With the Rockler Steam Bending Kit you can expand your woodworking skills to include steam bending wood. The possibilities are endless: use it to build one-of-a-kind chairs, toys or instruments. And once you get the hang of things, go on to create specialized molding, doors and even banisters.

The kit includes a 5.3 quart reservoir with a built-in heating element to provide continuous steam for up to two hours. The concentrated steam can heat everything inside your steam box to a whopping 212°. You also receive a 10′ long steam hose, a brass fitting to attach the hose to your steam box and step-by-step assembly instructions on how to build a steam box.

The easy-access reservoir can be refilled during the steaming process for unlimited steam, making it possible to give nearly all woods the plasticity you desire. Also included is an automatic shut-off valve that turns off the unit should the water level fall below a certain point.

Because the kit is entirely made of hard molded plastic, we were initially a bit skeptical about its durability and its ability to concentrate heat. But the included 1500w heater had our soft woods limp in no time.

As the kit advertised that it included all of the hardware to build the box, we were surprised to find that we needed to invest in some solid screws to hold the whole thing together. But once we had our materials assembled, we were steaming wood within 30 minutes. However, what the kit does not make clear enough is the importance of sealing the inside of the box against moisture. We had assumed that this might be beneficial but were not prepared for the extent to which our steam box warped. In addition, the included hose is almost 10 feet long, which allows you to position the steam box on the floor at a safe distance. But the downside of this long length is that the hose loses some heat if it is not kept tightly wrapped in a towel or other form of insulation.

The steam bending kit was a great investment at only $69.99, allowing us to experiment with all sorts of Pinterest ideas that have been showing up on our summer to-do lists. The steam flow was quickly ready, steady, and sufficient to bend even some thicker hardwoods. It's a wonderful gift for the at-home woodworker or the occasional tinkerer alike. But remember that there are some dangers involved in working with live steam. Keep your skin away from direct contact or you’ll end up with some severe burns!

TrulyNet: So what's the concept behind Hanoman?

Mirwan Suwarso: I'm taking a story that's over 1,000 years old– a story that's from within my culture. However, as culture has progressed, the way this story is being told is no longer relevant, so I tried to bring more contemporary influences to it. I've introduced film and shorter narrative styles, and infused it with martial arts and rock music to make it more dynamic and attract younger audiences again.

TN: So it originally opened in Indonesia?

MS: Yes. What is really unique in Indonesia is that we don't have a theater culture, so once you've seen something once, you don't want to see it again. So I had to actually create five different shows within the space of two years to keep attracting audiences. I eventually realized that I couldn't sustain creation at this pace, took the best elements of each of the five shows, and created Hanoman.

TN: So this is actually a synthesis of five different shows into one specifically for the international market? How did those five different shows combine? Are they all pieces from the same story?

MS: The stories are different, but some of the songs are the same. In each show, I learned more. Each was very experimental. In one, I learned how to take a rock from on screen and make it appear on stage, where a character could actually kick it and break it. In another, I learned that shadow puppets could actually interact with and fight with characters on stage. In all these different shows, I learned different styles of music, different styles of acrobatics… I took all these and combined them to create Hanoman.

TN: So will this show have an international cast?

MS: For the U.S., it will actually mostly be American actors. The first foreign actress I really worked with was Camille, who had been in Prison Break and other TV shows. I was very impressed with how she approached and embraced the different culture, and thought she did an awesome job. From then on I realized, American actors are very versatile, and really embrace the richness and texture and moral[s] behind our stories. They actually absorbed more and came more prepared than I expected them to.

TN: You spoke about the richness of your culture- what should we expect as Americans, coming from traditional musical theater experience?

