Missing You
Good morning everyone. Yes I said morning! haha I have this sudden burst of energy this morning like I wanna get a million things done. Looks like another crazy day of dealing with flooded basements, boiling water and blocked roads. My prayers are with the flood victims that are struggling with the damage. I have to say I can't wait till things get back to normal mostly cuz I need to be on track with my destiny or I'm gonna go screamo!!! Last night I did go over to a friends house and spent time with people I haven't seen in a long time. It was a goodbye party for one of my friends who has been very supportive of me and he is leaving for the Navy. Seems so many of my friends are joining the Navy! Well before this fabulous feeling goes away I'm gonna get at my business. xoxo
Keep the Faith,
~Dena~
P.S. I'm hoping someone is missing me as much as I'm missing them.
06/30/06
Singing Keeps Me Happy
After being stuck at home all day yesterday I finally got the chance to go chill with some of the coolest guys I know from school! They had a bon fire and we watched a movie but it was just so great to see them! So great in fact I didn't get home till 3 AM. But I'm use to those hours cuz I'm totally a night person! I'm bummed to have another night off from going into the studio because of all the water damage everyone is dealing with and still we really can't travel far cuz most of the bridges are blocked. We just got the advisory to boil all water for drinking and food prep. Who knows what tonite will hold for me but with all this time off I'd rather be on vacation somewhere other then here if I can't be in the studio. Call me crazy but yeah...I'm like that! Lucky for me singing keeps me happy even when everything isn't just right and I can do that anywhere and everywhere! haha xoxo
~Dena~
06/29/06
Deep Water
Yikes!!! My hometown is underwater!!! Well at least a lot of it is. A lot of businesses are being closed, people are being evacauted and anyone out driving are getting tickets for being on the roads. We arent really allowed to leave our house even though it seems really nice and sunny out. Kinda weird. So I'll be staying in and practicing my songs on the piano. For me the best therapy is singing and listening to music. I'm just gonna pray no more rain comes and I won't have to evacuate my own house. The pictures on the local news show just how bad it is and I have relatives that are actually having to evacuate by boat out of their homes! Crazy! I can't believe we haven't lost power/cable and I can be online. Yesterday I had a great day and never thought ahead to today that something like this could happen. Always remember to count your blessings and don't take anything for granted! Anyways...hope you all are high and dry wherever you live!
Love, ~Dena~
06/28/06
T-Shirts 4 Sale!!! :-)
So last night my t-shirts came in!!! They have my logo on them and I think they came out really nice. I'll be selling them at my shows along with my cd's so if you come to any of my upcoming shows be sure to stop by the merchandise table. I just got out of the shower so I'm fresh and clean. My mom just braided my hair in pig tails while it was wet and it feels really good because it's so humid outside. I've already been working on my music this morning and later I have a voice lesson which I'm looking forward to. Sometimes I need my voice teacher to whip me back into shape when I start to backslide. I think at this point in time I'm feeling pretty confident about myself. Just gotta make sure it stays that way which can be a challenge now and then. I keep telling myself to keep my eye on the prize and it helps to have people around me keeping me on my toes. I am planning to chill with a good friend of mine for a lil bit this afternoon and then maybe much later hit up the movies (comedy) cuz I definitely could use some big laughs! I just hope the flood warnings don't come true cause the corner I live on floods pretty bad. Alrighty hope everyone has a great day!
Live, Laugh, Love! ~Dena~
06/27/06
Got Rain?
Got rain?? My neighborhood sure does and it's forecast all week. I'm gonna hope that the weather man is wrong!! This afternoon I spent some time plunking out notes on the piano to my songs so they are engraved in my head. It's great for ear training and since I don't have a piano player with me at all times I have to do it for myself! I'm also gonna work on my vocals and voice placement. Keeping up with all I have to do is tough but it's all for the greater good..aka managing all my music sites, on top of practicing! I have some time off the next few days (evenings) so I'm hoping to spend some time with my friends. Maybe go on a date?! mmhmm...we'll see. After seeing Anna Nalicks b/f and the guys in her band, I'd like to have what she is having! haha At least until I meet my true love....Derek Jeter! Well, much to do so it's time to get off this computer!
