For all your other Scientology criticism needs, see Operation Clambake.

A lot’s happened in the last three months (a lot of these will be Rider-related):
- The Riders win their first regular season game in Edmonton since 2000, albeit on a pretty cheesy holding call by the head ref (Proulx) on what would’ve been the game-winning field goal by Sean Fleming in an otherwise meaningless game for the Riders. It killed Edmonton’s slim playoff hopes for the second year of their new streak of play-off misses, but so did Montreal beating Henry Burris and the Stamps that weekend.
- The Riders host their first play-off game since 1988, and win (which they haven’t done since 1976)
- The Riders win the West Division Final, handily beating the favoured B.C. Lions, for the first time in the two teams’ third meeting in four years in the West Final (it was the Riders’ fourth West Final appearance in five years), giving the Riders their first Grey Cup appearance since 1997.
- The Riders win the Grey Cup! Their first time since 1989, ending a 17 year drought of seasons without a Grey Cup. The team now with the longest current drought is Winnipeg (who lost this year’s championship game to the Riders), who haven’t won it since 1990 (the year after the Riders won it in 1989) and are thus currently also sitting in a 17 year drought. Will Stegall beat the odds (which he himself put on his own self) and return in 2008? Will Glenn not fumble the ball and get his arm broken in the process in 2008? Will the Bombers win the Cup in 2008? Will Westwood finally be able to get a haircut in good conscience? Only time will tell.
- All of this with a brand new head coach this year, Kent Austin, who’s also a head coach for the first time, and was the quarterback of the Riders the last time they won the cup in 1989. Also the Riders first full year with general manager, Eric Tillman. What sucks now that they’ve done all this in one year, is what do they do now? The only thing left really is to just keep repeating, something that any team, any where, and at any level, would have difficulty doing (unless they’re the Canadian World Junior Hockey Team, it would seem).
- I survived the birthday season and the holidays here at home without any illnesses (I wish I could say the same for my wallet). I did get a weird head cold kind of thing in mid-December, but I never felt sick or tired, just had a runny nose, like some kind of extreme allergic reaction, and it only lasted a couple days. Sounds like my recent trip to Edmonton allowed me to miss the craziest flu season Regina’s seen for some time. When I got back to work on Tuesday, tons of people were home sick, and today everyone around me is coughing and sniffling. I wonder if asking them to wear masks would be rude?

And now from 1980′s Flash Gordon with music by Queen:

Someone tell me. What’s the connection?

Star Trek: The Animated Series comes out on DVD November 21st.

Scotty with a mustache?! WTF?

Up a Paddle (iTunes Link)
The weekly ramblings of my buddy Kentcer. Mostly covers news and reviews of computers, video games, movies, and anime. Filled with “Angry Dome” rants and pseudo-scientific “Random Facts,” it’s both entertaining and educational.

JamesPod (iTunes Link)
Those of you from Regina or the surrounding area may remember The James and Kevin Show from Cable Regina and Access Communications. Well, James is back in his own podcast with the same witty and irreverent humour as before. Also simulcast in youtube and blip.tv.

Two Girls and a Podcast (iTunes Link)
Two great gals from New Brunswick host a show about books, movies, tv, or anything else that suits their fancy. ‘A’ is for awesome…

BLARM! (iTunes Link)
What is it with chicks from Atlantic Canada and podcasting? An audible diary of a girl named WankerGirl, including all the ups and downs that go with it. It’s another lovable, quirky podcast. She must be doing something right, as she’s now part of the PodShow Network.

Podpackers (iTunes Link)
Hosted by Heath Corson, Ned Mochel, and Krista Lally. You might already be familiar with a couple of them if you’ve seen the Cake short. A new episode comes out every two weeks. Season one has ended, but they say season two will be starting up early next year. Hard to tell if they’re acting, or genuinely shooting the breeze. Either way, it’s brilliant.

Already In Progress (iTunes Link)
Another “shootin’ the breeze” podcast. Two friends, Jason and Gary, catch eachother up on their previous days’ activities. Not sure what it is, but it’s surprisingly captivating (possibly, it’s Gary’s infectious laugh). Slightly erratic schedule, but a new episode seems to come out every few days. Each episode ends quite abruptly, usually on a funny note.

Chicken Fried Radio (iTunes Link)
I’ve referenced this podcast before. This one has been a featured iTunes podcast in the comedy section. Another ensemble cast (T E, Christian, Abby, and sometimes Ryan or a special guest). It’s not very often that a podcast comes along that has its own Wikipedia entry. Very regular schedule. Once a week; new episodes on Wednesdays. Also has its own fan forums. Based out of Austin, Texas.

Naughty Karate (iTunes Link)
Slightly musically oriented. Hosted by Jaime and Kyle, and based out of Brooklyn, New York. Quirky podcast where they talk about pretty much whatever the hell they want. Catchy theme.

Chub Creek (iTunes Link)
Two best friends from the same small town in Ontario, grow up, spread out to different parts of the country, become fathers, and find eachother online after having not seen the other in years. Amatuer musicians, Dave and Gary, write and play their original songs for the podcast, as well as doing some skits to pass the time. Due to an extended leave of absence by Gary, Dave has been hosting the show by himself lately.

This is Screaming Halibut (iTunes Link)
Weird name. Funny show. Geek humour galore. Audio sketch comedy from Toronto, Ontario, I believe. Each episode is 10 minutes long.