media and folder location

so, i like the flash uploader for images, but i don’t like the fact that you can’t choose where to put your files.

am i right in understanding that if my wordpress is installed here:
example.com/wordpress/

i can’t put my uploads here:
example.com/media/

?

there is an option on the miscellaneous settings page for “Full URL path to files” which I understand makes any links to media point to a different location, but doesn’t actually store the media there.

would it possible to use an .htaccess rule so that urls pointing to example.com/media/ get referenced to example.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads ?

thanks, james.