Mojito Shoes by Julian Hakes

I found these crazy awesome shoes from designer Julian Hakes and I love them even though at 5'7 I feel too tall to wear heels in this country full of midgets.

 

 The Julian Hakes Story

“One late summer night I was in the studio, thinking about the design of shoes in general. I wondered why there was the need for
a foot plate in high heels.When I look at a foot print in the sand it was clear to me that the main force goes to the heel and ball, even more so in a heeled shoe.

If you were to stand with your heel on a wooden block the foot naturally spans the gap to the floor. If the foot has its own inbuilt strength and support why duplicate this?
You would not have a shirt with rigid arms between the elbows and the wrists.

So this raised the question: if the early design of a shoe was an evolution of the humble sandal was this process limited by the materials and technology available? How can new materials and design techniques lead to a new solution, an evolution, possibly a revolution?

So I began exploring these questions in a similar way to how I would design a building or a bridge; examining the load path and looking at the most simple, elegant yet poetic expression of the forces at play within the materials used.

The resulting form was rather like a twist of lime peel and so I named it the ‘Mojito’.
The Mojito is a unique shoe design. It is a single wrapped geometry which starts under the ball of the foot, sweeps over the bridge, then down below the heel before twisting back on itself to provide the support for the heel”.-Julian Hakes- Architect and Sculpture designer

On the website they are around $294/85 KD they are less on Amazon $250/72 KD

Impossible Instant Lab for your iPhone

 

Your digital images are just too good to be trapped beneath the screen of your mobile phone. With the Instant Lab, you can transform a digital image on your iPhone or iPod Touch into a real analog instant photograph – in the classic square frame made famous by Polaroid™. You can find more information on their website, the cost is $199.00 or $292.00 that includes a six film starter bundle.

Daffy - Samboosa

My daughter tells me this song is the new craze with the young crowd.

 

I's from Daffy- of Army of One who has many songs on his YouTube channel here's one of him with Army of One- See Line Woman which is surprisingly good. I think one reason is the video is natural and doesn't include some kind of thug theme.

 

He started producing music more than eight years ago with various artists. You an follow him @daffrecords, he has an amazing voice.

 



Menstruating women leaders- no decisions should be Made

Women should not make any important decisions while they are menstruating, a top female UAE medical professional told a women’s leadership conference in Dubai on Monday.
Dr Maryam Matar, a trained physician and chairman and founder of UAE Genetic Diseases Association, made the comments during a speech to delegates at the Arab Women in Leadership and Business Summit, 7DAYS newspaper reported.

“I noticed all decisions that I regret were directly related to my oestrogen. I used to take my period for granted, I did not care when it was my first day, when I was ovulating, when my oestrogen is up or progesterone is down,” Dr Matar said in a speech on ‘Emirati women as partners and contributors in the nation building process’.

“So please, as a woman leader, you have your calendar, please be aware about your first day of your period,” she added. “Two days before that and the first day of your menstruation and the second day try to avoid any decision. Please, I beg you to do that.”

However, other delegates at the event hit out at the remarks as backward and dismissed them as backward.

May Khizam, CEO of a private investment firm, said the views the comments “just take us back 50 years,” and “feed into the male stereotype of women.”

Polaroid Cube Camera and HTC RE Camera challenge GoPro

Announced at the CES this year, Polaroid has launched a miniature action-video camera at just $99.
Don’t let the small size fool you, this cute 35-mm cube packs a punch with impressive features. There’s a 120-degree wide-angle lens that can capture HD video in 720p and 1080p resolution, and still images up to 5 megapixels. It’s also waterproof up to 2 meters and shockproof. There’s an opening at the back, which contains 2MB of internal storage and a micro SD slot to expand the storage up to 32 GB.
 
