Greetings. I am purchasing a 50" plasma this weekend. Because of room layout restrictions, I need to mount it to a brick wall, which contans a fireplace. Besides the obvious heat problems of a fireplace, I'm not sure how I'll handle securing the mount or running cables.

So... I would like to do a ceiling mount. It's a ranch and I have access to the attic above. Why not just hang it from the ceiling and run wires up there instead of dealing with the brick? Any thoughts/experience? Ceiling mounts don't seem very popular in residences. Thank you.

There's no reason you can't mount from the ceiling, and considering, it sounds like a good option. Not sure how complex you're planning or willing to go, but your idea reminded me of a thread over in the home automation forum:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=780568

One of the sites listed had some really cool stuff for putting the tv in the ceiling, and having a motorized drop down. I don't know the costs of it, but it would be pretty cool.

-Jeff