andy.dragt.

So I've been living in the alternate reality that exists when an iPhone is in your possession for a few weeks now. And, while I have been loving the brightkite webapp for the iPhone, I also look forward to the SDK app for one reason: GPS assisted auto-location! So, when a new brightkite friend forwarded me this video, I got instantly excited:

Brightkite for the iPhone from Brightkite on Vimeo.

PLEASE Apple approve it quickly, don't make us wait!!!

One of only 40 JW Marriott's in the world, this Grand Rapids hotel offers a bit of entertainment for any and all.

Here's a story on the Wealthy Theatre. Have I mentioned how much I love living in this neighborhood!

This store is right around the corner from me. It was a pleasure to create this story, their garden adds so much to that section of our neighborhood.

This week's story includes an interview with Eastbrook homes CEO Mick McGraw on their new development in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids, MI. I must admit I was pretty impressed with what Eastbrook has pulled off in this project. In a different life I used to work for the other large production builder in town, so I know well the stuff these guys are used to building. I'm no expert on real estate pricing in this market but they seem to be priced pretty well for what you get.

I recently upgraded most of my kit, including a new camera, mics, lights and something to carry it all around in. While I intend to get around to posting something about all this stuff eventually, I thought I'd start with my favorite purchase - the Rode Videomic.

While I could get all technical on you and spout off a bunch of nonsense about signal-to-noise ratios and frequency response, I'm not going to. Instead all I really want to say is this mic is rock star! For less than $150 the rode videomic is an inexpensive investment that will yield professional results.

The Videomic is dead simple to use due in part to having a stereo mini-jack (1/8") instead of an XLR connector. Just mount it on the hot shoe of your camera and plug it into the mic-in jack and your on your way to dramatically improved audio (versus your camera's on-board mic).

Now this all assumes you don't own a professional video camera with XLR inputs. If you do, you obviously love to spend lots of cash, so a buck-fifty mic will never do. But don't feel left out, click here and bust open your piggy bank once again.

But for the rest of us mere mortals out there, the Rode Videomic is in a class by itself in terms of both sound quality and value.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park host the only midwest exhibition the complete collection of Degas in Bronze.