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

Tuesday pet peeve: noisy neighbours

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

We’re avoiding the worst effects of the (now thankfully waning) heatwave by sleeping in the spare bedroom, which is much cooler than our own. However, last night’s attempt at a good night’s sleep was a massive FAIL. It is NOT … Continue reading →

Posted in bad people, plagues, rants | 20 Comments

It’s oh so quiet

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

it’s oh so still* The boss is away. The admin manager is away. The lab manager is away. Are the lab rats mice playing? Well, they may or may not be going for more (iced) coffee breaks than usual. BUT … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

We see BC

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

What better way to celebrate BC Day than to show you some lovely views of Vancouver from this weekend? On Saturday night we had a very disappointing dinner at a pub that obviously coasts by on its fantastic location on … Continue reading →

Posted in photos, Vancouver | 12 Comments

Sir Bobby Robson, 1933 – 2009

Posted on July 31, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Sir Bobby Robson died today. A gentleman, a fighter*, and a true local hero in my native region. He managed Newcastle, England, and Vancouver. I’m glad he managed to hold on for the game held in his honour at the … Continue reading →

Posted in personal, sport | 5 Comments

Probably not a miracle

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

This fire happened just a few blocks from my house this morning. We first saw it on the news just as we started to hear the helicopters and smell the smoke. Thankfully, no-one seems to have been hurt. From the … Continue reading →

Posted in current affairs, secularism, Vancouver | 6 Comments

It’s the wrong t-shirt, Gromit!

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

As blog regulars will know, my habit of showering and changing at work (after cycling in) has caused a number of wardrobe malfunctions in the past. Yesterday’s incident, though, is worthy of a whole post of its own. As I … Continue reading →

Posted in photos, silliness | 17 Comments

Spooky!

Posted on July 28, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

A few weeks ago I heard a student wish my boss a “happy vacation!”. In reply, he used almost the exact same words as the out-of-frame PI in the final panel of this cartoon: (Linky) The state of my email … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

CFI: Confusing F***ing Initials

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I can never remember what the initials of one of Canada’s major funding bodies stand for. Today’s first attempt was the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. Nope. Canadian Fund for Innovation? Wrong again. Oh, I remember, it’s the Canada Fund for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Dear Lilah,

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

You are the most hilarious baby I have ever met! Within a few minutes of meeting you for the first time, you: winked at me while holding a lotus position, threw me a rockin’ devil horns salute, and told me … Continue reading →

Posted in photos, silliness, the 2009 baby boom | 8 Comments

Feeling old

Posted on July 23, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

My first ever student successfully defended his PhD yesterday. When I say “my” student I mean that he was officially my PI’s student, but I supervised him in the lab for his first year or two and helped him with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 20 Comments