Under the Sun

The Fireplace

2010-03-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

A days work

2010-03-18T01:12:00.000-07:00

Food chain

2009-12-01T04:07:00.003-08:00

Coaster

2009-11-20T01:56:00.000-08:00

My new coaster design inspired by Kerala's most indigestible delicacy - The Kerala paratha. Can be used for glasses, cups and an occasional glass of Mansion House Brandy.

Paper Sculpture

2009-10-29T02:19:00.000-07:00

Think i'll call this one Nomad

Tripping

2009-10-28T04:20:00.001-07:00

Shark Trails

2009-10-28T02:45:00.000-07:00

Huba Huba

2009-10-28T02:02:00.000-07:00

Makes an excellent gift for a crush. Made with soft modeling clay, won't hurt if she throws it back on you.

Looking at sound

2009-10-27T05:05:00.000-07:00

RnR

2009-10-27T04:51:00.001-07:00

My first play dough sculpture since pre-school. I like to call this one RnR.

Welcome Home Menon

2009-10-26T00:25:00.000-07:00

The Bedouin Rabab

2009-06-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

No, I do not play the instrument. I liked it for its simplicity and added it to my collection. I've read that this is the oldest known bowed instrument. Could probably be a great grand uncle to the violin.

Bar Toys - "DonKAY!!"

2009-06-20T22:36:00.000-07:00

You got to hand it to them Chinese.
The donkey can hold and crap a full pack of cigarettes which go into the basket strapped on the back.
I picked this one up from Muscat some 20 years back.
Now it finds a place in the bar shelf.

The 10:10 clock

2009-06-19T03:01:00.000-07:00

They say, thats when Abraham Lincoln was shot. Some call it the smiley face, others attribute it to plain simple aesthetics. My tribute to all the theories, the stories and myths, the 10:10 clock.

Pseudo Irish cream

2009-05-21T03:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, this one is really simple.

Step1. Make some sugar syrup by boiling water in a pan and adding sugar slowly.
Step 2. Ensure that the sugar has completely dissolved.
Step 3. Add chocolate powder slowly to the syrup.
Step 4 .Remove the pan from the stove and let it cool.
Step 5. Walk to the local 'wine store' and buy a half bottle of brandy/rum/whiskey
Step 6. Open the bottle and empty the alcohol into your chocolate syrup (make sure it has cooled completely)
Step 7. Fish out that old fancy bottle you never wanted to throw away.
Step 8. The bottle needs to be dry. Fill it with your concoction and refrigerate.
Step 9. The patient ones would let the bottle rest in the fridge for a few day.
step 10. Invite a friend to test the Irish cream
Step 11. Scoop out a couple of spoons of vanilla ice cream into a shaker. Pour in some of your chocolate-alcohol mix. close the cocktail shaker, and shake well.
It would really help if the ice cream were not frozen solid.
Step 12. Pour your Pseudo Irish cream into a shot glass and watch it burn down a friends throat.

Ps. Irish cream is always made with Irish whiskey, But these things are not too easy to find and they do cost a bit. Brandy worked fine for me.

The Indian 'Singing Drum' - Edakka

2009-05-13T22:49:00.000-07:00

The Cheapskates guide to lighting a barbecue

2009-05-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

I hate having to light charcoal. If i could hire a guy to do it, I would. This kept aside, I love to barbecue.
There are several ways you'd find on the internet.
Zippo fluid and paper, bad idea. The charcoal chimney seems to be the most effective way but these are not cheap. I've found many DIY chimneys on the net. Some of these are not too difficult to build.

There is this idea that has been effective for me.
Please do be careful.

Step 1. Steal a hair drier. or alternatively buy a cheap chinese one.
Step 2. Pile 4-5 pieces of coal over the gas stove. this is when your wife will come out screaming for messing up the kitchen.
Step 3. After sorting out the domestic issue, light the stove.
Step 4. The coal will light up in a few minutes. Keep yourself at a safe distance as the vapor in the coal will crackle. (you could be smart and dry the coal before getting into this )
Step 5. You should have about 4-5 pieces of burning ember. Place these along with the rest of your coal on the grill and fire up your hair drier. Direct the hot ait onto the coal
Step 6. You will have fire sparkles flying mad all over in a few minutes. (Photography enthusiast please note, this would be a long exposure photo opportunity)
It will be a good idea to avoid polyester clothing. Let me warn you that these sparkles can be extremely dangerous. So take all necessary precaution. If you've got kids running around, it would be a good idea to switch the TV on and keep them indoor till you're done.
If you have a cover for your BBQ grill, you could partially cover the kit while operating the drier.

A few minutes, and you will have a bed of burning ember without all the blowing and smoke.
Open that beer that has been chilling in the fridge and grill away.

2007-10-03T05:56:00.000-07:00

A video i shot and edited called talking skies.