Author Archives: Cath@VWXYNot?

About Cath@VWXYNot?

"one of the sillier science bloggers [...] I thought I should give a warning to the more staid members of the community." - Bob O'Hara, December 2010

Question About “VWXYNot?”

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Thus read the title of an email in my inbox this morning. The message continued: Hey, I consult for a Canadian immigration lawyer who is looking to expand her presence online.  I am  interested in having a mention within one of your … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, cancer research, communication, idiocy, meta, personal, science | 16 Comments

Pacific surf, the coast by starlight, and the Cascades: San Diego to Vancouver by train

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

or: what you gain when you’re not too vain to deign to let the train take the main strain. As I said in my last post, a meeting with collaborators in La Jolla last week probably represented my last chance … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, embarrassing fan girl, food glorious food, fun with language, nature, personal, photos, snow, technology, travel, Vancouver | 10 Comments

Zen and the art of locomotive maintenance

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I got home yesterday lunchtime after an epic West Coast rail journey from San Diego to Vancouver. I’ve been to La Jolla once every six months or so since July 2009 to meet with collaborators, and every time I’ve gone … Continue reading →

Posted in bad people, current affairs, drunkenness, first world problems, food glorious food, idiocy, personal, photos, rants, snow, technology, travel, whining | 38 Comments

Hockey Pool, Week 16

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Many thanks to Chall for hosting weeks 14 and 15! As I commented on Chall’s post: The new player values make it SO HARD now! Until Friday I’d had no problems at all picking all the players I wanted and … Continue reading →

Posted in hockey pool | 5 Comments

iFacepalm

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

If only everyone knew how easy it can be to solve complex, deap-seated medical problems! Looks legit – it’s on Wikipedia, after all. I mean, sure, there’s a disclaimer – but they only have to put those in for legal … Continue reading →

Posted in medicine, pseudoscience, quacks, screenshots, silliness, technology | 8 Comments

2011 in books

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Well, my attempts to form good habits related to my specific 2012 resolutions – plus my ongoing exercise and healthy eating goals – have already been derailed, although the goals themselves are still very achievable. I blame (in chronological order): … Continue reading →

Posted in blog buddies, book review, family, grant wrangling, medicine | 33 Comments

A Few Maxims For The Instruction Of The Over-Educated

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

The Western blot – an assay that allows you to separate all the proteins in a sample by size using gel electrophoresis and then detect the presence of a particular protein using an antibody that (hopefully) binds specifically to it … Continue reading →

Posted in English language, science, silliness | 25 Comments

And the readers’ choice favourite comment of 2011 is:

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

(Drumroll) Eva for “I’ve dated someone who showed me a powerpoint presentation about his work on the first date. That should have been a sign, but the topic was actually interesting, so it didn’t put me off right there and … Continue reading →

Posted in blog buddies, competition, meta | 20 Comments

Bucket List and 2012 Resolutions

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Bucket List The plan is to add at least one new item every time I tick one off! Write at least one book (and get it published) Run for political office (and preferably win) Own a boat large enough to … Continue reading →

Posted in apes, Canada, career, Climate change, environment, freelancing, furry friends, kayaking, nature, personal, politics, publishing, snow, sport, travel, UK | 24 Comments

Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

“Thank you for your email. I am on vacation and will respond to your message as soon as possible when I return to the office on December 29th. Happy Holidays!” Are there any words in the English language sweeter (for … Continue reading →

Posted in family, furry friends, photos | 13 Comments