Get Your Hands Off My Fucking Dress!

Okay this one is a goody. Denny’s dear friend just related a story about the queen of all Divas... Miss Diana Ross. While seeing her in person at one of her recent concerts the queen pulled out all the stops. She changed into an array of gowns for almost every song. Each dress more beautiful then the last one she wore. She spoke of love and peace. Her lyrics were filled with tenderness and caring. The audience was mesmerized as usual. When it came to her finale she appeared in a jaw-dropping gown with a train suited for a princess. The people rose from their seats and embraced each other’s hands while swaying to her music. It was magical.She began walking down the runway, I mean stage, singing one of her great hits, “Reach out and touch somebodys hand…”Upon passing my friend the train of her dress began to fall from the stage near where he stood. He reached out his hand to touch the jewel filled gown and place it back on the stage. As he did Ms. Ross still singing “Reach out and touch…” turned her head towards him, moved the mike from her mouth and directed, “Get your hands off my fucking dress!” Then continued singing joyfully, “Somebodys hand, make this world a better place, If you can…"

The first annual DENNY Awards!

And the Denny Goes to...

1) For Biggest Celebrity Melt Down. The Denny goes to... BRITTNEY SPEARS,

2) For Best Republican blunder. The Denny goes to...THE CHOICE OF SARAH PALIN, Thank God.

3) For Best HBO Series. The Denny goes to (It's a tie!)BIG LOVE and TRUE BLOOD.

4) For Best Day of 2008. The Denny goes to... NOV 4th! OBAMA WINS!

5) For Biggest Celebrity Shocker...The Denny goes to...LESBIAN LYNDSY LOWHAN

6) For Best book...The Denny goes... to WHEN YOU ARE ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY DAVID SEDARIS

7) For Best Actor...The Denny goes to...SEAN PENN for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in Milk

8) For Best Actor...The Denny goes to...KATE WYNSLET just for being so damn classy!

9) For Best Picture...The Denny goest to...SLUM DOG because it was the little film that could.

10)For Best Talk show...The Denny goes to...THE VIEW, seriously that show has the drama, this year with the Rosie scandal, then the election and crazy Hasselbeck...

11)For Best New Fashion Designer...The Denny goes to...QUI HAO, you may have not heard his name yet but you will

12)For Best Fashion Magazine...The Denny goes to...DEALER DELUXE, it is a french magazine that embraces art fashion and quirk.

13) For Best Song...The Denny Goes to...MORE THAN THIS by SHANE MACK, just makes you feel good music!

14) For Best Tech Invention...The Denny goes to...THE i-PHONE, It even cooks for you.

15) For Best Reality Television show...The Denny Goes to...PROJECT RUNWAY,bring it back already!!

Let the games begin! Denny's Preview #1 F/2009

It’s that time of year again…Fashion Shows. The official kick off for Mercedes Benz fashion week begins Feb 13 at 10 am with “The Truth’s Red Dress Collection.” It lasts until Feb 20 finishing at 2 pm with “Chado Ralph Rucci.”

Paris and Milan have already given us a taste of what’s to come with their Menswear collections. We are impressed. Black attire was seen throughout many of the shows…maybe a reflection of the economy. Much of the clothing was tailored to flatter a mans’ physique. Many of the designers keept dark palettes while some used vibrant colors to give refreshing accent.

Many of the designers unveiled brilliant lines. However Alexander McQueen gets Denny’s vote. He put on a character driven show filled with an array of male models resembling rich aristocrats… who will kick your ass! The show was aptly titled “The McQueensberry.” The clothing was masterly tailored and the color palette consisted of dark earth tones ranging from black to green. Many of the models were adorned with hats, carried canes and wore fingerless gloves. He showed a few knit pieces causeing many to gasp upon seeing them. The looks could work straight from the runway to everyday…except maybe the crazy butcher character with leather apron…I might leave that one for Halloween.

Calvin Klein Banned Ads

VINTAGE CK AD BANNED IN THE 9()"S

They are at it again. There is a new Calvin Klein ad that "is not fit for television viewing..." American television viewing that is. It will air freely in Europe...those dirty bastards.

When Denny needs to do an ad he is going to make it inappropriate for viewing in America and Europe! This way it will be banned all over the world...assuring it to be viewed by everyone!

Denny has viewed the new ad directed by the great Steven Meisel. We were bored. So bored we decided not to post it. But instead we have posted one of the great banned Calvin Klein commercials Steven directed in the 90's. But in case you feel you need to see the "orgy ad" you can view it at: http://www.wwd.com/video/?vid=9357449001

STIMULATE THIS!