There’s only one button on the device. Single click to capture still photos and double click to start capturing a video. The dice is embedded with magnets so it can be mounted on most metal surfaces such as a handlebar of a cycle. You can also buy separate mounts that range from $10 to $40. There’s a Bike Mount for easy mounting onto handlebars, and a Waterproof Case with suction mount that extends the two-meter waterproofing to an incredible 10 meters below the surface. The suction mount can attach to any flat, smooth surface such as a surfboard.
 
However, the budget price means it’s not armed enough for professional use. Image quality might not match professional action cameras such as the GoPro Action camera, though it should be great for casual action videos such as when cycling or cooking in the kitchen. Most importantly, it’s durable enough to give it to a kid.

 Yay! I will definitely look into getting this more affordable one, you can find it on Amazon as well as a new model from HTC which will be announced on October 8. 

Emirate female Pilot

 

 

Mariam Al Mansouri of Abu Dhabi is the first Emirati female pilot in the country’s airforce. She has also become the first female pilot in the region to bomb Daesh after she took part in an Arab-Western coalition attack on Daesh in North Syria this week.

“I the beginning, I had not expected to become a pilot of F16,” Mariam said in a film broadcast by Abu Dhabi television on Wednesday night.

“But thanks God, our dream which has been fulfilled thanks to the support of the leadership, government and our instructors….….I would like to say that both Emirati men and women have the right to work in any field with determination, faith, resolution and sincerity to serve our beloved homeland.”

Watch Mariam in military uniform before she boarded her US-built F16 aircraft and roared away…


UPDATE: This story claims she has be disowned by her family for bombing Sunni targets.

Building haris harassment should be a Crime!

KUWAIT: The haris is called the king of the building for many reasons. They are envied for their free accommodation, but mostly for the huge amounts of money they make from their tenants. Raj was a haris for over five years in Salmiya. An Indian from Kerala, Raj maintained several buildings owned by a Kuwaiti, where he learned some of the ugly tricks practiced by some harises in Kuwait. “I was told by some of my colleagues here that if some tenants are not desirable enough – probably not paying on time – they can easily pressure them and within a month, they will vacate the building,” he said. “One trick was to make their life miserable by switching on and off their electricity,” he said.

 

According to Raj, this way they make money accepting new tenants. Nowadays, reserving a flat will cost a new tenant from KD 80-KD 250 or even more depending on the location and place you want. Harises call the term ‘arboon’, which is actually a bribe. ‘Arboon’ in Arabic means reservation fee, but apparently this is not the meaning of arboon for some harises in Kuwait. “If we see a tenant really likes the flat, we ask them to pay more.

 

They will readily pay because probably their job is closer or the school of their children is down the corner. The amount paid will be mine alone because the only concern of my boss is the rent of the flat, and what they like is for their flats to be fully occupied,” Raj added.

 

Kuwait Times spoke to a Filipino family that has shifted four times in one year. Gerronimo earns little more than KD 200 a month, which is frequently late, while his wife earns the same, but their rent eats up half of their combined salary.

 

Once when he had a family emergency back in the Philippines, he skipped paying a month’s rent and was forced by the haris to vacate the flat. “We left because we were asked to do so – I had to borrow money from a friend to pay and get a new place,” he said. “The new haris demanded KD 80 as ‘arboon’ and we had to pay KD 240 in rent for the new place.

 

Again I asked my company to spare money so I could pay that amount. But after only five months, I got a notice that the rent will increase to KD 300 – the owner personally came and told us that if we can pay, we shall stay, if not, we’ll have to vacate or we’ll be dragged by the police out of the building, so we left and looked for a new place,” he said. An Indian family in Khaitan also experienced harassment from the haris when they were asked an additional amount in rent. “The building is only for families, but there were Filipinos using some flats with multiple people in it.

 

One day the owner found that he was paying extra for their water and electricity, so they told us to pay an additional KD 40 in rent. We were obliged to pay because we don’t want to leave the place since we are close to the school of my kids, but after a few months, the haris told us to pay an additional KD 20 again.

