Saturday 29 August 2009

Flight BA 183 – 22nd Aug ‘09

“I feel like now’s a good time to start writing a diary” – were my exact thoughts the moment our plane lifted, magically, majestically, magnificently, off of Heathrow’s latest, most controversial runway and up into this beautiful cloud streaked, multi tonal evening sky… 5 minutes ago. Usually at that moment I have my blindfold on, earplugs in and am blissfully ready for sleep to take a hold of me. It works every time without fail. Today however, has been one of those “green light days” and I didn’t want it to end yet. As if the day has been performing a ballet around my every move and thought. I’m inspired from it’s flow and the cogs are cheerfully clunking.

I made a call on the way to the airport from the cab I’d been putting off for a while, that of course turned out, after worrying about it for ages, to be fine. Invariably I find the mind’s projected outcome is 10 times worse than the actual reality. This is good to know as then you hopefully stop worrying about whatever it is and just get on with it for crying out loud. I got upgraded to club class ‘cause the plane was full in economy. In over hundreds of flights, that has happened to me only once before. I got my first choice of window seat. There was no queue for security. The waiter at the restaurant gave us (me and my manager Mark, who was also upgraded) “the best table in the house” he announced proudly while pulling my chair out from under the table for me to sit on, continuing with “Sting and David Beckham have both sat here” – I said that they were now, with us, in good table sharing company. I decided to stop worrying about Letterman and just accept that whatever happens, happens and that I can only do so much, a philosophy that I’m beginning to put into action more and more, that is actually a lot harder to do that it seems! So today is a good day that actually now just got 5 hours longer as I set my iPhone to eastern standard time.

I’m bound for NY. For Letterman. For general promo during release week of my latest and most beloved album (for the meantime) “Ellipse”. I’ve never before thought about publishing a book or thoughts or anything but literally just now, that opening line “I feel like now’s a good time to start writing a diary” - looking along the line of the artfully flexing left wing – came to my mind and it then evolved swiftly into something that wanted to exist, not just in my mind but out there with you.

I couldn’t write this down yet though because as you know, laptops and all other electrical devices aren’t permitted for use until the seatbelt sign is switched off. Meanwhile my musings went into a cold panic at the thought of something that could quite possibly take me another 4 years before it sees the light of day. So I decided, in order to get around this, why not write short entries and then release them at different points over the course of a few years? So a book written more in the fashion of a medium I’m very comfortable with– a blog. A mixture of spoken, written and filmed entries. I don’t know where it’s going to end up but it feels right and I do love to have this company along the way as I did when coaxing out Ellipse from the stubborn recesses of my brain. It would, if nothing else, prohibit me from going back and forth, constantly re-writing it as it‘d essentially be published as it was being written. Once it feels like it’s reached some sort of conclusion, or natural end – I’d like it to read as one body of work. So I’m going to write the entries as if they were chapters. I’ve never written a book so I may be terrible at it. This could be the worst read of your life and it promises to be the possibly the longest too. It’s your risk. Perhaps just in doing it I’ll actually get good at it and what we’ll experience is not only a real time writing of a book but also a study of a real time learning and hopefully improving writer along the way. One wishes. I like to think the more we air our wishes… the more likely they are to happen. Even though they are just wishes still, they are slightly more real just in having put them into words.

I really want to start living my life more in this “real time”. In the moment, rather than waiting for things to materialize or function after months of toiling over and talking about it. It just feels wrong to exist like that in these exceptionally creative, increasingly socially connected, open, interactive times we’ve lucked out and found ourselves in.

