Here on Forbidden Planet International and Broken Frontier.

Also in the good news pile Nelson the book I co-ordinated when I worked for Blank Slate last year has been nominated for an Eisner for Best Anthology. I am the most excited. THE MOST. For those of you not familiar with the Eisners it’s essentially the top honour in the comics industry. It is the Oscar of comics. I am so proud and happy and elated. Ahhhhh!

Also I appear in the most recent Buzz Magazine put together by the Edinburgh Napier University journalism students. You can pick it up around town here at local cafes and pubs. :D

K

Lucky for us the weather was fantastique-

Roisin treated me to a squashed penny souvenir- panda panda panda

PANDA!

I kinda feel like I have a weird thing for them as my teddy (yeah… my teddy… don’t act like you don’t have a favourite teddy) is a panda.

This statue is clearly not an act of god but rather, a freak of nature. Thus- he is my favourite. (Why would you blend a coo with a penguin? Especially when there are no coos at the zoo?)

Boar with face paint!

Monkeys are always the best/most exciting thing at the zoo. So we chilled in their house.

This guy was kinda creepy

And this one was havin’ a wank in plain site. Which of course I took about 12 pictures of. I am the classiest. Really, I am.

I claimed to be some form of animal whisperer which is a load of shite but I did manage to lure this bad boy out of the bushes. Deer rodents for the win! (And no, I will not be giving any of the proper animals names during this entry.)

Ok I know this one- tapirs! TAPIRS! Wee tapir!

This rhino was sunbathing. As you do.

The only thing as neat as monkeys at the zoo are the penguins and this zoo has all the penguins. Ones in fancy suits…

And with fancy hair…

Or lacking fancy hair- I think he was Róisín’s favourite. He must get ridiculed by his bros.

Baby penguins … eee!

Dogs of the wild variety-

Flamingos! I don’t think I’d ever seen one before.

Yawny leopard

Now this… this is Róisín’s attempt at recreating the moment when my camera went flying out of my pocket while we were on the tram-like vehicle and I had to ask the driver to stop a couple minutes up the road causing us to disembark sheepishly and walk all the way down the hill to retrieve it in the bushes only to find out that someone had handed it in to lost and found. An adventure really.
…she was raging… :D

View from the top (once we finally made it to the zebras)

This bear is a total stud posin’ for a photo and all that-

Best monkey at the zoo? I think yes, this wee fella and I bonded.

Most frightening thing at the zoo…

More adventures to come surely.

K

Scott is one of the best people on this planet and he and I hadn’t really got silly together- so along with the legendary Marie Montondo we went out and had the best night ever when he came to visit a coupla weeks ago.

But of course prior to those shenanigans here’s what happened.

We ate all the cake and did all of the talking-

We borrowed Mr. Rodwell’s veggie lasagna recipe and consumed it over a bottle of win(e)

This is Scott’s lasagna face-

Then we got piercings as you do-

Marie Montondo brought us to the most delicious of all the veggie restaurants Black Bo’s nom nom

Then this happened…

I couldn’t possibly love this picture more. Love, love, love.

I really ought to stop making this face.

After an amazing few days with Scott I was bloody privileged enough to get to spend some time with my buddy Josh. I mean privileged- I hadn’t seen him for over ten years, I can remember running into him in the hall of my high school just for a brief moment ages ago… we’d kept in touch but what an epic game of catch up to play after a decade…

I cannot stress how fucking fantastic those few days were with him. Not to mention how lovely it was that he and Róisín got along so well- kindred spirits level of camaraderie.
Kinda wanna keep this visit close to my chest- because it ended up being far more important (for lack of a better word) than I could have ever expected. His return back to Australia was slightly … devastating. Yeah, devastating. I fucking miss that bitch.

I’ve also enjoyed the sweet tunes of some lovely friends lately. Róisín’s BFF (mother) Hannah O’Reilly played a gig at the Edinburgh College of Art- she’s friggen AMAZING.

