Drum roll...

In a previous, rather jubilant post written on a very good day, I mentioned an exciting offer I'd just received. And here's the scoop!

I've been invited to start blogging on the Nature Network! (And I got the hockey tickets too!)

OK, so it's not quite the Nature publication that I've always wanted, but it's as close as I'm likely to get!

They gave me two options: to move this whole blog over there, archives and all, or to start a new blog and keep this one intact. I went with the latter, so this blog will keep going, albeit with a reduced post frequency.

This actually feels like a really good time to split my blogging efforts. I started this blog while away on conference duty with my old job, when I was feeling mentally about as sharp as a butter knife. Being around academics again, and attending conference sessions for the first time in a long time, made me realise how much I missed using the science part of my brain. So my first couple of months worth of posts had a very scientific content as I dragged my science brain, kicking and screaming, back to life. I actually felt smarter than I had in ages!

As I became more comfortable with the medium and met some regular commenters, some more personal posts crept in, followed by monkeys and silliness. Since I started my new job - which uses my science brain every day - I've not posted much scientific content at all. Instead I've somewhat lazily regaled you with tales of football's ups and downs and New Year's drunkenness. However, I have been meaning to post the occasional journal club-type article. Honest.

So now, I get the best of both worlds! Posts about any new and exciting research that I come across, or posts with any other hard-core scientific content, will go up at my new blog. (I'll insert a link to each new post the next time I post here). All the less serious stuff will stay here.

I think this is the best way to go, but I may have to adapt and evolve! Any feedback is always welcome!

Oh, and I decided to use my full name on the new blog. (I think I'd be crazy to stay anonymous on Nature's site). So now you know! I realise it's somewhat pointless to keep using my initials here, but I think I'd prefer it if googling my real name didn't bring this blog up on the first few pages. So please don't include my full name in any comments or anything. Thanks!

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(Interestingly enough, I went straight to my reader after writing this and found two posts, by Mrs Whatsit and Propter Doc, about blog anonymity. Spooky!)