I can't get to sleep, I think about the implications...

I'm just entering my fourth tri-weekly insomniac phase of this year. I'm currently lying in bed listening to Colin Hay. Overkill. Literally.

Occasionally, I will blog about artist's that I've discovered from my random surfing on the net (in between episodes of Scrubs and unnecessary cups of tea at 4am). Today's one is Pomplamoose

I discovered them about two years ago, they are a big hit on the Youtube circuit. They have a lot of character in their videos and do some great covers. Enjoy. [I was thinking of ending the blog entry by awkwardly using the song title, but I wouldn't stoop that low.] On an unrelated note: I need to go now, as I think I'm in need of some lovin'...

An Original; If you Think You Need Some Lovin'

A cover; Single Ladies (Put a Ring On it)

THE LIST:

1. Imogen Heap - Her music is incredible and a lot of the techniques she uses I emulate in performance. I recently did a masterclass using looped percussion and sonic invention, which put me on line for a 1st in my degree. She also plays the Hang drum, which I recently began learning.

2. Anyone in the Original Cast of Rent - Okay, this isn't a person. I first listened to Rent when I was in sixth form and fell in love with the songs. Everything about it has inspired me so far & I always listen to it when I'm feeling low. So meeting someone who made it happen would be an incredible experience.

3. Stephen Fry - Technically I've already met Stephen Fry on the Graham Norton Show at the end of last year (2009). But it was part of a feature and I wasn't specifically talking to him.

4. Chad Smith - Drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Loved them in my teens, I was in a Chili Peppers tribute band when I was 15/16. I have a few friends at ACM who have both met him and performed with him. Epic.

5. Judi Dench - I almost did Drama at University. I've always loved the films she's in and was lucky enough to see her in Noel Coward's Hayfever a few years ago. Incredible actress. She's also appearing in a production at the Rose Theatre in Kingston alongside a friend of mine, so theoretically I could pull this one off in the next month or so.

6. Mark Watson - It'd be a bit silly not putting him in the list, being the person who came up with the TYSIC. I have actually met him before at last year's Edinburgh show, both in a Bar and at his 24 hour show. (I won a date with Simon Amstell) I was also in one show of the Hotel when they needed extras. Are you well?

7. Tim Minchin/Jamie Cullum - I've included them as Jazz pianists. At some point in the next 5 years I'd love to play with one of them (preferably musically, sexually might be pushing it). Jamie's Jazz piano skills are spine tingly good. Tim's beat poems are also lyrically genius. This could be possible through number 6 or a possible future working at Edinburgh Fringe/Events Management

8. Pomplamoose - Pomplamoose are a youtube videosong band, that do covers and originals in their living room. They're fantastic to watch and I'd, ideally, love to work with them someday.

9. Karl Jenkins - Karl is a welsh composer that famously composed Adiemus as well as loads of other compositions that sound incredible. The piece 'Grey' leaves me speechless every time I listen to it.

10. Edward Monkton - An artist and cartoonist. His drawings always make me smile. The penguin of Death especially.

11. Terry Pratchett - The Amazing Maurice is one of the first books I ever read (out of my own free will). It would be an honor to meet someone of his talent and wisdom.

12. Beth Ditto - Yes you read that right. I love her voice and her energy on stage. I think she'd be very interesting to meet.

13. Spike Jonze - Director of epic films such as Where the Wild Things Are and Being John Malkovich. He also directed the Fatboy Slim's 'Praise You' music video. Just shaking his hand would be an inspiration... I'd love to have a cup of tea with him. ((This one is worth 500 points))

14. One of the Muppets or one the Muppet puppeteers/voices. - Again not so much a person, as a fictional character. But my childhood was the Muppets. They spark so much joy and happiness in the entertainment industry. ((This one is worth 1,000 points))

BONUS PERSON 15. Banksy - Yes I chose probably the hardest person to find since someone lost his needle in a haystack and then forgot who he was and what he lost. But I have 10 years to try. ((This one is worth 10,000 points))

My TYSIC

I recently got a mention in Mark Watson's blogs about my idea for a Ten Year Self Improvement Challenge (TYSIC). My plan is simple:

"I would like to meet ten people who have inspired me most in my life so far. To make it more doable (Challenge like) I’ll set up a points system e.g. 5 points if I meet them briefly, 10 if I have a conversation with them, and 20 if I spend more than fifteen minutes talking to them. I need to work on the actual list of people, but there are a few people I know I could probably learn a lot from talking to. The point thing is also good if I were to die in the middle of the challenge…"

So the overall plan is to have ten people, celebrities or influential people, to focus on over the next 10 years. I will also use the above point system for non-listed people who I feel can inspire me or would be great to meet. For every listed person I meet, I will gain 50 points for meeting them and 100 if I have a conversation with them.

That was last week; now I thought I'd post the list so I can try and actively keep this going. But firstly, I've been reading a lot of the comments that people have put on his blog. Some naturally are just fans looking for some form of attention, using it to advertise their twitter pages and the like. Others going down the standard life challenges like finding a partner or getting more exercise. However, a few are brilliant and really bring the idea to life; These are my favorites:

Rachael: "I also want to own three goats. I plan to name them Tilly, Tom and Tiny."

Simon: "Run the entire length of the central line; Grow some facial hair."

And my personal favorite, Jackie: "My goal is not to lose weight, eat less and exercise more. It is to except me as I am." Brilliant.

Best. Breakfast. Ever.