I've had the itch to move out of state for a while now. I live in Connecticut, USA, and with each passing year, I dislike it more and more.

So...I was hoping to get some advice from Arena members, as y'all live all over.

I'd like to live somewhere with warmer year-round temperatures but without the humidity. Austin is high on my list (I've heard great things about it), and while the West Coast is nice, it can be awfully expensive. I am more of a homebody to be honest, and if I move, I'll be working from home full time. That being said, I'd like a city with lots of vegetarian options and one that is lively, artsy, and on the liberal side of things. Also, I am gay and a large gay population would be ideal. Around here all the attractive men tend to leave for NYC so it's a bit of desert, figuratively speaking.

My other concern is how to move affordably. I would rather hire a company to move me (two bedroom apt here) but that can be terribly expensive. I think the best option is to rent a truck and do the move myself with my brother, but that is equally terrifying and A LOT of work on top of the stress of everything else when it comes to moving!

So...any advice on a suitable city as well as the move itself would be highly appreciated! I am starting to save money now to make it happen, so I don't expect to actually be able to do it until next summer or most likely the summer after. It would be more ideal to save up enough so I can buy instead of rent, but I'm not sure that is a realistic goal for the short term.

Anyhow, looking forward to any advice you might have to offer!

Yeahh, I've got the pony itch again.

Show me your princess variants, please! I am up to 4 myself (Prince Ruby, Princess Crash, German Starburst, and Starburst UK Variant). Unfortunately I have no photos of them to share. I must take some soon!

But...I have really been itching to get a German Princess Primrose. All that blonde hair....

Please no rubbed/scratched eyes or tail rust. Some imperfections are OK but overall looking for good to near mint.

For Twist, deflocked or deflocking candidate only

For Barnacle, preferably with hat and bandanna too but not mandatory

For Paradise (and possibly Twilight), I'm looking for as minty as possible and am willing to pay top dollar:

- No yellowing, only minor flocking rubs, no stains, soft, curly hair

A few months ago we had a discussion about ponies that are impossible to find in minty condition. Party Time was one of the worst offenders. No one seems to have a minty version of her since she is so prone to discoloration and regrind.

I've been searching for a nice one in vain for maybe six months now. It's been a horrible search. Every time I get close to finding a decent one, I see a few additional photos of her and manage to spot regrind.

On a fluke last week I found the PERFECT Party Time. Not a single spot of regrind. Eyes in perfect condition. She has some extremely minor flaws and overall looks near mint. I am in awe. I didn't think this was possible with Party Time!

Pics tomorrow hopefully!

I've never been terribly fond of the collector pose but recently I've become very interested in getting Bowtie and AJ. Just how hard to find are they? I don't see them for sale very often...

Most ponies never got corresponding babies, and there are tons of babies (particularly newborns) who never got parents. Who do you think should have been produced?

I would have loved to see a Baby Paradise without flocking. In fact, I think most of the so soft ponies would have looked adorable, either with flocking or without. Twilight, Twist, Skippy, Hippity and Magic Star would have been just darling.

Week 1 - Casseroles
This one is going to be pretty broad. Any sort of casserole you like, as long as it's something you've never made before! The next challenge will be posted a week from now, so try to get your dish complete by that time if possible. Let the brainstorming begin!

Week 2 - Garlic
This week we'll all be using the same ingredient - garlic! Just how many ways can you incorporate garlic into a dish? We shall see...

Week 3 - One Pot Wonder
Get your spoons out; this week it's all about soup! (Just make sure it's a recipe/soup you've never made before!

Week 4 - Something Stuffed
This week you'll be stuffing something more than just your stocking! Any food type is permissible, just make sure that *something* is getting stuffed.

Week 5 - Seasonal Squash
Use summer or winter squash (depending on what season it is in your part of the world) to make a main course or side dish.

Week 6 - Ingredient You Disliked as a Child
That's right, pick an ingredient you disliked as a child (you might even still dislike it) and find a way to prepare it so that you actually enjoy it!
...


I've been so unmotivated with cooking lately (not to mention relying far too much on Trader Joe's) so I was thinking of starting a little challenge to get myself and others inspired to dabble in cooking and perhaps get out of our comfort zones!

Each week I'd come up with a different theme and participants would have the ability to make any recipe that fell within the requirements. For example, we might have one week devoted to a dessert containing a certain common major ingredient, the next week totally vegetarian or vegan main courses, the next week a dish inspired by a particular continent/country, etc. There would of course be exceptions for dietary restrictions.

My vision is a 12 week challenge to start with. We can continue if it's a success. Participants would not be required to do every challenge, but it would be good to have at least a few regulars. Any newcomers could join at any time. Once you complete your dish, you could post a photo or link to the recipe and we can discuss...what we learned, what he liked/didn't like, what we would do differently, etc.

Any interest?