Construction phase initiated

Ever tried forming 48 perfectly level pads into a spherical structure? In fact, have you ever tried measuring a perfect sphere, to drill a series of equidistant holes around a round surface? It shouldn't be a problem, but all of our usual tools for this kind of function are straight, and a sphere is inherently curved. Fortunately there are machines for this type of thing, sophisticated computers which can perfectly gauge sizes, producing and interpreting complex CAD renderings which tell us exactly where to drill. In fact the technology is advanced enough that we don't even have to drill ourselves, we just press a combination of buttons in sequence, and once triggered a series of gyroscopic manoeuvers punctuated by a series of rapid incisions from a razor sharp appendage, precisely articulate a perfect arrangement of fissures around the structure of our globe.

… but of course, we are on a shoestring… so thus begins the painstaking process of measuring and aligning fourty-eight pads of varying sizes around a perfect 300mm diameter sphere, by hand… knowing that the tiniest error, one pad out of alignment, will mean an exponential increase of asymmetry around the surface of the orb…

Meanwhile at the Pervasive Media Studio, spirits are high, a series of decisions have determined that our Bristol Uni computer sciences intern, Paddy, will stay on to see the AlphaSphere to delivery. A decision which has not only pleased Paddy, but has relieved Kaspar, who is now confident the electronics can be produced in time for Christmas.

Is this what it feels like in the North Pole? While the rest of the world is winding down, we are only just getting going, I'm sure since the days of Amazon, Old Saint Nick gets most of his presents online, but there must be some toys which are not outsourced.

The anticipation has become almost religious, like a group of monks kneeled before a shrine, waiting for a glimpse of their lord and savior; the type of fervor which can only be captured when a group of people come together to do something, not based on immediate profit or gain, but simply to contribute something extraordinary to the world.