Hi:

I have really enjoied watching the Olympics. Generally, I catch a little of it, but this year I have caught quite a bit. The games have been a lot of fun, and I have seen some great performances.

Last night during the Beach Volleyball Final, the Chinese team took a medical timeout when they were losing. The announcers indicated that this was not the first time that the Chinese team had used a medical time out to slow down the match, and that they were known for that. They said that the lady from China may be hurt, or she may not. I did not see any evidence that she was hurt before or after that time. I believe that she was losing and was faking in order to stall and slow down the Americans. The best part...it did not work.

In my opinion, that was the latest example of how the Chinese have lied and cheated their way through the games.

No one seems to be very concerned about the fact that they have put on fake performances in the ceremonies, treated their people horribly, and outright lied about the ages of their Gold Medal winning gymnasts, in the face of damming evidence. I, however, am concerned. This is why the victories by Nastia Lukin and Shawn Johnson are the greatest story out of the Olympics. Down get me wrong, Michael Phelps is AWESOME, and he belongs in the ranks of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. However, the USA feamle gymnasts won their medals while competing against blatant cheating. The other team (China) had an illegal and unfair advantage, and still got defeated in those events. Winning in that situation is the pinnacle of the Olympic Spirit.

Congrats Ladies!!

Finally, someone at ESPN has acknowledged what is going on.

Read his article here for a good list of the things perpetrated by China: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3542649

It is sad that a host country has to act this way, I am just glad someone has the guts to say so.

-Cliff

What if Willy Wonka was not about Chocolate?

2008-08-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

I'm just saying...what if???

:)

-Cliff

I Have a First Grader

2008-08-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

Yes...your eyes do not deceive you. Hannah started first grade today. I do not know about her first day of first grade went, but I will always remember mine. I will remember, because I have a scar to remind me. I am not getting all emo, I seriously have a physical scar. It is on my left hand.

You see, I was a teacher's kid. When you are a teacher's kid you have to hang out after everyone else goes home and wait for your mom (or Dad) to finish so you can go home.

I was playing with Lee Clamp (check his blog out to the right). Besides being my best friend, his mom was also a teacher at the elementary school. So while waiting for our moms we playing hide and seek. He locked me out of his mother's classroom and I knocked on the door, and then I knocked on the glass. When I knocked on the glass in the door, I knocked too hard. My hand went right through the glass. At first, I thought I was pretty cool. Then I turned my hand over.....

BLOOD!!!!! EVERYWHERE!!! I FREAKED!!!!

And then four stitches later...

I had a permanent memento of my first day of first grade.

Thankfully Hannah just had a regular day.

-Cliff

34 Words

2008-08-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

Having just turned 34, I became inspired to write poetry. Now I have been inspired to write before (songs mostly), but never a poem.

Now this does not rhyme, nor is it in any discernible meter.

The concept: Tell my story in the number of words to match my years.

:34 Words:

:Gary, Dean:

:Allendale Hospital, Williston, Clemson, Cape Cod, Barnwell, Lima, Lebanon, McMinnville, Murfreesboro, Johnson City, Atlanta:

:MetoKote, Magnetek, Siemens, AT&T:

:First Baptist, Sweetwater, Lima Community, Bellaire, Grace Fellowship, North Point:

:Mary, Hannah, Emily, Love:

Ewok Gospel

2008-07-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

Check this out, it includes the Real Billy D. Williams as a preacher....

Everybody now ....EEEEEwoks whoa EEEwoks

:)

-Cliff

Staycation Atlanta - Part 4: Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium

2008-07-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

As we wound down the Staycation, we focused on animals

On Thursday we went to Zoo Atlanta

Here is Hannah making a monkey of herself :)

Giraffes!!!!!

Emily made friends with the pigs in the petting zoo (she also scolded them for being "not nice" to each other).

Happy Sisters

On Friday we took some friends to the Georgia Aquarium:

Here are the girls with some of the fish

Where do we need to go next????