She let me play her kazoo… it was kinda the best thing ever.
Róisín will likely be pissed that I posted this photo. But it is full of kazoo goodness.

Then last weekend Róisín played an open mic at the Jazz Bar. It ’twas of course- amaaaazing.

You should listen to some of her sweet, sweet, tunes here.

:D

K

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

K

1- Read at least 30 books- Ha… no…
2- Read all of the comics I own and have not read yet- again… no
3- Finish Galavant- I DID THIS! YES!
4- Record some music- nope nope nope
5- Start a new comic project for release at Thought Bubble- noooope
6- Travel somewhere new- I did do this. I did. HOORAY.
7- Try out yoga… or some form of fitness related activity- I did this too.
8- Do something with my NaNo novels- they feel neglected- they remain neglected.

So now it’s time to create a new list. *puke*

1- Try to read 25 books Kayla… just 25 (embarrassing)
2- Catch up on TED talks
3- Travel through Europe. All of it. Do it up.
4- Publish another comic- you can do it lady
5- Work on my NaNo novels
6- Record some music
7- Complete my leafy project- at least the website.

Again- this year I’m trying to be reasonable. But yeah… we’ll see how this goes…

K

Here we go- time to think about 2011

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
-published a book- not just any book- one with a spine
-co-ordinated a metric poop-ton of artists for a graphic novel
-moved to Scotland
-made my way to a supervisor position zing! And of course tried out self employment
-went to Orkney, through the Hebrides and all over Scotland- not to mention- Birmingham, Portmeirion and a load of other places in England.
-shook Taylor Hanson’s hand
-I cooked delicious stew and veggie lasagna
-tried loads of new food
-acquired stellar coffee making skillzzzz

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I of course did not keep my new years’ resolutions… well not all of them. And yes, I will continue to make them and not keep them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Loads surely- Facebook reminds me of this.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Luckily no. Although I feel like some of my guts did.

5. What countries did you visit?
England, Scotland, Canada.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
… gaaahhh this is hard… motivation? Not that I wasn’t motivated in 2011… I guess I just lacked conviction.

7. What date(s) from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
-the day I got my gig with Blank Slate- just so bloody excited
-TCAF and visiting my folks- happy travel family goodness
-my Scotland adventure- TRAVEL~ schwing!
-the whole process of moving to Edinburgh…
-My Haggis Christmas

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing Galavant, printing it and then selling out at TCAF.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting people down.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I did but nothing to write home about-

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My trip to Scotland in September.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Behavior always seems so strange a word- but Adam Cadwell was my partner in crime for most of this and thus deserves celebration.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
We won’t go here. I do not call people out on the interweebs.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel, bills and rent weee!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting in to TCAF, seeing Galavant in print the first time, meeting Jeffrey Lewis, going to Portmeirion, travel in Scotland and exploring my new city.

16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2010?
Youth Lagoon tunes
Summer Camp
The Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
Florence’s Ceremonials
Caledonia- Dougie MacLean
A Little Piece- The Jezabels
Keep Yourself Warm- Frightened Rabbit
Flight 180- Bishop Allen
The Sean Is A Good Place …- Los Campesinos
Firework- Katy Perry
Mountains- Biffy Clyro
Somebody That I Used To Know- Gotye
212- Azealia Banks

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
Quite a bit of time has passed since December but I’d have to say I was happier as last December I was stuck at Starbucks and entirely exasperated- this December I think I felt like I was sorting my life out- still kinda feel that way. Not to mention I’d just came back from spending my holidays in the highlands. Good times.

ii. thinner or fatter?
Tres thinner. Woo jogging.

iii. richer or poorer?
I’m definitely richer than I was last year. This is good.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I’m constantly frustrated with how little I’ve read over the last few years. It’s fucking appalling. Not to mention how much travel I feel like I’ve missed out on just due to circumstance. *grumble grumble*