 

I refused to pay this amount. But we experienced several forms of harassment from the haris, like switching off our water and electricity. I remember two nights we didn’t have AC in the middle of summer, so we looked for another place, only to pay arboon of KD 100,” he said. But if you are a bit generous to the haris, the story will be different. For some families, since the rent is high, they will rent a flat but will sublet rooms to other people. Josie for example has been renting her flat for years now in Maidan Hawally, but sublets two rooms of her flat. “I know what the haris wants – money – so whenever my tenants leave, I immediately inform the haris about it and I pay him a bribe like KD 10 so he is aware that I am accepting a new tenant. From the new tenant, the haris will also get an extra amount for garbage or sometimes just to allow him to place a satellite dish.

 

I know this is a bribe, but this is the way it now works in Kuwait, so we have to deal with it,” she said. Raj, the former haris, also reveals ugly secrets of some buildings in Kuwait allegedly being used for prostitution and some rented by Kuwaitis for their mistresses. “The locals will rent a flat for their other women. The haris knows about the activities but they are quiet about it because they are being bribed,” he said. While some dirty tricks are being played by some harris in Kuwait, there are prevailing laws regarding the issues mentioned. Concerned individuals can certainly file case at the Ministry of Justice; in fact, many are resorting to paying or settling their house rental problems in the local court.

 

By Ben Garcia

TIES- How to make Egyptian sweets Class

Learn how to prepare two famous Egyptian dishes that will impress your family and friends.  Sister Amil will demonstrate golash, which is a phyllo pastry pie stuffed with meat, and Um Ali, the world's favorite bread pudding. The class includes printed recipes, as well as a chance to share the food afterwards.  Seating is limited. Cost: 2KD - Stop by or call to register -Thursday, October 2 @ 6:30pm

Pictures around Kuwait

The price of this can is 99cents, but they charge 695 fils/$2.42, now that's mark up!

 Saveco has protein items if anyone is interested.

 I found this sign for Ocean Bubbles for Boat rental and Scuba Diving

 Douchebag parking

Take your camel to court day in Ahmadi.

 Does anyone know how to park in this country?

A few pictures from everyday life in Kuwait.

Q8 Food Festival- March 2015

 

Imagine a “city street” for Foodies, encircled entirely by tented structures displaying restaurants, bakery’s, culinary vendors, beverage stands and cafe’s.  Imagine walking down that street, tasting bite sized delights of the most unique cuisine Kuwait has to offer.  Music dances in the air and a market umbrella & chair provide the perfect spot as you try to decide what to taste next.  It’s time to see a Celebrity Chef perform a cooking demonstration followed by a cookbook signing/meet & greet in a VIP suite. On the way to the Kid’s Zone, you pass by Center stage, where a lucky winner is about to win a prize.  A Jazz ensemble takes over and you’ve decided your sweet tooth deserves something chocolate.  You wrap your day up with a stroll through the Farmer’s Market, where you find the most delicious organically made jam for your morning toast.  As you’re leaving, you spot that powerful blender you’ve been thinking about all year, and you learn it’s now for sale in Kuwait.  It’s not too hard to imagine….

 

Announcing the Q8 Food Festival, to be held on 20,000 square meters of the Kuwait International Fairgrounds the first weekend in March, 2015.  This one of a kind yearly event will prove to be the city’s premier, open air weekend of everything to do with food. With partners like Bazaar magazine, Mercedes Benz and Food & Travel on board so far, we are certainly in good company.

 

 We are seeking signature cuisine to be highlighted at the event, selling 2-3 small tastes directly to the public.  Up to 50 restaurants will have the opportunity to be involved.  Our aim was to keep the restaurant tents as affordable as possible, and trust you’ll make a good portion, if not more of your investment back over the three day event. 



 

---Q8 Productions is a Media and Events company established in March 2014.   With an aim to keep the city’s culture, signature cuisine and local talent in mind, Q8 Productions has two main business projects: The Q8 Food Festival and LivinQ8.com.  The Q8 Food Festival will be the first of its kind, open air consumer food festival to be held in Kuwait in March 2015.  The LivinQ8.com website is an expat e-newsletter and website targeting expat news and information specificailly targeted to expat’s lifestyles and interests.