I want to write my next album in the same way - writing and releasing songs as I go. Album cycles are 3-4 years with me, so after writing and releasing 4 songs a year, I will have enough work to then compile a physical release (with one “bonus” track for good measure). I will of course get stuck into other projects in the meantime. One being this book. Trickling out songs takes the (worst kind – self imposed) pressure off me creatively. I always have more fun with “b-sides” or one off songs written for films. When I hole myself away for a year to make an album my life goes on hold. Everything else takes a back seat. Goes into stasis for this monster that I wrestle with and try to tame. Including my personal and (sadly) horizontally physical growth, as I’m not interacting with life outside the studio. I have tried but I just can’t seem to do it. The 12-13 songs I’m juggling in my head during the album recording period completely consume me and leave me paralyzed to do anything else. I don’t want to do be like that and I quite often, strangely, don’t enjoy it either. At the same time I HAVE to get these songs out of me. To create something, to give birth to something. A nutshell of me at that point in my life. That I’ll get to look back on, fondly, like old photographs of me with old friends in the old clothes I used to wear.

This next phase of my life I intend to try to get to grips with what fuels me - and how to get more of that into my life.
My list so far contains –

- more inspired conversation - which would firstly involve socializing more.
- Collaborate creatively often.
- Plan less, do more,
- Find my dream team and delegate.
- Fold my days around one form of exercise. So could be a walk, a swim, rock climbing. Who knows.
- find sustainable love. To share all these nice times I’m going to have with.
- READ more and learn to read quicker and better. I always HATED reading as a kid and just found out about a month ago when talking to my dad about it that he and mum had terrible trouble trying to teach me. Give me a piano, a pad to draw on, something to make or build and you could leave me for hours. I had no interest in reading whatsoever. It hurt my eyes. It was too hard. It annoyed me. I had nothing but what remained in my head to show for it. If it wasn’t for my dad forcing me read word for word, slowly, I would maybe have been dyslexic. That’s what he says anyway. Up until now I was deeply embarrassed about it. I feel a lot better knowing the full picture. Thing is I so crave information and have a desperate need of trying to make sense of everything. Like we all do. That’s what drives us. To know how stuff works. Why are we here? What’s the point of all this anyway? If I’m single I read an hour every night before bed if I can stay awake. If I can’t, I read until I can. I’m currently single, reading Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers” and recommend it. I feel another little piece of the puzzle just clicked into place.
- Find another word for more.
- Other stuff I haven’t thought of yet.

As I’m shaping this book up it’ll be shaping me. If I don’t do stuff to write about it’ll be pretty vacuous in content. - In a micro everyday way, perhaps “tweeting” does that? - So therefore, I’ll have to do interesting things to get me to want to muse, hopefully insightfully upon them. This will also double up as a record for the tax man when detailing the reasons of some of my yearly account’s expenditure.

“Flight into outer space” - £1,000,000 – Research for book on chapter 8 –
“A quest to better understand humanity’s cause, effect and role on earth and within the parallel, multi, holographic or just plain old Universe.”
Perhaps a more succinct title, if that does indeed end up being a chapter would be good.

I’ve just had my first club class meal and I have to say it was significantly tastier than what I’m used to in economy! As I was masticating my chicken ceasar, a thought occurred to me. Most of the interesting happenings in my life involve other people and I’ll want and need to protect their privacy in the process. So I’ve decided that in the same sense as when I’m writing a song, the lines between fact and fiction blur somewhat, creative license and all that, I will sometimes write my entries in this way too. So if you are going to embark on this flight with me, please take into account, not everything you read here may have happened exactly as I write it and with whom I experienced it with. Equally, some things that seem totally out of character may indeed be true! You decide.

That may put you off but that’s ok. You don’t have to carry on reading! You will be investing your time in something that may turn out to be a big waste of time. I may stop writing in 3 months, I may never stop. I just don’t know. I do feel certainly compelled to do it now though. A new project.

One of the other things I love about blogging if that you feel like you have to follow up what you said you were going to do. So if I say, I’m going to write a song about that moment when you’re in bed with someone and time warps around you. Beautiful together, in just being close. I then felt compelled to carry on my idea because you (or maybe not you) were expecting it of me. I wrote Between Sheets. As I work on my own mostly and don’t have a partner to egg me on, I need the impulsive excitable side of me to drive it’s dreadfully, debilitating, procrastinating equal to get anything finished.

