Six (Briefish and Late) Things
I didn’t post on Monday. But I have an excuse. I was too busy pacing nervously up and down for Thing 1. Do forgive me.
Thing 1
Yesterday was a bit surreal. I can’t claim that it was the realisation of a boyhood dream, because those mostly involved scoring unbeaten double centuries against the West Indies at Lord’s, and that ship sailed (if it was indeed ever a ship at all) some decades ago.
But for anyone even vaguely interested in science, or who watched the famous Christmas Lectures in their youth, the Royal Institution is a special place. So to be invited to talk there was both a huge surprise and, frankly, a ridiculous privilege.
I am not a scientist. In fact, that rumbling you hear is the sound of several of my science teachers rolling in their graves at the very thought that I might be a suitable candidate even to set foot in the building, let alone stand behind the hallowed desk.
But I suppose I brought it upon myself by writing a 'popular science' book.
I was of course nervous, but as this was not part of the Friday Discourse series, I managed to escape without being imprisoned.
“Historically our Discourse speakers were always locked into a room 10 minutes before the start, as legend has it that a speaker once tried to escape.”
While not scientifically groundbreaking, I suspect my talk was the first in RI history to include both a terrible impersonation of Alan Partridge AND a terrible impersonation of Robin Ince doing his (rather good) impersonation of Carl Sagan (it’s the first one in that video). I am faintly relieved it wasn’t preserved for posterity.
Thing 2
Another 'me' thing, I’m afraid. I was invited to answer ten questions about London by the Cabbie Blog.
Thing 3
A flower a day – lovely idea, beautifully executed.
Thing 4
Oh I do like this. Good movies as old books, by Matt Stevens. Thanks to Daniel Benneworth-Gray for spotting it. There’s a book (also prints), and a second volume is on the way.
Thing 5
A really nice, very short film of an excellent church roof. Praise the Lord for people who don’t feel the need to pollute excellent videos with irrelevant/inappropriate/ghastly music, or – as Luke succinctly puts it – “additional guff”.
Thing 6
Look at this superb composite photograph by by Casey Sims of the 110 metres hurdles final from the recent World Championships at Budapest. You can follow the race from start to finish, and it just shows what a superb race Grant Holloway ran.
How good do you look there? Like you were born to it.
Well done! I wonder if you would have been less nervous if you had a baton in your pocket, like a good luck charm.