S: Is for stiff!

All drugs have two names, a trade name and generic name. For example, the trade name of Tylenol also has a generic name of Acetaminophen. Aleve is also called Naproxen. Amoxil is also called Amoxicillin and Advil is also called Ibuprofen. The FDA has been looking for a generic name for Viagra. After careful consideration by a team of government experts, it recently announced that it has settled on the generic name of Mycoxafloppin. Also considered were Mycoxafailin, Mydixadrupin, Mydixarizin, Dixafix, and of course, Ibepokin. Pfizer Corp. announced today that Viagra will soon be available in liquid form, and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer. It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one. Obviously we can no longer call this a soft drink, and it gives new meaning to the names of "cocktails", "highballs" and just a good old-fashioned "stiff drink". Pepsi will market the new concoction by the name of: MOUNT & DO. Thought for the day: There is more money being spent on breast implants and Viagra today than on Alzheimer's research. This means that by 2040, there should be a large elderly population with perky boobs and huge erections and absolutely no recollection of what to do with them.

T: is for the transforming qualities of water

For years I have been singing the praises of Dr. Masaru Emoto. Tonight I finally met him and had a chance to converse with him and to hear him talk. Everything in the world resonates at some level. Emotions such as love & gratitude, sadness or anger each emit vibrational resonance. “Messages from Water” is his best selling book that he has generously donated 650 million copies to children and teachers. Have you ever walked into a room full of people and, without anyone saying a word sense the mood? After receiving a hug have you felt like a burden was lifted? If so, you were experiencing the power of hado. It is that simple. "Hado" may sound like a new term but it has existed in the Japanese language for centuries. Translated, it means wave motion or vibration. Within the past few decades hado has been redefining philosophy, science and quantum physics. More recently, the definition has expanded into the spiritual realm to express the healing properties and trans formative powers of this life-force energy. Emoto is admittedly controversial showing through well documented experiments that if human thought is directed at water before it is frozen, images of the resulting water crystals will be beautiful or ugly depending upon the thoughts that are directed. Emoto also showed that this can be achieved through prayer, music or by attaching written words to a container of water and has done so on several impressive tests. I first heard of Dr. Emoto when I was at the UN and the stories were circulating about an experiment that had been done. I write this column because we are 60% water and if thoughts, words, and intentions can control the intrinsic parts of our soul do we not owe it to each other to stay positive, only think good thoughts and raise the human consciousness of our planet. We need to elevate each other to a higher place and that is a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Clubs and Events

With Fashion Week comes the overwhelming party circuit. I actually look forward to September and it's barrage of events that leave you breathless and exhausted. Last night was no exception. I started off at "Room Service" located at 35 East 21st. Jen and Tom joined me on my rounds. Words to the wise, when doing the party circuit Bring friends that you can catch up with or I promise you, you will be bored after the first 15 minuets. "Room Service" is a beautiful space. I attended it's opening last November and like most clubs it has problems. It is way too cold. The acoustics are horrid. The walls are padded but the ceilings are thin boards so even when there is too few people like tonight it sounds like it is consumed with volume. Nine curtained-off rooms can be rented between $350 to $800 per evening. Those who don't think exhibition with a DVD player, a minibar, and a drawer full of condoms, toothpaste, and Snickers bars is the height of sexiness can rent a hotel room. When I was there in November I loved the chef. This time however the food was mediocre. Win some you lose some and on to the next venue.