So what shall I say I’m going to do? Well… I think I should start with love. I want to love someone or many but certainly someone and soon. A woman has needs! Actually, I am mostly always, hopelessly obsessing over somebody. I have a plan for Wednesday night and he’s very cute indeed. He has also been almost impossible to pin down for a dinner date. No less that eight months! I guess that’s what’s been intriguing me too. Perhaps he knows that, is ridiculously busy or he’s not interested and just meeting me to get me off his back. Anyway… I’m very much looking forward to it. Going out to eat at a good eatery accompanied by a handsome, smart and slightly curious man… is for me one of life’s great joys and I intend to do a lot more of that.

So there we have it. Chapter One. Are you going to stick around for the next? I don’t know when it’ll be but there’s no hurry to this book of mine. Let’s see what happens….

87 comments:

  1. LOVE love love this! I'm already subscribed. I can't wait for the next chapter.

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  2. Defiantly going to stick around
    Sounds like some fun stuff coming within time
    LOVE.. what a thing!! :)

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  3. Keep it up Immy! Trust me...blogging is tough but can be a good kick in the ass sometimes :)

    Enjoy Ontario...and good luck at your first task...finding love that is.

    xo

    ~Renée

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  4. Inspiring! Please, do go on... :)

    -Hessa :)

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  5. Love the idea! This is something I always want to do myself, but I seem to fail at.. I either never start writing, or I write one or two entries and give up. I'm at least glad I'm not alone in my diary struggles! Good for you, dear, I look forward to reading. <3

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  6. youre an amazing writer imogen. inspiring.

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  7. I significantly approve of this endeavor! I for one will be following along. I've been meaning to do something like this for years, but there's always that fear that my life is too utterly boring for that. But maybe I'll be Imspired myself to give it a go! :) We'll see.

    I love the idea of releasing songs a few at a time. In my creative endeavors I always have a hard time with the time it takes. I so want to just get stuff out there. I'm writing a book and it's sectioned and I thought about releasing it in short novellas because each sections is a sort of story unto itself. So I approve of the segmented digital album that is then collected into one physical release.

    I know, as a fan, I always love the b-sides and movie stuff so to have a constant stream of new music would be amazing.

    Look forward to what's coming up!

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  8. Welcome to the blogosphere Immi! I'm going to love seeing you in my Google Reader.

    By the way, I haven't been able to stop listening to "Bad Body Double!"

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  9. Very excited to read the next installment. It is intriguing to see what is happening in your life. All of your positive intentions make me want to get involved and get out in the world more too.
    --I think we can all take something different away. Your words hit home. <3 Take care, Immi.
    --Sarah

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  10. Not a bad read at all. :) Keep going. I'm adding this to my feed this very moment.

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  11. Inspiring. I love the way you string words together. The white font color against the black is hard for me to read, though.

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  12. Great stuff! I'm looking forward to the next entry.

    Just a couple of things that popped into my head as I was reading:

    1. Other words for more? How about 'extra' or 'additional'?
    2. Dyselxia isn't something that you can prevent or cure, just something you can overcome. It's also nothing to be ashamed or embarassed about. Some of the greatest minds out there are dyslexic (Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Walt Disney... even Tom Cruise and Cher)!

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  13. I am definitely looking forward to joining you on this venture! Could it be you might inspire me in turn to start writing again? (Something I gave up about a year ago except for blogs and small, quick school things.)

    Best of luck!

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  14. A few observations...

    1) You do read a lot, you read all your tweeple's tweets, and you read responses on youtube and twitter. You read those because you want to. Reading books is good, too, certainly, but you're definitely a "millennial" (technology native) reader.

    http://virtualwayfarer.com/educating-millennials-why-were-doing-it-wrong/

    2) There was once a school in the forest that had three classes that everyone had to take and was expected to know: running, flying and swimming. Even though the duck was an incredible swimmer and flew at the top of his class, he really sucked at running, so they made him stay after school and practice running. He spent so long running, that his flying and swimming began to suffer, and eventually, he became a mediocre runner, swimmer and flyer. And he never really soared anymore, and he really didn't care to because it all seemed like such work now to him. Same thing happened with the tiger when it came to flying, and in fact he lost so much time having to try to learn to fly and being unable to, he was labeled developmentally disabled and put into a special classroom. The eagle got into trouble all the time because he thought it was ridiculous to run to go get something when you could fly instead, so he was docked for flying and wasn't allowed to go up anymore until he got running down.... :)

    You soar your way, and it's a beautiful thing to watch and be a part of.

