http://www.annablack.com/organisation
This month I am mostly sorting the notes for my book. Only another 1000 odd people to meet 
Aug 102010
Jun 072010
Today I am mostly work editing (see “to the left”) Along with bits of “Unconformity” an animation/live action short which I hope to have completed by the end of August and my 2006 Edinburgh Festival self a facing docu which is a long time coming.
Looking back through footage made me personally reflect in a jolly way. It’s been very difficult to be active and creative for the last couple of years. I’ve been on my way back from a serious illness and my brain is faster than my body sometimes. For someone like me this is frustrating!
M.E. / Chronic Fatigue (or whatever name you give it) pretty much decimated my entire life. Work, relationships, finances, home, and career. I ended up without anywhere to live and turned from an hyperactive lanky bint into a inactive docile lumpy cheese sandwich. (I am more svelte these days 
)
I lost two years of my life, but in a strange life affirming type-way!
One of the worst things about the whole experience was being informed on a regular basis that I was just “depressed”, or “down”, or even “lazy”. It made it ten times worse having to constantly explain or convince people that I was actually ill – as well as being ill. In the end I just stopped talking to people.
Anyway, I always try to channel anything negative into what I do creatively and use it positively. It’s very strange how out of pain can come inspiration so I’m glad I bought that signed photograph of Arthur Bostrom ten years ago! It forced me to get out of the house and meet people, and probably saved my sanity. (Did I say I’m writing a book? 
)
So – to paraphrase – I feel very fortunate, and I am now as well as I can be – and back, behind, in front, and inside a camera looking for inspiration! It’s all jolly and it’s all positive!
Cheers, and thanks for sticking with me.
Anna x
I really do like Twitter. I’m aware it’s not Facebook – although Facebook appears to want to become Twitter after recently stealing it’s “@” and perhaps next it will change it’s name to Facebitter. Anyhoo, as regular irregular readers will realise I get quite a few great APOTSPOAB’s via the medium of 140 characters (meaning Twitter - not a dodgy joke about clairvoyance and vodka which I shall not tell, or even mention)
The much followed @londonist twotted that they had a ticket to visit the Kingsway Tunnel in Holborn. I reply-e-twitted first I won the ticket and I went deep underground with the nice and jolly M@ who is the editor and chef* of said publication.
The trams tunnels are being used for an art installation which is a great excuse for a geek like me to get underground. I love all things subterranean historical. We also took Arthur down there…
After the underground adventure I stalked Matt for a little while. He suggested going to meet Jeremy Bentham. Fabulous I thought as I remembered who he was. I read about him in a ghost book when I was 9. He is quite dead.
Then we strolled across to the Grant Museum meeting the curator chap Jack and lots of skeletons. Now here comes the surreal universe bit. Sat sketching some antlers was a face I recognised. Took a few minutes for the penny to drop. It was Fernando – someone I worked with over 3 years ago on a MTV thing! What are the chances?
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He is a costumer and my ex-husband. Ok not really – a bride and groom was required for a scene. I fitted the dress and he looked dapper in a suit so we spent the afternoon getting shouted at by Paul Kaye. Such is the power of @thesignedphoto for the random drawing together of the firmanic stringy elements of the world.
Hurrah for the pointless pointless! Hurrah for @Londonist! Hurrah for Twitter!
Let’s all go fly a kite made of buckle-turps! **
* this is probably a typo as there was not much creative cooking…
** I realise this blog entry sort of trails off… after these latest odd events I went to the pub…
Aug 062009
(APOTSPOAB #791 / 2190)
Friday last we went to the City of London for I had been contacted by a teddy bear and his master. The teddy bear was called MrJeb and the master was very well spoken. MrJeb is not just an ordinary teddy bear. He is tough. I mean call him “teddy bear” to his face and you’ll know what I mean. He has his own audio adventures which I fear he may make you listen to. I didn’t need persuading as it’s really rather good, and disturbing…
So, herewithinbelow find MrJeb and Marty “The Master” in the The Castle (Eel) pub. You have been warned and I hope that the tone of this post does all to enable the resoundment of the podcast in your shell-like…
When I feel the need and have the capacity we adjourn to healthier climes (Long winded way of saying we “bugger off out of chokey smoke to get energy”) If you look book early enough and look in the right place you can find amazingly cheap tickets on trains to some pretty amazing and healthy places.
A favourite recently is Dorset – £1 there – £1 back – stick your life on your back, be free, breathe the air, and live in a tent for few days. If you go to Dorset you also get the sea, geology, and wildlife thrown in for free.
We ended up backpacking our way to a unique place not far from Swanage. I knew I would like it when I heard it was called “Toms Field”. The name conjured up in my mind beautifully serene images of wind blown green fields full of yodelling sheep, rabbits, cows, ducks and a farmer called Ol’Tom letting backpackers sleep in his cornflake cake field for 50p and a tap dance. This being well away from roads, traffic lights and Government ministers telling you about the dangers of fresh fruit and Vimto.
Well – it is beautiful, quiet, full of wildlife although slightly less surreal than my dream. It lives on Toms Field Road in a place called Langton Mantravers. A Geoff Capes throw from the sea surrounded by some of the most picturesque scenery you can imagine. We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves.
We arrived mid afternoon, feeling a little guilty as we pitched up near where the rabbits play, seeing saw them scurry into the hedgerow as we approached. They must have been cursing us, as during the night, they nibbled our tent flaps. All forgiven next morning as we watched them softly nibble the grass just yards from our coffee and porridge. The big one was called Quentin. They glanced periodically to check we didn’t have big sticks or a pot, but were otherwise content with woomun-presence.
And relax…
The site is rightly proud of it’s environmental status. Everything is recycled and they even have a solar powered hot water system which has won awards and cleans saucepans up a treat. The site exists with the surrounding area not in spite of it. Hence wildlife and nature is close and symbiotically respectful. In our time there we saw various species of birds, sheep, horses, cows, deer, foxes, insects and even at dusk a badger. All within 15 mins stroll of Toms Field.
After the claustrophobic intensity of a city there is a humbling sense of simplicity and self reliance . In my opinion this is the way it should be when camping. This isn’t a site with a cigar smoking club house, bar, or live Skiffle bands. Caravans are not allowed and there is barely a mobile signal. There is however a mangle.
Toms Field is the nearest you can get to wild camping without needing a shovel. The whole place is just so darn friendly, happy and smiley. The scenery and coastal walks are incredible and Jo the manager even became APOTSPOAB #724! Oh and by the way – the the price of pitch, water, peace, quiet, seaside, wildlife and healthy air? £8 a night. Sold!
Please visit their website for more info @ tomsfieldcamping.co.uk and you might spot Quentin the friendly rabbit
A x
