Wonders of the Universe

Exciting news, people. That's Not My Age met Professor Brian Cox yesterday and managed not to gush, stutter or drool. The winner of the 2010 Style Begins at Forty Award (SBAFtas) for science, back with a new series tomorrow night, was signing copies of his latest book at Waterstones, Gower Street. So, on my way to a lunch meeting, I decided to get there early and form an orderly queue. Once in store though, I was greeted by a jolly nice bunch of quantum physics students - who'd come straight from a seminar at UCL round the corner and wanted PBC to sign their lecture notes, a gaggle of science geeks (including a man who'd met Brian May and Patrick Moore and had photos on his iPhone to prove it) and a sprinkling of giddy, star-stuck women of a certain age, a couple of lovely ladies who'd travelled all the way from Durham to see the pop star professor. Here's Mr TNMA's book with my very special dedication...



What I really admire about PBC is his infectious enthusiasm. He takes a complex subject and whoops it up. Dedicating his life to 'understanding the universe,' Professor Brian Cox is genuinely excited by the laws of physics - and the women of a certain age in the queue were genuinely excited to meet him. This is Alison from Durham who has written to The Sunday Times Culture magazine four times asking why we don't see more of Professor Brian Cox on television - and had her letters published! Alison from Durham had a copy of an old Dare album and a birthday card for PBC, who was 43 this week:



Yes, Professor Brian with a mullet. Who apart from his most avid fan knew? That's PBC second from the right:



So, I had less than a nanosecond with the rock star scientist and quickly asked how he felt about reaching the age of 43? 'Oh I didn't notice it,' came the reply, 'It's best not to.' This man can make even the ageing process seem attractive. That's Not My Age left the building feeling like Michelle Obama on Read Across America Day...



Oh and it's World Book Night, tonight. Nothing to do with Professor Brian Cox or the universe but there are a million books being given away, read all about it here

Science moment of the year 2010

Professor Brian Cox comes a close second, but seeing one of the Wonders of the Solar System up close is undoubtedly this year's highlight. For Christmas, as well as ahem, a carefully wrapped vintage globe, Mr That's Not My Age took me to see the Northern Lights. Since Joanna Lumley's trip a couple of years ago, northern Norway has seen an increase in the number of glamorous people keen to experience the aurora borealis. This is Joanna Lumley, not me. But both of us have achieved a lifelong ambition.



And fans of the pop star scientist will be pleased to hear that there's a new series to look forward to in early 2011.




Did you have a special moment in 2010?


Photos

Joanna Lumley: bbc.co.uk
Prof Brian Cox: telegraph.co.uk

Middle aged crush

This week That's Not My Age has discovered that you're never too old for a teenage crush. Friends say I should get out more, Mr That's Not My Age rightly points out that this kind of behaviour is bad form when you're going steady, but he's in the other room watching telly - and anyway, this is important research. I may be a school girl at heart, but I can multi-task like a grown-up. And to prove it, I have not one, but two crushes on the go at the same time:

1. Tilda Swinton
Joining the ranks of Mary Portas and Jane Birkin on That's Not My Age's best-dressed list, the Scottish actor has got style in spades. Her red carpet outfits are inspired, her beauty other-worldly and she knows how to rock the androgynous look. I can't wait for I Am Love, directed by Luca Guadagnino and featuring Tilda Swinton, 49, (who learned Italian for the part) looking super-chic in Raf Simons for Jil Sander. The film's out on April 9, so until then some stylish snaps to keep me going....



Looking lovely in Lanvin at the 2009 Oscars (Swinton wore Lanvin and won an Oscar in 2008).



Dressed-down chic at the 2009 Venice Film Festival. That's Not My Age loves this combination of silky neutrals.


Click here for a short preview


2. Professor Brian Cox

The 42 year old 'rock star physicist' and presenter of the BBC's fabulous new series, Wonders of the Solar System has to be the happiest man on the planet. Prof Brian Cox is so enthusiastic about his subject matter, he makes physics seem interesting, honest.



Last night, the ex-keyboard player from D:Ream (remember New Labour and Things Can Only Get Better?) even managed a smile whilst dodging a twister in Oklahoma, 'Apparently we've got five minutes till the end of the world,' he laughed, jumping into his car for cover. According to the Daily Mail, Prof Brian spent the night before his A level maths exam at the Hacienda, he got a D but went on to gain a first class honours degree and a PhD in physics. PBC has worked on the Large Hadron Collider, famously saying (in his lovely northern accent), 'Anyone who thinks the LHC will destroy the world is a twat.'

A star is born.

And if Mr TNMA is reading this, I'd just like to point out that the Facebook group 'Professor Brian Cox can collide with me anytime' has nothing to do with me.

Watch the starry wonder on BBCiPlayer



Have you got a middled age crush, or two?



Photos

I Am Love: The Guardian

Tilda Swinton: nymag.com

Brian Cox www.edge.org