 

Q8 Productions is incorporating a business model for the Q8 Food Festival that launched successful food and beverage festivals for 7 consecutive years in South Florida, USA.  Joining forces in a culturally connected partnership, Q8 Productions combines International, Regional, and Local talents to coordinate this major event.  

 

This will be held in the Mishref fairgrounds from March 5-7, 2015 and is slated to be a huge foodie event with an expected 50,000 visitors with an invitation for 50 vendors showcasing different varieties of food. Bazaar Magazine is one of their media sponsors, you can read their article by clicking on the link. Q8 Productions is also behind the LivinQ8 website which tries to fill in the gap left by EEK! magazine. For more information on the event click here, I look forward to this event.

AWARE Center- Bait Al Othman Museum Tour

Inaugurated by the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on April 8, 2013, this Museum hosts rare historical items & antiques for old Kuwaiti houses. Decorating the walls of its Art Gallery are paintings & belongings of Kuwaiti Artists. There are also the crafts & Kuwaiti dhow models on display. Fee: KD 2 per person. Children below 14 years & Pets are not allowed. Limited Seats. Advance reservations required at joumana@aware.com.kw

Day/Time: September 29 @ 5pm
Reservations required ahead of time

This is my favorite museum in Kuwait, everyone visiting/living in Kuwait should visit it once. You can check out my post for some previews.

Flamingo Oasis- Abandoned

This place used to have people living and enjoying the surroundings of Flamingo Oasis but now it lies in ruins, I guess the owner made his money off of the Western contractors and decided to destroy the property. I will never understand the concept of ruining perfectly good buildings instead of turning them into something else but GREED is behind it all.

This looks like it was used as a club, notice the reed shades above used for hiding the doors where parties are held.

 The villas were huge

 A newspaper dated 2010

These villas have not been destroyed so there are a few people remaining to look after the property.

I tried to Google Flamingo Oasis as I have no idea what is used to look like. There is no information on Google about it, strange.

Saudi guys sets his iPhone 6 on Fire

A Saudi man set his new iPhone 6 handset ablaze as he was apparently angered by the public rush to own the latest model by the US apple company.

“Hey you, who claim to be educated…is this the iPhone 6, here it is…it is burning now…you have banged our heads about these devices….here it is ablaze now,” the unknown man said in a YouTube film published in local newspapers.

It was not clear where in Saudi Arabia the film was shot and why the man wasted thousands of dirhams for such a demonstration. But it seemed from the man’s words and tone that he was annoyed by the public rush and massive propaganda for iPhone 6 in Saudi Arabia, the largest GSM market in the Gulf.

The Saudi guy burns it like nothing while this poor Chinese guy is willing to rent his girlfriend out by the hour, day and month so he can raise money to buy the new iPhone, two completely different worlds united by a phone.

I'm happy with my Samsung S5!









Eid Al Adha- 5 or 9 day Holiday?

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 19:  Civil Service Commission (CSC) presented a proposal to the Council of Ministers to approve five days as Eid al- Adha holiday starting from Oct 3 and coinciding with Arafat day which falls on Friday until Tuesday Oct 7, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

This means the official working day after Eid break will begin on Wednesday and the decision to include Wednesday and Thursday will be left in the hands of the Council of Ministers to extend the holiday to nine days.

UPDATE:

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 22, (KUNA): The Cabinet has decided to regard Wednesday and Thursday, which fall on Oct 8 and 9, as “days-off”, said Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of Justice Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- Mubarak Al-Sabah. “Oct 8 and 9, which fall on Wednesday and Thursday, will be days-off for the employees of ministries and state bodies,” the minister said following a weekly cabinet meeting held at Al-Seif Palace on Monday under chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Acting Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

The decided two-days off will be part of the official holiday of Eid Al- Adha, which falls on Saturday (Oct 4). Thus, the holiday of the festival will be nine days, beginning on Friday (Oct 3) and ending on Saturday (Oct 11).

