Twisted Kites

You may notice I rarely post on here anymore. I’m not the only one, probably 90% of all other blogs I’ve read in the past are no longer active (lying idle or totally erased). So I’m not sure whether I should change the direction of this personal website (twistedkites.co.uk).

It seems that everything is covered by the various social networking sites. Bebo and MySpace include blogs. Flickr is great for photos. YouTube covers the videos. Facebook covers everything (that’s where I’m most active these days). Not only that but various fan sites include profiles and other community features.

Should I concentrate on the social networking side instead? Maybe I could turn this site around to group together my presence from all other sites that I am active on, and maybe just add my own various pieces on here as and when needed.

As much as I’ve enjoyed using Wordpress for running my website, I could possibly switch to something simpler. Maybe open up parts of the website for friends and family to use too?

Lots to ponder.

The new CD, Set The Woods On Fire by Art In Manila (I’ve mentioned them numerous times before I think ) plopped through my door yesterday direct from Saddle Creek in the USA. Plopped, flumped, whizzed or dropped, whatever, I was working at the time but it was there waiting for me when I got home

Shame it took a bit longer than most but that’s down to shipping across the pond, always the same when things come from America so at least I roughly predicted when it should arrive. But I am a patient person, if I’m not in a rush…

Much anticipated, this CD went straight on, ripped, and also zoomed onto my iPod the same evening. The music is as deep, lively, smooth, melodic, harmonic and simply beautiful as I though it’d be.

Stream/download/read about/buy:

Art In Manila band page on Myspace (Band info, download, music stream and messages)

Art in Manila band page on Saddle Creek (Click enter U.S.A, then choose Bands and find Art In Manila on the drop down list; band info, downloads and entire album stream)

Art in Manila music on Saddle Creek shop (only $11 plus $3-4 P&P, works out about £7-8 total, how’s that for a fair price! Try buying a new CD that cheap in Britain…)

I’ve mentioned this band before. They’re called Art in Manila, led by Orenda Fink and Adrianne Verhoeven. They’ve been on MySpace for a bit but they’ve finally been signed to… to none other than Saddle Creek! Well, it had to be really didn’t it.

If you want, click the link above to go to the Myspace page and have a listen. The debut is released on the 7th August. Hopefully there’ll be a pre-order date.

Enjoy.

Summer is here. It’s the season of the smoothie! Amazing how delicious such a simple recipe of pineapple, banana and ice cubes can be! I’ve recently started to ensure I eat more fruit as that sort of thing is where I could do much better. Mango smoothie is also delicious
Got myself a nice pair of sunglasses yesterday, polarised ones. Now polarised ones are good and well but they have a habit of interfering with LCD displays (if you haven’t a clue see these two articles: polarisation, LCDs) but luckily this pair is good. The polarising filter is angled so I can still read my phone,and other LCDs without tilting my head. Except for one… the screen in our Neoplans blacks out which is awkward for knowing which gear it’s in as it’s the only way. Controlling the 12 speed box through speed and revs alone takes some getting used to (it’s just a flappy stick lever). Screens in new Plaxtons are fine, luckily. (And yes, it is inportant as I spend lots of time driving these things!).

One thing I like about polarised glasses is all the pretty rainbow colours that they bring out, odd patterns on car rear windows, stuff like that. Yep, I am easily amused.

Finally signed up with Facebook in the last few days. What a strange place. Anyone else there? Need to have more of a play with it. T first look it seems similar to Myspace, but stricter yet more useable.