Are you sure the solution is pie?

Hey, can anyone recommend some Yoga or Pilates or Yoga-Pilates DVDs?

I had to let my gym membership lapse a while back, ever since we got an impressively expensive battery of tests for Frankie Prime early this winter. It seemed like a necessary expenditure to cut, but right now I am very, very sick of the one Pilates DVD I own.

So I'd love to hear from anyone who does yoga or pilates at home -- DVDs preferred, but if you've got any books you really dig that you follow along to, let me know.

sociologistff is researching her MA thesis on the social backgrounds of HP fanfiction writers.

In her entry in ron_draco posting the link to her survey on the subject, she mentioned the only data she had found about fanfic writers related to Star Trek fans. I mentioned to her that this seems unlikely; given how many people now study fandom as part or the whole of their interests, more information and more recent studies must be out there.

I know your_librarian did work that took some key data into account (and I think she distributed a survey? I'm trying to remember; this was a few years ago). And I've answered questions or provided information for other people working on fandom and fanfiction studies, but can't now find appropriate links to those people's work.

So if you're willing -- any acafans out there, or anyone with a keen interest in this topic who could maybe go take a look-see at her entry and possibly point her to an appropriate resource or two?

And hey, if you're a fanfic writer in the HP fandom, and are so inclined, you can take her survey mentioned in the same entry.

I was just outside, hitting at the ice with a metal thingy. Er, to clear the walk and drive, not just for fun, though I can see how lots of people would do it for fun, boy howdy! My arms are going to fall off in 3...2...1...

As far as American Idol is concerned, man, I can't wait for Hollywood Week. So tonight being the last of the auditions is cause for great celebration! I may make fancy themed drinks, if I can get my car out of my driveway at any point soonish to pick up supplies.

Oh, and ( check out the new girl! some thoughts on the new judge )

Meanwhile, should I watch Hell's Kitchen? I love Gordon Ramsay on both the BBC's and U.S.'s versions of Kitchen Nightmares. But Hell's Kitchen looks so, uh. Yeah. Less about the determined no-holds-barred helping of small restaurant staff, chefs, and owners, and more about extreme denigration of wannabe cooks. Any thoughts from people who've checked out the show?

Question for the meat eaters out here: what the hell is steak au pauvre (or is it au poivre?) steak au poivre* cooked like? Is it on the rare side, or...?

I have no idea why the people in the fic need to eat this for dinner; they just do, and it's messing with my vegetarian-wired brain. It's the smallest detail ever, so of course I've been over-focused on it this morning.

I'm out to dash out and spend the day dealing with family-related things, so I'll be answering any replies later today. <3


*name of dish sorted thanks to cathyteach2

So I have a crafts project I want to work on. *shifty eyes*

I'm trying to figure out which crafts store near me to try out -- the ones in the vicinity seem to be Michaels, JoAnn, and AC Moore. Have any of you tried any of those/have any preferences among them? I can't tell much from looking at the websites (other than that JoAnn seems more fabric-focused, and the slogan for Michaels, Imaginate, is making my shoulders tense an eensy bit).

A perfectly accurate pictorial representation of this Monday.

( click to see the veracity: )

Man, I really need to get an actual camera. dancetomato asked me to PP of my new haircut, and when I answered back my standard "we don't have a camera right now" I realized the last time I had a real live honest-to-goodness camera (as opposed to the disposable kind, of which I have purchased many over the years) was when I spent the summer in England, like...BEFORE I DISCOVERED FANDOM.

So. That's too long. Anyone have recommendations of something cheap-ish and...not sucky? Also, cranberry scone baking today, N/Y/MFY?