High Saudi guys fall for Drake Omegle Prank

Skip to 1:55 to see a couple of high Saudi guys showing off their stash thinking they were talking to Drake.

 

If you don't know what Omegle is click here...I haven't used it, from the videos and pranks I've seen there are a lot of weirdos on it.

 

Warning: Bad language and finger usage.

Ooredoo- cuts 165 positions- 60 Kuwaitis Fired

Ooredon't want Kuwaiti workers

Ooredoo Kuwait has cut 165 jobs, the Gulf country's No.3 mobile operator by subscribers said on Tuesday, as its market share shrinks and profits fall.

The job losses account for about 15 percent of its workforce. According to the company's 2012 annual report - the latest available - the company employed 1,082 people.The company - 92.1 percent owned by Qatar's Ooredoo - has struggled in its home market in Kuwait following the launch of the country's third mobile operator, Viva Kuwait, in 2008 which aggressively cut prices to woo customers.

 

Ooredoo Kuwait said in a statement it had made the job cuts, which include 60 Kuwaitis, to increase efficiency, serve customers more effectively and simplify the organisation.Ooredoo Kuwait has reported a decline in profits in eight of the past 11 quarters, according to Reuters data. Its shares have fallen 12.5 percent so far this year.

The company's share of Kuwait's mobile subscribers was 31 percent as of June 30, according to the country's No.1 mobile operator Zain's earnings statement. Zain had a 36 percent share and Viva 33 percent.At the end of 2010, Ooredoo Kuwait - then known as Wataniya - had a market share of 39 percent, Zain 44 percent and Viva 17 percent, Zain's annual report shows.Ooredoo Kuwait also has operations in Tunisia and Algeria.

It must really suck when another country takes over and kicks out employees, especially Kuwaitis, Gasp! I think they are saying you people suck, in a nice way by labeling it as 'job cuts'. I have Viva and it is awful, I have only a certain amount of days to use the crdit or the phone cuts off forcing me to recharge every week even though I still have a credit balance. With Ooredoo (I hate that name- I still refer to them as Wataniya) I put 10 KD on it and used it for 6 months with no problems.

I would also suggest they bring in some good looking Qatari staff, I can be the recruiter!

First person to buy an iPhone 6 in Perth immediately drops It

FAIL!

Oculus Rift DK2 - Demo

When this comes out no one will ever leave their house.

Mad Stand Entertainment- Bringing excitement to Kuwait

Remember when the Wayans Brothers came to Kuwait last May? I was really surprised they were actually coming, although I didn't make it to the show I've heard it was an awesome show. I wondered how they got here and who was able to make it happen, it was Mad Stand Entertainment who made it possible. I was contacted by AF of MSE and was more than happen to do an interview and satisfy my curiosity of how it all works.

 

CIK: How long have you been bringing entertainment to Kuwait and how did it grow from an idea into reality?

 

AF: We started in 2012, the company was established to fill the lack of entertainment in Kuwait  and bring some life to Kuwait. It took some time to get ministry approval and establish our partners. After completing the red tape we scheduled our first show which was Mad Stand comedy night in May 2012 which was held in the football stadium at Kuwait University and we've held three more shows as well.

 

CIK: Why is there a six-month gap between each show?

 

AF: Unlike other countries where it is easier to produce shows, Kuwait has a lot of red tape and it takes a long time to get the approval for our shows which takes around six months to complete the process and book the entertainers.

 

CIK: How was it working with the Wayans Brothers?

 

AF: They were always making everyone laugh and were surprised at what Kuwait had to offer. We took them to local restaurants so they could get a 'taste of Kuwait' which they really enjoyed.

 

CIK: What shows will you be bringing in the future?

 

AF: Sorry, that's top secret information! he says with an evil laugh.