    3) You are remarkably authentic, and as long as you continue to be you as fully as you are, people will follow where you lead. I will. :)

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  15. A blog is a very satisfying endeavor. I've been at it for 2 years and am still madly in love with the medium. I hope you find it as wonderful as I do.

    Angie (from over at www.AllAdither.com)

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  16. Excellent!!

    Great stuff and welcome aboard the flight of the blogs.

    I myself have just restarted a blog and this has inspired me to keep at it. :)

    Cheers!

    Clau

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  17. I am definitely going to stick around. Blogging is such a wonderful way to get all those thoughts that are swirling around inside your head out into the real world. I hope you find it as theraputic as I do. The goals you have set for yourself are so inspiring and I wish you all the very best in your journey to achieve them.

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  18. My only suggestion is more of a request- it is very difficult to read white text on black background. the words start to double and look blurry. My eye doctor said that eyes struggle on black background more often than white/lighter colored BGs.
    I know i would enjoy reading it more with less eye strain.

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  19. Hi Immi,

    Intense yet subtle. The music world is being redefined by your energy, of being in the now, where time stands still. You have this energy, it carries in the way you accept people in a non-judgemental way, and challenge the structures of the established music industry. You are recreating the music industry of tomorrow by your very actions today, included the live journaling of this blog.

    Despite a long and arduous journey into the creation of eclipse, the question has to be asked: If flow is when the dance dances you, did you dance or did eclipse? For me "Between Sheets" captures the essence of the album. Personally impersonal and yet, might I say distracted or distance. Allowing the beloved to become separate from you.

    So in the fictional facts of this blog, you have both worlds. A word where your followers have an opportunity to connect with your intense energy, and yet the ability to be playful and distance in the way you interact. A childish adult, irresponsibly responsibly, a paradox of words and thoughts. All waiting to flow.

    Flow my girl, let it flow... It is within you.

    @cityguyyoga.

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  20. i love this! thank you for sharing. i hope to be part of your dream team one day! i would be happy to help out in the U.S.

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  21. I'm in for the long-haul, so #partyonHeap! I'm going to follow your lead start my own blog~book, but so far I haven't gotten far because some of your songs have been caught in an infinite loop in my head. How do I make it stop?

    PS: I love Ellipse ~ beautifully put together and performed.

    Selim

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  22. Que sera, Immi - whatever will be, let it be; we will be here to cheer you on!

    Love,
    A Dyslexic Bookworm <3

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  23. Oh if you are going to give birth to this book, i guess at this moment, you are on pre-foreplay. The thrill is killing me! I'll follow this whole conception process!

    And, good luck on your actual pre-foreplay with the 'handsome slightly curious man' :-)

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  24. i approve...

    If you're anything like me, I have a hard time realizing
    my own feelings, yet when I sit down and write in my
    journal ("blog") it makes me confront my own feelings
    and therefore better articulate myself!

    it's healthy!

    also...keep it in white on black....weeds out the weaklings. :)

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  25. It's a lovely idea. Art in its polished form is a beautiful and powerful thing. But, there's beauty in the creative process as well. Thanks so much for reaching out.

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  26. Love the idea! A sort of re-imagining of the blog as a medium. I'll definitely be reading intently! Best of luck with the promotion blitz and the album roll-out (thanks to Amazon for giving me the MP3 version before the physical one, because I'm still waiting for my Deluxe Edition from them).

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  27. Good luck Immi.. I'll join you on your journey, and hopefully meet you along the way.

    Have fun, love life, and most of all... Love yourself!