In closing, the Staycation was a great experiment, and it was great to fly by the seat of our pant for a week with no real agenda, except what we came up with the night before. I guess the lesson is that you do not have to go somewhere far away (even thought that is fun) to have a great week. What matters is who you are with. I have had so many people say to me "I have lived here in Atlanta for years, andI have not done half of this stuff." Remember to always take a look around and find the fun around you, no matter where you are.

-Cliff

Staycation Atlanta - Part 3: Aquatic Center and Food For the Week

2008-07-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, we had a lazy morning, and then went to the Gwinette Aquatic Center for the afternoon. This is a place that just opened up this summer. It has instructional pools, lap pools, and a great outdoor facility with two big water slides, a lazy river, and a kids place with smaller slides and water pouring out everywhere.

Only one pic for this one - I am taking the girls through the lazy river:

Another part of this week has been the food. I try very hard not to be a "Let's just grab something from the snack bar" guy. To me, the food is a part of the experience. To that end we have had some great food this week. I can recommend several places to visit if you are in town:

Mary Mac's Tea Room: The BEST restaurant southern food ever. I cannot say enough good about this place
The Varsity: It's the Varsity. If you don't know about it, throw a rock and you will find someone who does.
Fresh Air Bar-B-Que: This joint is in Athens, GA, and is a great Bar-B-Que place. Good pork and ribs as well as great Brunswick Stew. If you are Athens, check it out.
Steamhouse Lounge: I have a long and storied history with this place. Back in 1997, I came down to Atlanta from OH for the Peach Bowl. We ate seafood at the Steamhouse, and I discovered their Lobster Bisque (I call it Liquid Gold). At the time, it was in Buckhead. Over the years, I came back to Atlanta on business several times, and would visit the Steamhouse every opportunity that I got. Therefore, when we actually moved to Atlanta, I was pumped that I was finally close to the restaurant. When we drove past it the first time, I discovered that it was a crater, LITERALLY. The place, and everything around it had been torn down. I heard that they gave the Bisque recipie to Fontaine's Oyster House in the Virgina Highlands area of Atlanta. I visited Fontaine's and found that the Bisque was in fact the same. This morning, I decided that I wanted to take the familly to Fontaine's for lunch. In the process of looking for it online, i discovered that the STEAMHOUSE LOUNGE HAS REOPENED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now it is in Midtown. So that is where we went for lunch. One cup of Lobster Bisque, a Lobster Roll, and a Stella Artois later, I was a happy guy. The Steamhouse lives...balance is restored to the universe.

I will have more memories from the Staycation over the next few days.

-Cliff

Staycation Atlanta - Part 2: Mayfield and Stone Mountain

2008-07-26T05:21:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday we continued our adventure with trips to the Mayfield Dairy (ok so it sounds really boring, but was quite interesting.)

They did not allow pictures inside, but we did have Ice Cream at the end of the tour, so here are a couple of pics:

Daddy and the Girls:

Mommy and the girls:

Later that afternoon, we went to Stone Mountain.

OOOOO AHHHHHHHH....

Emily hung out at the Blacksmith shop:

At the top of Stone Mountain, Hannah acted like she was on the moon:

I took the opportunity to act like Charlton Heston...

YOU BLEW IT UP!!!!!!!!!!! WHY???????????? NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

We braved some rain and thunder, but survived, and got to see the laser show. All in all, it was a great day!!

Back with more later today.

-Cliff

Staycation Atlanta - Part 1: World of Coke

2008-07-24T06:59:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, we did not go away on vacation, but are doing the Staycation in Atlanta. It all started on Sunday with a visit to the world of Coke.

Here are Mary and Emily on the Season 4 American Idol Couch

Daddy and the Girls in the Theater

Here I am with Max Headroom...r-r-r-remember h-h-him?

I'll be back with more later.

-Cliff

Sweep The Leg!!

2008-07-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

I am officially on vacation, so expect some updates this week. I am sure that I do not do more than most people, but I have just been a little burnt out lately. I love what I do, but I need to unplug and think about nothing for a while.