 

I give credit to these guys, they are trying their best to bring some excitement to the people of Kuwait and I can only imagine how difficult it is for them to bring it to us. It's easy to buy tickets and enjoy the show, does anyone ever wonder how they got here or who's behind the scenes? It takes a lot of planning and team work to make it happen. From an idea, to planning, to finding the venue, building the stages, getting permission, etc. Next time you purchase your ticket remember the hard work that was put into it and give thanks to Mad Stand Entertainment.

 

You can find out more on their website and their next comedy show Culture Shock featuring Rajiv Satyal is coming up on September 25, tickets are on sale now!

 

Check out the ticket prices and show information here....sounds like fun!

Guy skins live rabbit with his Teeth!

I found this on IG, I have no words to describe my shock and horror,he is doing it while the rabbit is alive, there's a video on his IG! This guys goes by @cannibal_q8 someone needs to report him! He also (wears speedos, an anchor choker) shows his CID because he's not scared of @mariam_alkharafi. What's really sad is the fact that his followers had increased by hundreds within 15 minutes, sickos! This is a perfect example of what happens when steroids go bad.

 

I don't know what it says

 

 As of 2:45 pm today he has 16437 followers, at 10 pm last night he had 12900, his account was brought up 2 days ago when @Mariam_alkharafi  posted about it, he only had 6600 followers? Who are these people following him?

 

UPDATE: He has removed all of the videos of him ripping apart dead animals, he's still a wack job. Now, if he could get rid of that anchor choker......... 

Rowdy Taco has closed Down

Another restaurant bites the dust, this time it's Rowdy Taco. 

At least they still have Smashburger restaurants open. Click here to see what it used to look like.

UPDATE: A reader has let me know they are moving to a new location as per their IG @rowdytacoq8, that post was 11 weeks ago so stay tuned.

Stray Memories- Banned book written by Abdullah Al-Busais

Kuwait has banned a book detailing the life of a Bedouin growing up in the Gulf state during the 1980s and 1990s, according to the author.

Stray Memories, written in Arabic by Kuwaiti writer Abdullah Al Busais has been published by the Arab Cultural Center in Beirut.

Busais told Arabic daily Al Hayat Kuwait’s Information Ministry censored the novel because it discussed Kuwaiti society before and after the Iraqi invasion in 1990-91 – a sensitive period in the country’s history.

On Twitter he said banning the book was “arbitrary” and mocked the ministry’s belief that its decision would prevent Kuwaitis from reading it.

KUWAIT: The Information Ministry has banned a novel titled “Stray Memories” by writer Abdullah Al-Busais published by the Arab Cultural Center in Beirut, according to Al-Hayat newspaper.

Busais told Al-Hayat that Kuwait’s information ministry banned the novel which talks about Kuwaiti society before and after the Iraq invasion.

 

He said that it discusses humanitarian relations in a society that is passing through an integral period in its history. He said the banning decision relied on a report of a committee at the information ministry.

 

He said the novel speaks about the life of a bedoon youth in Kuwait, adding “I was really surprised by the ban decision which considered the report of one person in the committee”. — Alaan

One says 'bedouin' and one says 'bedoon' so I would guess it's written by a bedoon hence the ban on it.

Mr. Criminal - California Love

 

 

Warning: Explicit Lyrics

 



This video reminded me of Riverside, Inland Empire, California. The days of growing up, hanging with friends, low rider car shows, Castle Park and Tyler Mall. 

What the heck is this Honda advertisement?

 

I woke up to find my blog advertising for Honda? Has someone hacked my blog? WTH? Does anyone else see the background gone and replaced with some Honda car?

Well, I've identified the problem, it's a pagead2.googlesyndication.com malware or something. Now I can't seem to find a way to delete the image.

I'm thinking of making a new blog because I can't stand the fact that I can't figure out how to delete the picture. I don't even like Hondas, they could have advertised a Lambo or Phantom but a Honda, seriously?