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Apologizing – this one remains the same. I need to harden a bit. Not be an asshole… but just… y’know.. grrr

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent my Christmas on a Haggis Adventure in the highlands. On Christmas Day I climbed Ben Bhraggie and thus I shall brag about that. It was awesome. I legitimately had an epic time. It wasn’t as nice as it would have been to be hanging with my family but it was literally the best I coulda done.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I did.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Ooooo got into Gossip Girl, The Wire, Community, 30 Rock, Bored to Death, hmmm yeah. True Blood…

23. What was the best book you read?
I fail. Nothing to report really. I read some things and they were good but shhh shh shhh fail.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
-Summer Camp
-Youth Lagoon
-The Head and the Heart
-Or, The Whale
Loads more surely… but yeah.. that’s the top

25. What did you want and get?
Argh – damn you survey damn you! … I dunno…

26. What did you want and not get?
To answer this I’d have to know what I want.

27. What was your favorite film of this year?
I really dug Black Swan and The King’s Speech… Crazy, Stupid, Love was ace too.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were ya?
I turned 27- I woke up in the morning iced my cake, opened presents and then ate some of that cake while watching Home Alone. Then I went to the airport to pick up my parents and my sister… had a bit of a rambling afternoon as hotel shenanigans got sorted but it all ended well with a meal at the Banyan Tree nom nom.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having a decent job. That would have made all the things better.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
All of the dresses with all of the black tights with cardigans and belts.

31. What kept you sane?
Mr. Arthur Dela Cruz and Mr. Scott Hunt. They are both legends.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Probably Ted Danson.

33. Who did you miss?
My familia and Arturo.

34. Who was the best new person you met?
Some of the Pat Val staff- Deb Hemer and Chris Rodwell.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011?
Good grief… humans really are- all too human. That I should allow myself a little more wiggle room for error… I dunno… bah so much.

K

Just don’t entirely know what to say as I’m still adjusting. I just know some things for certain:
-I like my job. I really do. I work somewhere that is willing to invest in me regardless of there being a limited amount of time I can devote to them. I get along with the staff, I dig the location, I dig the locals and the regular folk who come in. It’s good.
-I’m meeting new people all of the time and I feel like I’m actually establishing some good chum situations. I’m going out Ceilidh dancing, whiskey drinking and tune singin’- I’m exploring (what feels like) constantly.
-I’m cooking and baking. It does help to have people to share these delicious things with – The Chris and Kayla cooking sessions have definitely resulted in some of the more epic food adventures. (Photos below) And my newly acquired friend Marie and I will likely cook some veggie noms in the near future. But it’s so nice to have the time to do these things.
-I’m gettin’ creative- I’m writing, I’m drawin’, I’m singin’… hopefully a bit more of that now that I’m more settled in.
-I chat – well text, my BFF Arthur every day. I like this. He’s knitted into the fabric of my day.

It’s good. Yeah?

I have to admit that pretty much 90% of the “life improvements” I’ve found are a direct result of the shift in employment. I get knackered sure- but … a different kind of knackered…

I’ve been trying to get used to single life- which has come with a somewhat shocking amount of goo. Sticky stuff.
I’ve also been over-thinking everything, all of the time. But I don’t mind the lows. I really don’t. Some nights I like guiltlessly drowning in self pity to wake up the next morning refreshed. It’s good to feel every part of life. (Even if at the time I don’t have the perspective to recognize its’ benefits-)

But the last few days have allowed me to feel like I’m emerging from something- so I guess I’ve made progress. No longer adjusting I bet- just living. And I’m down with that.

Anyway- PHOTOS!

In October I started making my trips to Edinburgh to get sorted- when I went to pass out CVs I took note of this dude’s socks in Preston. Ace.

Elephant House breakfast-

I ended up in The Last Drop to eat and have a celebratory pint for my hard work and the power went out. I think it only added to the atmosphere. Candlelight is always enjoyable.

