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

The Journal of Anthropomorphism

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

While browsing journal TOCs in my RSS reader earlier today, I realised that I seem to have subconsciously assigned human personalities to some of the journals I read most frequently. For example: Current Biology is an extrovert who enthusiastically dives into … Continue reading →

Posted in freakishness, publishing, science, silliness | 49 Comments

Hockey pool, week 2

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I have to say, I’m really enjoying the return of the NHL – having games to watch on dark, rainy weeknights makes me very happy! The pool, however, is not going so well for me. Here are everyone’s points for … Continue reading →

Posted in hockey pool | 7 Comments

99% Oblivious

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

One of the podcasts to which I subscribe is called 99% Invisible – “a tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world.” Each episode covers an aspect of design that someone outside the … Continue reading →

Posted in art, education, nature, personal, photos, silliness, Vancouver | 10 Comments

Facebook, grammar, and sisterly love

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Back in 2010, I wrote a blog post about how although my sister and I took very different career paths, we’ve ended up with similar kinds of job. I am sad to have to report that since then, we have … Continue reading →

Posted in English language, family, screenshots, silliness | 30 Comments

Hockey Pool, week 1

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Each scoring week in this year’s pool runs from Saturday to Friday, which I prefer to the usual Monday to Sunday – it’s much easier to find time to update the spreadsheet and post the results over the weekend than … Continue reading →

Posted in hockey pool | 6 Comments

I AM CANADA (and so can you!)

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Those of you who share my appreciation of the peak of Western civilisation that is Twitter may have come across a series of accounts that represent a given country, with one citizen of that country taking over the account each … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, current affairs, drunkenness, personal, silliness, snow, sport, technology | 9 Comments

ZOMG HOCKEY POOL!!!

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I honestly didn’t think we’d get any NHL hockey this year, but just like that I’m already double booked for the first Canucks game on Saturday and committed to three hockey pools*… …including this one! We’re using the CBC pool … Continue reading →

Posted in hockey pool, sport | 30 Comments

Lab safety: who’s on the hook?

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I’m shamefully behind on my blog reading, and therefore didn’t see Richard’s excellent article on lab safety until the Guardian had already closed comments. I’ll therefore have to relate my story as its own post, instead of the comment I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in science, technology | 10 Comments

And the winner is…

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

The results of the Fourth Annual VWXYNot? Readers’ Choice Comment of the Year Award vote are IN! The winner is… (insert drumroll here) …BEAN-MOM! Congratulations Bean-Mom – please let me know to which email address you’d like me to send … Continue reading →

Posted in blog buddies, competition, meta | 14 Comments

VOTE, YOU BASTARDS!

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I only have 15 usable votes so far in the 2012 Comment of the Year award, despite the post having had more than 100 unique hits! Please follow the link to remedy this unacceptable situation, if you have not already … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, drunkenness, meta, music, photos, silliness, videos | 5 Comments