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

Endogenous retrovideos

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Way back at the beginning of time my blogging adventure, I wrote a pair of linked posts that attracted over 3,000 views in a single day. While I’ve yet to repeat that level of interest, one of the two posts … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 24 Comments

Wardrobe dysfunction

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

So, yesterday: I got up and changed (#1) into the jeans and sweater I’d been wearing the night before. After breakfast I assessed the road conditions, decided that cycling was an option, and changed (#2) into my cycling gear. I … Continue reading →

Posted in cycling, exercise, silliness | 20 Comments

Podcath

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Thanks to a bit of a kick in the pants useful advice from Professor in Training, I’ve recently discovered the wonderful world of podcasting. (Late adopter, moi?). So I thought I’d share my discoveries, and open up the comments to … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, embarrassing fan girl, exercise, meta, music, silliness, technology | 14 Comments

The BBC on Obama’s visit to Canada

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

(From before the actual event) “Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a Conservative who leads a minority government, and it would be fair to say that he has avoided the temptations of charisma in doing so. […]*The contrast with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, politics | 4 Comments

I wish to register a complaint!

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Dear Nature Publishing Group, When I worked in Marketing, I was responsible for placing a rather expensive advertising campaign within your august pages. As a result I developed a good working relationship with one of your advertising reps, who was … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 46 Comments

Dear Mr Norovirus,

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

OK, so you ruined Christmas Day. Rather than eating delicious turkey and socialising with the neighbours, I spent the day alternating between throwing up and shivering under a duvet with a hot water bottle. I think we can call that … Continue reading →

Posted in personal, silliness, virology | 26 Comments

Things you should take with you when you go swimming

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Swimming costume (British vocabulary for Kyrsten’s benefit) Towel Plastic bag to put wet stuff in Hair tie and/or swimming cap Contact lens case & solution and/or goggles Change for the locker Of the above eight items, I managed to remember … Continue reading →

Posted in exercise, silliness | 16 Comments

Read this headline

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

(This one) and see if you agree that using a different word would have avoided a rather unfortunate word juxtaposition. Yeah… at first glance, I was thinking more “OMG, carnage in the neonate unit” than “nice good-news story”. ————–Update, Feb … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, English language, nature, Vancouver | 12 Comments

Tech support, get your lovely tech support here

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Nature Network is a strange and wonderful corner of the internet. People who are arguing with you on one thread are simultaneously helping you set up your new computer on another. iLove it. Having benefited greatly in the last few … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Mumspeak: like lolspeak, only weirder

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

(Background: I had my citizenship test on Tuesday morning. More on that later. But for now, just enjoy these emails!) From: MumMonday morningHAPPY BIRTHDAY !! good luck for tomorrow. lol Mum and Dad xxxxxx From: MeMonday afternoon Thank you! (Did … Continue reading →

Posted in family, silliness, technology | 22 Comments