The next trip I made was to do some job interviews. I found myself right back in the Grassmarket where the Last Drop is located. I took these while waiting to head in to Hula for my interview/work trial.

And then I lucked out by getting an appointment to see some flats… so I decided to walk out to Corstophine to check out what my potential new hood would be like – and see the proximity to downtown etc.
The sun looked perfect as it set by Donaldson’s College.

Impressive cakes.

On the way to the train station home I appreciated the Christmas decor.
Mmm Christmas.

And then I began the hardest part physically and emotionally… packing. oi.
These suckers come with me everywhere.

I made my move really hectic and crazy- not giving myself a single day off between my old and new job… lesson learned on that one. I’m not a bloody magician.
I was lucky enough to have Scott and Anna over on my second night. I lacked in all departments though. I had no sheets or towels to offer them so we ended up sleeping the three of us on two pillow case-less Argos pillows with a cover-less duvet. It was all good though- I gave them t-shirts to shower with and we giggled our way through the evening.

Then I began to explore my neighbourhood. I love this. LOVE.

I got a little too pumped about buying Scotch tape in Scotland…

BEWARE!

Finally thanks to the 24 hour Tesco I acquired some sheets. Sweet sweet cuddly cocoon making sheets.

I get to check out this view of the castle every single day on my way to work. Just… gaaahhh

A week later I got to have another friendly adventure when Cameron Stewart came to town. We sauntered up to the castle where I took this shot-

Then I told him about the mysterious book sculptures that’d appeared around the city so we went on a hunt.

Then I took him to Black Medicine – a hip cafe, where I fell in love with this chair. So low… with such a high back.

And he introduced me to Spoon where I discovered I could linger until Midnight on some evenings.

Then the Christmas markets came to town- not as good as Manchester but the Orkney burger takes the bloody cake.

This is the horrific photo that graces my bus pass. I look cross-eyed and frightened. She didn’t give me any warning :(

So much exploring.

I’m one for sweet things but this bad boy was almost too much.

Chris turned 32 thus I baked him a chocolate cake- Hillier family tradition. All birthdays mean epic chocolate cakes folks.

Stirfry cooking excursion 1.

My work’s Christmas party went out for the most delicious curry nummers. SO GOOD.

Cooking excursion 2- stew. NOM. I really need to make this bad boy again. The leftovers aged epicly.

Necessary apple strudel consumed from the markets.

Also necessary puddle splashing.

I was pressed for time when it came to Christmas baking… so this happened on boxing day around 1am. Deeeelicious.

Cooking excursion 3- the most bloody holy crap delicious lasagna. Between this sucker and the stew was another stirfry… but this lasagna… ohhh man… so good. Gonna make it again Thursday actually.

I miss this beast. I actually miss it.

I wasn’t really involved in this creation. I chopped the spinach. Foooooood. Delicious foooooood.

Marie and I testing out the mains at Under the Stairs. Really dig that place. Just wish they had wifi so I could do some work… could draw there I suppose.
This is their Supreme Chicken.

And these are their ridiculous alcoholic hot beverages.

Marie and I had an evening of Ceilidh dancing- beforehand we went for a pint and I was stoked about these melty fireplace candles…

These two were taken by the actual Ceilidh club. We’re gonna try to go every week. SO much fun!

Been eatin’ mah porridge every morning too. Particularly enjoyed the blue tights and blueberry colour co-ordination.

More spinach and egg deliciousness

Exploring Leith… was nice to get close to the water…

Boda- brilliant little pub. Definitely think I will frequent here often.

Best veggie sausages I’ve ever tasted from the Fiddler’s Arms. Really, really good stuff.

Acquiring the best seat at Under the Stairs with Marie.

Many adventures to come. Loads more exploring to do- I haven’t even taken a bite of this area. There is so much to see and do.

