Categories
Design Interesting Kuwait

IKEA Hackers in Kuwait

Back in 2006 I posted about a blog called IKEA Hacker that had just launched. The blog displayed different IKEA hacks done by other people, people who took regular IKEA stuff and using their creativity turned them into unique pieces. Well two of those people are a couple living in Kuwait, Pinot and Dita. They took IKEA fabrics, cut them up and then created fantastic wall art with them. Its really cool stuff and whats even more cool is the fact they taped the whole thing and created a video presentation which you can watch below. Currently they’re voting for the IKEA hack of 2008 and they are nominated so vote for them by clicking [Here]

Now watch the video below of the making of and check out the post about them on IKEA hacker. [Link]

[YouTube]




Categories
Commercials Kuwait Personal

Wataniya Airways first TV commercial

Back in October my agency pitched for and won the Wataniya Airways account. For those of you who don’t know, Wataniya Airways is the new “premium” Kuwaiti airline. I am highlighting the word premium because many people including me originally thought Wataniya Airways was going to be competing against the likes of Jazeera Airways as an economy no frills airline, it’s not. Wataniya Airways won’t even be using the regular airport instead they will be flying in and out of the new Royal Aviation Terminal, the exclusive terminal used by private jets. Anyway, the TV commercial is finally completed and here it is. I might later add some behind the scenes (making of) pictures but only if I find interesting ones. [YouTube]

update: Added a few behind the scenes photos below, might add more later.




Categories
Food & Drinks Kuwait

Il Tetto

Il Tetto

A new Italian restaurant opened up right next to Maki at Marina Waves. The owner of it is supposedly the same owner as Pomodoro. I just got invited to their Pasta Tuesday but not sure if I can go yet, if I do I will post my review here. For now you can check out their website for more details. [Link]




Categories
Food & Drinks Videos

How It’s Made – Hot Dogs

The process of making a hot dog is incredible, although some people will definitely find it gross. Not for the faint of heart! [YouTube]




Categories
Food & Drinks Kuwait Personal

My favorite cookie recipe

Cookies

I’ve had this cookie recipe ever since I was in university and when used with proper ingredients it never failed me. Problem is I can’t find good chocolate chips in Kuwait. My favorite used to be Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks but all I can find in Kuwait are the Nestle and Hershey ones which suck. Anyway I baked some cookies today (used the Hershey chocolate chip) and I think they came out a 2.5 out of 5. I might be able to score a 3 if I use better brown sugar next time but it would still be a hopeless case without the proper chocolate. Maybe I should just order packs from Amazon..

Cookies

My favorite cookie recipe

1 cup (2 sticks) (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup (150 grams) white sugar

1 1/4 cups (270 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 3/4 cups (525 grams) all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons (10 grams) baking soda

1 1/4 teaspoons (6 grams) baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups (375 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 165 degrees celsius. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper (or use non stick cookie pans).

In a mixing bowl cream the butter. Add the sugars and beat until well combined. Beat in eggs one at a time making sure to beat well after each addition. Add vanilla and beat until incorporated.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and beat until just incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts, if using. The cookie mixture will be moist and hold together.

Using two tablespoons, drop about 2 tablespoons of dough (38 grams) on the prepared baking sheets. Do not flatten cookies. Bake on the center rack of oven for 12 minutes, or until golden brown and still soft when gently pressed.

Makes about 48 cookies.

Cookies




Categories
Events Kuwait

Event: Night of Horrors

night of horrors

Name: Laylat Al Ro3b / Night of Horrors
Date: Thursday October 30th (This Thursday)
Time: 6 PM – 10 PM
Entrance Fee: 3 KD
Location: AUK, American University of Kuwait Salmiya ,Salem Al Mubarak Street, Opposite to Plaza Complex

Entrance Fee Includes:
Haunted House
Water Fight
Costume Contest

Other Activities:
Mask Making
Face Painting
Fortune Teller
Fire Performance
Laser Show
and much much more!

Here is a link to a jpg they sent me with the event details. [Event Flier]




Categories
Funny Gossip & Rumors Kuwait

Latina Mina Drunk on 99.7

I just heard that the radio dj Latina Mina on the Super Station 99.7 was drunk on air. Supposedly there was a doctor on the program and she was hitting on him then when another radio dj told her she was embarrassing the radio station she replied by cussing on air. They then killed the broadcast. If anyone has a copy of the session we are offering money for the recording!! CASH!

