You have got to be kidding me

Posted on December 31, 2007 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Having survived my first ski day of the year with nothing worse to report than sore muscles and a bent credit card*, I limped from my office up to the nearby mall to forage for food today.

They have Valentine’s Day goods on display.

I prefer to take my celebrations one at a time, so have a very Happy Hogmanay wherever you may be! May your first-foot be tall, dark and handsome, or whichever combination you prefer.

*no matter which pocket I put something in for safe-keeping, I am guaranteed to fall on it. It could be worse, 2 years ago I broke my phone beyond all chance of repair.

Posted in personal, rants, snow | 2 Comments

Friday’s Primate Non-Party

Posted on December 28, 2007 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Oh no!

Some sad news to end the year. The cheeky little chappy featured in my first proper Friday Primate Party has died in quarantine, just before he was due to be rehoused.

Another excellent reason not to smuggle wildlife, no matter how cute they are.

Hopefully we can start 2008 with a cheerful monkey story. But if any more of my featured primates die, the Friday parties might have to come to a close…

Posted in monkeys, Primate Party | Comments Off on Friday’s Primate Non-Party

We need bike-activated stop lights at Ontario and 16th!

Posted on December 27, 2007 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Non-local readers can ignore this post, it’s mostly just a convenient place for me to display some photos that I want people to see…

I just sent the email pasted in below to the City of Vancouver. If anyone else is interested in this issue, their email address is [email protected] and is listed on the website.

“Before getting into my rant I just want to say that overall, cycling in Vancouver is very pleasant. I’ve never lived more than 4 blocks from a designated bike route, and despite inevitable conflicts with motorists, cycling here feels pretty safe compared to the UK.

However, there’s one point in my daily commute that scares the living daylights out of me on a regular basis. I cycle North on the Ontario bike route in the mornings, and South in the evenings. The intersection at 16th Avenue is terrifying as there are no bike-activated lights to stop the traffic on 16th. We are forced to rely on the good will of drivers to let us over the road, and let me tell you that this is in short supply during rush hour! Heading South, it is possible to get off your bike, onto the sidewalk, and use the pedestrian crossing (which also does not have an actual stop light, just the flashing orange beacons that many motorists ignore). Even then it can sometimes take a while to get across. Heading North, even this is not a realistic option. The problem is compounded by the increased amount of car traffic using the bike routes due to construction on Cambie. The moveable “local traffic only” signs that are supposed to stop this from happening are always ignored and often moved off the road entirely.

Is there any possibility of installing bike-activated stop lights to let us across 16th? Ontario is a well-used bike route and I’m sure there are lots of people out there who would be very grateful if this were to go ahead.

I’ve posted some photos of the chaos at this intersection on my blog at http://vwxynot.blogspot.com/2007/10/we-need-bike-activated-stop-lights-at.html

I’ve previously blogged about the problems of increased car traffic on the bike
routes: http://vwxynot.blogspot.com/2007/10/open-letter-to-motorists-of-vancouver.html

Thank you in advance”

Photos:

Ontario @ 16th, looking North. Notice that the “Local Traffic Only” sign has been pushed to the side of the road. It’s actually unusual that this one is so well positioned and visible, it’s usually on the sidewalk or lying on its side. Or both. Also notice the staggered nature of the intersection. The current pedestrian crossing is on the far side of the road you can see continuing onwards on the left.

Ontario @ 16th, looking South #1. This sign has also been pushed to one side. You can see the pedestrian crossing sign on the right of the photo.
Ontario @ 16th, looking South #2. I waited a minute or two before taking this second photo, the black car trying to turn left (East) onto 16th did not even move in that time. This intersection is frustrating for everyone.

Hope this works…

Posted in cycling, photos, rants, Vancouver | Comments Off on We need bike-activated stop lights at Ontario and 16th!

End of the year meme

Posted on December 25, 2007 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I came across a meme at Professorial Confessions and decided to tag myself ‘cos it’s a good one!

1. Will you be looking for a new job?

I very much hope not, because I’ve enjoyed my new job so far. However, not only is my job grant-funded but there’s a 6-month probationary period in place!

2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?

Definitely not – we’ve only been married for 4 months!

3. New house?

Not unless ours unexpectedly falls down. We moved in 2006.

4. What will you do differently in 08?

Hopefully get less stressed by things that are out of my control.

5. New Years resolution?

Less stressing, less procrastination, more skiing, more kayaking.

6. What will you not be doing in 08?

Getting married or buying a house!

7. Any trips planned?

If I get my stolen permanent resident card replaced in time, we’ll be going to visit my brother-in-law in Vietnam. If not, we’ll content ourselves with beautiful BC on various skiing and ocean kayaking trips. Oh, and we’ll be spending Christmas 2008 with my family in England.

8. Wedding plans?

Hell no. (See #2).