Thus the video below.

No Mercy... :)

-Cliff

Complete - Part 2 - The Power of the Internet

2008-07-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

Please scroll down and read part one first if you have not...

So we have established that Complete is the worst band ever, and that it is really funny to watch their videos from 10 years ago. Then it gets to weird to be fake...

As Complete's popularity circulates around message boards and e-mail inboxes, people begin to track the members of the band down. Suddenly there are blogs, and myspace pages dedicated to a band who last played together 10 years ago.

Many people tried to track down members of the band, and were unable to do so. It seemed as if Dave's Video from 10 year ago, would be all of the Complete that we would ever see.

But the a breakthrough occurred....the Internet would not let Complete die.

It all started on this myspace page...

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=301250986

The Lead singer Curt Low (formerly Curtis Brumbalow) has a step son who set up this page, and published some of the music that Curt and other members of complete hand been making over the past 10 years. This included a brand new version of "Hoogie Boogie Land".

FINALLY...we had new life from complete. He followed it up with a new 4 part series of interviews with our hero Curt.

Part 1
Interview With Curt From Complete

Part 2
Interview With Curt From Complete part 2

Part 3
Interview With Curt From Complete part 3

Part 4
Interview With Curt From Complete part 4

For the followers of Complete (all 10 or so of us) this was AWESOME!!! Finally we footage that proved that Curtis was still around, and still living the dream.

This kind of follow up is nearly unheard of in the world of Internet phenomenons

But it did not end there...

On June 1st, 2008 Complete returned. In a little bar in Ft. Worth, TX. Things came full circle, because in attendance was Dave. Yes THAT Dave. Dave brought his video camera.

After 12 years, the original three people in the photo lab incident were all together in the same place.

Then Compelte took the stage again, and for the first time in 12 years played "Hoogie Boogie Land".

Complete-Hoogie Boogie Land from Dave on Vimeo.

So there you have it. 12 year ago, there is a chance meeting in a photo lab, that leads to the recording of a terrible one-time cable access performance. 10 years later it is posted to the Internet, and becomes popular. From that springs a chain of events that leads to a reunion concert. The story is Complete (pun intended.

There may not be a big lesson here, but there is an excellent illustration of the power of the Internet to affect our lives, and to connect people no matter the time or distance between them.

If this has left you with a morbid curiosity to follow the ongoing story of Complete, you can check out updates on Dave's Complete Blog.

Have a great weekend.

-Cliff

Complete - The Worst Band You've Never Heard of - Part One

2008-07-05T07:44:00.001-07:00

I have been waiting to have the time to do this piece the right way for quite some time. This is not just a blog about the band Complete (whom you will know and love by the end of this), but it is also a testament to the power of the Internet, or web 2.0 as it is called.

About a year ago, a friend of mine introduced me to the band Complete through a series of Youtube videos. These are the worst musicians you have ever heard of. I am going to guide you through their story, as well as what let to their eventual reunion on June 1, 2008. This was over 10 years after their last show.

The story of Complete starts back in 1996 in Ft. Worth, TX with a guy named Dave who worked in a drug store processing film into pictures. I'll let Dave tell you in his own words. You only need to watch the first 4 min and 25 sec of this video.

In case you are wondering how bad they can be, here is their signature song Hoogie Boogie Land...take it in and soak up just how bad this is.

Here is a second song, I give you ...Beautiful Sunrises. Be sure to check out the cowboy chick dancing by herself at the bar...classy.

Ok, do you get the pictures...these guys are TERRIBLE!! Not only that but they are not the brightest bulbs in the lamp either.

Check out the Complete Interview. They discuss the origin of the band name, and why they only do their original music.

It would be funny enough if it ended here, but it does not. Once these videos were posted on the Internet, the power of the Internet took over. Complete became popular, and eventually someone tracked them down.

To be continued in part two...

-Cliff

July 4th- Patriotic Music (Weird Interpretation)

2008-07-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day everyone!!!