Love Always, ~Dena~
06/26/06
Family Moments
Today I was out with family all day at my cousins graduation party! It was great to see everyone and the food was delicious! Ton's of food and an open bar! Can't beat it! It was relaxing and I think I needed to get outta the house and socialize. It was a mix of ages and faces of people I seldom see but it made me feel connected once again! The common question tho aimed at me was the usual....why don't you try out for "American Idol"? The question gets old and could bother me if I hated the show but I don't! It's just everyone thinks it's the fame I'm after so forget the hard work and long lasting career. One older guy was asking me what band I was singing with and I said "my band"! and he asks...yeah but what are they called? and I said I'm Dena and I have a backup band! Then he asked what songs do you sing and I said "my songs"! and he asked like songs by who? which I replied with..."songs written by me!" Why is it so hard for people to understand that? So yeah he gave up on the questions and had another drink! haha Not sure now what I might do with the rest of my evening but I'm feeling tired and want to apologise for getting this journal entry in later than usual! Hope you all had a relaxing Sunday! Love you all!
Love Always, ~Dena~
06/25/06
TAGS
Hey everyone! I missed writing to you yesterday cuz I actually spent all day with some VIP's in the music industry! We went to see Anna Nalick and Train in concert in Big Flats at TAGS! I had never been there and it was pretty sweet I have to say! We encountered a rainy day and the humidity was yuck but the intent of spending the day there was to see exactly how things unfold before the stars even get there, how glamourous things may not be and how much work goes into putting together a show like that! The process was all very exciting!! The lighting and sound guys work their butts off and everyone I met was cool! Sound check was around 5ish and that was wicked cool to hear them rock out without performance anixety! haha The lead singer of Train has an amazing voice and is very entertaining! I could totally click off his vibe! haha Before the show we had dinner with Anna Nalick and her band. I sat right next to her! She was with her boyfriend and was preoccupied you might say but she seemed cool. The food TAGS put out was madd good too and I ate more then anyone at my table! haha The rain finally stopped and the crowd started to grow. I was able to tour backstage and see the set up and I really wanted to be on that stage!! I haven't been to a rock concert in so long and the lights and the energy on stage PLUS the music was all killer! We had the best seats in the house and I can't thank everyone enough for all of it! xoxoxoxo
Visualize your dreams!!! I DO!!! ~Dena~
06/24/06
Between 2 Brothers
Woke up to find my older bro Jay home from grad school and what were my older bro and younger bro doing so early?.....playing Dance Dance Revolution! Laughing all morning is a great way to start the day and you can't beat the love between us! Jay is home for his buddies wedding and since he is physical therapist he always keeps me on my toes with advice about how to take care of myself. We be burning the calories like crazy here! Got that blood pumping! I need to hit up the shower before I offend everyone! haha I have a lot to do and I'm totally motivated. WHAT IT IS!!!!! I go into the studio early tonite and it's supposed to be a long one since tomorrow I'll be gone all day. Keep it real and be pro love!!!!
Always Love, ~Dena~
06/22/06
Boys, Boys, Boys
I'm surrounded by masculine energy most of my days...from being raised between 2 brothers and their friends always being around, to loving baseball and going to games (when I can fit them in) and then with my boys in the studio and my bands! Ok...this is not a bad thing so don't misunderstand my point...haha...but I do need to sometimes feel that girl power! I miss not having that best friend even tho my mom, aunt, and grandma do a damn fine job keeping me in check. This afternoon I'm going shopping with them and tis always a fun time! Today is the first day of SUMMER and its beautiful here too! Hope it is wherever you all are too!
Lovin' Summer! ~Dena~
06/21/06
Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2
Well, the storm passed over last night although we did lose power for a minute causing our computers in the house to reboot. I hung out with my brother and his friend playing that game Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2! I could not believe how good those guys were and put me to shame...AND I'M A DANCER! (blush) But apparently its all about your reaction time and not about actual dance moves but it burns calories like crazy while you're having fun so its gonna be a part of my exercize program from now on (when I can sneak it from my bro!) hehe Today started out with company over for brunch and I got to babysit my cousin's baby who is 6 months. She is just precious!!! Tonite I'm back into the studio where I belong and I'm eager to get working cuz it borders on boring staying at home. I ended up making some graduation cards for some of my friends for parties coming up and I took an hour of time to watch "Hells Kitchen" with my mom! haha What a maniac that chef is! DANG! All in all everything is awesome and if it wasn't....my producer would tell me so!