Okay we all know the economy is in the shit can. A friend of Denny’s emailed him today and said she feared what was upon us may be of “unprecedented proportions.” Denny says we need to start thinking positively. Are we heading for mass hysteria? If you are currently not strapped for money or in fear of losing your job it is time for you to do your part as an American. Denny says go out and treat yourself to a fine dinner, or go buy that new dress you saw in Vogue last week, Or if you’re doing really well treat yourself to a new car…I hear some places are offering buy one get one free.

In the meantime lets talk about the Stimulus package Obama has in store for us. The most recent Number for his proposed plan is nearly $900 Billion.

“Fiscal stimulus aims to boost economic activity during periods of economic weakness by increasing short-term aggregate demand." The theory is that if more goods and services are being bought, whether cement for a new highway or groceries paid for with a tax rebate, there is less chance that falling demand will lead companies to lay off workers, resulting in greater falls in demand and a deeper downturn.” (New York Times)

The Senate has approved the proposal and the House is currently proposing a few changes: “Some senators say they want to focus on easing the housing crisis, increasing infrastructure spending and cutting taxes on corporations.”

Let’s not lose sight of the economic meltdown to begin with…Banks, Mortgages, and Foreclosures. The banks have been given significant amounts of money to stay afloat. They should now be doing the same for homeowners. Banks have now tightened their belts… as they should have years ago. But unfortunately those people who are not in fixed rates are still in danger of losing their homes and most do not qualify for refinancing.

“The House bill also includes $30 billion for roads and bridges and $10 billion for transit and intercity rail.”
Denny would be happier to drive on a slightly bumpy road for a year or two and see that money put someplace more universally useful right now. “It also includes $50 billion intended to make the country more energy-efficient by updating the electric grid to make it easier to accommodate solar and wind power, and by providing for weatherizing government buildings and low-income housing. In addition, there are tax credits to encourage the growth of renewable energy.”

“The plan also calls for $275 billion in tax cuts and about $300 billion in aid for laid-off workers and cash-strapped states. That money would be used to expand unemployment benefits, provide health-care coverage to laid-off workers, help states facing ballooning Medicaid costs and extend large sums to states to pay for education programs and school renovations.” (The Washington Post)

Denny says Hurry Up!!

Mercury in Retrograde

The last few weeks have been a struggle for many people. Is it the failing economy? Is it the transition of presidents? Is it the winter blues? Or is it the fact that Mercury has been in Retrograde? What exactly does it mean for you when Mercury is in Retrograde? We decided to do a bit of research.

Mercury retrograde in Aquarius [Jan 11 – Feb 1, 2009]

At 16:45 (Universal Time), on Sunday, January 11th, 2009, Mercury turned retrograde in Aquarius. Since that was the day of the potent Full Moon in Cancer, people's emotions may have been on high alert! In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation.

The word retrograde applies, in astrology, to the apparent backward motion thru the zodiac of a planet.

All the planets, except Sun and Moon, have these retrograde periods, but Mercury is most famous for them, probably because Mercury represents our very essential communication abilities.

The good things to do when Mercury is Retrograde: meditate, contemplate, edit the book/poem/song/essay you've been writing, clean house, talk to your pet, listen to music, paint, catch up on sleep!

So if you have been feeling blue the past few weeks, worry not Obama is hard at work to fix our economy, The winter only has two more months to go and as of today Mercury is out of Retrograde...Phew!

Nicole Fiscella

Nicole Fiscella is one of our favorite Gossip Girls. She is know by many as Isabel Coates, a friend of Blair Waldorf on the CW’s hit series Gossip Girl. We have had the pleasure of spending time with Nicole on several occasions. She lights up a room with her vibrant eyes and devilish sense of humor. She conveys confidence, style, and intelligence when speaking and looks even more beautiful in person.

In between filming the current season of Gossip Girl Nicole took some time from her day to answer some questions for Denny.

Denny: What are you reading right now?

Nicole: A book called Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. My boyfriend gave it to me b/c Keith is an old boss of his that was inspirational to him. It is about the importance of being open to meeting the right people so you can help each other get ahead. It is great so far!

D ) Where is the last place you had dinner and with who?

N ) The last dinner I had was in Montauk with some of my closest friends. We cooked and played Taboo!

D) We know you are currently studying for your Masters in Nutrition.
What is your favorite dish?

N ) I am huge on breakfast food so since I don't eat dairy, I make a killer scrambled tofu!

D ) We have read you have an appreciation of Woopie Goldbergh. What is it about her you most admire?

N ) I think that Whoopi has an amazing persona and a ton of energy. She is very kind and so funny... I strive to be like her!

D ) What path took you from a BA in Anthropology to Modeling?

