DennisMansfield.com

Sad Cowbell Girl - Do we really need "more cowbell"?

In case you haven't heard, and only know what was shown Monday night on Fox Sports' broadcast of BSU's win at the Fiesta Bowl, the "cowbell girl' does smile! Her story has lit up the internet in a special way and many people are either embarrassed or excited.

Supply and Demand: It's a complicated issue, I'll make you understand.

Colin here.

Two of my school buddies made this song for an economics project. We'll be shooting a music video for it this weekend, but wanted to give you a preview. Listen, laugh, and feel free to comment.

Also, check them out on myspace.

SupplyandDemand

Who should Idaho's next Lt. Governor be? How about a former governor?

Governor Butch Otter's Lt. Governor, Jim Risch, will resign soon to take his seat as a US Senator.

Who will Butch appoint to fill that vacancy?

Lots of names tend to pop up, at times like this: new faces, old ones, good friends of the current Governor and politically expedient people as well....especially for a Governor who will most assuredly seek re-election.

What should Gov. Otter do?

Here are some facts for his and our consideration:

• Appointed Lt. Governors have a very short shelf-life and they should.
• Former Governor Kempthorne appointed a sitting State Senator (and college friend) who ran in the next election and was trounced by Jim Risch and others, as voters had their say.
• When Lt. Governor Risch assumed the Governorship, as Kempthorne was appointed Sec. of the Interior, the new Governor chose a tried and true leader - one who had no political aspirations.
• As Risch left the Governorship and was re-elected as Lt. Governor, his previous appointee stepped out of the way, as was expected.
• Now, Governor Otter must appoint someone, pending Risch's ascent to the US Senate.

But who?

My call? Former Governor Phill Batt. He would be the best thing for Idaho.

Especially since he has ALL the experience and does not need the office. Though he and I have had our differences in the past, we reconnected a while back at Helen Chenoweth's funeral and I thanked him for the fiscally responsible way he had run the state during his administration. It was a warm and heart-felt surprise meeting under the difficult circumstances of her funeral.

Let the herd of candidates run for the Lt. Governor seat in 2010. Let them all have equal footing....and in the meanwhile, let Idaho be governed by a great Governor and a great Lt. Governor.

Hey, a former Governor returning as a Lt. Governor? We all saw it work just a little bit ago.

That's my call.

Den

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - one last shot: "It's only Xmas-rock...and I like it, like it, yes I do"

Hey, it's Christmas time ( or at least it will be soon...)

And I'm still humming the lead guitar licks of Trans-Siberian Orchestra from the other night's concert in Boise/Nampa....especially this piece

So, here's some written stuff, if you are interested in learning about them.

It's nice every so often NOT to talk about politics...'cause sometimes it's only rock and roll and I like it...

Oh and by the way, If you are ever in need of having the Gods of Rock honor you with a certain tune (say, Immigrants' Song), and the band is Zep (not TSO), then take it from the beggar of all good things, Jack Black, and just ask...'cause it's Biblical...and you just might receive.

Den

Brian Welch: A Korn-Flake or a Prophet with a Guitar Pick?

On Thursday night, I sat in a Bare Naked Worship church pew and watched a video by CNN about Korn's former lead guitarist, Brian Welch. DJ/Prison Bible Study leader Doug Hardy gave a great presentation on Welch's past and present. Wow....

We had ex-addicts and ex-inmates at this church in Boise near BSU listening to a former rock hero of many, talking about his life.

Korn gave him everything...and took everything away, too.

Watch the story of a millionare guitarist who gained so much more.

Den

Fab Fatigue. Richard Starkey has left the Autograph Fan Club.

"What would you do if I sang out of tune, would you stand up and walk out on me?"

Ringo Starr has left the building...or at least refuses to sign things anymore (after October 20th).

Well....apparently so. 45 years may well be the MOST time a guy could stand all the fan mail and bothersome requests for photos (I know I never get tired of sending MINE out...tee hee). Ringo has grounded his Yellow Submarine....and I bet he feels great!! I sure would.

Read on.

In this 2008 file photo (by Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo), former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, right, flashes peace signs with his wife Barbara Bach, left, during his 68th birthday celebration outside the Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago.