K

I was worried that I was going to miss out on the beginning because I was finishing work at the exact time the procession starts- but I assure you- it’s very hard to miss…

I went with Marie and Mark who I’d met on the Christmas tour and I think pretty much immediately we’d decided this was a pretty hip place to be.

We sauntered our way through all the flames taking photos- all the way up to the top of Calton Hill in order to see things lit on fire and the AWESOME. And I mean AWEEEESOME fireworks.

This YouTube video does have the fireworks… the sound quality is obviously quite piss… but you’ll get the idea.

Year of Creative Scotland…

Now see, I really wanted to go to Up Helly Aa in Shetland later this month but because I’m a total noob I didn’t listen when I was told to get my bloody ticket and fast… so my trip sold out.
But! The Shetland viking dudes were hanging around to light all the things on fire and be awesome!!! (I’m sure these are all the technical terms) SO HOORAY!!!! It’s like I got a small taste… a smaaaalll smmmackeral of Up Helly Aa. Yes? YES!

If I’ve learned anything about my time in the UK… between Glastonbury, Bonfire Nights and this bad boy these suckers like to light things on fire.

Happy New Year folks-

This is Marie and I during the procession- taken by Mark.

How I really spent New Years was cooking and eating a delicious stir fry and chatting over a bottle of wine with Chris as I had to work New Years Eve and Day. Very different events but both very hip.

Hello, 2012.

K

I had a few options open to me- going to London to spend time with friends, hanging around Edinburgh- cooking my own meal etc, or signing on to yet another Haggis tour to spend some more time in the Highlands.
I decided to go to London, but then when I started looking at train times etc… it was a bit of a mess. I had to work on the morning of the 27th and the trains weren’t co-operating. So I decided to treat myself and do the trip. If I wasn’t going to be with family or friends- having a 3 day adventure was indeed the next best thing.

It was a pretty big group- I think there were 36 or 37 of us in total with our tour guides Greg (Greggles) and Chris (who was also a guide on my trip in September). There were quite a few things that we did that I’d already seen/done in September but it was kinda nice and twilight zone-esque to end up at these stops again after feeling like I’d never set foot there again.

For instance- our first stop The Wallace Monument in Stirling- when I was there last time it was chucking it down- so it was hip to linger a little longer exploring.

We stopped at The Green Welly Stop for lunch and I must admit I was the most excited to have the fish pie again. I might have dreamed about it. Once. So delicious. That cupcake by the way, was maaagggnificent.

Then we drove through Glen Coe where you find the Three Sisters. One of my favourites. Would love to have some extra time out there…

Photos don’t do any of this justice.

Then we went on to Loch Ness where JOY OF JOYS! OF ALL THE JOYS IN JOYVILLE- we were going to do the Nessie Haka.

This is Urqhart Castle- saw this bad boy in September as well…

Dug this wee tree by the Loch…

Gazing into Loch Ness prior to the Haka… :D This was my third time doing this bad boy, and no- it does not lose it’s appeal. Christmas came early.

Then we made it to our destination The Royal Highland Hotel in Inverness.

I decided the first thing to do after seeing the massive bathroom was to take a bath. IT WAS THE BEST BATH IN LIFE. The towels on the rack were so bloody warm. SO BLOODY WARM. Which prompted me to take the photo below to commemorate those towels. Those glorious Christmas Eve towels. *snuggle snuggle snuggle*

The grand staircase in this bad boy was apparently inspiration for the one they constructed in the Titanic flick- it was impressive.

That night we went to a club called Hush where we were all very quiet. (Bad joke? Yes.) It was a pretty good time- free champagne and a free drink voucher yes, yes. Got to dance to Bootylicious as Chris showed off his sweet dance moves. But I did call it a night early as I was running on a mere 4 hours of sleep.

The next morning we were all greeted with stockings on the bus filled with things like Irn Bru and these fetching Christmas hats which were worn for most of the day.