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  28. Good for you, Immi. I'm loving the new album and loving that you're already starting a new project. Cheers to blogging (it seems you've covered every type of blogging from vblogging to tweeting)!

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  29. Immi you're a natural wordsmith. I loved Chapter One and can't wait for chapter two. I, like you, find writing to be so cathartic. Something about getting those little thoughts out of your head and onto a blank page. Like dumbledore with the pensieve! If you get a chance check out my blog too, i put my travel stories up there from asia and other trips. I hope you enjoy them if you get a chance to look. Have a lovely weekend. John

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  30. What an abosolutely brilliant Idea. I love your way with words, and it comes across just as well in your writting.
    Me, I am a terrible writer..An ambition we do share is to Read more. I love reading, just never get the chance to do it these days.
    Would love to be a part of "Heap's Dream Team"! That would be a dream come true. Whether it be administration, technical I/T, or stage lighting.. I am a man of many talents!
    Cant wait for the next chapter!
    Yours in Harmony,
    iguy xox

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  31. Very personally written, well done. I defiantly know I wish I was the dinner date... haha, enjoy. -RStewart

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  32. Good news!
    You can check "collaborating with others" off your list... I listen to your work often, while creating and making things and I would imagine many other people do, as well. Unknowingly, I bet you've "collaborated" in spirit on countless creations. Good luck with your book/blog!

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  33. Hello! No idea if you got it, but I did tweet you regarding your twitter post about this...I'm aokerby there and I said that 140 characters was not enough to express how much I adore this. :) Luckily I've discovered I can post a comment here through my livejournal!

    This is absolutely lovely. It was a fantastic read; I enjoyed every minute of it, and the colors didn't phase me a bit so whether you change them or not, I'll still be along for the ride! It was wonderful to read everything you wrote, and to learn a little bit more about you through your first post. I'm often looking for some way to connect with the artists I enjoy on a more personal level, and you make it so easy and inspiring with your twitter, your vBlogs and now this.

    I am definitely going to be along for the ride here. I'm afraid I can't sympathize much with how you disliked reading as a child, because for as long as I can remember I have loved to read, but I can say that I'm sure you'll get at least something out of writing this book. I wish you the best of luck in your work and explorations, and I hope you enjoy them!

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  34. Immi!

    This is a wonderful idea! I support you 100000%!

    You're too hard on yourself! Lighten up girl! You wouldn't have so many fans if we didn't think you are absolutely brilliant!

    Love

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  35. This is brilliant! You can definitely do it and I can't wait to see what happens. What we got to lose? ;)

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  36. Beautiful, Immi.

    Let the words fall like white rain falling.

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  37. This is just lovely Imogen. Your use of language and style of writing is just beautiful. I find that actually somewhat surprising considering that you didn't read much when you were younger.

    I hope your date goes well. If it doesn't, and if you're ever in California, you can always say hi to a young, attractive, caring, and intelligent man like myself. ;)

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  38. I'm definately sticking around! This ought to be a very enlightening, funny, interesting and different experience, and I'm looking forward to follow as things developp.

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  39. I don't know if you like movies, but you should check out the movie "Into the Wild". It follows a smart harvard student/writer on his renegade journey to Alaska as he searches for meaning away from culture/society/money/greed.. and finds that Nature is everywhere! it's also very inspiring.. just like your project you are doing. good luck!

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  40. welcome to the blogosphere, Imogen! you write fluidly and beautifully...... x

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  41. Good luck on your date, Immi. :-) I hope he is what you need right now!
    I like the idea of this book-blogging, so I am going to follow you!
    -Nala

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  42. We are all slightly curious... Enjoy!! :)

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  43. awesome! You should totally get a tumblr, the features are slightly better than blogspot. But, I'll keep reading your blog (:

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  44. this is an amazing idea and i'm excited to read your chapters! with everything you do, you inspire me to be more creative. ♥

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  45. Sounds like a total romp (as in great/fun/wild read!)!
    May you experience many a pleasant time warp, hopefully soon (in it's own proper time {no rushing, but may good luck expedite the day}), with the same warpee!
    Immi, it has been a ball following your life to now, I'm hooked for the future!
    Write on!
    ^.^

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  46. Thoughtful words, insight and imagination... Allow me to hitch a ride along with you on your magic carpet as you cruise the cosmos...... This will be fun...

