I was given this Joby Gorillapod Video to check out and I love it even more now that I have had a chance to use it.

I have a tripod but it doesn’t provide nearly the amount of flexibility and stability as the Gorillapod.  I tend to not use the standard tripod for my Flip MinoHD and my videos do kind of make you feel “seasick”.  I really like taking videos, especially video interviews.  Remember last fall, when I interviewed Stacy London?  I so wanted to set my Flip down because I knew I would end up shaking it around too much.  I even told her that I shake, which totally gave her the wrong impression of me.  She actually asked me if my shaking was a physical problem.  No, Stacy, I just can’t hold still!  Oh, I wish I would have had the Gorillapod back then!

Anyway, why I really dig this tripod is because of its multiple usage options.  You can wrap the legs around chairs, door handles, tree branches, rear-view mirrors, etc.  Look, if you like to take video of anything and everything, wrappable legs are a fantastic feature.  That’s what sold me in the first place.

The tripod’s feet are super magnetic.  This is my Flip, stuck to the refrigerator door with the Gorillapod holding it in place:

I highly recommend this tripod for anyone and everyone who likes to shoot video and/or use a point and shoot camera (works for both).

Joby has other Gorillapods that will work with your cameras, iPads and smart phones.  I’m planning on getting one for our DSLR.

I was given the Casio Exilim EX-S10 digital point and shoot camera quite a while ago to check out and review.  So, I’m finally, finally taking a moment to write about it.  Life is a whirlywind, what more can a 7-month pregnant girl say?

So, this camera…it’s super slim.  I like that about this camera.  In fact, it’s known as the “world’s smallest and thinnest 10 megapixel compact camera”.  It’s ridiculously easy to tote around.  In fact, I keep it in my purse at all times and unless I’m capturing random moments (like I do quite often), I rarely notice it’s in there.  Again, I like that about this camera.  Another physical feature about the EX-S10 that I really dig is the huge LCD display.  I have used several digital cameras and this one has the biggest, most clear LCD (2.7 inches).

I have read a dozen or so reviews of the S10 and the results are conclusive: People really love the features of this camera, ease of usability and the size.

What good is my review if I don’t point out the features to you?  Without further ado:

- 10 megapixel with 3x zoom
- Auto shutter
- You Tube ready
- Instant video button
- Face detection
- Up to 1600 ISO
- W 2.15 x D 0.6 x H 0.59 and weight 0.25 lb!

Something new to me, that no other point and shoot camera I have used has offered, is the “Best Shot” feature.  This is a 36 preset scene feature for the camera.  With a quick press of the “BS” button (and that’s no BS), you are able to choose the best shot for the image you’re trying to capture.  There is also a record button for immediate video recording action, which can then be easily uploaded to YouTube.

Admittedly, I’m late to the review party for this camera model (it was released early 2008).  There is now a newer model out (the EX-S12).  The EX-S12 does have some additional new features but the EX-S10 can be purchased for less than $200 and I really don’t think you would be missing out all that much if you went with this model instead (and you would save up to $50).

The Casio EX-S10 is available in four colors:  Red, Silver, Black and Blue.  I can’t find it on Casio’s website anymore, probably because it’s been replaced with the newer model, but you can purchase it at many online stores and most likely big retail stores.

My honest opinion: This is a great little camera for a photographer who wants a light-weight and small point and shoot to carry around.  My best photos have been taken outdoors, in daylight or in a well-lit room.  We have tried to take pictures at concerts (which generally never turn out really well with any point and shoots) and we probably won’t rely on this camera to capture any good (or even artsy) shots at concerts.  I’m not a huge fan of using a flash, so that sort of limits me when it comes to the EX-S10 and low-lit rooms.  However, with nice weather and longer days ahead, I will use this camera quite a bit more often when we’re out and about.

So, my first purchase was an Energizer Rechargeable Easy Charger and some double and triple “A” batteries.

We have since added other types of Energizer rechargeable batteries to our collection, as well as another charger, so they’re conveniently located in the rooms of our house where our electronics are located.  The Energizer Easy Charger can be purchased for around $24 bucks and most major retailers and I’m sure you can find a good deal on it online somewhere.  It just makes sense to go rechargeable.

Energizer even has a $5 rebate offer on their site when you purchase of one of their chargers.

Do you ever feel like you need to make things simpler? If you do, you should certainly check out the LOMO Holga starter kit from Fred Flare. It features the classic medium format plastic lens Holga camera and a 192-pg hardcover book called “The World through a Plastic Lens.” Don’t throw away your DSLR just yet, but definitely get your hands on one of these.