A recent survey of motorists in Britain shows, according to the Midland Kite Fliers newsletter, that many road signs still baffle drivers. The sign indicating a crossing for migratory toads was interpreted by some to indicate a French restaurant was in the vicinity. A “be aware of cattle” sign meant to many there was a footand- mouth disease problem locally. Some even read the warning for strong side winds—a windsock flying at a right angle to the ground—incorrectly, interpreting it to mean there was a nearby area for kite flying.

Kiteflying plays very important roles in our tensionful and strainful life and keep us fit-o-fit. It is one of the best recreations, clean and safe entertainment, and thus removes all physical and mental tiredness in a short time. Flying of kites also generates happiness and freshness, which helps us to handle and complete our duties with more interest, vigor, spirit, and dedication.

Valerie Govig, publisher of the now defunct Kite Lines magazine, recalls the first meeting of the American Kitefliers Association, in Ocean City, Maryland, in 1978 as a wonderful success. “I think of it as one of the grandest gatherings of kiting greats ever held,” she says. Attendees included Bob Ingraham, founder of the association and of Kite Lines magazine (under the name Kite Tales); English designer and kite popularizer Peter Powell, writer and historian Tal Streeter.

Reflecting a resurgence of interest in traditional culture, eight of the countries that make up the ASEAN confederation have taken the first step in establishing a kite council. ASEAN stands for Association of South East Asian Nations and is a trade group with sports and cultural components. Formation of a pro tem working committee to organize the council occurred at the recent Pasir Gudang festival in Johor, Malaysia.

For those interested in the extreme sport of kiteboarding, Maui-based John Holzhall has published a book on how, where, and when to ride. Kiteboarding’s Simple Plan, 306 pages with 65 illustrations, sells for $27.

All too many kiters see a marvelous design flying in the sky, go home, make a copy as best they can, and then happily take it out to fly. Martin Lester’s “Legs” kites around the world come to mind, some of them made without his permission or even knowledge. In his usual rational way, designer Peter Lynn of Ashburton, New Zealand, offers kiters who admire his designs and want to copy them an easy way to replicate them while maintaining a clear conscience. He offers numbered license stickers for sale at nominal prices, but only one per user per time.

The Drachen Foundation has come out with a compact disk on the world of kite aerial photography. It’s a multimedia tour of the history, people, gear, techniques and of course photographs in this fast-growing field. Featured are experts Nico Chorier, Dave Van Zandt, Craig Wilson, Jim Day, Scott Haefner, with music by Jeff Greinke. Drachen’s resident science boffin Eric Muhs put it together. Among other features, the disk explains how to get started in kite aerial photography by making your own lifting kite and photo rig.

Last February’s annual kiteflying festival in Lahore drew thousands of fliers and spectators and provoked the usual frenzy. Calls for caution were ignored by many. Three people were electrocuted when their wire cutting lines——banned, but used anyway—–touched power lines, two fell to their deaths from rooftops in pursuit of cut kites, two died after being hit by cars while chasing falling trophies, and a girl had her throat fatally slit by a line coated with pulverized glass. Despite a ban on firing guns, a number of people were injured by stray bullets.

In a technology of the miniature, carbon super-thread made from nanotubes, cylindrical molecules of carbon, is now being spun at Rice University. This thread can be wound into cables many times as strong as steel. Down the road it might make unbeatable kite line. In a related development, scientists at Cornell University’s NanoScale Science and Technology Facility using the technology that etches tiny wires and components onto computer chips have constructed an invisibly tiny silicon guitar which they can play by using a laser beam to pluck the strings.

Yes, don’t get me started on kites. I can go on all night. For me thinking is like breathing. I don’t even, well, think about it.