We are at my folks today for the 4th. We got here in time for lunch and will be going to fireworks in a little bit. Just thought I would check in with some entertainment.

Now, without further ado, we have a little patriotic music, courtesy of the Muppets:

Eat too much, watch some fireworks, and remember if you still have all 10 fingers, you are not celebrating hard enough.

-Cliff

Cliff Mansfield... Pop Culture Prophet???

2008-07-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

Ok Ok OK...the headline may be a little over the top.

The name of this blog is "Pop Culture is Eating Itself". Being lazy, I will directly quote the previous entomology of the phrase that I have posted on Myspace:

You see, I grew up in the 70s 90s, and that is what shaped my existence. So now I watch TV and all I see are shows that are reminiscing about the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Many of the new movies are sequels or remakes. We spend so much time watching, thinking, and talking about previous stuff that there is very little good new stuff out there.

Given that, what will we see 20 years from now? Will VH1 be showing "I Love I Love the 80s?" A program where the "Mo Roccas" of tomorrow talk about the "Mo Roccas" of today? If you follow that though out, we are basically talking about the stuff from yesterday instead of making good stuff for today. Therefore, we will eventually end up with a Popular Culture that only references previous Popular Culture. With no new things to reference, we will run out of source material.

Therefore, Pop Culture is Eating Itself.

Well they have finally done it, yes Pop Culture has finally truly begun eating itself. The initial harbinger of this sad state has been launched on VH1. Yes, the most significant example of Pop Culture Eating Itself has arrived...

Folks I give you a clip from VH1's "I LOVE THE NEW MILLENNIUM" ...

WAIT???? WHAT??????? The iPod??? We are already reminiscing about the ipod??? Is this necessary??? The iPod is still a hot product, it is still "in". You CAN'T reminisce about something that is still in style!!! That is not fun, nor pithy, nor smart. It is in the simplest terms...stupid.

It is the equivalent of walking up to someone and saying "Remember how great yesterday was?? Wow, those were the days." That person would justifiable look at you like you have a purple cow sitting on your back (I should know, I get that look a lot).

So, it would seem that the creative well, has run dry enough that we have created shows for every year up to the current year. That means VH1 and their ilk are out of opportunities for new content for at least the next six months. Maybe in January they can produce I Love the New Millennium: 2008. Maybe it can come out on January 2nd, in case we do not remember what happened 2 DAYS AGO!!! Wow!!!

A little over two years ago, I came up with the whole concept of "Pop Culture is Eating Itself" and in all honesty, I thought we would come to our senses before it came to pass. However, VH1 did not come to their senses, and the result is above. And... I called it two years ago.

Cliff Mansfield...Pop Culture Prophet??? Maybe not, but I should at least get credit for being astute. Even if it is meaningless. :)

Have a great rest of the week.

-Cliff

More New Guns N' Roses

2008-07-01T19:19:00.000-07:00

Here is some more new Guns N' Roses. This track leaked at the same time as the last one (which I have fixed the link for). This song is very uncharacteristic, and is called "If the World".

Courage, Grace,and Confidence

2008-07-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

I was on the phone with someone today, and was discussing a project at work. I am the lead on this project and, at this point in time, it is going very well, and is near completion. This person said "You are doing a great job with this." Now this was not someone who I report to, or am necessarily responsible to, (those people kinda have a responsibility to give feedback). It was just someone who, in her own right, has contributed a lot to this particular integration (of a purchased company) and that I just work with. She just was transparent enough to offer her real thoughts to me in a completely unselfish way. Being my own worst critic, I did not really know how to respond, but (after telling her that the success up to this point was due to the efforts of a lot of people), I finally just shut up and thanked her for the kind words. She is right, we are moving mountains in a short amount of time, and the responsibility lays squarely on my back. If it were to fail, so would I. So if (when) it succeeds, so will I. I guess the lesson here is three-fold:

-Be courageous enough to compliment people when you have nothing to gain
-Be gracious enough to accept a compliment, without arrogance
-Have confidence that if you are doing what you are supposed to do, you deserve it

Things that make you go hmmmm.....

