Things I Enjoyed in 2013

I should probably start this blog post with a grovelling apology about the lack of updates… but I hate it when people do that so I’ll just gloss over all of that and assume/hope you forgive me.

It’s nearly the end of another year so I just wanted to jot down some of the things I’ve enjoyed in 2013. It isn’t a ‘Best of...’ list because I wouldn’t want to upset anyone.

So yes! Here are some ace things that have made this year good fun! Feel free to check them out if you like the sound of them…

FROZEN

It only came out a few weeks ago but I really enjoyed Disney’s Frozen - their reworking of The Snow Queen. I wasn’t expecting that much when the initial trailers came out… but my pals insisted I see it and I’m really glad I did as it was ace! The story is interesting, the characters are engaging and, most importantly, the songs are proper belters - the kind you find yourself singing when you’re walking down the street. Don’t believe me? Check out this one!

If you get the chance to watch it, I hope you do and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!



EDINBURGH
In early August, I got the train up to Edinburgh! I've only ever been for work before - but this time I was going to check out the Festival! I got to see some great stuff - Choose Your Own Documentary, David Morgan and Knightmare Live. It was a very enjoyable few days and I loved being able to pop out of one show and straight into another. And because I was there so early, the tickets were all affordable. Bonus points to the midnight McFlurry I invested in and all the lovely fudge shops! And to John for looking after me! I hope I can attend the festival again in 2014...



THOUGHT BUBBLE
Thought Bubble is a brilliant comic show in Leeds that happens in November time. As usual, I had a lovely time - it was ace to see pals and talk to people who have actually read my comic. Bonus points to the dude with the Hot Dog Princess tattoo! OMG! AND I MET FIONA STAPLES AND GAVE HER MY COMIC! Eeeeeee! If you haven't been to it before, I cannot recommend it enough! Come and say hi in 2014!



POSTAL SERVICE

I've been a fan of The Postal Service since my time in Santa Cruz so seeing them live this year was quite a treat. I was secretly hoping that they'd play some Figurine songs but alas, no luck! BUT! They played some new songs to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their album... which made me feel happy and old in quick succession.

BOARD GAMES

I've really enjoyed playing lots of table top board games in 2013 and it's been a great way to make new pals. Looking over at the pile of boxes on my wardrobe, I would recommend:

• Love Letter
• Coup
• Avalon / The Resistance
• Settlers of Catan
• Ticket To Ride
• Escape: Curse of the Temple
• Small World
• BANG!
• London (a lovely gift form my pal Phil)

They are all easy enough to pick up. Avalon and The Resistance are ideal for groups of people too! So much fun! I have an idea for one that I need to start work on too! Maybe we can all play that in 2014?


LOADING BAR
It's a computer / board game bar space in Soho, London and they do a lovely range of smoothies (I'd recommend the mango and passion fruit) and they staff are nice and I'm glad of having somewhere to go in an evening. Especially if there's a group of you who want to play The Resistance or something!

SPX (and New York)

In September, some pals and I went to SPX in the USA! I hadn't left the UK since my trip to Toronto (in 2009?) so this was a big deal for me but I'm so glad I did it! I really need to make a big diary comic about the experience - it was amazing (although bits of it were scary). SPX as a show is really lovely and the people were ace. It all happens in one big hotel so you see the same faces around and get to know people. We also had the chance to look around Washington DC (the most official city I've ever visited) and New York. Bonus points to Phil and Lizz for looking after me, Jenny and Mike for taking the time to hang out and everyone behind SPX - especially MDT and Smarx. OMG! And the pancake place around the corner! I am drooling just thinking about that place...

SECRET 7”

Secret 7" is a brilliant idea that gets people to design covers for mystery singles that are sold to raise money for charity. I saw a lot of my popular and accomplished drawing pals tweeting about it and I never thought my entry would get selected. I remember reading the email saying that I could take part and whooping loudly at my desk. I wrote up a process post about my entry and I still smile when I see it! I'd like to enter it again but I can't help but worry that I just got lucky this time. Or maybe I'm just being a baby? Either way, you should defo keep an eye on it!

YOUTH by FOXES
I just really like this song

MAY WITH MIKE

My pal Mike came to visit in May and I made a comic about it! I saw him again when I visited New York and he took us to a jazz bar. I miss him just from typing this. 

THE SOUND OF MUSIC / THE DROWNED MAN

I went to see  The Sound of Music at the Open Air Theatre with a pal in the Summer and it was so good that we both cried. My favourite bit was when Maria appeared from behind the audience and belted out 'THE HILLS ARE ALLIIIIIIIIVE.'

The Drowned Man is a very intense theatre piece by Punchdrunk. After putting on a mask, you're let loose in a five storey warehouse to follow a variety of characters across movie sets and saloons. I'm not sure I can describe it well enough or do it justice it... but if you have the chance to see it then I hope you'll give it a go! Just make sure you wear sensible shoes.

SUMMER CAMP

Summer Camp - responsible for one of my favourite songs, released a new album this year and it is great. I got to see them in Leeds and in London and besides being ridiculously well-dressed, they were slick as eff. If they tour near you then make the time to check them out.

I think that's about it for now. There are probably some things I forgot but I can always edit this later! What exciting things did you enjoy from 2013?

Stay out of trouble

TWx

November!

Hi there

Look! It's a blog post! Full of vague details about what I'm up to and the like!

