Category Archives: personal

UPDATED Linked into Vancouver science

As I’ve mentioned in a few recent posts, the interconnectedness of the (small and young but growing nicely) Vancouver science sector continues to amaze me. At most large work-related meetings and at every sciency social event I attend, I run … Continue reading

Posted in blog buddies, Canada, career, communication, personal, science, technology, Vancouver | 9 Comments

The (author)shipping news

(please excuse the rampant self-promotion that follows) Well well well, what do we have here? But wait! There’s more! When I moved from a postdoctoral position to a job in biotech marketing in 2005, I thought my publishing days were … Continue reading

Posted in career, original research, personal, publishing, science, screenshots | 14 Comments

Scooped – why I have a hard time getting on board with Open Science

Well, now that all the excitement‘s dying down (for now), I finally find myself with enough time and motivation to start writing a follow-up post to the inaugural Science Online Vancouver event, which I attended on a very rainy Thursday … Continue reading

Posted in career, communication, evolution, original research, personal, publishing, science, the media, Vancouver | 33 Comments

I have a team

Way back in May 2009, I described how being around a team of fellow grant wranglers from another department made me realise how much I miss being part of a team of peers. In my current job I’m really a team … Continue reading

Posted in blog buddies, career, grant wrangling, personal, science, Vancouver | 28 Comments

CATH GRUMPY

Our home internet’s down. It went down on Saturday, and came back on for a few hours on Sunday before the blessed “online” light on the modem went off again. It’s done this a few times before, and always switched … Continue reading

Posted in cycling, first world problems, personal, photos, rants, technology, whining | 14 Comments

“What’s the difference between Mick Jagger and a Scottish farmer?”

Thus begins the last really good joke I heard, several years ago now; answer at the bottom! I recently realised that I never hear new jokes any more. I had an actual joke book as a small kid, and my … Continue reading

Posted in Canada, communication, family, fun with language, furry friends, personal, silliness, UK | 33 Comments

On having a heart and using my voice

I recently updated the photo on my UK drivers license, and had the new card sent to my parents’ address. They received it a few weeks ago and couriered it back to me (along with the original marriage certificate I’d … Continue reading

Posted in activism, bad people, Canada, current affairs, family, medicine, personal, photos, politics, Vancouver, videos | 8 Comments

Whaddya mean “that’s not normal?!”

North Yorkshire, circa 1987. A classroom full of nine- and ten-year-olds. An assignment to write a story that involved food. A girl (not the blogger!) standing up at her desk, pulling her knee socks back up before starting to read … Continue reading

Posted in career, communication, education, family, food glorious food, freakishness, grant wrangling, personal, silliness | 14 Comments

Never gonna let you down?

I have somehow managed to retain some semblance of a utopian view of science. I don’t mean to say that I’m blind to its flaws or that I’m not at all cynical about it. But I think I’m less cynical … Continue reading

Posted in career, cycling, freakishness, idiocy, personal, science, whining | 48 Comments

Question About “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