Update: I just got the following in my email

You have to report about what just happened on 99.7. Mark, it was unbelievable. This latina DJ was soo drunk on air and was slurring throughout the whole show. Suddenly, a caller calls in, which is when the radio station "thinks" they were off air. The caller swears at the DJ, telling her shes making a fool of herself and that she’s a "drunk hoochie". What does this smart DJ say? Go fuck yourself, go fuck your father and your brother. This was all on air. about 15 minutes ago. the sad thing is, they thought they were off air during that since she came back on air closing the show and telling "all the haters out there" to get a life or somethin. Now, that was something you had to listen to. Wonder what will happen to her, AND 99.7!!




Categories
Food & Drinks Kuwait Personal

My Sushi KW experience

Sushi KW

I called up Sushi KW around 1PM and placed my order to be delivered at 4:30. I ordered the Spicy Shrimp, Snow, TamTam, Mix Maki, Salmon Sushi and Crab Sushi.

My order arrived on time which was cool since I was starving. The packaging was decent and came with soy sauce, a spicy mayo dip, ginger and chopsticks. I quickly chowed my way through everything but when I was done I wasn’t impressed. From the bunch I ordered I think Snow was the worst while everything else tasted just average. The price is cheap, the whole thing cost me only KD11.250 but I would rather pay a bit more and get something from Wasabi instead.




Categories
Funny Kuwait Movies

One More Chance

In the comments of the previous Blockbuster post someone mentioned a Kuwaiti movie called “One More Chance” that is going to get released soon in Kuwait. So I did a quick Google and found the trailer for it on the blog Buzberry. It looks like its going to be a really funny movie. I think they’ve spoofed movies like Get Smart (which I watched a few days back and really liked), The Matrix and James Bond. The production quality and acting seems like complete crap but I guess that helps making it a comedy. Check out the trailer above. [YouTube]




Categories
Music Videos

Where the Hell is Matt? In Kuwait!

Matt Harding became famous by accident awhile back when a video of him dancing in front of landmarks in different countries became an overnight success. Now Matt is back with a new video thats been in the making for over a year. This time around he visited and danced in 42 different countries and one them was Kuwait. Its a really cool video thats sure to give you goosebumps. [YouTube]

Thanks Shab!

Update: Here is a link to Matt’s journal when he was in Kuwait. I honestly thought he was a nice guy but after reading his journal I now think he’s a jerk. Watching the video above you get a feeling of world unity and peace but then when you find out the kind of person Matt really is it suddenly makes sense why the world is at war. [Link]




Categories
Events Kuwait Movies

Cinemagic Screening: The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner

From Cinemagic:

Cinemagic is delighted to announce the return of our weekly screening program. Screenings will continue to take place at our new location in Old Salmiya, above LG Electronics.

This week, we will be screening “The Kite Runner“.

Based one on of the most acclaimed novels in recent memory, ‘The Kite Runner’ is a profoundly emotional tale of friendship, family, devastating mistakes and redeeming love. In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever. It’s a glorious afternoon in Kabul and the skies are bursting with the exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting tournament. But in the aftermath of the day’s victory, one boy’s fearful act of betrayal will mark their lives forever and set in motion an epic quest for redemption. Now, after 20 years of living in America, Amir returns to a perilous Afghanistan under the Taliban’s iron-fisted rule to face the secrets that still haunt him and take one last daring chance to set things right.

For its part, Cinemagic Kuwait, is organizing these events as part of its efforts to contribute to the development of an internationally competitive Kuwaiti audio-visual production industry, partly by bringing the filmmakers and audiences together and by Increasing the public’s interest in – and appreciation for – the art of filmmaking.

As always, attendance is free of charge (but seating is limited). Snacks and refreshments will be served. The Kite Runner screening will take place on Thursday, May 1st, at 7 p.m.




Categories
Events Information Interesting Kuwait Movies

Cinemagic’s Weekly Independent Film Screening – “Children of Men”

Children of Men

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted about Cinemagic’s weekly film screening so in case you don’t know about it, here is the latest film they will be showing:

Cinemagic is delighted to announce the return of our weekly screening program. Screenings will continue to take place at our new location in Old Salmiya, above LG Electronics.

This week, we will be screening “Children of Men”. The Screening will take place on Thursday, April 10th, at 7:30 p.m.

