Melissa Plaut remembers the first time she ever wrote about driving a New York City taxicab. It was 5 a.m. one morning in 2005, and she’d just returned home from her shift. The stream-of-consciousness recounting of the night’s events that poured out of her was unlike anything she’d ever written, certainly unlike anything she’d ever written in her previous job, writing copy for one of the Big Apple’s innumerable advertising agencies.

It's been a good summer for films in Michigan. Countless exciting projects are being produced and released, a plethora of film festivals showcased some of the best cinema independent film has to offer, and our friends at Thriller! Chiller! announced some exciting changes for their festival. Well, it's now August, and while summer festivities may be winding down in the next month or so, the Michigan film industry shows no signs of slowing down.

Anyone familiar with the "Jackass" empire knows the professionals involved have one philosophy: the more outrageous the stunt, the better. This is a mantra Steve-O swears by, and one that got him noticed by members of the "Jackass"crew while they still worked with the skateboarding magazine, Big Brother.

Everything done under a deep blue sky with a little sunshine and fresh air is better. Hands down. Take in a few events that keep you outside hiking, working (wink wink), strolling and watching.

Brace yourself for the tee-hees, har-de-hars, chuckles and snorts - once again the funniest festival around will be gracing the streets of Grand Rapids. This spring Gilda’s Laughfest celebrates its fifth anniversary March 5-15, 2015. Spectators can expect to see a variety of comedic acts ranging from stand-up and improv to film, music and much more.

The black comedy Buzzard has been picked up by international sales company Media Luna for worldwide distribution. Buzzard is Grand Rapids-based director Joel Potrykus' latest and final piece in his “animal trilogy." The film was recently scooped up by Oscilloscope Laboratories for US distribution before premiering at SXSW.

Your underwear and Kori Jock need to talk. Jock, who is based out of Kalamazoo, is the underwear fairy Godmother taking forgotten T-shirts and turning them into handmade undies made from recycled and eco-forgiving materials that are also hand screen-printed. Jock has been making her own undies since 2005, and pretty much hasn’t had a wedgie since.

• La Vie en Orange
• Sparrow Boutique
• Hot Mama

Let’s face it: the winners write the history books. That's why Grand Rapids' history books are filled with the rise of the furniture industry, pictures of Gerald Ford and a whole lot of just good ol’ fashioned niceness. But for local author and history buff Amberrose Hammond, the full story lies beneath the surface.

Everyone loves a good summer sunset over Lake Michigan, and stargazing from a comfy campsite can't be beat. If you're looking to watch something a bit more cinematic, however, the West Michigan film community has got you covered, too.

• AhNabAwen Park
• movies in the park

Josh Sneed is living proof that you can make it big in comedy without having to leave your home and family behind. He grew up in Ohio, and currently lives in the greater Cincinnati area, near the border of Kentucky and Ohio. While life in the Midwest may sound less flashy than New York or L.A. to some, Sneed wouldn't have it any other way.

• Grand Rapids
• Dr Grins
• Josh Sneed
• comedian