There are two new December 2009 Windows Azure-related challenges underway.*

Elance has just launched a way for you to get paid to play with Windows Azure.  You will need to have an Elance account to participate.  You can sign up for a free account here.

There are two ways to get paid by Elance for creating a Windows Azure based application:

• Earn $50 from Elance for each accepted application you build on Windows Azure and submit through Elance by December 31, 2009.  Any type of Windows Azure based application from simple samples to extremely complex solutions will qualify.
• Win up to $10,000 from Elance for the top application and $1,000 each for the top five runner-up applications.

Click here to take the challenge offered by Elance.

The Code Project has a Windows Azure challenge too, where you can win an Amazon Kindle.

Click here to take the challenge offered by The Code Project.

*Please note: These challenges from Elance and Code Project are not Microsoft offerings and are being independently brought to you by third party companies (who are not affiliated with  Microsoft).