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

This was my third Hanson concert- the first I forgot my camera, the second… I forgot my camera… the third… I fahhhking forgot my camera. *sob*. I was able to take some videos and a few mediocre photos with my phone… but yeah- we’ll try to remember this for next time yes? Yes.

The best part about this gig was the fact that they’d never ever played Edinburgh before so they played all of the songs. All of them. There wasn’t a tune that I wanted to hear that they didn’t play. Not to mention um… I got to shake Taylor Hanson’s hand after the show. I touched him dudes. TAYLOR. HANSON. (The 14 year old Kayla fainted over this and possibly died.)

Moving along- my mediocre photos:

Hoooray for Tay!

Another really hip thing about this gig was the fact that Meiko was opening. I have dug her tunes for AGES but she tours very rarely- at least at this point that was the case for the cities I’ve lived in. So for her to be opening and for that to be a surprise it indeed felt as if Christmas had come early. She is AHMAZING.

Little clip of “Boys with Girlfriends”-

I took a few decent videos- This is Zac singing “Use Me Up”

Taylor singing “With You In Your Dreams”… *sob*

And a clip from them singing “Madeline”

They are so good live. I am stoked for a future concert where I finally remember my camera…

K

Before I left Manchester in November, I was lucky enough to go out for a few drinks with some of the staff of Pat Val (Patisserie Valerie) after my final shift. The photos make me giggle a bit yes.

 
That’s Ben, Stef’s friend and Stef-

Michael who is the bee’s knees.

I’m assuming this is his “come hither” face… I’m sure it works on his lovely lady.

Saucy ladies Jazzy Jizzle and my Team Awesome partner Sharlet

Sharlet, Anis, and Ben

My post-work drinking budday. ;)

This here, is my sexy face

Lovely ladies

I couldn’t possibly love this photo more. Mr. Anis and Mr. Bogdan – or as I call him Boggy Boges- Note: When Anis smiles his eyes disappear and he giggles like that dude from Billy Madison.

Jazz’s face here is kinda priceless and makes me wish I could remember what Michael was saying at this point…

Awesome.

Sauce.

Jazz took this photo. It’s how Team Awesome says good bye.

I miss these suckers. A lot. I do do do. Work can’t be bad when you have work mates likes these lot.

K
 

Better late than never yes? Yes.

For 5 months last year I had the absolute privilege of working with Rob Davis and Woodrow Phoenix on the incredible and extremely challenging project: Nelson.

54 Artists came together to tell the story of Nel Baker and I got a front row seat. The work that I did co-ordinating the book was not easy, it ate up my time like a delicious pastry- but it was most definitely worth it and very rewarding. When I recently had the time to read the whole thing cover to cover I couldn’t help but shed a tear knowing how bloody hard everyone worked to make this book happen- to tell this story.

Emailing, chatting and generally getting to know so much more of the UK comics community was a delight. I just needed to put it down on paper how proud I am of this book. I am floored that I had any part in its creation.

Many a learning curve were overcome and so many rant berries grown- but it was all for this book. This lovely, lovely book.

K

Just a quick posty post. November 11th isn’t just a day to remember. It is also the day that a certain Adam Cadwell was born. This year in particular was a bit special as it was his 30th- thus much celebrating was in order.

Here he is openin’ presents. And yes, that is the Hogwarts castle in Lego form.

Then it was time for the cake. Nom nom.

Wish time!

That evening Adam also got to blow out candles on a “lego cake” that his sister Jolene made. I particularly like his face here baha!

Adam’s mum got him loads of lego (yes, this is what a 30th birthday looks like) – here they are exploring…

The following night we went out with a bunch of Adam’s friends for food and drinks afterwards. I took this picture in Wagamama – looks like he’s about to eat that lady’s head…

The lego pile he acquired…

Adam also got one of the coolest gifts I’ve ever seen. His buddy Dan made him a Pez for his comic character The King of Things. Bloody BRILLIANT. And the card that accompanied this gift was just as creative and fantastic.

The month of November also means Thought Bubble. I had a pretty good weekend- the best part being hanging out with friends and getting to catch up with people like Biz Horne who I’d chatted with last year.

On the second night we indulged in a delicious sushi meal and were entertained by light saber wielding samurai sushi chefs.

And then we danced. Not as much dancing as I normally do at an event of this nature. But still, some dancing was most definitely done.

I came back from this weekend feeling like my heart was so full- spending time with Julia and Sarah in particular was just… there aren’t words big enough to suit the occasion.

November was a big month full of ups and downs – these were definitely some of the ups.

K

If you head here you’ll find the following:

7.4″x9.7″ (Crown Quatro)- 100 pages- perfect bound- B&W

This is the entire collection of Galavant.
The comic itself is 90 pages with some photos at the end.

All come signed

A5- 52 pages- B&W

This is the first Galavant collection.
It includes the entire month of January and some photos at the end.

All copies are signed on the cover – I like my DIY.

4 badges – B&W

Four stylish badges from Galavant-

Including Kayla eating a sandwich, Julia eating a sandwich, Adam and Kayla lounging on a couch in the Royal Albert Pub and the logo.

Sorry it took me 12 years, but I would like to think it’s worth the wait ;)

K

I’ve been really bad at keeping track of articles, interviews, podcasts- that kind of thing. So here’s a roundup of some of the press-related items that I’ve done or spotted over the last 7 months or so.

I was included in the Graphic Ladies tumblr which is pretty neat.

Before TCAF the National Post sent out questionnaires to artists here’s mine.

At TCAF I had the pleasure of getting interviewed with Adam Cadwell by Jimmy Aquino for The Comic News Insider. You can listen to that podcast here.
(We’re past the middle not quite at the end)

Timonthy Swann reviewed both Galavant and The Everyday for MOMBcast #95 back in July. You can have a listen here- we’re an hour into the show.

More recently I did an interview with Andy for “I Live Sweat”- a wonderful webzine. I think this was probably my favourite interview. Really nice dude- I like how it turned out. You can read it here.

Annnd I ended up in the following photo and review from Richard for the Forbidden Planet blog for this year’s Thought Bubble.

I like how Andrew and I are all serious business.

(Andrew Tunney, Me, The Cadwell)

I’m gonna try my best not to leave these suckers for so long next time around. heh.

K