9. Major thing on your calendar?

There was enough of that in the last 2 years, thank you very much (see #2 & #3).

10. What can’t you wait for?

Fresh Whistler powder, baby. December 29th and / or 30th!

11. What would you like to see happen differently?

Everything is pretty damn good right now. I’d like Newcastle United to win something for the first time in my lifetime, but 2008 is probably much too early for that.

12. What about yourself will you be changing?

See #5 – especially the less procrastination thing.

13. What happened in 07 that you didn’t think would ever happen?

I did not cry at my own wedding, despite crying at everyone else’s ever!

14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?

I’m always nice to them, but I will do it more frequently. Specifically, I will be better at remembering birthdays in enough time to send a card over the Atlantic…

15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 07?

I am already starting to slide back towards my pre-industry job dress code… However, after the big house and wedding expenses of the last two years, I will probably be able to buy some new clothes for a change.

16. Will you start or quit drinking?

I will stop drinking TUDs (totally unnecessary drinks) – you know, when you start another one even though everyone’s already yawning and the evening will clearly be ending soon. The ultimate TUD is the tequila shooter you order after you’ve already called for a taxi, but I haven’t gone to that extreme in quite a while.

17. Will you better your relationship with your family?

I need to work on my relationship with my Dad, although things are already better than they were.

18. Will you do charity work?

I’m more into sponsored one-off events to be honest. This year I did a 5 km walk for the MS Society of Canada. Next year I’m thinking of doing their 60 km bike ride, but I would need a wee bit of training for that.

19. Will you go to bars?

This is a very silly question. Of course I will.

20. Will you be nice to people you don’t know?

I’m nice to everyone (well, polite at the very least) unless and until they give me a reason not to be. (This does not apply on days when I have to take the bus).

21. Do you expect 08 to be a good year for you?

Yes. I’m pretty happy in most areas of my life, most of the time.

22. How much did you change from this time last year till now?

The biggest change is that I’m much happier with my job. I’m using my brain again, and the mental dullness inspired by the lack of intellectual stimulation in my last job is wearing off! (Hello, former colleagues! D and K and S and anyone else who reads this! Don’t tell anyone important (i.e. that I might need a reference from in future) that I said this!)

23. Do you plan on having a child?

Hell no. We might get a cat though.

24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?

Definitely, and I hope to add a few more as well. I don’t understand people who say they have enough friends and don’t need any more.

25. Major lifestyle changes?

None planned!

26. Will you be moving?

Hell no!

27. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 08 that happened in 07?

No wedding stress. It’s going to be fabulous.

28. What are your New Years Eve plans?

I’m working during the day, but we’re hosting a party in the evening. We won’t have to deal with transit / taxis this year, but we will have to deal with a bunch of hungover people on our sofa in the morning! There are nowhere near enough taxis in this city and I can guarantee that several people will get stranded.

29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?

Hubby! Hooray!

30. One wish for 08?

That I can spread my good moods to the people around me, and reverse my bad moods by sharing in their good ones!

Who to tag, who to tag…

Wayfarer Scientista

Mad Hatter

EcoGeoFemme

Propter Doc

Makita

Tyler DiPietro

Anyone else on my blogroll whose blog I read but don’t know well enough to inflict a meme on!

Posted in cycling, drunkenness, meme, personal, snow, sport, Vancouver | 6 Comments

Christmas Science

Posted on December 24, 2007 by Cath@VWXYNot?

The authors state that they “are further studying the Hoho2 transgenic Homo sapiens quadruplicates generated in the process of this paper to assay other Santa Claus related features such as seasonal temperamental variations, affinity to chimneys and affection to red clothing. We expect to report a follow-up study on these matter in due time”.
Does anyone know whether this seminal research has been published yet?

p.s. Digital Cuttlefish has outdone himself with the seasonal “It was Cephalopodmas“. Go and check it out!

Posted in blog roll, journal club, original research, science, silliness | Comments Off on Christmas Science

Bah Humbug

Posted on December 24, 2007 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I have to work today.

I’m compensating by wearing jeans, a Canucks t-shirt and a Gomez t-shirt.

That’ll teach ’em.

Posted in music, personal, sport | 4 Comments

Friday’s Primate Christmas Birthday Party

Posted on December 21, 2007 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I wanted to write a Primate Party post that would sum up all that is good about the holiday season. Instead, I found a story about a tourist who has filed a formal complaint against an Indian monkey that stole his reading glasses.

Dude, these things happen. Bah Humbug to you and your insurance company.

But all is not lost! Female Science Professor blogged about Christmas time birthdays (CTBs) yesterday, and lo and behold, two stories today about British zoo primates with CTBs of their own!

First, a rare Colombian black spider monkey was born in Colchester.

And second, a baby gorilla celebrated his first birthday in Bristol (make sure you check out the video – he looks sooo adorable clinging to Mum’s leg as she walks around!)