Do You Remember Showbiz Pizza?

2008-06-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

A couple of guys apparently purchased an entire animated animal setup from Showiz Pizza and then reprogrammed it to an Usher song.

The result...

EPIC!!

-Cliff

Anger

2008-06-23T20:49:00.000-07:00

What fuels anger?

Why is it that all too often our first reaction is to have a sharp word at someone?

Why do we rage...on the road...in the air...at insignificant crap?

We are selfish, more specifically I am selfish. It is easy to get caught in the trap that you are the star of the show, and that everyone else is supporting cast. It is this belief that our stuff is most significant, that drives anger when others do not think so. When people step out of the boundaries we create for them, then we get mad. In the end it is about control, and honestly our sense of what we control is wrong.

The truth is that everyone is the star in their own production, and therefore none of us are stars. We need each other, we need community, and we have to forgive instead of snipe. We have to accept, instead of nitpick.

You are forgiven, and I am forgiven. Why then do we find it hard to forgive?

You are accepted and I am accepted. Then we need to accept.

The battles we fight are battles of the spirit and of the will. We cannot fight these battles on our own. When we do, we fail, and our adversary advances his position in our lives. God's power over us is more than enough to fight. When we toss it aside it is useless to us, and we get ravaged, and bloodied.

With that power we are capable of extraordinary patience and forgiveness. Without it, we can be jerks.

If you want to hear the kind of forgiveness humans can be capable of, with a nice history lesson thrown in go here: Forgivness

If anything I have said here makes sense or connects, that is great. Honestly though, It is 12:10 at night, I am not sleepy (even though I'm tired), and this is all talking to the mirror.

Back to the silliness later on in the week. :)

-Cliff

New Guns N' Roses

2008-06-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

There were three new Guns N' Roses Songs leaked to the 'net last week. This is my favorite of the three. Have a listen:

-Cliff

Father's Day @ Six Flags

2008-06-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

It may seem counterintuitive to some, but I wanted to spend Father's Day at a place for kids. That is why, after church we went to Six Flags.

Six Flags is great, but once they get you past the gate, let the serious price gouging begin. I won't go into it (because we did have a lot of fun) but ask me about it the next time you talk to me.

There were many fun things that we did, but the highlight was Hannah riding the Mindbender with me. The Mindbender is a roller coaster with two loops and a twist. Hannah rode the whole way with her hands in the air. The best part is that it was her first looping roller coaster. The special part is that the Mindbender was also MY first looping roller coaster. The first time I rode it was with my dad. We also took Emily on her first roller coaster (size appropriate of course) and she loved it as well.

All in all, we walked a lot, got VERY wet (especially Mary) on a couple of rides, had relatively short lines,rode on Thomas the tank engine and I got to relive memories from my childhood and teen years with my kids.

And really what more could you want on Father's Day.

A-bde-bde-bde That's All Folks!!!

-Cliff

No Comments Required...

2008-06-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

This is EPIC and spot on...

It says everything I think about this situation.

Just....just...wow

-Cliff

Clairvoyant...or Claire Huxtable

2008-06-10T19:53:00.000-07:00

This is from in Living Color...

I referenced this in a wedding toast at Bailey's Wedding. See previous blog entries for more on Bailey. Also, Bailey and I will be switching blogs for a day coming up soon.

Keep watching.

-Cliff

Save the World

2008-06-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

Cause we only got four minutes.....

I can't get this out of my head.

-Cliff

Reunited with an old friend

2008-06-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

I love swimming....

I always have, and I probably always will.

Back when I was 5 I took swimming lessons for the first time. From then until I was 15 I spent anywhere from 5 - 7 days a week at the Williston Country Club in Williston, SC at the pool.

Back in the day it was amazing. There was a slide, a diving board. The deep end was 9 feet deep, and there were always 25 or so people there. Unless it was raining or thundering, I was one of them.