Coolio Baby! ~Dena~
06/20/06
Stormy Weather
With the kind of heat wave we've been having it's certainly a good chance we'll see some storms! My air conditioner has been running night and day! I like storms actually cept for one reason...I hate losing electricity! We've had some good ones in the past where we have candles lit all over and listening to the battery operated radio. Usually we pull out the board games to pass the time and we usually get pretty silly. Then sadly, when everything gets back to normal we all scatter to our respective rooms..aka...our computers. My street always floods so it's like we are trapped. Cars drive by thinking they are boats and then they get stuck. Still, I'd rather be home then on the road traveling in stormy weather. Gotta gooo....here comes a storm now so I need to post this fast before I lose it! Expecting hail stones with this storm.
Be safe! ~Dena~
06/19/06
Happy Fathers Day
I made an extra effort to get up and go to church this morning since I've been chosing to sleep in lately on Sundays. I feel sooo much better when I go too. Made my dad and grandpa happy for sure! haha Well after a while the priest caught my eye and he gave me one of those 'happy to see you' smiling winks! His sermon was great too, about learning to love yourself before you can love anyone else and that harsh words from other people are because they are unsatisfied about their own lives. Afterwards we went out to breakfast and now I am headed out to...guess where?.....haha, another baseball game! More fun in the sun! Hope everyone is having a great Sunday and of course Happy Father's Day to my own Dad and to all you Dad's out there everywhere! xoxo
Way to go Daddy-O!!! ~Dena~
06/18/06
My Two Families
Rocking rehearsal with Band #1 last night! Actually got home before midnight for a change and I really got a great nights sleep! I went to my brothers baseball game at 1 and the only time he actually played was when he came in to pitch to get the win! Woo Hoo!!! We were literally baking in the sun and now I'm home on a quick break to eat and put some more sunblock on for game 2! If I had a pool I'd jump in it right now!!! This is a perfect day when I get to spend quality time with family #1 during the day and family #2 at night! Did I mention before that I love baseball? Which makes it so exciting to be singing the National Anthem on July 25th for the B-Mets game at NYSEG Stadium. Hey if I can't play the game then the next best thing is to sing at it!
Music & Baseball, ~Dena~
06/17/06
I Hit A Triple Last Night
Hey everybody! Last night was rockin! I said I was gonna have a double header, but I had more like a triple header! haha Band practice went really good, and then of course acoustic practice and then after that I tracked lead and harmony vocals on Escape. Freakin crazyyy! Tonite Im rehearsing with band number 1 and we are gonna be adding a few songs. It should be really exciting. In the meantime, everyone knows the road to success is never smooth but I'm lucky to have the greatest support system in place. I have my priorities on straight....can you say the same about yourself?
God Bless
~Dena~
06/16/06
New Myspace Changes
Hiiiii Everybody!!! I just returned from a 4 mile walk with my mom and I'm about to grab a yogurt but sat down here for a minute to give everyone a shout out! It's one of those lovely days where the temp is just perfect, sunny but with a breeze! Yesterday I started changing up my myspace so if you read this but never go there check it out and let me know what you think. It's more inline now with my image. My website will soon match it too but the pro's at Hyper-TechDesign have to change it and it's a lil more involved then myspace! Maintaining my journal here is about it for me! haha Tonite I have a double header with electric practice and then acoustic practice. I'm looking forward to it!
Be cool!
Love, Hollywood...aka...Dena
06/15/06
Rain Is My Friend
Rain is my friend. heehee I think the Rain Gods are smiling down on me today for sure! Sorry I can't tell you why but lets just say....today, I'm happy that it rained! It's a great day for seeing important people and talking out all the possibilities of things to come! I'm looking for loyality and willing to give it and I have. You might say, for me...LOVE & LOYALITY go hand in hand! I'm telling you now.....love me or leave me cuz I ain't got time for games! I think I'm so badass. haha oh wait....I AM!!! Peace and God Bless!
