Aftermath..... *dust settles*

I didn't know quite what to expect when I pressed "upload" on the video titled "Erutan - Raindancer ~ CD now available". All the little things that went through my head....Would people like the previews? Would they laugh at my choice of a stage name? Would I get enough of a return to make up for what I spent making this CD? Repair and replace my broken equipment?

Over the last few weeks there has been both negative and positive in relatively equal balance, and it definitely has been a learning experience.

One of the things I appreciated most was that no one blinked twice at my stage name, Erutan, and that was what I was worried about the most!

I've loved all the messages I've recieved this week about first impressions of the CD. It's a little strange though... I got so used to them being "mine alone" that it's almost bittersweet to think that they're out in the world now....going places I will never travel, within the minds (and iPods!) of others. Out of my reach. Bittersweet or not, I adore receiving messages about people's thoughts on the songs! Especially in depth ones!

One of the biggest downfalls to this last year is that I was working so hard on recording...that I didn't get in the simple maintenance practice of my instruments and voice. Recording isn't practice, and if you're doing only that, your skills begin to slip. That is certainly the case with me at the moment. Everything feels rusty, especially my violin playing. Plus I haven't had time in two years to just sit down and compose. I haven' t written anything new in a long time because I haven't had the time to do so. Now, with the CD being done, everyone seems to be calling in favors...but I just want to take a break from the hubbub, practice, get my skills back up to par, do a lot of reading, and write some new songs.

I've actually already written most of the songs for the next album. Most of them are more than 5 years old just like Raindancer's songs. I also want to write and add in some completely new ones as well. One of the songs I'm most wanting to share is the song I wrote when the Twin Towers were hit in 2001. It's one of my favorites, but it was too dark to put on Raindancer.

I also have many covers planned for next year, plus another few Stella Voci projects, but these things will have to be worked around the practicing and recording for the next album. Let's hope I can get a nice number of covers up even so!

Ahhh....I'm sure I'll have a lot more interesting things to say closer to New Years! ^w^;
So Happy Holidays everyone!!! Thanks again to everyone who got my album, take care of my babies, and forgive me for any shipping issues that resulted from my n00bish-ness.

Luv you <3

~Kate

Taste testing Sakuma Drops!

So, I recently ordered some of Japan's fabled Sakma Drop candies to try! There weren't a whole lot of "reviews" on these candies online so I thought I'd do a little taste test blog :D For those who dont know Sakuma Drops have been made in Japan for over 100 years, starting with fruit flavors (as seen on Grave of the Fireflies) and branching out to many different sweet and savory flavors. They are supposed to accurately replicate the flavor of various foods from different regions of Japan.

I ordered four flavors: Moe Sweet Milk (from Akihabara), Yaki Curry (from Mojiko), Choco Banana Crepe (Harajuku), and Takoyaki (Osaka).

I'll start with the Moe Sweet Milk:

Starts off very sweet with a slight coconut flavor, starts to really taste like sweet milk after a few minutes. Definitely a strict candy though!

Next the Yaki-Curry:

Starts off sweet like a candy with salty soy sauce hints. Deepens into a delicious sweet/salty taste with smoky overtones. I never really taste anything resembling curry, but it's a nice taste.

Next the Takoyaki:

Tastes only slightly sweet at first, then immediately gets smoky flavored. I taste kombu (japanese seaweed) after a minute and the drop gets sweeter. Another minute brings salt into it. A very understated taste, pleasant but not something I'll get again ^w^;

Next the Choco Banana Crepe:

Tastes immediately of bananas and chocolate, very accurate! After a few minutes starts to taste slightly like salted nuts. Quite delicious!

Overall the candies are smooth, subtle, and tasty, and I can tell the ingredients are good ^^ I'll be ordering new flavors at some point in the near future!