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

Retreat Part I: Speaking out – creakily.

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

As regular readers may remember, I work with a group of scientists and clinicians from various departments of my institute. Their research encompasses everything from cell culture to clinical trials, and unless I’ve worked with them on a specific grant … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, career, nature, personal, photos, science | 15 Comments

Vowel movements

Posted on January 22, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Oh what a difference a vowel can make! Take the word “engineer”, from the Latin root “ingenero”, meaning “to generate”. I remember a science teacher once lamenting that while the English word calls to mind trains and cars and filthy … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

APLS Carnival

Posted on January 22, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

The MIND GAMES edition. As I outlined in my own contribution to this month’s carnival, I have a very bad habit of offsetting the things I’m doing well against some of my less sustainable behaviour. In need of a little … Continue reading →

Posted in Carnivals, cycling, environment, family, food glorious food | 12 Comments

2009 is looking up

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

“For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act – not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. … Continue reading →

Posted in education, environment, medicine, politics, science, technology | 11 Comments

My karma is stuck in trafficma

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I have to admit to a short-lived bout of extreme smugness today. One of the main bridges bringing commuters into Vancouver is out of commission for the next few weeks, due to fire damage to the wooden (!) trestles under … Continue reading →

Posted in cycling, environment, exercise, rants, Vancouver | 9 Comments

Fogged in (and out)

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

The current conditions here in Vancouver are making me feel right at home. Vancouver, this morning York Minster, most winter mornings Thick freezing fog does such strange things to everyday noises. Last night I was waiting to cross a main … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Tales from the Crapt Crypt

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I have all kinds of long blog posts planned in my head – but no time to write them! So instead I will share a short but disturbing tale of horror from my office. Specifically, the dreaded unisex office bathroom*. … Continue reading →

Posted in freakishness, rants | 10 Comments

Protect your online!

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Email title: “Messge[sic] from eBay” Email body: “Dear eBay Member, _This is your official notification from eBay. Your online has expired. If you want to continue using our service you have to renew your online. If not, your online will … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Protect your online!

Vancouver 2010: new events announced

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Non-Canadians are probably not yet aware of an initiative known as “Own the Podium 2010“. The idea is to develop and support Canadian talent in the run-up to the upcoming Vancouver-Whistler Winter Games; the ultimate goal, of course, is for … Continue reading →

Posted in cycling, rants, silliness, snow, sport, Vancouver | 13 Comments

Holiday photos

Posted on January 9, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

All taken on my phone camera, because while I did take my real camera to the UK, I never actually seemed to have it with me when we went anywhere photogenic. Can you guess the locations of the following photos? … Continue reading →

Posted in competition, photos | 27 Comments