I promised you more on the Henri Bendel's events for the 100th anniversary of the brown and white strip and tonight was the "Brown and White Ball". To mark the occasion, Bendel's commissioned designers Anna Sui, Alice + Olivia, Peter Som, Matthew Williamson, Josh Goot, Poltock and Walsh, Ghita, Pollini by Rifat Ozbeck, Elise Overland, Nili Lotan and Hamish Morrow to create one of a kind brown and white dresses, inspired by Bendel's signature stripes. The designs were auctioned off tonight at the Highline Ballroom. The proceeds benefit "Keep A Child Alive", an organization that provides care and treatment to children in Africa affected by AIDS. I love when companies give to others! Limited editions of Diane von Furstenberg's cashmere wrap dress $648, L.A.M.B's striped hoodie $235, Phi's printed tank $495, J Brand's skinny jeans with striped pocket and waistband lining $188, Milly's strapless dress with striped lining and pink sash $498 and Tibi's leopard minidress $368 will also be sold exclusively at the store beginning next week and running through the end of October. MAC has caught brown & white fever as well, creating a Lip gloss called "Bendel Girl" and lipstick named "Love, Henri," packaged in signature brown-and-white striped boxes will also be available. Though a lot of people ignored the brown and white theme it was a New York event. The highlight of my night was meeting famed artist "Christo" and being photographed with him. Some times New York is a happening and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for the seeing into an artists soul.

It turns out that Sunday's event at Bendel's was also Nikon hosting a cocktail party to honor famed music and celebrity photographer Mark Seliger. His latest book, "In My Stairwell" is featured in a gallery on the 3rd floor. What is on display is the insight into a soul, 30 of them. The rawness adds an edginess and openness to the icons, we think we know. We are given insights to a deeper perspective. "In My Stairwell" is Mark's book of images taken in his stairwell. All his subjects are celebrities and include David Bowie, Susan Sarandon, Lou Reed, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mathew Barney - to name a few. Rising to fame from his provocative covers on The Rolling Stones Magazine, he virtually covered every major face on the contemporary music scene and society at large. Since 2003 he has been under contract with Conde Nast Publications for Vanity Fair and GQ. He shot the editorial to the infamous "Desperate Housewives" edition of Vanity Fair. It turns out Mark also did my favorite album cover of the Dixie Chicks where there is an earthy, fighting, I'm not going to take it anymore attitude. No wonder I was in delight at this exhibit. It's a wonderful guessing game on some and others it is like being in the presence of a legend and peeking through the key hole.

Additionally, on display in the gallery are dresses by Ghita, designed by Alexis Phifer. Alexis collaborated with Mark Seliger to create two one of a kind dresses using fabric with Mark's images. These dresses will be auctioned off and the proceeds will benefit, Keep A Child Alive, a charitable organization committed to providing treatment and care to AIDS affected children in Africa. This exhibit is open to the public until October 1st. I recomend it as a portal to our past and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Fashion Week.

God I love September and New York. Life explodes into an array of fashion, art, culture, theatre, TV and motion picture filming. For two years now I have represented American Express at the US Open and am the envy of my friends because I get to see tennis 24/7. Watching sports tends to bore me to tears unless I'm actively involved. So it was with excitement that I attended LIVEstyle's STYLE 360 presented by Henri Bendel, Nikon and Elle Magazine. I love the events at Bendel's because they are always done with an aplomb of artistic flair. Bendel's exclusively carries my favorite perfume "Smiley" which has me singing their praises. Highlighted was a candid photography exhibit that I will write about tomorrow as it deserves it's own page. Joyfully, I discovered one of my favorite places "The Chocolate Bar" had set up shop inside. If you want a tasty treat that is worth the calories, I recommend the chocolate rice crispy bar. They are to die for and at least you will die happy! Celebrities, designers and the fashionista's were all there for this exclusive "Launch Party" and to celebrate Bendel's 100th birthday of the famous brown and white stripe. Included was Nigel Barker of America's Next Top Model fame and Alicia Witt. Look for more on this iconic retail institution as they plan on celebrating a lot more and I will keep you informed of their exciting activities.

Acclaimed Romanian couture fashion designer Romanitza Claudia Iovan presented her latest dramatic collection in New York for the first time at the St. Regis Hotel. A former fashion model, Ms. Iovan launched her Romanitza fashion house in 1991. The label soon became one of the most successful in Romania. The exquisite quality and aristocratic air of her designs have earned her distinctive runway shows a special respect and recognition. Romanitza continues to build her brand in the fashion industry, presenting seasonal collections and taking part in television programs and fashion events, including Bucharest Fashion Week. Clothes may not make us who we are but they certainly are an art form and give us ways to express ourselves and that is a F.A.C.T.