La Vita Dolce! ~Dena~
06/14/06
Excercise In Thought
Today I've been feeling pretty good. I can actually have the windows and doors open for that warm breeze to refresh the stale air in here. I've been getting some exercising in to make up for being sick and too weak to do that lately. It also helps to get the creative part of my brain workin. I am trying to change the title on one of my songs and it's not that easy since the song is written but the title just sounds all to familiar. I have plenty to do tonight starting with a voice lesson at 5 followed with a chance to watch part of my brothers baseball game to cheer him on. I'll split early from the game and head up to the studio to finish up my night. I think I should just live there! haha Hope everyone is having a great day! xoxo
~Dena~
06/13/06
Goodbye Best Friend
Been spending time with my mom lately and it's been cool. We got a connection that's stronger than ever and yes, we disagree, but we talk it out like best friends should. Since I've been minus a best friend after she decided to mentally shoot me down before she left town, I've questioned what a true best friend is. I've given it a lot of thought...cuz you see...my best friend was a gunless friend...she shot me down with her discouraging words and she attacked my will to win, she said I wasn't good enough, she said I was wasting my time and the whole time she was attacking my character, all I could think of was...who are you? It's all good tho b/c it made me a stronger person and my advice to everyone is... Don't let anyone make you feel like you don't deserve what you want! She made her choice right then and there and she lost a true friend in me. What I am already learning is...if you are successful, you will win some false friends AND true enemies...........but I will be successful anyway! HAH! I wish all the best to her cuz thats the way I am....but goodbye best friend.
~Dena~
06/12/06
Decide To Be Happy
I'm so happy! Thanks to everyone that came to see me at Starbucks last night! :) My support team was in place and as always I couldn't do it without you! Some people came quite the distance just to see me and that's pretty cool. Ya know my busy schedule keeps me from having time to chill with my friends and it meant a lot to me to see some of you there showing support. I ended up going into the studio after the show to start tracking one of my songs till like 1AM. Have to say after being sick all week I was feeling pretty beat. Even now I'm too tired to do anything but crash so its gonna be an ordinary day. It's so gosh darn cold too that I'm sitting in front of an electric heater. No wonder I'm sick! Keeping my thinking on straight tho. Hope you are too!
Always Love & Music, ~Dena~
06/11/06
One
Band practice went great! I actually did a lil zig-zagging between studios and that's always fun! I'm surrounded by all guys tho and in any other situation I'd probably be nervous but these guys actually have my back so it's all good. Well at least one does..or two...or maybe three! haha For sure one does! Tonight I'm singing at Starbuck's on the Vestal Parkway and I'm looking forward to that. I have tons to do before I go and so I'm gonna keep this short and get at it. Hope to see some smiling familiar faces there! Thanks and wish me luck!
Love is not only something you feel,
it is something you do!
~and I love to sing!~
~Dena~
06/10/06
Tough It Out
YES...finally it's friday! This week has been kind of odd for me. Resting for a few days straight isn't something I love to do, but even so it was very necessary. I'm not a 100% but good enough to get back where I belong. I really don't know what else I could do other then rest when the professionals tell you....it's gotta run it's course, there is nothing you can take for a cold sooo basically TOUGH IT OUT! Tonight I'm excited to have acoustic and electric practice. A little of this (medicine) and a lil of that (Red Bull)and I should be good to go haha. NOT TO MENTION I MISS EVERYONE!! I wish for everyone to have a fun friday and remember to mark your calendars to come see me singing at Starbucks on the Vestal Parkway tomorrow night, Sat. the 10th, at 6:30 PM! The coffee is great and the atmosphere should be rockin'! wink wink XOXO
Musically yours, ~Dena~
06/09/06
I'm Gettin' Better All The Time!
Hi Everyone! I think I'm feeling better but not gonna overdo anything. I'm sleeping a lil too much cuz the medicine makes me drowsy and I'm having the weirdest dreams! I've been hanging out with my mom all day....well keeping her company while she does what she does but its all good. I really don't have any new news to tell you. I have friends checkin' in on me and sending me well wishes and I appreciate it really.... especially the germ busters "hoops and yoyo!" haha Can't wait to get back in the zone for sure and tomorrow couldn't come sooner! I miss my crew like madd!!! I try to sit at the computer and keep all my music sites up to date but it's random at best. Focus Dena Focus!!! haha
Don't forget to moisturize and exercise! ~Dena~
06/08/06
Have Tissues Will Travel
I'm now taking a different medicine to break up this crappy congestion I have. Whoa is me...haha not really. I didn't just sit around and feel sorry for myself today because I had to take care of business with my manager and order merchandise to have for sale at my shows. Oh and a late lunch out of course. Have tissues will travel! haha I picked up another case of Red Bull cuz I don't wanna run out! eh, I am feeling kinda weak so tonite will be another night of rest. Thanks everyone for the well wishes that have been coming in. Really, it's just a cold.