My mom (a teacher at the time) and I would go every day. She would sit out and talk with her friends, and I would swim until I was very tired and very sunburnt. At 15, the time had come that they just gave me a job. I was a Lifeguard for the next 3 summers.

As the years wore on, insurance worries killed the diving board, I think the sliding board may be gone as well, and after that...things were just not the same. I still went though.

After my freshman year @ Clemson, I lived on Cape Cod for a summer. I worked at Camp Good News, and was recertified as a Lifeguard and certified as a swimming instructor. After that time (1993), I swam only very intermittently. I got moved a lot, I got married, I had kids. Life goes on...

Now we live in Atlanta, and when we moved here I was happy to learn that our neighborhood has a pool. What I was not prepared for, was for my love of the water to become a significant part of my life again. We went on the second day the neighborhood pool opened up for the season, and have not looked back. Hannah and Emily beg to go to the pool everyday, and many days they get what they want. Hannah took swimming lessons last year, but this year she takes two weeks worth. She also (unlike last year) has a place to practice. (not that she is not doing well already). So now Hannah at 5 (almost 6) is taking swimming lessons and wants to go to the pool everyday. You can bet I am going with her.

Our stories are in many ways generational. In good ways and bad ways, we relive the patterns of our parents, and pass on our patterns to our kids. The trick is to break the negative cycles, and replace them with new positive ones. Look at your parents, and your kids. Realize the good things you want to pass on and root out the things that you want to end.

Have a good week...

-Cliff

Favorite Viral Videos

2008-06-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

The Internet is great because it creates things that take on a life of their own. Over the past several years this has most often taken the form of videos that become popular and are then referenced in the culture. I thought I would share some of my favorite videos with everyone this evening. Understand, there is no theme, there is consistency, and there is no overarching story to what you are about to see. Turn off logic, and enjoy:

First up...The Star Wars Kid:

The premise is simple:

Kid has the school's video camera
Kid likes Star Wars
Kid forgets to erase the tape

The Result:

Of course then it takes on a life of its own, and the special effects artists step in:

I can't get enough of this...

Next Up... Chocolate Rain:

This guy named Tay Zonday recorded this song named Chocolate Rain...

This is for real...

That gave me a fever...and the only prescription is MORE COWBELL...

and while we are talking about SNL..Lazy Sunday

narniarap
Uploaded by Gennita

and last but not least...IT"S PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!!!

Never heard of this???...the folks at Family Guy have:

Oh well...have fun....

-Cliff

Emily's Birthday Part 2

2008-06-02T18:14:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, the Emily birthday extravaganza continued...

My parents came in to town and brought my grandmother with them. Four generations of Mansfields had a good time eating and celebrating Emily turning 3.

Here are a few pics...

Firing up the grill:

Emily pumped about her cake:

Opening her presents:

Too many presents:

Daddy and Flick had too much excitement as well:

I hope everyone is having a good week.

-Cliff

Random Fun

2008-05-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Hey:

I am not in a very focused mood this evening, and you get the benefit.

A couple of random things....

Summer is Here:

If you have never heard Doc Watson, you are missing out. This man is a national treasure. Do some research online, and you will see what I mean.

Here he is with my favorite song that he does a unique rendition of, Summertime:

Here is a Mix of 50 Cent and Nine Inch Nails:

And to finish off...2 hundred and forty dollars worth of pudding....

Have a great evening...

-Cliff

Visit to the Tennessee Aquarium

2008-05-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

The best fun is often fun that happens on the spur of the moment. Memorial day was no exception. Having been in Nashville we drove back trough Chattanooga. We stopped in town for lunch and were close to the aquarium, and so we went.

Here are some of the friends we met there:

And of course the girls had blast...

Just remember, stop and have fun.

You will never regret it.

-Cliff

Wii Fit Revolution

2008-05-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

As most of you by just talking to me for a few minutes, I love the Nintendo Wii.

