2012-05-21T00:37:30Z NotWeasel Copyright 2012, NotWeasel SPHPBLOG
At some point, Loblaw's capitalized on this by actually calling their store brand "No Name". We all know the plain yellow packaging. That was clever on their part, and all well and good.

Now I'm confused though. I saw a TV commercial for No Name products. Isn't that completely contrary to what they're supposed to be?

I thought we were supposed to believe that they were cheaper because they didn't spend money on marketing. So if they're spending money on marketing, beyond just store displays to the point of actually airing TV commercials... then why are they cheaper? Where are they cutting the costs from?

A lot of people think store brands are cheaper because they're inferior. To be sure, many of them are... but now it would seem that they should be expected to be. I mean... if they're not saving money on marketing... then what's the point?]]> http://www.notweasel.com/index.php?entry=entry120426-105522 2012-04-26T00:00:00Z 2012-04-26T00:00:00Z
Wonder how long this call is going to go on for?

I DON'T HAVE A START BUTTON!!! HOW DO I STOP IT FROM EXPLODING???]]> http://www.notweasel.com/index.php?entry=entry120317-184721 2012-03-17T00:00:00Z 2012-03-17T00:00:00Z
My initial reactions really aren't positive. With the new Metro interface, I really got the impression that it probably works well on a tablet, but it's a big hindrance on a workstation. Everything jumps to full screen mode. There's no obvious way to close programs. Solitaire doesn't work in a remote desktop session. How the hell do you break Solitaire??

The interface seems to randomly jump back to the old style now and then, depending on what program you run, but it's still missing any sort of traditional start menu to run other programs.

I found that there was a general lack of tool tips on icons so I had no idea what they did, and right-clicking stuff never seemed to do anything of value. I guess you can't right-click with your finger on a touchscreen, so they just didn't bother with it.

Overall, I'm really quite disappointed. I understand the convergence of operating systems between phones and tablets. Apple did it, and Google did it, and it makes sense.

Converging the desktop interface just doesn't make any sense at all though. I mean... why do I need to keep hitting the Windows key to get out of programs? Why can't I just click on the other window to go do something there... besides the fact that there seems to be no other windows.

I know this is just a preview and there could be major changes coming. I HOPE there are major changes coming. Otherwise I suppose it'll be Windows 7 for the next generation for me. Why not? I'm still running Windows XP at work.]]> http://www.notweasel.com/index.php?entry=entry120307-093536 2012-03-07T00:00:00Z 2012-03-07T00:00:00Z
After pulling off two miraculous saves to keep from wrecking, Kyle managed a last second pass last night to win the Bud Shootout and start the new NASCAR season in style.

The race was great fun, and I'm happy to say that I think pack racing may finally be back! I think we'll have a much better feel for what's to come after Thursday's duels, but the future looks bright. There was some tandem racing at the very end when they weren't concerned about blowing up engines anymore, but to be at the front in the end, drivers are going to have to negotiate the big pack just like in the olden days.

Things should be very exciting over the next week!]]> http://www.notweasel.com/index.php?entry=entry120219-102157 2012-02-19T00:00:00Z 2012-02-19T00:00:00Z
Now it's a race. Which will be cancelled first? The River, or Alcatraz?]]> http://www.notweasel.com/index.php?entry=entry120215-091358 2012-02-15T00:00:00Z 2012-02-15T00:00:00Z http://www.notweasel.com/index.php?entry=entry120211-221557 2012-02-12T00:00:00Z 2012-02-12T00:00:00Z
I think they should send people down a slalom course inside a big plastic hamster ball wearing roller blades. They'll probably need some special gloves with very low-friction fingertips and a big rubber stopper in the palm.

Picture it. Awesome, right?]]> http://www.notweasel.com/index.php?entry=entry120130-132430 2012-01-30T00:00:00Z 2012-01-30T00:00:00Z
Someone pointed out to me that if I take my gross pay and multiply it by 26, it comes out to less than my supposed annual salary.

As it turns out, it comes out to my annual salary minus exactly a day's worth of pay. This isn't accounting for leap years, when essentially I work an extra day for free.

I figured that there had to be some accounting for this discrepancy. Is there an adjustment somewhere? Is there some reason for this?

Well... I did some digging... which is to say I printed off a bunch of calendars and worked out the pay periods and found that every 14 years, there is a LEAP PAYCHEQUE! A year with 27 paycheques in it!!!

Now, this would have been a lot more exciting if it were nearby, but it's not. I figured out that if you get paid biweekly on Thursday, like I do, and if tomorrow is pay day for you... then the next Leap Paycheque will occur in 2020. 2020 will have three-pay months in January, July, and December!

So... woot! You heard it here first. Only 8 more years...

Incidentally, if you're on the opposite cycle, and NEXT Thursday is your payday, then your Leap Paycheque will come in 2015. Only 4 more years for you, you lucky bastard!]]> http://www.notweasel.com/index.php?entry=entry120111-084920 2012-01-11T00:00:00Z 2012-01-11T00:00:00Z
I gave him a thumbs up.

He reciprocated.

Top down in January in Toronto. That's a proper Canadian! It brings a smile to my face. :)]]> http://www.notweasel.com/index.php?entry=entry120107-152924 2012-01-07T00:00:00Z 2012-01-07T00:00:00Z
Firstly, turkey pot pies, made from some of the leftover xmas turkey... which I'm still eating... still...



They were awesome! And hey... it was a different way to eat the turkey.

And for dessert...



Delicious cherry pies! I only got to eat one of those. The slightly gimpy one came about because I used the wrong plastic bit to cut out the top piece and cut big lines through it. I'm just happy it ended up pie-like and was still delicious. I gave my wife the awesome looking one. :)]]> http://www.notweasel.com/index.php?entry=entry120105-224157 2012-01-06T00:00:00Z 2012-01-06T00:00:00Z