Y Tu Mamá También and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuarón returns to the helm to tell this futuristic tale in which society is without hope since humankind lost its ability to procreate. The year is 2027, and women can no longer give birth. The youngest inhabitant of the planet has just died at the age of 18, and all hope for humanity has been lost. As civilization descends into chaos, a dying world finds one last chance for survival in the form of a woman who has become inexplicably pregnant. Now, as warring nationalistic sects clash and British leaders try to maintain their totalitarian stronghold on the country, a disillusioned bureaucrat (Clive Owen) is brought back into the fold of activism by his guerrilla ex-wife (Julianne Moore). Reluctantly, he takes on the daunting task of escorting Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey), the refugee who represents humankind’s last hope for survival, out of harm’s way and into the care of a mysterious organization known as The Human Project. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Charlie Hunnam, and Michael Caine co-star in this adaptation of author P.D. James’s gripping 1992 novel.

For its part, Cinemagic Kuwait, is organizing these events as part of its efforts to contribute to the development of an internationally competitive Kuwaiti audio-visual production industry, partly by bringing the filmmakers and audiences together and by Increasing the public’s interest in – and appreciation for – the art of filmmaking.

As always, attendance is free of charge (but seating is limited). Snacks and refreshments will be served.




Categories
Food & Drinks Kuwait Personal Reviews

Burger Review: Hashi

Hashi Burger
The Best Burger in Kuwait Challenge
A few readers recommended I try the Hashi Wagyu burger so yesterday for lunch I passed by them. I had never been to Hashi so I was looking forward to trying them out.

The interior of Hashi looks like a warehouse thats been vandalized by graffiti which is a nice idea although one that I’ve seen before. They had two burgers on the menu and I decided to go with the Wagyu Beef Burger which is made from freshly ground Wagyu beef hamburger filled with wasabi creamed mushrooms.

When the burger arrived it reminded me a lot of the Munch burger. It was small and the bread looked generic so at first glance I was thinking to myself “not again”. Luckily the similarities stopped there because the burger tasted better than Munch. The meat Hashi use is of better quality and juicier. But, being better than Munch isn’t really a compliment, I felt the herbs mixed in with the beef really overpowered the burger and the small bread made things very sloppy. They also had tomato and iceberg lettuce which felt out of place, I don’t even know what it was doing there since the waiter told me there wouldn’t be any lettuce or tomato in the burger.

I no longer have patience for burgers that don’t have the basics at least right. Is it really that hard to make a good burger, come on people! I am going to give this burger a 2 out of 5. Now burger review aside I think Hashi is one of the cheapest sushi places in Kuwait. I ordered an 8 piece Lobster & Crab maki and it cost only KD2.750. That I think was the most expensive maki they had and on Fridays its even buy one maki and get one free. So I will be going back again to try some more makis but I won’t be having their burger again.

Hashi is located in front of Salhiya Complex.
The cost of the Wagyu Beef Burger was KD5.950

Previously Reviewed:
Bredz
Fuddruckers
Johnny Rockets
Munch
Prime & Toast
Slider Station
Sheraton Hotel
The Little Oven
Wimpy




Categories
Funny

Bombay TV Redux

Back in 2006 I posted about a website called Bombay TV where they have short video clips from Indian movies and they let you fill in the subtitles. Well they’ve updated their site now with a slightly better interface and added a ton of new videos to play around with. Holla was kind enough to do videos to post here, the one above has English subtitles and the one below has Arabic ones. If you want to make your own version click [Here]

Update: Here is my first try, click on the link to view it [Video]

Update 2: Here is another video done by my partner at work making fun out of Wataniya [Video]

Update 3: This one’s by K.thekuwaiti [Video]




Categories
Food & Drinks Kuwait Personal

Cooking with Mark

Edamame in the pot

Last week I got a pack of frozen edamame from Sultan Center and tonight I decided to have it for dinner. As I mentioned previously the instructions for cooking the edamame are in Japanese but a lot of users helped me out by telling me how they prepare edamame.

I decided to boil some water in a large pot first. Once the water started boiling I dropped the edamame inside and let it boil for 6 minutes. I then removed the pot from the cooker and drained all the water. I placed the edamame in a large bowl and then sprayed a lot of salt all over it.

Edamame in the bowl

Result? Restaurant perfect. It tasted exactly like the edamame I have at Maki and Wasabi. The only problem is you need to eat them before they cool down and since Nat is in Beirut I had to eat the whole pack as quickly as I could before the edmame got cold. Took me 14 minutes to finish the whole pack and I think I’ve overdosed on the edamame, but it was worth it.

Does anyone know how I can make the spicy sauce Maki use with their fried edamame?