MS: Americans are usually very impressed by the costumes, but costumes are easy to do. What I think is most impressive is actually the energy– there are fight sequences that are very exciting and realistic. There's also the story: this story is based on thousand-year old mythology, but at the same time it's very relevant to each of us. Hanoman, for example: he has the power of a god, but looks like a monkey, so as he was growing up, he has all these powers, but also all this anxiety. He feels like he just doesn't belong, which drives him to become a sort of rebel. I think that's a story that can be relevant to everybody (especially teenagers). The story is very easy to follow and relate to.

TN: What about musically?

MS: Our music is different than regular musicals– it's mostly pop songs, almost like rock songs. The structure, bridge and everything is similar to something that you'd hear on the radio. That's been working well for us, because the actors, singers, and everybody involved really like the songs.

TN: It looks like you actually have some musicians and vocalists from popular Indonesian bands in the cast.

MS: In Indonesia, we actually need to bring a lot of contemporary culture into it for the young people to watch it. With wayang– the traditional shadow puppets– it is almost an abandoned art. Nobody goes to see it anymore. If you want to go as a tourist, you can pay three bucks, five bucks to see these shows which can last up to four or five hours…and most tourists can't stand it for more than fifteen minutes or half an hour.

When I took over, we just completely changed everything. Nobody expected what we were doing. We broke the narrative format, and made it very short. We added martial arts, Capoeira, and acrobatics, and then starting to work with film, where characters could be on film, then jump on stage, then back and forth, and we have the shadow puppets interacting, and it just became really, really unique and really different.

MIRWAN SUWARSO is the director and producer of Hanoman The Musical and the founder of Tales of Heroes, a production company that creates a series of exciting, action packed musicals that combine film, live theater,wayang kulit (traditional Indonesian shadow puppets), martial arts and a rock infused orchestra.

Inspired by the epic tale of Ramayana, Hanoman The Musical tells the story of the origin of one of the fiercest warriors in ancient Asian mythology. Cast members include Sydney James Harcourt (The Lion King), Daniel Torres (Evita) and Laura Vall (of the alternative rock band, The Controversy). Direct from sold-out performances in Asia, Hanoman will have a limited three-day run (Tuesday, June 25 thru Thursday, June 27, 2013) at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in downtown San Jose (255 Almaden Boulevard). All performances began at 8 p.m. Tickets range in price from $45 to $125 and are now available online at SJTix.com or by calling 408.792.4111.

The Pombos Personal is distinctive, attractive, and the best "man purse" that we've yet seen. It's a perfect gym or overnight bag, with enough space for a change of clothes and your towel, and it looks sleek without being ostentatious. Available in black, navy, and red as well as our pick, the grey, we loved the angular design and well-padded grab straps. There's an external pocket, as well, for your valuables, and the zippers held up to some abuse over the past few weeks of use. Lightweight, at about a pound, it's sure to grab the attention of the folks in the cubicle or treadmill or locker over. And while we wouldn't suggest it for hiking or serious rain, it protected our gear from a light storm without an issue. At $60, it's a solid buy for anyone who needs a daypack and wants something a little different. Available from TheStyleCube, along with many other interesting items.

The Charbonize Leather/Felt iPad Sleeve is equally distinctive- the dark color combination, stitching, and materials make for a strong-looking protective pouch. There aren't any handles- nor any easy way to attach one- but this is for the executive who wants to send a message in the next business meeting. The statement is luxurious, but beyond the look and quality materials, we had some issues. For starters, the snaps didn't work very well- they were, to put it plainly, a pain to use. The built-in extra pouch for headphones wasn't all that useful with some of the ones we tried, and using it with this sleeve with a smart cover was awkward. Edge protection was decent, but there wasn't a lot of padding, and it was a tight fit anyway. At this price ($90), you can find better, though they might not look this sharp.

However, you can't always have your TV on you, but we pretty much can't leave the house without carrying our tablet or smartphone. So, wouldn't it be great if we could watch streaming TV on our iPads and iPhones? Well, you can, sort of, with Escort MobileTV for iPad and iPhones. With this adapter you can easily get set up with Escort's free app to get you started on viewing your favorite programs. The adapter is fairly light and easy to carry, but it does have some major issues. It feels fairly flimsy, doesn't get the best reception, and the connector is only supported for the older 30-pin models.

