Danderma's Blog, page 108

Trend: Lomography Photography

I first came to know of the word "Lomography" when I was walking in Selfridges last December and I came upon a full display of colorful cameras in different designs. Small grainy pictures were scattered here and there and a red box logo with white "Lomography" written inside was present as well. I took a picture of them wanting to google later.

Then a few days afterwards I was walking in Carnaby Street when I saw a small shop dedicated entirely to those small colorful cameras. December being holidays time meant the shop was closed so I couldn't go inside and properly ask about what the fuss is all about. I forgot all about it until I saw the picture of the shop window front today and now I am online trying to make sense of Lomography.

To be frank I still don't get it. The picture quality is not all that, if anything its grainy, like something produced with the early models of mobile phone cameras on my old nokia. They say something about contrast and color and saturation, again I don't get why I can't get the same results using my Canon for example? Why do I need to go and buy a small colorful camera that looks like a camera I had in my teens to produce tiny grainy images?

Am I being closed minded or tasteless? Do I need to broaden my mind? Or is there something about it that I don't get? I don't know. I need someone to explain it better to me. So if you own a Lomography camera or think its worth purchasing, please enlighten me?

The Eleven Questions Tag

It's been a while since I've been tagged! I love tags and being tagged since it reminds me of the old blogging days when life was much simpler! My most recent tag comes from Karamilah blog -in Abu Dhabi- who was tagged by our fellow blogger Standy -from Oman- so its like a trip across the GCC kinda tag Here goes…

The RULEs

Post 11 random facts about yourself.
Answer the 11 questions I asked.
Tag 11 others and create (11) questions for them to answer.
Inform those that you have tagged.
No Tag Backs.

 

Here goes…

11 facts about humble me!

I'm thinking of migrating. Seriously thinking about it.
I have no patience for TV serieses. I like to know what happens RIGHT NOW!
I prefer a cosey night at home to a glitzy night out.
I can't stand to listen to my own voice -on TV or a voice recording-.
Ever since I was a child I couldn't tolerate Pop eye! I LOATHE him!
I love throwing parties and party planning and making guest lists.
I don't respect people who yell/scream/abuse/dismiss their poor help.
I also can't stand people who brag all the time. Couldn't care less.
I wish I spoke English with an accent. A British one would be superb.
I wish I had met my paternal grandfather who died in the 60s. I wonder how he would be like?
I am blind without my contact lenses and my eye glasses!

 

Answer the 11 Questions from Karamilah:

Do you choose the gifts you would like? or like to be surprised?

Surprised all the way!

What kind of music do you tune on?

Techno! and Esh3alay ana men el nass :p

If you play sports, what kind of sports are you in?

Not a sports fan but I used to love badminton. Haven't played in years.

Are you a collector of anything? what?

Books, chocolate, coffee capsules :p

Do you believe in law of attraction?

Totally!

What makes you go the extra mile?

Imagining the resulting happiness for people.

In your definition, what is a super amazing vacation?

Landing in Heathrow

If you are reader, what kind of books do you like reading?

I love and have read anything and everything as long as its a book!

What kind of movies do you enjoy watching?

Horror, Chick Flicks, Thrillers, Fantasy, Sports, Anime, you name it!

What is your favorite cuisine?


Mexican, Italian, Indian, and Lebanese.


How do you deal with stress and anger?


I have to direct it out of my body by breaking or throwing things. Very bad I know.

Those are my 11 questions for you to answer:

What is your tried & tested motto?
Your favorite meal of all time is…?
What is one thing you can't wait to be invented?
Do you believe in soul mates?
What is your favorite flower?
Waking up to find ur self in back high school: A wish or a nightmare?
What is the oldest item you own?
iPhone, blackberry, or Galaxy?
Who came first, the egg or the chicken?
The best shampoo on earth is…?
Do you believe there is life on other planets?

 

Danderma Tags 11:

Al-Noury
Bodouir
Chikapappi
Jacquies
FourMe
Noon
Sara D
Side Talk
Um 3zooz
Triple F
Q8 Rain

 

Yalla tagged bloggers, your turn

A List of Restaurants Providing Gluten Free Items

I received a comment on my blog asking me for a list of places in Kuwait that offer Gluten Free items. So I thought I would make the list in a post for all to refer to. If you know anyplace that does offer gluten free items let me know so I will add it to the list.