Happy thoughts!! ~Dena~
06/07/06
Get Well
Hey everyone, I just woke up from a nap. If I had it my way I'd be jumping around singing and dancing, but orders have been made for me to take it easy. So I've pretty much been taking cold medicine, resting, and drinking lots of juice and water. I have to get better ASAP so I can sing on Saturday. I'm supposed to have a voice lesson later on this evening which I hate to miss. UGH!!! See I really hate this!! I think tonight I will take a nice hot bath and sip on some tea and honey and avoid stress. I just wanna get well. I got through the whole winter without getting sick and now when I have shows coming up I get sick. grrrrr!
Take care! ~Dena~
06/06/06
Singing @ Starbucks!
I woke myself up with a big sneeze and I'd have to say between the scratchy throat and now the sneezing...I officially have a cold. Blah I won't let it drag me down so it's practice, practice, practice!! The upside for today is the sun is actually shining AND good news......I found out last night that I will be performing at Starbucks on the Vestal Pkwy in Vestal, NY this coming Saturday the 10th starting at 6:30 PM!!! Woo Hoo!!! That should be fun and even if you are not a coffee drinker stop in just because you can! I would love to meet some of my fans so be sure to say hi and introduce yourself! Have a nice day! :)
Aaaachoooo! (for real) lol ~Dena~
06/05/06
Tea & Honey
Caught me a scratchy throat and I hate when that happens! Looks like tea and honey will be my drink of choice today. Sundays are for slowing down the pace and preparing for the week ahead. Sooo, I'm making up a few different lists, starting with a to do list to get better organized at the top. haha Sometimes I am so busy and other times I'm just busy in my mind and the extra things that pop up get pushed aside. Like I keep forgetting to pick up something I ordered over a week ago and now today I have time off but the store is closed....so this is what I'm talking about. The one serious thing on my mind today that I'd like to pass on is, to treat others as you would like to be treated...and always take the high road. It's what I try to do. xoxo
Love Always, ~Dena~
06/04/06
Thank You's All Around
I cannot even describe the feeling I'm feeling today after an amazing night!!! My first live acoustic show will be locked in my memories forever! The wonderful people that own the Anam Cara Art Gallery made me feel very welcome and even tho it got a little crowded at times with all the people in the gallery it was fun. A lot of my family and friends were there to support me (you know who you are) and I love you all for that! The mansion crew is like my 2nd family for sure and my guitar player Donny did a great job and thanks for backing me up! But most of all thanks to Jeff for obvious reasons...I wouldn't be where I am without you. :)
Always Love & Music, ~Dena~
06/03/06
First Friday is here!!!!
Hey!!!! What's up everyone?! Today is a good day for me and I hope it is for you too wherever you are. And even tho the sky is overcast and it's probably gonna rain, it suits me fine. I'm relaxing and primping and getting ready for my first live acoustic show and everything has been chill. I'm about to jump around tho and get my blood circulating and my voice warm. I've been performing all my life in some way or another for audiences and/or judges from the time I was little when I started taking dance lessons at 4yrs. old, to gymnastics, to cheerleading, to theater, to public speaking...you name it....and yet I will admit to having some butterflies! It doesn't last long and its kind of silly to even have them at all but it's just that darn pressure I put upon myself to do well. I'll be going into the studio right after my performance so there is no rest if you want success!! hahahah
Hope you have a great night! Wish me luck! ;-)
xo ~Dena~ xo
06/02/06
It's All Good
Wow!! I can't believe how fast this week is going. I'm totally ready for my show tomorrow nite and I'm very excited about it. Hopefully the weather will be nice and we will get to play outside where there is more room. You will find me singing from 6-9 pm at the Anam Cara Art Gallery at 204 State St. Binghamton, NY. Tonight I have electric rehearsal with band #2 for the first time so that should be cool. I love being surrounded by people who are excited about their lives and love what they do! Then afterwards we'll work through the acoustic sets once more!! A long time, devoted friend of mine invited me to lunch today so I'm headed out for now and then its back to business as usual. Everyone have a great Thursday!!!
Peace and Love Always,
~Dena~
P.S. Love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.
06/01/06
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