Happy birthday, baby primates! Happy birthday, Female Science Professor and anyone else with a CTB! And a happy Winterval to all the primates out there, whatever species you happen to belong to!

Posted in apes, monkeys, photos, Primate Party, silliness | Comments Off on Friday’s Primate Christmas Birthday Party

Bringing out the atheist vote?

Posted on December 20, 2007 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I’m currently in voting limbo. I’m not a Canadian citizen yet, so I can’t vote in my country of residence. And while I am eligible to vote in the UK, I choose not to; I don’t think it’s fair for me to, say, vote for a party that might raise taxes (I’m a bit of a lefty) if I don’t have to actually pay them.

But here’s an interesting development in UK politics that might change things. The Liberal Democrats, the third-largest UK party and the most left-leaning of the big three, just appointed a new leader, Nick Clegg. I have to admit I don’t know much about this bloke, but a headline on the BBC website caught my eye yesterday. Clegg has publicly stated that he does not believe in God.

I would never vote for someone just because they’re an atheist, but it is definitely an attractive idea to have someone in office who will not be influenced by outdated religious ideas. (There’s an interesting quote from Tony Blair in the same BBC article – he was scared of discussing his religious beliefs while in office as he thought people would think he was “a nutter”. That says a lot about the differences between British and American politics I think!) I’ve voted for the Lib Dems before and I’ll definitely keep an eye on how Nick Clegg develops as a leader. I might just be tempted to become part of the ex-pat vote next time around.

Posted in atheism, personal, politics | 2 Comments

More drunk dancing scientists

Posted on December 19, 2007 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Ecogeofemme wrote a nice post this week that touched on the social aspects of conference attendance. I’ve always been pretty outgoing (well, since I left high school anyway) so I’ve always initiated lots of conversations, and I’ve had a grand old time with the people I’ve met at some smaller meetings. However, not every conference is conducive to meeting new buddies. This particular drunk dancing scientist anecdote concerns the latter type of meeting.

During my first year in my PhD lab, my postdoc buddy (PDB) and I went to a small-ish meeting at the University of Warwick. We soon discovered that lots of labs had registered en masse, and were hanging out with each other being cliquey. We still had fun, but PDB was failing in her PI-assigned mission.

You see, a rather distinguished potential collaborator was in attendance, and PI wanted PDB to approach him to try and initiate a collaboration. This was quite intimidating for a first-year postdoc, but she gave it her best shot. Unfortunately, he was always surrounded by his own clique of fellow bigwigs and we couldn’t get anywhere near him. We contented ourselves by trying to guess which one of the bigwigs was Ed Southern, who was billed to talk on the last day.

The last day and the obligatory conference social came around without any success. They’d chosen a ceilidh*, which suited us quite nicely, coming as we did from a Scottish lab. At one point, PDB had gone for a rest and a drink of water while I stayed on the dance floor. The callers started to arrange us into two concentric circles, women on the inside and men on the outside. As they walked us through the dance moves we learned that after rotating the two circles in opposite directions we would dance a short set with the person facing us, kiss them on both cheeks, then spin around again until we met a new partner.

Tee hee! We would have to kiss boys!

So the dance started and I kissed my first couple of drunk dancing scientists. Then I saw PDB falling about laughing. When I came back round to face her again she started to gesticulate wildly to my right, where my next few partners were lined up. I suddenly realised that I was going to have to kiss David Lane.

Yes, the David Lane. Professor Sir David Lane, who discovered the p53 tumour suppressor gene.
Well, I was mortified. PDB could not stop laughing as I kissed this science god, blushing bright red as I am prone to do.

But my biggest embarrassment was still to come.

Back in the lab, PI wandered in. “PDB, did you make any progress with Professor Bigwig? Does he want to collaborate with us?”

PDB: “No, I didn’t talk to him. But Cath snogged David Lane”.

The look on PI’s face was priceless. It took a long time to live that one down.

*PDB had a ceilidh at her wedding reception. By the time the wedding book came around to our table we’d all had a lot to drink and all I ended up writing was “I’m the only English person at this table and I bet I’m the only one that knows how to spell ceilidh”.

Posted in conferences, drunkenness, personal, silliness | 5 Comments

Bloody hell

Posted on December 14, 2007 by Cath@VWXYNot?

This might make me think twice before getting into any more arguments with creationists.

I did once have an argument with a cancer research conspiracy theorist that almost became physical. He was verbally abusing me and someone alerted my hubby to the situation. When he came over to suss it out, the crazy guy started to poke him in the chest, which did not go down well at all. The idiot was thrown out by the party host never to return, and got his revenge by stealing the host’s BBQ from the communal storage area.

I like a nice debate, but I’m a big wuss and I hope I never have to defend my ideas physically!

Posted in bad people, creationism, evolution | 5 Comments