In addition to the adapter being far from perfect, you will quickly find that if offers you a very limited range of channels, if it offers you any at all. Have a look at the Dyle coverage map here to see if your area can even get any channels. Even in New York City, the most channels I could find were eight, which isn't terrible, but we are the city with the largest number of options. If you live in rural areas, you might not find any reception at all. When we could tune in, though, most channels were fairly sharp and clear, with decent audio and picture quality. What is nice is that you don't need to have wireless or a digital plan to use this. So, if you are out in a park in the city or in a car you can still watch your shows.

Overall, for the price of $120, it feels a bit steep. There are so many other options like Netflix and Hulu, but also devices such as the Hauppauge Broadway (which we reviewed back in April) or the Slingbox models. We haven't tried out Aereo, the service for over-the-air broadcast, but it definitely has some promise as well. Granted, they take additional setup and require a live, active internet connection (and sometimes a monthly fee). On the other hand, if you have a job with a lot of down time and don't have internet, this could be the perfect solution. Available now, online and in stores.

The Skullcandy Crusher Headphones shake things up. Literally- this might be the first time that we've used the phrase "they might just give you a headache" and meant it in a fairly positive manner. Other brands and names may have other targets in their sights- but the audience for these likely isn't interested in a headphone amp or more accurate DAC reproduction. The aptly-named Crushers are, pure and simple, for those who love bass.

'That's what they all say', you might claim. And it's sort of true- we've seen that phrase many times, from many companies. But Skullcandy puts their amp when their mouth is, so to speak, and added an interesting feature that sets these well apart. The battery-powered amp takes those beats to a physical level, offering separate sub-woofers that are adjustable via an in-line control. You may have seen bass boost technologies before, or tweaked your EQ settings, but nothing is comparable to adding an extra active driver driven by an added power source. Regular headphones simply can't draw on enough power to hit those low frequencies with "oomph", but with these, the AA battery in the earcup gives the Crushers enough to spare. They aren't lightweight- the battery and extra drivers add some bulkiness- but that's probably all for the better.

They're fairly portable nonetheless, thanks to a folding design that feels sturdy, with solid hinges. We tossed them into our crowded bags without worrying, and they have barely seen a scratch. There's a detachable cable that's pretty decent, and the typical microphone and in-line controls were better than many we've seen, though not particularly impressive (we like a little more tactile sensation on controls). Of course, as with noise-cancelling or Bluetooth wireless sets, you'll need to worry about battery life- but the 40 hour rating is pretty good.

Audio quality without the amp is decent though unexceptional- audiophiles won't be impressed by the fairly tepid highs and the crowded-feeling mids. At higher volumes they sound better than when turned down, a bit unusually. Switch on the amp, though, and as long as you're listening to something that can use it- even the Flaming Lips or the Black Keys- it's actually impressive. You can't ignore the music, and it won't fade into the background- but these aren't the most comfortable set, and are engineered for those who want to listen in 30-minute or one hour spurts rather than extended sessions. And you'll look pretty good doing it. The Skullcandy Crushers are available now, in stores and online, for under $100.

For under $100, though, we've been impressed by the new Capresso EC50 Stainless Steel Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine. It's not only a relative bargain, it is also one of the smaller machines on the market. It's diminutive form factor, at just 11.5 inches tall, is perfect for our tiny New York kitchens, and fits wonderfully on our limited counter space, right beneath built-in cabinets. But don't let that fool you- it is also an impressive machine that makes one of the best espressos we have ever made at home. The convenient reservoir even holds almost 42-ounces of water storage, which means that you can make enough coffee in one go to raise the dead. The strong 15 bar pump has plenty of force to vigorously steam a copious amount of crema to top off your freshly brewed espresso beverage. The control panel is easily visible on the front of the machine, making it simple enough for even the worst morning person. The stainless-steel lined thermoblock atop the machine even acts as a cup warming tray, allowing you to keep that mug off coffee or espresso cup piping hot until you emerge from the shower.

