Sorry I haven't seen this thread, or looked back into it, for quite a while.

CarolC asked:

Hey, PoppaGator. In what way are your performances "imaginary"?

The performances are real enough ~ it's the conception of myself as a musician (at least, primarily so) that I consider "imaginary."

I once spent almost three solid years performing virtually every waking moment ~ well over 40 hours per week busking on streetcorners, plus as many evenings as possible at basket-houses, open mikes, house parties, whatever. I had hoped that something would develop out of that effort, but nothing ever did, and eventually a number of "real-life" developments intervened and I had to give it up. This was a long time ago: 1969-72.

For many busy years, I hardly kept up playing and singing at all, but have gotten back into it gradually over the last decade or so, to a much less intense extent and with only the most limited expectations. I don't feel at all comfortable calling myself a "musician" in my current circumstances, even though I do have a moderately high level of confidence in my talent and ability. During the relatively brief moments when I'm enjoying myself in the role of performer, I absolutely feel as though I am exercising my imagination ~ which is a good thing, right?