Category Archives: rants

Tuesday Pet Peeve: common garden variety

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

It’s a beautiful day today. After days of rain the sun is shining on the snow-capped mountains, and the trees are resplendent in yellows, oranges, and reds. So are the roads. Yup, the leaves are falling and winter is on … Continue reading →

Posted in cycling, gardening, nature, photos, plagues, rants, silliness, Vancouver | 17 Comments

I’d like to thank the International Academy

Posted on October 16, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I’m coming up to the second anniversary of my return to academia, and I’m still loving it. I like to say that I learned a lot from my time in industry, the most important lesson being that industry doesn’t suit … Continue reading →

Posted in career, rants, science | 26 Comments

Tuesday pet peeve: for fax sake!

Posted on September 22, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I really, really, really hate fax machines. Seriously, why is anyone still using them now that we have scanners and email? I’m sure they came in very useful in that brief period between their invention and the internet becoming mainstream, but they’re vastly … Continue reading →

Posted in career, plagues, rants, technology | 10 Comments

Tuesday pet peeve: the wrong kinds of ignorance

Posted on September 15, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

(This post could potentially get me into trouble at work – a rarity on this blog! I therefore wrote it without using any of the keywords that might cause the people involved to find it on Google. My apologies if this … Continue reading →

Posted in career, grant wrangling, plagues, rants | 6 Comments

Tuesday pet peeve: tired of weary

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Yes, it’s another pedantic pet peeve! I hear more and more people saying they’re “weary” of something when what they mean is that they’re cautious, suspicious, or distrustful of it. You’re looking for “wary”, or maybe “leery”. “Weary” means tired. … Continue reading →

Posted in English language, plagues, rants | 15 Comments

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

Hierarchy in the UK

Posted on July 22, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

One of the things I love about Canada is the relative freedom from snobbery and classism. In the UK your accent gives away so much about your class, your education, and your region of origin, and people do judge you … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, education, rants, UK | 15 Comments

Tuesday pet peeve: militant NIMBYism

Posted on July 22, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

NIMBYism is rampant in Vancouver, and it drives me nuts. Olympics? No, we don’t want that, it’ll be too chaotic. Rapid transit to the airport? Nope, we don’t want the inconvenience of the construction. Better cycling infrastructure? No, it’ll jam … Continue reading →

Posted in cycling, plagues, politics, rants, sport, Vancouver | 22 Comments

Tuesday pet peeve

Posted on July 14, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I don’t know why everyone’s so negative about Mondays. I like Mondays. I come in all fresh and well rested, chat to various colleagues about their weekends, and settle into work full of enthusiasm and motivation. I spend my lunch … Continue reading →

Posted in career, English language, plagues, rants | 14 Comments

YTF?

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

My name is NOT. CATHY. My given name is Catherine, and my parents still call me that. Everyone else has called me Cath since I was 14. I don’t dislike the name Cathy itself, I just really don’t like it … Continue reading →

Posted in personal, rants | 39 Comments