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  47. I'm so excited for you to be embarking on this journey. We are all constantly trying to make something of ourselves, to really have a place in the world, and I am happy to see someone take life by the horns, and make their wishes reality. Good luck with everything you do xx

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  48. Immi, I am so excited for your 'book', and I will be a faithful reader! I love your way with words, in this story as well as your songs. So many of your songs are special 'moments' to me...like this song reminds me of that person, or that moment, etc. I love the emotions that your music conveys! I have 20,000+ songs in my library, and I could say that you are my favorite! <3 ya!
    p.s. And I understand about the whole 'dating' thing, looking forward to dates, etc...I still haven't found my 'Mr. Right' and am beginning to believe he just may not exist...

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  49. My blog has been a daily boost of delight - for me and my readers! I hope it brings beauty to your thoughts. Virtual collaboration. Enjoy!

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  50. i'll definitely be sticking around for this one. in the meantime, if you figure out how to catch the guy who can't be caught, can you share your secrets with me?

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  51. You have a great natural spirit about u. it reflects itself through all these people and you can feel it through their comments. thanks for sharing that wonderful spark of light inside of you.
    i could lightly, gracefully, honorably and brilliantly take care of your needs with all the afterglow and connections of heart and mind one could hope for...but i'm married. i do, however, know some of the best power walking paths in Algonquin park next time you're around Canada.

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  52. Sure hope the guy you are going on a date with is not a blog-reader. He migth think he is 'in' and get fresh. Or maybe you would want him to? (In that case send him a link to the blog :-)

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  53. I can't wait to see where this will end up! For better or for worse, we're are going to keep you on track, Immi. A blog is a bit of a promise, to us and to yourself. Make the most of it, girl!

    -Haha, are you accepting resume's for your dream team?

    Best,
    Thomas Scott

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  54. I'm on; it's going to be a new experience to us all I guess!

    But I need to ask you to change the layout to LIGHT background and DARK font - otherwise it's quite uncomfortable. I feel quite dizzy after reading the chapter (on the other hand it may be caused by excitement ;)

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  55. Hello Imogen, I guess I'm writing so that you'll read this hopefully, is that pathetic? I suppose that's a question for everyone, who's reading what they write? or who's listening to their prayers or music or anything someone makes.

    But this (your blog), I mean I've always been obsessed with people I'll probably never meet, and even the ones I do meet (the non-celebrities) I seem to get bored of, or are too shy to speak to. And I've always wondered what these people who I really like think of me, I mean are they humbled or do they just think less of me for liking them too much or some reason.

    Anyways, I've really liked reading this and your vblogs, twitters, etc. (and of course your music) and you've inspired me a lot through them, and I understand the veil that is cast between artists/celebrities and their audience, as with any human being there is a struggle between what they think and what they say, and even what they'd like to say and what they actually say.

    Anyways (again) I don't really know what I'm asking or writing here for besides maybe if I'm feeling pessimistic about myself: self-gratification or my ego or something (I hope it isn't that) and I'm feeling quite stalkerish for it. I really like your honesty in this blog in that you deliberately say that not everything in there is "truth," as so many people ignore the fact they lie. I'm feeling slightly foolish, but it's just 1s and 0s anyways, right? So I might as well post this comment, but it just said "your request could not be precessed. please try again." So I will.

    Lance

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  56. Hi Imogen,

    Remember, you are spinning a rather large web —be cautious of everything that becomes entangled. You have given enough to your fans—take a break and relax. Love will find its way to you. Be patient.

    Think back to when you were a teenager—would you like those inner most thoughts on record? :)

    Best wishes from a father of three daughters (two your age).