This Capresso machine compares favorably to much more expensive ones, like the Jura machine we experimented with earlier this year. For one, it uses any coffee grounds, meaning that you can use your favorite brand of whole bean coffee, not just proprietary coffee pods. We still love Keurig machines for coffee and convenience, but those who love espresso-based drinks should look elsewhere of course. And for the eco-conscious, this means you'll produce less waste! The heating mechanisms also heat up so quickly that you can transition seamlessly from brewing espresso to steaming a cup of milk within moments. And it's so simple that even a coffee-novice can experiment with making their own latte art.

While we were quite satisfied by the quality of the espresso and even the milk frother, we did have some complaints. Since the machine is quite small, not many cups will fit easily under the brew heads. At least there is an easily removable and cleanable drip-tray beneath, which minimized the spills, and allows you to use larger cups. In addition, the steam wand did seem to affect the flavor of our steamed milk slightly. The machine is also advertised as a stainless steel appliance but unfortunately, this is a stretch.  The EC50 is actually plastic but with a thin veneer of stainless steel housing the body. Paired with the previously-reviewed Capresso machine, an interesting coffee a la carte, cup-or-pot model, you've got your caffeine needs nicely covered.

The EC50 is certainly the best alternative for those who lack counter space, since it does not sacrifice power and makes one of the best espressos we have ever made at home. Granted, this Capresso model may be a bit low-frills, but it consistently creates a strong brew with an impressive thick layer of crema. It is a perfect single-cup coffee espresso and cappuccino machine for those who love strong coffee and can appreciate a good bargain. Available now, online and in stores, for under $100.

This is the 12th annual edition of the two-day festival, coming June 8th and 9th to Madison Square Park. Clear your calendars from 11AM to 6PM, because it's going to be fun! Expect plenty of tunes, from rock to soul to country, and of course some bluegrass bands. Come for the seminars, where famous chefs like the Batali brothers will clue you in on their secret recipes and techniques, and not just on meats either- from lamb burgers to cocktails to oysters.

But, of course, the highlight will be the pitmasters and their smoking goods- from as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada. There will be local favorites like Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Hill Country, but also gentleman grillers from Memphis and Birmingham and Dallas. We're looking forward to some good Southern cooking, and you should join us! A limited number of fast pass tickets are available (now only for Sunday) that not only grant you accelerated line privileges, but also easy spending- one pass covers two people, and costs $125 with $100 in credit for food, beverages, or even merchandise. And there's also a Weber Grilling School- $30 per person- that looks fun and goes beyond meat to helping you grill French Toast.

So, what is the solution? The Joy Factory Tournez Mount with MagConnect is a pretty awesome fix! This great little mount is very study, perfectly adjustable, and available for all the full sized iPads. The case itself is a pretty standard black plastic and rubber hard shell, except it comes with a magnet and a place for a screw on the back. It does not have any protective cover, but I do not feel it needs it, as you primarily need back and side protection. Honestly, I would only use this case while the iPad is on the stand and not for much else- it's not the best case in the world, but works perfect with the stand.

I am a big fan of the this style of clamps, and this one looks slick with the carbon fiber arm. Maybe it is because of my background experience with C-clamp stands, but they are just so versatile. And this one is no exception! You can easily affix this bad boy onto a flat surface, like a table, or a pole, like a music or light stand. The plastic grips make it very easy to tighten to a secure hold. The mount also consists of a six-inch arm that ends in an a ball joint, with a second at the other end. This makes it very easy to position your iPad where ever you like and use it easily regardless of landscape or portrait orientation. Finally it secures to the iPad shell via both a magnet and a screw (for extra security, if you need).

