annablack
Commodore 16 Starter Pack (circa 1984/85)
Many of you will know I am a complete retro computer geek. Specifically Commodore 64 and 16, but I collect other systems like ZX Sinclair Spectrum, Atari, Coleco, etc. Back in the day I used to program games and adventures and do all sorts of fun things with them. Easy tiger.
Anyway, back in the mid 80’s a company called Melbourne House released a text adventure called “Hampstead”. For the uninitiated a text adventure is a game where you type in a series of commands and you try and solve puzzles and pick up objects and find treasure, etc. It’s very much like reading a book. You create the locations in your imagination 
The aim of Hampstead was not just to reach Hampstead, but to attain it. Questions and answers posed on the advert below included:
Questions people ask about Hampstead:
Q: Is there life after Hampstead?
A: No, Only before and during…
Q: Why do dustbins have no lids in Hampstead?
A: In order that passers-by may see the week’s completed Guardian
crosswords stacked neatly within…
As I now live not far away from Hampstead I am determined to complete this classic game and therefore attain my own version of Hampstead and hopefully my own bicycle with a basket 
Check out Hampstead on World of Spectrum and get yourself an emulator to attain Hampstead with me
Download HERE the latest SIDtastic Anna Black Anorak from the home of C64 remixes SLAY Radio. Amongst much fun and jollity – links in the show included mention of GET LAMP : THE TEXT ADVENTURE DOCUMENTARY and C64Glen and his rather interestingly different C64 remixes.
Ok… I admit this is getting silly now…but as requested “825 photographs in less than 1 minute?” !
Warning – please don’t watch this film if flashing lights and fast images affect you at all
Love Anna x
Warning – please don’t watch this film if flashing lights and fast images affect you at all
People often ask me where are all the photographs of all the people holding thesignedphotograph are. Well, it’s a logistical admin job and a half and I get very confused So to enable you to see the scale of the project I’ve updated the previous APOTSPOAB flicker film and hereby present to you “825 photographs in less than 2 minutes?” Music courtesy C64Audio.com I hope you enjoy.
If you are an APOTSPOAB I hope you can spot yourself! Thanks so much to everyone who has taken part. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I have made many friends on our travels. I still need another 1365 people, so if you wish join in let me know and I’ll come to you. I hope to be having an exhibition and film screening shortly too so ears peeled for that
It is a pointless pointlessness for a very good reason… I will get the website tidied up shortly so it all makes sense… for info on how and what and why, please visit thesignedphotograph.com or follow on Twitter 
Have a great weekend,
Anna x
Created by fellow SLAYRadio chappy Mr Boz who has a voice like a litter of kittens sporting silken mittens
We went to Portsmouth and saw the hovercraft which was a geeky ambition 
And here is @thesignedphoto with the Spinnaker Tower 
Regular readers will know I am a complete variety and theatre history nut. I was fortunate enough to meet Steve Clark while at the London Palladium a few weeks ago. Steve is one of The Clark Brothers and dance history on legs – or feet to be precise. Have a look at the clip below – it is absolutely incredible!
He is a true entertainment legend who regaled us with tales of working with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and many other names I never thought I’d be one degree of separation from. He also said he worked at the Kilburn Empire!
Also below is a lovely bit of video with Sandra (a wonderfully jolly lady with a beautiful beaming smile) when they broke into impromptu sing songs. This clip makes me so happy – it’s a real joy to watch!
(apologies for the hazy video quality – the lighting was very gloomy and had to brighten a bit…)
(I’ve managed to visit a few of the West End Theatres recently so will write more soon about my backstage exploits )
Happy New Year everyone! Hope everyone is well and that the snow is jolly rather than a problem for you. I spent a few days up in Edinburgh just now and it was beautiful, although it was a lot of fun getting back as the trains were askew. Braved Arthur’s Seat for well, you know…
As you can see @thesignedphoto has had a bit of an accident. I slipped on the icy path and fell on him. New glass is a’coming. It won’t be the same though…
Back in Gothenburg last year we met Åke the Cat