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  57. I wish you the best of luck with it. I have to say, while I was excited about Ellipse, I was kind of sad about the fact the video blogs came to an end. You've kept my fiancee and I quite entertained during the whole process.
    You've definitely got yourself a reader here~

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  58. WOW. what a plateful. I'm definitely following and would love to see where this goes. I guess this a great way to jump-start your creativity while you are coasting off the Ellipse high. I definitely get it and I see where you are going with this. Twitter was frightfully great during the creative process because it allowed you to update in short bursts, keeping it neat and sweet; however, now that it's over, it just doesn't satisfy and can even take away from your waking life.

    ...i'm happy for you and, rest assured, even if you don't update this at all, it's a nice thought/try. you aren't obligated, by any means. it's kind of like the reading thing - you shouldn't feel pressured or force yourself to read; you can put it down, whenever and indefinitely, pick it up again 3 books later, SWIFTLY BLAZE through it... but, more than anything, allow yourself to enjoy it in your own time, because that's the point.

    xxo

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  59. Immi I loved reading this :) Im definitly sticking around for more! Im much more of a book-person than I am a music-person, so youv just fulfilled a bit of a dream of mine here ;)

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  60. Discovered you as I was flipping through the TV looking for something to act as white noise while I tried to fall asleep the other night. Came across you on Letterman just as you started, and I couldn't turn away. Your performance was amazing, and I was totally transfixed for duration of the piece.

    Thanks for keeping me up! I had to look you up, and get your stuff queued on myspace before I dared fall asleep! ;-)

    Thank you for the music

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  61. Thanks, funny too, because we're about to head out to NYC on flight 183 as well :)

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  62. Paperback Writer?Sir Paul stated such visions in 1966,Immi,with the advent of computers there are millions of writers,I don't want to discourage you(as you write very well)I like your take on accepting challenges but if that's what you want to do....Immi,it's great to be well-rounded but the world will still love you if you don't do EVERYTHING.

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  63. i am so stoked! i can't wait to read more! just keep on it, i know you can do it!

    i also wanted you to know that you have inspired me and so many others in countless ways and for that i want to thank you. :D

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  64. Hi IMMI --
    I love your candid, honest approach to your writing (or blogging). I'm so curious now. I can't wait for your next chapter! {{also, love your new album}}

    Best wishes on your new (book) journey!
    xoxo (twitter.com)@arbitraryword

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  65. Best of luck on Wednesday with that seemingly ideal fellow. I am very glad to have yet another IJJH project to be following, I was worried that the source of creativity that I was relying on with your vblogs and the like would be cut off. Danke!
    Calvin Emerson

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  66. Thanks for writing- I will continue to read.

    Good luck on Wednesday!!! ;-)

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  67. ~~thank you for bringing us along in real time; for letting us collaborate in our own interwoven imaginations, dear imogen.. . :D

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  68. This is a really interesting read! This inspires me to go back to writing in my blog that i've all but abandoned. Thanks for inviting us to come along with you on this writing journey!

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  69. Imogen, just watched you at PopTech. It's as amazing as always... thanks for sharing your great energy with us.

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  70. wonderful, thank you for sharing intimate details.

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  71. Damn it. I'm busy Wednesday.
    @fractos

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  72. I think this is great.

    I related to it so much! I myself have recently been blogging about wanting to change my ways and rather then waiting for it to come to me, and also on needing other people there to encourage me and bring such motivation. Though you said so far more articulatly then I could ever imagine to do.

    I hope it works out for you! Absolutely love your entry and I will be following your blog from now on.

    ^_^

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  73. wonder if another word for more, could it be enough?
    "more" is more of a lack-concept - we want more of something when we're missing something.
    "enough" is about completeness instead.

    i don't want more of things. i want enough of things. that is the only right quantity of enough that'll make me happy.

    or satisfied.
    temporarily at least.

    the tricky thing is that needs change, and so do the enoughs, but oh well. here it's where the fun part comes.

    but immi, hey, great start as a first blog / book / diary / to-do list / chapter post.
    two thousand fifty seven words, and i did not have enough! ;)

    waiting for the next one.