N ) Honestly, I have no idea! I loved studying anthropology at Tufts because I had some wonderful professors and I found it so interesting. Modeling kind of came to be when I moved to NYC after school. I had always wanted to model and did a few little things here and there while I was in Boston. Being in NYC made that dream come true!

D ) How did Gossip Girl come about and tell us about your initial casting call?

N ) I have had a commercial agent for years that has been pushing me to do more TV work because I have "personality" (so she said!). She wanted me to try out for this acting part in some new show so I went along not expecting anything since I had no experience. After my first audition, the next day I found out that I got a callback. The callback went well and then I had 2 more. It was 3 weeks of anxiety until I found out, but lo and behold... I got the part! What a whirlwind!

D ) How has being on Gossip Girl changed your life?

N ) Where can I begin? So much has changed! Well, first of all, it has focused me on acting a lot more. I have been taking intense classes to really hone my skills. I have a whole set of new friends that are all very fun and interesting and even meeting their friends has been great! And obviously, there are the perks of being on a hit show! Free stuff!

D ) How do you spend you time between your scenes on the set of the show?

N ) Sometimes I am really focused and I lock myself in my room and do schoolwork. Other times, there is a lot of goofing around between scenes! We laugh a lot!

D ) Of all your cast mates who makes you laugh the most?

N ) Definitely Leighton! Her and I have the same humor so we always have each other in stitches!

D ) We know you are currently filming for the upcoming season of the show. Can you give us a hint at any surprises we can expect?

N ) Oh boy... Everything on the show is so crazy so expect lots of twists and turns and lots and lots on SCANDAL!

THE STORY OF THE RAINBOW

Once upon a time in a land far, far away lived a village of blue people. They had blue clothes, blue skin, blue eyes…even their hair was blue. Then one day a little boy wondered into the village after being lost in the woods for days. But he was different than everyone else in the town because he was pink! He had pink eyes, pink skin, pink clothes, pink lips, even his teeth were pink. The town folk had never seen anyone like him before. He was so different…and that frightened them. They immediately hid their children and locked their doors.

The little pink boy sat in the middle of town alone and frightend... shivering of cold and hunger. Then a little blue girl seeing him cry came out from her home and gave the boy a blanket and some food. The town people watched in horror fearing the little girl was now going to turn pink as well. To everyone's suprise nothing happend. She did not turn pink and begin to stink, she did not turn green and become a bean, no she did not. But what she did become was….a friend.

They sat in the park and heard the dogs bark. They climbed trees and watched the bees. They swung on the swings and listened to the birds sing. Soon the entire town was no longer afraid, they all became his friend. They helped him find his way back home and soon became friends with their neighbors in the pink town where he was from. The two towns soon got together and created a purple town, then a red, yellow and even an orange town.

Today when you look up in the sky and see a rainbow, they say it’s the reflection of all the town folk dancing together in celebration as one big happy family!

The end

BELIEVE

“Do you still believe in Santa Clause?” he asked in a tone of disbelief. I was five years old – of coarse I still believed! When I confronted my mother about it she decided to be straight with me. That was the day some of the magic I believed to be life faded away.

I received a Christmas card last year from a dear friend. Inscribed inside read, “I hope your holiday is filled with magic and all your fairytales come true.” It made me think back to those days as a tyke when I believed anything was possible. Reindeer fly, animals speak and a fat old man in a red suit will deliver presents to the good girls and boys.

That year I began to change the way I thought. I began to believe again. I became more optimistic and thought of the possibilities life has to offer as opposed to the barriers. Sure there is no man coming down my chimney bearing gifts or a land know as Oz over the rainbow. But there are dreams, magic, fairy tales… whatever you chose to call it. This year we managed to elect our first black president, Michael Phelps won eight gold Medals and Denny wrote his first book!

So maybe dreams do come true and there is magic in life. Denny says dream big and acknowledge the magic when it comes your way. Next time someone tells you fairy tales aren’t real. Tell them about the reindeer you saw running in your back yard, the British girl Jessica Knight who woke from a coma after being stabbed 30 times and left for dead, the man or woman you fell madly in love with this year or simply the stranger who held the door open for you today…or you can tell them about the witch at work who makes your life hell.

John Currin Inspires

We all need a bit of inspiring every now and then. What inspires you? Inspiration can come from almost anything if you open your mind to it. One of Denny’s sources of inspiration are the works of American artist John Currin.

John studied at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh where he obtained a BFA in 1984. Then went on to receive his MFA from Yale in 86. He has been featured in more than 20 solo exhibitions from the Serpentine Gallery of London to the Gagosian in N.Y. He currently works and lives with his family in New York.

Currin has stated his inspiration comes from sources as diverse as Bea Arthur, old Danish porn, and fashion magazines to his own family, contemporary politics, and Renaissance oil paintings.