New iPhone Upgrades This Summer: iPhone 3.0

Among the highlights:

• Cut, copy and paste across applications
• So-called “push notification” — for example, of breaking news or sports results
• Multimedia messaging service (MMS) for sending pictures or voice memos in instant messages
• Landscape viewing when the iPhone is turned sideways in most applications, including Mail
• The ability to search Mail, Calendar and other applications for key words
• Improved calendar functions
• Stereo Bluetooth for wireless earphones

Get more info here at the Fortune Apple 2.O blog. Or watch the Apple iPhone 3.O software keynote address.

Current Reading: The Piano Lesson & The Last Lecture

So I completed A Mercy last week. It really makes you think about the power of choice. The seemingly simple decisions you make in everyday life can have powerful effects on others in ways you couldn't even imagine.

Next up are The Piano Lesson by playwright August Wilson and The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I'm in serious need of motivation right now, which influenced my decision to pick these two books. And on a random note - the city of Pittsburgh is a backdrop both.

For those of you who don't know, back in the day, I used to act. This is something that I'm really trying to get back into. And what's a better way to get fired up than reading a play by one of my favorite authors. The Piano Lesson actually won a Pulitzer Prize for drama. Just getting started on this one. I'll provide more details as I get deeper into the play.

I'm sure you've all heard of Randy Pausch's powerful last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University. It was all about living life to the fullest and appreciating every single moment of it. It's amazing how life-changing moments like facing death or loss can help you put life back into perspective. Loved the lecture. Sure I'll love the book.

Artist of the Week: Bruce Wilhelm

Travelers Tale (2009)

Harmony of the World (2009)

Black Hole (2008)

Something I've been wanting to do for a while is feature new and upcoming artists. My friend Tommy helped nudge me in this direction by sending me Bruce Wilhelm's site. His artwork is amazing. His work is now showing at the ada gallery in Richmond, VA and he is a finalist for the 2008 JC Reynal Scholarship to study in Bordeaux, France. Wilhelm is a master of mixed media often using acrylic, color pencil and watercolor, among other technques, in a single piece of work. He obviously has a love for horses as they are often the subject of his work.

Check out more of Wihelm's work at www.brucewilhelm.com.

Book List: A Passion for Blue And White

This new tome from designer Carolyn Roehm takes us through images of rooms she has created using classic blue and white. There is something so clean and crisp about this combination. See images from the book below. Click the cover image above for more info.

Liven up your living space with jewel tones

Domino Magazine

Photos by Melanie Acevedo / April 2007

New Mac Pro and iMac

Yesterday Apple Inc. unveiled new versions of its high-end desktop, Mac Pro, and its more affordable model, the iMac. I'm still torn between the iMac (the new 24-inch version is a lot more affordable) and the new Macbook (17-inches of portable beauty).

Click here to find get more info.

Current Reading: A Mercy by Toni Morrison

So one of my goals for this year is to do more reading. I've already completed my first book The Martha Rules, a book about business management by Martha Stewart which she starting writing during her prison stint. Very good insight and advice for those with bursting with an entrepreneurial spirit.

My current endeavor is A Mercy by Toni Morrison. Believe it or not this is the first Toni Morrison work I've ever read. I saw Beloved and liked it -- apparently I was among a small group that did. A Mercy was hailed as one of the top books published in 2008 by multiple outlets. From the beginning I was drawn to it.

The story is told through the eyes of multiple characters, but paints a clear, cohesive picture of the lives of indentured servants and reluctant masters during the 1600s in a young America. I'm about a third of the way through the novel now. Everytime I pick it up it's hard to put back down.

I definitely recommend it.

Artist of the Week: Salvador Dali

The Persistence of Memory (1931)

Soft Construction with Boiled Beans (Premonition of Civil War) (1936)

For Salvador Dali, using the term eccentric as a descriptor would be an overwhelming understatement. The Spanish surrealist was known for the striking -- and at times appalling -- images in his work as much as he was for his flamboyant lifestyle. These are two of his most famous pieces. One reflective on life in general, the other borne out of a country on the brink of inner turmoil -- much like Guenica my favorite Picasso.

Visit List: Amalfi Coast, Italy

I'm FINALLY getting married this year -- long engagement (pretty much enjoyable ; ) -- and we are planning to visit Italy for our honeymoon. We're still in the process of choosing the city for our stay. Rome. Florence. Venice. You really can't go wrong. Our dream has always been to escape to a seaview suite in an ancient villa perched on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. And that's exactly what the Amalfi Coast offers. This has to be one of the most uniquely beautiful places in the world. The region, a cluster of small towns including, Sorrento, Positano, Ravello and Amalfi, is not far from Naples and the isle of Capri lies just off the coast.

It may not be our final honeymoon destination, but the Amalfi Coast is definitely on on our list of places to see. You should check it out as well!

http://www.amalficoast.com/