First off, I can confirm the rumours that I *did* get a new haircut and *yes* it did involve losing my beloved fringe. I'd be distraught but someone said it was "sexy" so now I'm just confused...

Next, I'll be at Thought Bubble this coming weekend. If you're anywhere near Leeds then come and visit. Even if you don't stop by my table, there are some AMAZING people there so it's really worth a look! Plus, I'll have some new tote bags!

Unfortunately, the big book hasn't arrived in time. Booooooo. But as soon as I've had confirmation that it's being shipped then I'll activate the pre-order!

Also, I'm preparing to announce the next themed-week. We've had Wizard Week, Jessica Fletcher Week(s) and Boyfriend Week... so what could be next. It should happen a little before Christmas if that helps?

2013 is nearly upon us so I'm putting my thinking cap on about what to do next. So far I've got some sassy ideas for two new mini-comics and a storyline about Christina and how she's coping now that Toby has a boyfriend.

I'll wrap this blog post up with some fan art I've been working on. It's possibly one of the most complicated things I've made for a while - but it was really good fun to do! It's fan art for the new comic book series 'Saga.' It's created by Brian K. Vaughan (the man behind Runaways!!!!) and Fiona Staples (my new favourite drawing person) and is an epic space opera about family and war and cats. I really can't do it justice. The first trade paperback is out now and I cannot recommend it enough.

Anyways. Here is my fan art! I really hope you like it!

Beyonce!

Goodness me! I am shattered! This weekend was my first ever Thought Bubble - and I've just got home. It was an amazingly fun and intense weekend of talking, drawing, dancing and even a bit of caking.

Like with MCM, I'll write up some sort of epic blog about the whole thing but I really need to get some sleep now. Sorry. Although I suspect you'll survive. Oh - and here is a drawing about Beyonce and he alter ego, Sasha Fierce. Not sure who Sasha Fierce is? Watch this handy video:



And don't forget that Jessica Fletcher Week 2010 is nearing! I've got some brilliant submissions and you should send one along too! Don't be shy!

On a final note - some of my comics were reviewed over on Hand Drawn Awesome. I'm terrified of people saying mean things about my comics so obviously I was heartbroken that it begins with the words "I hate Timothy Winchester..." but it gets better. To be fair, it couldn't get any worse after that - but it all works out fine in the end. Phew. Thanks to Christian for the kind words. And thanks to everyone that came to visit me at Thought Bubble. I had an amazing time and I hope you did too...

Lady Gaga: Pokeballs

Lady Gaga makes a welcome return! She's been quiet for a while - what's she up to? Anybody know? I think we can all agree that there's totally another joke about Pokeballs to make about Gaga, eh?

So yes - it's the end of the weekend. I went to the Sol Pop 3 launch on Friday which was exciting...as well as bastard hot. It was good/great to see so many familiar faces all together - as well as some new faces. Hello new faces! I hope you're well!

Saturday was spent with pals. We walked around town and checked out two of the creepiest museums London has to offer. One is full of dead things in jars and the other is full of spooky toys which are possibly haunted. It's funny since I've been to both of them before but I found them double creepy this time round. Boo hoo. Then I went home and caught up with fixing all the drawings I've scanned in but not done anything with. It turned out there were more than I first thought so it was a late night. I caught up with X Factor but it was rubbish so there will be no YouTube link I'm afraid. Sorry.

Sunday was all about planning new drawings - mainly the ones for Jessica Fletcher Week. I've had some great entries so far so what are you waiting for? Get drawing! Oh - and I finally posted my MCM Expo Post! YEAH!

Next weekend will see my first ever trip to Leeds for Thought Bubble. I've never been to Leeds or Thought Bubble before so I'm quite excited...and nervous. Fingers crossed, eh?

Overboard!

You probably don't remember, but a while ago I wrote a bit about drawing a weird thing about pirates. You may not have believed me but HERE IT IS! Plus it's four times the size of a normal drawing so you've got four times the misery to enjoy.

I realise now that the lady pirate just looks like a sassy lady...but she has pirate earrings. And what did lady pirates wear? Hmmm...

Regardless - I know it's a bit of a weird drawing, even by my standards, but I hope you like it.

IN OTHER NEWS: It's nearly the weekend! I've got some super fun stuffed for the weekend. And I'll start drawing my Jessica Fletchers for Jessica Fletcher Week. Please draw one too so we can be twins. You don't even need to draw it - print or paint or write a poem! Just get involved.

Oh. And which of you scurvy sea-dogs are heading over to Thought Bubble?

Have a great weekend!

Happy First Birthday!

So...it turns out that I started uploading drawings to my proper website a year ago yesterday! That's a whole year of website. How exciting.And although I've only recently started doing daily uploads, there are something like 200 drawings up there!

I was pretty late to the whole "getting a website," thing, even though I've been making my print comic for a while... But I've really enjoyed uploading drawings and seeing how they've been received. And the nice thing is that there are some super nice people out there who actually like my stuff! Thanks guys! I totally promise to keep trying my hardest. BFF FOREVER!

Speaking of trying my hardest, I start my new job this week. I bought myself a fancy notebook! Fingers crossed.

And since it's my website's first birthday, I have an exciting thing to reveal.

YES! That's right! I got tote bags made up! They are super cute and bright orange. Plus there is an owl on the front. And a pun. I'm pretty sure that this is the recipe for greatness.

The owl bags will be coming to MCM Expo, Comiket and Thought Bubble... so come along! And say hello.