It rains a lot here. You thought Seattle was bad, well check out Wales. As long as I can remember, It's always been like this (don't worry, I'm not going to get all Maxy on you).

This meant I used to watch a lot of TV while I waited for computers to be invented. And during the winter holidays, the Royal Institution's Christmas Lectures were totally the best thing ever.  I mean ever. 

(Watching someone whizz yards of nylon out of a vat of chemicals was a real highlight. Which probably tells you all you'll ever need to know about growing up in Wales).

So, I was delighted to be given a ticket to attend this year's series.  I can't wait. And it's only 13 weeks away.

All this is a prelude to letting you know that my colleagues at Microsoft Research Cambridge are lucky enough to be writing and presenting this year's Christmas Lecture series. In fact, the 5 lecture series will be given by Professor Chris Bishop ('tis him in the photo), which guarantees a good show. And if you have a child between the age of 11 and 17, you could go too.

This is actually the end of a long discussion process with the RI and is an important part of the UK Microsoft push to help more school children get excited about technology.  I'll be writing more on this soon.

Oh - and it'll be shown on Channel 5 over the festive break. 

Hope they do the trick with Nylon again.

Andy

Link: 2008 Christmas Lecture series