One of the most innovative things about it is the fact that it makes you move to play many of the games.

The fine folks at Nintendo have taken this to a whole new level with Wii Fit

Wii Fit actually gets you up and give you a work out.

I can personally vouch that this is no game. It is a real workout.

It all centers around the Wii Balance Board:

This innocuous looking piece of plastic is a very accurate instrument that measures weight and balance. It is the center of all the activities.

Included are:

Aerobics
Yoga
Strength Training
Balance Games

Overall, I am sore and have dropped a pound or two. I am committed to it, and hope to see more results.

I'll keep you posted.

-Cliff

Memorial Day Music

2008-05-26T05:52:00.000-07:00

It's Memorial Day, and when I think of Memorial Day I think of one thing...

The Humpty Dance...

What did you think I was going to play Lee Greenwood or something?

Also here is Chris Cornell with Billie Jean. I like David Cook and all, but Cornell deserves the credit. This is off the chain!!

Be good to each other, and remember to think about those who sacrifice to give us the ability to be random and silly.

-Cliff

Emily's Birthday Part 1

2008-05-25T18:32:00.001-07:00

Most of you may remember the story of Emily's birth. What you may not realize is that she will be three years old on June 1st. We are in Nashville this weekend, and are celebrating Emily's birthday with Mary's Nashville peeps.

Mary's brother, Bill, grilled steaks, and we had cake and homemade ice cream.

Here are some pics of the event.

Emily and her cake:

Two Fisting The Cake and Ice Cream:

Hannah "helping" Emily with presents:

We had fun, and part two with my folks is next weekend in the ATL.

-Cliff

Sunday Morning...

2008-05-25T04:57:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday Morning in Nashville...

7:00 AM Central time...

Mary, her brother, and her parents are still asleep....

Just daddy and the girls having fun...

Life is good...

Conjunction Junction

2008-05-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

Smile a little, and learn about conjunctions.

And, but ,and or THEY GET YOU PRETTY FAR!!!!!

Good night!

-Cliff

Express Yourself!!!

2008-05-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

WOW!!!

2008-05-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

OK...I just posted Hillary Clinton's outrageous comments about the RFK assassination as it pertains to this campaign. Here is an AWESOME response form Keith Olbermann.

I usually think Olbermann is a jackass, but he hits the target dead center here.

Mrs. Clinton will stoop to anything for power. I have said this for two years, and like a psycho ex-girlfriend she will not leave the country alone.

-Cliff

If all else fails...kill the competition.

2008-05-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

Norwood

2008-05-24T16:18:00.000-07:00

Good Saturday to Everyone:

In college, you make a lot of friends. I had several that were very close, but only one that put up with me for all 4 years. His name is Bailey Norwood.

Let's all say hi to Bailey:

Bailey is a very interesting individual. He writes songs, has ridden in the the rodeo, and best of all is now a PhD in Economics. He is also a professor at Oklahoma State University.

We have a very unique dynamic such that even when we may not agree philosophically, we still are able to look at the other's side of the story. Then we make a juvenile joke. Our conversation are an interesting juxtaposition of Socrates, Jesus Christ, Joel McHale (from the Soup), and Beavis (yes THAT Beavis).

Bailey blogs almost daily, and frequently mentions conversations or experiences we have had in his blog.

If you want a great combination of humor, economics, and general thought (and many Cliff references) go check out his blog.

Bailey's Blog

He also has his class record a video about me for YouTube:

A Comment to Cliff Mansfield

Have a good weekend.

-Cliff

First Post

2008-05-24T16:07:00.001-07:00

Hey...

I tried to blog on MySpace and Facebook, so now I am going to try here. I will probably not update frequently, but I have these thoughts that I want to record. Who knows I am surprise myself.

I will cover a variety of topics, but there are few that I don't. The biggest topic that I do not cover is work. I figure that I have a job, I like my job, and when I don't I should not complain. People complain about their jobs too much, and just don't have the patience for it.

Be Good.