Firin Bakery is a gluten free bakery specializing in cakes, breads, fatayer, etc.
Al-Ra7a Stone Mill  have a great selection of gluten free bread and fresh fatayer as well.
Amir Al-Omara bakery have also gluten free bread. Tel: 24862007.
Pizzetta added a gluten-free menu for gluten intolerant diners. Just ask for it.
Prime & Toast also added a gluten-free menu for their gluten intolerant diners.
Carluccio's offer a gluten free menu and pastas for gluten intolerant diners.
Munch BBQ  can provide the BBQ grill with gluten free pizza.
Organica Pasta & PIzza can offer gluten free pasta.
Crumbs Bakery  can bake gluten free cake if provided with the gluten free flour.
Sugar & Spice Bakery can bake gluten free cake if provided with the gluten free flour.
Madam Sucre offer a gluten free menu for their delicious cakes.
The November Bakery are developing gluten free desserts at the moment too.
The Sultan Center offer a huge selection of gluten free products on their shelves.
Milk cafe  offers a gluten free chocolate cake on its menu that is very good.
Chocolate & Macaroons Macaroons are gluten free.
Froobie  frozen yogurt guarantee that all their frozen yogurt is gluten free for sure.



Come to think about it the list is not that long but its a start. I really hope more restaurants provide at least gluten free pasta in their menu options. Again if you know of any place with gluten free options please let me know so I can add it to the list. Much obliged

Saturday Garage Sale: A Collection of English Books

Its been a while since I've posted a Saturday garage sale items but life is finally getting back on track. Anyways this Saturday's Garage Sale Description: a collection of 5 English books, either new and unread or in excellent condition:

One moment, one morning by Sarah Rayner. *New*
I've got your number by Sophie Kinsella.
The Ruins of Us by Keija Parssinein.
Everything and nothing by Araminta Hall.
A Gate at the stairs by Lorrie Moore.

Price? KD 10.

If you are interested in this collection of books leave me a comment below or send me an email (link). Items must be picked up by the buyer (or their driver) and payment is cash upon pickup. No refunds or exchanges.

Good Saturday Morning…

Good Saturday morning! Even though I wish I had slept in today but we have more pressing matters to attend to this morning. Ikea are coming over to finalize our kitchen at last at 10 AM!

So we are up and all I eanecan think of right now is whipping a batter of my cinnamon pancakes for breakfast (recipe)! Its been a really really long time since I've made those. I miss cooking for myself, singing as I am preparing something yummy, and devouring it happily. Insha2 Allah in a few hours after the kitchen has been finally fully installed and I've cleaned it all up I will be able to cook something in it. Why not a late brunch or a breakfast for dinner?

Enjoy your Saturday morning

The Creepy Woman who Knocked on my Door

I had planned on spending a nice quiet Thursday evening at my new apartment alone. My husband went out to meet a friend of his. I had put on a nice DVD "The Lake House", Settled in on the couch browsing 6alabat trying to place an order for dinner from Salad Boutique, put the iPhone away and on silent when suddenly I heard a knock on my door.

Just so you can get a picture of how invasive the encounter I am about to till you is, I have to describe my new apartment. Its a ground floor apartment with a little yard and a metal gate that we keep closed -but not locked-. In order to open it you need to extend your hand inside the gate and open the latch. Then you have to walk about 3 meters until you reach the front door. The front door has two big windows that we keep covered with a curtain.

Anyways, I heard the knock and I was startled. Who would be visiting me unannounced? I wasn't expecting anyone and my husband has just left -and he has a key!-.

I get dressed quickly, opened the door a crack, and peered out. A young woman in her mid 20′s wearing a 3baya who didn't look like a Kuwaiti. She spoke perfect Kuwaiti though and asked me about "How are you living here?" and "How much is your rent?" and "whose the owner of the building because I want to move flats"! She even had the audicty to tell me that "You are showing through your curtains by the way, but I thought I am a woman and you are a woman so its ok!!!!"

Excuse me?

How on earth does someone have the nerve to extends his own hand throw the metal gate of someone's house, push open the gate, walk all the way to the front door, and peer in through "the curtains?" but think its OK because she saw a woman sitting innocently in her own living room and she is a woman fa its OK?

How dare you stand there after you trespassed through my yard and opened my gate and peered through my windows to interrogate me about my living arrangements?

Is this normal? Could she possibly be a woman who was simply too curious o overly malgoofa? Or did she have another agenda in mind? Like check the place out and come back for another visit?

And how could I have been so stupid? How could I open the door to this stranger who simply had no boundaries and no shame? What if she had others hiding with her and they grabbed me? Or pushed through me to the apartment?