I think if you are looking for a strong mounting solution for your iPad you need to look no further. It is a fair price at $60. I certainly would not want anything cheap supporting my iPad?

Today's solar charger and battery backup combination is the Solar JOOS Orange- a great compromise option for those who primarily want to smaller electronics, like smartphones, GPS devices, or tablets. It won't work with your laptop or notebook computer, but is perfect for iPods and digital cameras- anything that can be powered by USB, pretty much (or micro-USB, which this device connects to). It's the perfect size to carry around- about the size of an iPad itself- and holds a lithium-ion user-replaceable rechargeable battery capable of charging an iPhone about two and half times (5,400mAh total capacity).

Best of all, this is a solar charger that we felt comfortable taking hiking, biking, and dropping. It feels very durable, and best of all, is even waterproof- kayakers or boaters, this is the best option we've seen for wet conditions. Also, unlike many competitors, it actually works in cloudy conditions. Many chargers simply don't get enough energy when it's overcast, and can actually drain your device's battery more, but we never had that issue with the JOOS Orange. It's pretty fast too- they claim that it is "3.5x faster than any other portable solar charger at the same price", and while we can't say for certain, we will say that it's faster than anything else this size that we've tried. It won't work miracles though- you'll still need a full day of decent sun to charge your iPhone completely, but only about an hour of direct sun to get around two hours of 3G talk time.

It's not perfect- we did have some trouble with loose connectors, and we only tried charging one device at a time. It's lightweight compared to some other units, but it's still not something you'll forget that you put in your bag. At 1.5 pounds, it is about the same weight as an iPad itself. We liked the built-in attachment points for hanging from a bag and the overall design (like the white bezel, less likely to burn your hand when you grab onto the unit and the cute built-in flip-stand). But we missed and wished there had been an easy indicator of current battery charge (though there is software that can install to track the status).

Versatile and efficient, the JOOS Orange is the best truly portable solar charger that we've seen. And for the price- around $150- it's certainly worth it to be able to recharge those gadgets wherever the sun shines. Available now.

Occupying an interesting middle ground between "toy" and "professional" is the DDJ-WeGO Digital DJ Controller from Pioneer. It's certainly a more stable and serious unit than the Numark iDJ Live we checked out not long ago- but it costs three times as much. If you already have an iPad, then a unit like the one from Numark is a good bet as an inexpensive way to test out your skills. But if you'd prefer something with a lot more features, the two-deck DDJ-WoGO hits a sweet spot for a bedroom or home musician who wants a unit that is easy to setup and impressively powerful.

We're not hitting the clubs and playing big gigs- yet at least- so this unit offered a chance for us to play around at home and also offered a fairly lightweight base (four pounds) that we could haul to a friend's place. Compatible with most of the major software suites and programs, we stuck with Algoriddim's djay for Mac OSX but also tested out the free Serato DJ Intro package on PCs, and took a quick peek at the included Virtual DJ Limited Edition software by Atomix Productions (Windows or Mac). The USB  connection on the WeGO is plug-and-play, and it's actually USB powered, which is handy and means fewer cables to worry about.

In no time at all, we were playing around with the various functions. The most important part of any controller is responsiveness and feel, and we're happy to report that the jog wheels especially were great, and weighted. Though the sliders might feel a bit plasticky, almost nothing else does- the buttons are precise, and light up nicely- plus they are multi-colored and configurable to match your preference. In fact, this ties in to one of the coolest features- a visual beat-matching tech that sets the lights flashing to the beat of your sample, allowing you to easily see whether you beats are in sync before you miscue.

If you're experienced, you may notice a few things missing. But everyone else will be impressed- everything is well-placed, and right where you need it to be. Whether it's individual volume controls or balance, or the four hot cue buttons, the board layout is great. Best of all, it's simply fun to use. A great starter deck for the future world-famous DJ, the Pioneer DDJ-WeGo is available online and in stores for just under $300. Available in multiple colors, it's a solid deal on a portable unit packed with features.