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  75. wow. my first blog was a rant about people who did comparisons by say something was 10 times more than something else when they actually meant 10 times as much. there is a difference, you know.

    great to see that you're blogging. i should do it more regularly as well. thanks for this and all your music.

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  76. Go Immi! And may the roars of Ubul, Kisleo and all the fine animals of Leoland-Elzaland go with you...

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  77. [ hi hi ]
    Whatever this new embarking journey may turn into, I believe it's truly a greattt idea!!! I must agree tho with the comment about the
    REVERSIBLE TEXT on a black background makes it very difficult to read. Perhaps a lighter grey? Or if you need a helping hand with a layout I would be happy to help out with my skillzzz. =P

    emporiparis on aim or xerosales@hotmail.com
    twitter/d696

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  78. Dunno if this will help with the blog/book writing endeavor, but with words and in the interest of consistency, I find it's good to write every day, even if it's just a paragraph or two.

    Also, writing longhand 3 pages every day as soon as you wake up and the fog clears. It's like working out for your writer's brain, dumping all of the repetitive stuff and the filler, digging deeper into your subconscious/conscious and working those thought-muscles.

    This exercise in itself may be more of a time investment than you are able to make, and of course, everyone's creative process is different, but I find it produces amazing results for me.

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  79. wow! What a response. I am not worthy (yet)... I will, with practice, get better though :) Thank you so much for all the comments. Some really helpful suggestions and as ever your endless encouragement spurs me on to do more! Lots of love. xxx

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  80. Love it! Love it! Love it!

    BUT, Immi, would you please consider changing the color scheme? The light text on black background is really hard on the eyes after a while. I love how it looks, but after about 5 minutes there is definitely eye strain going on.

    I know you can hit a button and see the whole thing in black on white, but it displays as one giant paragraph across the entire screen and that becomes another hurdle to cross.

    Other than that, you giving us something to read is a fabulous idea!

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  81. I am tremendously glad you're going to be writing a journal! I've kept one since age 7 and it has been a wonderful way to map the progress of my ideas as well as my life in general.
    It's interesting to hear from someone who had almost a reverse of my own struggles in childhood. My parents had to use much cunning to get me out of my books and into my piano practicing. Until I knew how to read music proficiently and understood music theory, it was almost impossible for me to do anything creative (or even completely voluntary) with the piano.
    Also, keeping accountable to we, the masses of the internet-faring fans, seems like a great way to stay on task. *takes note and plots own accountability strategy*

    In short, and without further rambling, suffice it to say that not only am I sure further reading here will be entertaining, I think that reading through the the process you follow will be inspiring to my own art and design. (so thanks!)

    p.s. I'm with Algie on the colour scheme. It's especially difficult to read when the room is dark. doot-de-doo!

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  82. Hi Imogen, I think a blog to book is a wonderfull idea. Now that you have ceased your vblog, I think you need something to fill that gap for fans who've become so much apart of what you do. On your topic of love, one could write a book on soley that. I hesitate to delve into as lengthy a subject as love on your blog but. A couple years back I wrote a song for a friends wedding, which unfortunatly I did not get to play. The bride to be at that point had only heard loud rock from me and objected to my playing some weeks in advance, at all under no circumstances was I allowed near the stage, when in fact it was a very soft song. Back on subject, as I sat there thinking up lyrics, I started to pose myself a question. If there where that special person for me out there who I were to tell how I felt, and I only got four minutes to make them 'a believer' to speak, what would I say? The words to my song are not what is important here but what I learned on the steps that night. I was trying to describe love and words just can't fully do that, then I started describing the lack of it and voila, there it was. Funny thing-that a sound or word is supposed to ellaborate and place significance on something intangible, But not having it is the key to knowing it...we're damned. So I cant wait to read the first chapter, hope you fair better than I have thus far, stay hopefull!

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  83. I hope there will be a new chapter, not giving up hope!!! :)

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  84. Pleeeeeeeeease keep writing here, Immi! pplllleeassee :D

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