Dedicated to Mooka with Love

One of life's most heart-breaking ordeals comes with losing a beloved household pet. There is something about the affection a family has for its dog or its pet that is unlike the affection we have for any other living thing. Perhaps it's a dog's innocence, it's unyielding desire to make its owners happy and proud. Maybe it's because they're so darn cute and once we fall in love with them we can't help but yearn to cuddle them. The joy you can bring to a dog and the joy it brings to you is one of life's simple pleasures that is irreplaceable and invaluable. While all of us who have owned one know the day will come, it is never easy when it does. And though it may take time to get to a place of acceptance, once you do, the best gift you can give to yourself and to another dog is a life as good as that of your last's.


Here's to the happiness and joy that one Mooka the Magnificent, brought to the Iacobucci, Hushin and many other family's lives. Auntie Lori, Uncle Walter, Matthew and Andrew - Mooka loved you very much and she was one of the luckiest dogs I've ever known. Mooka, we all love you and will miss you Girlfriend.

Travel and Tenants

I can't believe how fast 2010 is already whizzing by. Before I know it I'm going to be in Vegas (the end of the month) checking out CityCenter and InspireDesign. I'm excited to see CityCenter as it seems like forever ago that I first heard of its development and now it's finally here. I'm not sure whether I'll be supremely impressed by it or totally disgusted, as I tend to be with most things Vegas. I'm hoping for a pleasant surprise.


If anyone has any insider tips about anything else (design-related) that I should be sure to see while I'm on the Strip, drop me a line because I'm trying to pack the sched. as tight as possible with cool stuff. I'm not sure why, but I have a strange inkling that this might be the first trip where I really enjoy Las Vegas. We'll see...

After Vegas I come back to NYC for about a month and then I'll be whisked away to the Cayman Islands on a sure-to-be fabulous trip being organized be the lovely KWE Group for their client, a new cottage-style beach hotel called The Cotton Tree. The woman who designed the property is a native islander and apparently a self-taught designer. After speaking with a few people lately about this whole "home-away-from-home" cottage-style of hotel design, I'm thinking it might be a trend. Perhaps people going away need to feel the comforts of home to reduce stress since we all know the past year has given us lots of that.

Speaking of stress...

I've been on the hunt for a new roommate since Shalon is moving out after her surprise XMas engagement. I am sure at this point - 95 Beekman Ave., Apt. 349W is a lucky marriage apartment. If you are looking to get hitched, move in! The record is 2-1, the one not engaged being me, the two being Samantha and now Shalon.

If you know of anyone looking for an apartment (or a marriage proposal) please pass along the word. It's a gloriously spacious and well-appointed place not far from all you need - and only a 35 min. train ride to Manhattan.

I have plenty more details for you.

And one more random question: Can anyone recommend an inexpensive vacuum cleaner? I'm thinking under $100 but sucks up long blonde hairs like nobody's business. I am welcoming suggestions, please.

That's about all I can muster to write at this point - too much happening in the brain to make sentences now.

NYE and blue aliens

As a New Year's Resolution, I have decided to blog again. I stopped for...oh I dunno...forever. When was my last post? Must have been at least four months ago. Well anyhow, looking ahead rather than behind - I resolved to post at least once a week - which shouldn't be too difficult. But I am already behind since I had resolved to start on Jan. 1st. Ah well. Here I am. That's what matters, right?

How was everyone's New Year's eve? What did you all do? I'm curious. Mine was pretty low key though completely satisfying. Dan and I went to the Chowder House bar inside the Empire Hotel - which is very adorable - definitely worth a visit. The cocktails are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is great - chic but un-pretentious. The Kelly Margarita (no bias or anything) is delish as is the one with Patron silver (the name escapes me, I guess not as memorable as the former.)

Then we walked up a few blocks past Lincoln Center to see Avatar in 3D IMAX which I must say was quite the experience. While I can't say too much for the movie's plot - it's as cliche and structured as Hollywood blockbusters come - it is absolutely the must stunning visual display you will ever see at a theater...an IMAX 3D theater that is. Granted, I've never been to a 3D movie before, and it was my first IMAX experience as well. But I think it's safe to say that I couldn't have chosen a better first time flick for an IMAX 3D explosive. It is complete sensory overload and of the best kind. I felt as though I was on the Na'vi planet with the big blue creatures and I didn't really want to leave.

If for no other reason than its sheer visual sensation, you must see this movie...in 3D IMAX. If you aren't blown away by its groundbreaking visual effects, then I don't know what could possibly impress you. It's that good.

Please see it and report back to me on what you think.

There has been so much else going on in life that I simply don't know where to begin other than to recount my recent Avatar experience. Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone, the annual BD photo shoot is over and here we are at 2010. So forgive me for being all over the place, but this blog is to merely collect my thoughts and give redirection to this blog which I've all but lost these past few months. I look forward to having a better presence on the blogosphere in 2010.

Happy New Year to all!