After I curtly answered her quesions and asked her to go ask my next door neighbors I locked the door and adjuted the curtains. Heart pounding I almost hit myself for my stupidity! When I told my husband he was furious! He said I had no business opening the door to a strange woman who just opened our gate and trespassed through to interrogate us.

Should I be more careful? It didn't occur to me before. I've heard -and seen- crazy women who would barge in houses pretending to be a neighbor and ask about money but even those women rang the bell properly! No one ever had the guts to just wander inside our yard like that!

So what am I going to do? 1- Get a "Beware of the Dog" sign and hang it on the metal gate. 2- Lock the gate for good and 3- Look for a self defense martial arts class 4- Visit the shooting range more often and look into getting permits to owning a gun for such occasions!

Needless to say my evening was tainted with fear and incredulousity! I wonder if I should have called the police for her instead?

Have you ever encountered something similar before? What would you have done?

March in Q8 Means: Seesaw with the AC!

Its unbelievable! If the AC is off you are sweating and the air is stifling hot. When you turn the AC slightly on you feel comforted in two minutes then you are freezing cold. You turn it off again and your are hot all over again, you open it and you are freezing again!

Even in the car! You turn the AC on and your freezing. You open the windows and its okish but the dust will smother you. You close the window and the AC and you are suffocating.

I think the most used Kuwaiti phrase in March is "9ekkaw eltakyeef, ba6law eltakyeef! 9ekooooh bard! Ba6loooooh 7ar moot!" Then they complain that people take a lot of fake sick leaves! Guess what? I am always sick in February and March!

I hate March!

Crumbs Hunger Games Movie Night Competition

Crumbs bakery are at it again!

As Crumbs have done with previous "sagas" such as Twilight (post) and Harry Potter (post), the upcoming release of the much anticipated The Hunger Games in Kuwait means a new Movie Night Competition!

To enter the chance to win 3 VIP tickets to see The Hunger Games with Crumbs on Thursday, March 22nd 2012, all you need to do is answer some THG trivia by clicking here (link). When all the questions are answered correctly, your name will enter the draw once. Winners will be announced on Tuesday 20th of March 2012 on the facebook event page (link), so you have until Monday 19th of March at midnight to submit your answers.

Of course there will also be Crumbs treats for all winners at the cinema. And from my previous nights at Crumbs movie nights I have to tell you that it is NOT a night to be missed so head over to their competition page ASAP and submit your answers! I wish you all good luck and Crumbs? Keep up the good work

Would you eat those chocolates?

Selfridges chocolate hall had, since last December, been selling two new "peculiar" flavors of chocolate: Marmite and Tabasco!

I am not a fan of marmite at all so there is no way on earth am I going to try its chocolate, urgh! But the tabasco one? Every time I pass by I look at it, grab it, imagine it would taste like chili chocolate, almost buy it, then put it back because I don't like tabasco either. Tantalizing for sure but I am very picky and wouldn't want to waste money on a bite of chocolate when I can buy many more other types of chocolate.

What do you think? Have you tasted any of those chocolates or known someone who did? Would you buy them either to consume or as a cruel souvenir joke for example? Would you taste any of them?

Esther's Attic Charity Shop

Have you ever seen a poor broken Asian worker standing by the traffic light in this cold or the dust and thought to yourself that there must be a way you can help them out that extends beyond giving them the spare change in your purse?

A charity under the name of operation HOPE whose objective is to purely serve the domestics within the country -does NOT represent any political or religious agenda- has launched a second hand store project under the name of Esther's Attic.

Esther's Attic is the charity resale project of Operation HOPE. Esther's which started operations this January, functions like a thrift store where all sale proceeds are used to fund the operation HOPE's community initiatives and endeavors.

For example this week has Elizabeth Taylor visiting in the form of a beautiful charcoal sketch portrait at an unbelievable price. Sitting next to it is an original copy of " The taming of the Shrew" selling at Kd 1 only!

Post our national day sales, the boutique has donned several treasures from clothing items, household material, baby wear and other knick knacks. With clothing ranges showcasing some vintage mix and match items to some dated silk and satin blouses, designer jeans and an array of geometric patterns.

 Esther's Attic is located at the Operation HOPE premises ( Rumaithiya Block 9. street 92, house 23) and are open every Saturday from 10 am – 1pm. If you want to help out by visiting or donating you can always contact operation HOPE via their website -just wait a bit for the flash to load- (link) or by emailing them volunteer@ohkuwait.org