Ringo Starr doesn't want to hear from you. If you do write, your letter will end up in the trash. That's the message from Richard Starkey, aka Ringo Starr. After 45 years of stardom, he doesn't want to spend any more time answering mail or sending signed photos back to fans. The fan fatigue led the former Beatles drummer to post a sometimes angry sounding short video clip on his Web site telling fans that any mail sent to him after Oct. 20 will not be read or answered. British television stations broadcast the video on Tuesday Oct. 14, 2008.

Sarah Palin: From"Who's She?" to "Who's Who" and BTW...Hillary Who?

I'll be adressing some thoughts on poltics and high school on Monday's blog, but until then...

I find it interesting that in a brief but powerful political week we've seen two women capture the attention of the world. Hillary Clinton, as she left the scene and Sarah Palin, as she arrived on it.

It's like we are watching a "Who's She?" become a "Who's Who"...right while we are seeing the political world ask itself "Hillary Who"?

How fitting that it is happening during the first week of high school, all across the nation...'cause it all feels sort of high school-ish, doesn't it?

The "cracked ceiling" about which Hillary repeatedly spoke now has a new female to possibly break it. But Sarah Palin doesn't seem to be the right "kind" of female, does she?

Somehow, many don't want to accept her. She seems to be the wrong type of woman from the wrong type of party with the wrong type of look. It's like the "ugly" people of high school are trying to have their revenge...or so it seems.

Two females, two stories. One goal? I'd hope so...but maybe not.

Why do I sense I am listening-in on a series of catty conversations at a middle-aged female sleep over, with Janice Ian's one hit wonder, Seventeen, playing nervously in the background, ad nauseum?

It's really a sort of reverse-Seventeen, though, this time around. Suddenly in politics, a pretty (and smart) female Republican VP seems worthy of mocking. Or is it just me that feels this way?

Den

"I learned the truth at seventeen

That love was meant for beauty queens
and high school girls with clear skinned smiles
who married young and then retired."

The Beatles final performance...14 years after Lennon died

A week or so back I posted a little 3-part You Tube link to what has always been considered The Beatles Final Performance - on the rooftop of their Abbey Road offices.

Their last live performance together?

Not so, I was surprised to find out...

In 1994, The Beatles reunited to do two songs. Both became number one sellers.

Watch this interesting video of the Final Performance of all four Beatles, 14 years after John Lennon exited, stage left.

Den

PS: Here's the other song, too.

What does "it" matter? - 50,000 page views later

Get this, on September 2nd of 2006 we launched this blog with the following text:

What is "it"? There have been a lot of "its" in the past and many quotes like "it's the economy stupid" and many others. For this website the "it" for now is an attempt in fusing politics, culture, business, personality, religion, you and me.

No longer will there be a perceived hidden agenda - you'll get the straight scoop right here. There has never been a hidden agenda in my life; I like to lay myself right out there. Along with some friends there is a plan to bring many thoughts and plans to help businesses succeed, to help people reach their true potential and see a fusion of different perspectives become a stronger entity.

You'll see video, documents to download, links to other sites and people that speak into this dream - hang on & hope you like "it"!

Well....it's been 23 months since that first post (and 50,000 pageviews later as well - we hit that today.)


I'm sure that's not a big deal for some folks, but on this blog, it's fun to see us tip the scales at 50,000. ( I think that's more than the total number of election votes I've ever received - tee hee)


We've had a bunch of posts and we'll have a bunch more....

Keep hangin' on...and thanks for joining us, lo these many , many days/weeks/months and now years.

Den

 PS: Let me know which ones may have been "favorites", ok?
I just may sprinkle this month of August with a few "Best Of's"

Hot (or better yet Luke Warm) August Night 2008

Old rockers never go away, do they?

Neil Diamond's concert STILL has a temperature to it, lo these many concert nights later...but upon reflection, it seems to be somewhat luke warm.

I remember taking my daughter to Ringo Star's All Star Band a few years back when they played in Boise. After he performed, he gave a quote the next day to USA Today, something to the effect of: " So this is what happens to old rockers...they wind up playing gigs in Boise."

Hmm....I'm wondering out loud if the 60's should join that decade of of other centuries and fold itself into the history books of life.

Some artists didn't hold up well after all, did they? I'm liking today's music ever more and more.

Something fresh and "snappy" as Tom Hanks says in "That Thing you do." It's funny that Hanks created a more-than-real picture of pre-Fab four days...and he did it with today's technology and talent.

Maybe fresh retro talent beats the real thing?

Den