#memory lane

Tomy Racing Cockpit / Turnin’ Turbo Dashboard (Japan, 1983)

(Dw about my Internet safety, this account has no details about myself or way to trace it back to me)

I recently found out you went to Nottingham too and am wondering if you have any particularly positive, intresting or embarassing story's from your time here?

Extra points if its linked to a campus location i can go "woah that happened here?"

Ps I chose Park Campus for its nature and have already had a squirrel drop a conker on my head and triped trying to not kick an overconfident rat running across the path.

Hey! Good for you! Few tidbits from my undergrad time: 1) I actually got rejected from every university I applied for except Nottingham. My school were that shocked they actually investigated. Turned out out they had all changed assessment criteria that year without telling anyone to include stuff from much earlier in my academic career where my grades were a bit lower. Joke was on them though Nottingham was my fave of the bunch by a wide margin.

2) I stayed in Derby Hall. Every single fire extinguisher in the hall was set off every. Single. Night, by a bunch of dickheads that meant we ALL lost our security deposit, despite most of us doing nothing wrong. In fact I think they demanded ANOTHER security deposit from everyone and got overruled. (I may be misremembering that last bit though.) 3) I was basically the first person to join the Improv society. I didn't found it but was immediately lured into running things. Actual founding members were very much more talented than me and included: Jen Littlewood (now a great producer) and Nick Moran (creator of Phantom Peak). That society was basically the crucible that lead to RQG since I cast all the main roles using connections made there. 4) I was cast in the Fresher's play at New Theatre meaning I was on stage in Bouncers and Shakers (great script, great production) 1 week after arriving. (maybe two? I forget.) That meant I shaved my head bald for the part straight after orientation meaning no-one I had met recognised me and I lost any chance of making friends! 5) I absolutely broke my course. I manipulated the system outrageously meaning I left Uni having studied: a) "Medieval Englishes" with "Nordic Sword culture and Manufacturing". b) Modern Literature with "Philosophy of Obligation, War and Dissent" and "Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence" c) English Language with Psycholinguistics d) Dramaturgy with Script Writing and Film Studies. 6) I was cast in a play called The Dragon Botherers at the New Theatre about a bunch of DND nerds who decide to go to self help. The director realised I had no idea what DND was so ran a ridiculous one off to get me to understand it. I had that much fun that off the back of that I sought out TTRPG nerds and asked me to teach me their ways for real. If I hadn't been in that play there would never have been an RQG which means no Rusty Quill which means no Magnus Archives.

7) One year I lived at the exact top of the hill between main campus and the city. At my personal best I could roll out of bed, on my bike and then cycle-sprint downhill that fast that I could make it from my bed to a lecture seat in 15 minutes flat. (The return journey was brutal, uphill all the way!) 8) There was a really good comic book shop just off the main square in central Nottingham called Page 45. They guided me to all the great graphic novels. That one shop has probably had a far greater influence on my work than I realise!

... once upon a time ...

The nature and animals of THE LION KING (1994) & TARZAN (1999)