We spent our day something, something Christmas hill… …wandering the Highlands…

Duke of Sutherland…

I have never felt wind like that in my entire life. Not on Orkney, not at the Butt of Lewis, no, no… this wind picked me up and threw me on my ass then proceeded to drag me a few meters after flinging off my glasses in a fit of joy. Real wind friends. Real. Wind.

But what a view…

The victorious majority. Wahey!

There should be a photo somewhere of the entire crew at the top of this guy but I have not come across it in my travels yet.

Buddy on the right there demonstrates a bit the force of that wind.

This was the only snow I interacted with at Christmastime… beggars shall not be choosers no? No.

Then we ate our Christmas lunch in the gardens of Dunrobin Castle.

Tres princess-like. Our sandwiches were strange with three bloody slices of bread… weird- weird sandwich.

Everyone likes tree tunnels. These are the lovely South African friends I made- James, Kath and Clara.

James and I explored this majestic gate. Yes, majestic. I might have licked it.

Then we went to Dornoch Beach for a Christmas stroll. You can only have Christmas strolls on Christmas so that’s what it’s called.

I collected seashells as I didn’t grow up by the sea this brings me the most pleasure. :D

Then we made our way back to the hotel where I had yet another bath. Be jealous. You should be. Then I got dressed up (read: got out my tittays in a little black numbah) and went down for Christmas dinner.
We had Christmas crackers and everything. It was LOVELY.

The starter- soup- some lentil variety if I remember correctly…

This is Nkoyo my Nigerian seat mate. She is absolutely AMAZING. We had such a lovely time together. And to my right is a Kiwi who fell in love with Irn Bru. Yes… Irn Bru.

Christmas dinner… was kinda mediocre truth me told. But meh, at this point I was winning anyway by drinking all the win(e).

James makin’ faces with Kath-

Christmas pudding- which tipped the scale into “I ate too much” territory.

Then after our delicious meal it was time for a Ceilidh. I was stoked as um… well… this accordion player Fiona who I think is kinda the prettiest lady ever was coming from Fort Augustus. She’d been at Morag’s Lodge when I was there in September. I got to tell her she was the prettiest and I got a wee kiss. BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER.

Also best dancing ever. I had the epic dancing bruises to prove the awesomeness.

The next morning we had to pack up and head home of course stopping at some lovely spots along the way-
I got to go to Culloden again.

Necessary Haggis bus photo-

Then we headed to the Ruthven Barracks which looked pretty interesting as the whole area was flooded.

Impressive no?

I loved lookin’ at the snowy mountains on the ride back to Edinburgh… pretteh.

Our final stop was the Falls of Bruar. Nice wee saunter.

And there we have it. That was how I spent Christmas- not your normal Christmassy shenanigan. But Christmas goodness no less. Was nice to meet some lovely new folk from Nigeria, South Africa, America etc… and to hang with Christo.

Pretty cool to tell some saucy level jokes to the right crowd. Let the “Q” reign superior.

K

Scott is a part of what I like to call my “holy trinity of friendship”- one of my favourite people on this planet. And this is Beau his roommates Rosie and Danni’s puppy. He is the most beautiful dog.

So cute!

The veggie cafe by the university has the most delicious bakewells… good grief.. nom nom

Some absolute knobhead splashed me as I was walking down Oxford road. We are never going to be friends. He is in the douche nozzle pile immediately.

I have to admit as beautiful as Edinburgh was at Christmastime… Manchester has superior markets. I do think so- the only exception being the Orkney burger stall which was the most delicious. Hoo-ray for Orkney.

Adam and I went out for dinner in the evening and chatted while sharing a delicious venison Christmas dinner type thing at the Banyan. I had my first mulled wine of the year as well… actually the only one to date.

I was also able to stop by Pat Val and say hello- While I have a strange relationship with Manchester I definitely miss the lovely folk that I’ve met there.

But I do believe that the move to Scotland was the right thing to do. Oh yes- but more on that later.

K