Category Archives: UK

Why do these things always sneak up on me?!

Posted on May 7, 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

It can’t just be me, surely… This time tomorrow I’ll be on a 10 hour flight to London, where I will see my sister for the first time in more than two years, and meet up with old friends and … Continue reading →

Posted in family, personal, silliness, travel, UK | 8 Comments

Are left-wingers more creative? Are multi-party systems superior to two-party systems? Do provocative titles attract more readers and comments?

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Let’s see: a Canadian federal election, an electoral reform referendum in the UK, a new opposition leader and talk of an early provincial election in British Columbia, and lots of coverage of the likely US Republican party presidential candidates, all … Continue reading →

Posted in blog buddies, Canada, current affairs, politics, silliness, UK | 48 Comments

Why a three-year PhD is not necessarily shite

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

A couple of weeks ago I was chatting to a student in my department who’s just starting to write her thesis, and I mentioned that I wrote mine in three months, from start to finish. Several heads in the vicinity … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, career, education, personal, science, UK | 44 Comments

In teh Grauniad

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

When I was about 15, our local paper ran a special schools edition. They approached English teachers around the city, asking them to contribute pieces written by local students, and my teacher picked an essay I’d written. The essay was … Continue reading →

Posted in blog buddies, education, family, original research, personal, publishing, science, the media, UK | 13 Comments

Now that’s an odd name for a dog.

Posted on November 26, 2010 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Weird that they didn’t give the photographer’s name, eh? (Awesome photo, though, that is in danger of making this Yorkshire lass feel homesick. Check out the series – there are some stunning shots included in the slide show).

Posted in nature, photos, silliness, the media, UK | 4 Comments

TMA: Too Many Acronyms

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Cath@VWXYNot?

My Computer files and email inbox are awash, overflowing, drowning in the acronyms used by various funding agencies, academic institutes, media outlets, and assorted other organisations. I’m sure many of my readers have the same issue. However, my problem is … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, career, communication, English language, grant wrangling, science, silliness, travel, UK | 21 Comments

More fun with logos

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Cath@VWXYNot?

In searching for a better version of the London 2012 logo to use in my last post, I came across some real gems in Google Images. I think we all looked at the original logo and thought “hell, I could … Continue reading →

Posted in art, silliness, sport, UK | 5 Comments

2012 LOLympics

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I have had an incredibly hard time not laughing out loud at my desk today. If you thought the London 2010 Olympic logo was bad (and it really, really is), you should see the mascots! ROFLMFAO!!!!!!! What the fuck were … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010 Olympics, freakishness, photos, silliness, sport, UK | 22 Comments

Democracy in the UK

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Me: “So what are you going to do today?” Dad: “Stay here and watch the election coverage on the internet” Yup, it’s election time in the UK! I’m not voting, because I don’t think it’s fair for people to influence … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, current affairs, family, politics, rants, UK | 9 Comments

Ink

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I’ve wanted a tattoo for, ooh, about ten years. Not just any old tattoo, though – one that means something to me, that commemorates a specific event. Initially, I decided that I’d get one when I got my PhD. But … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Canada, personal, photos, UK | 38 Comments