You’ve probably already heard that Canadian troops have struck an important blow against the Taliban, destroying a HQ used for assembling roadside bombs. But what you may not know is they did it with Transformer assistance.

Oh, this isn’t a well publicized fact. The Canadian Military is no doubt keeping this under wraps at the behest of their ginormous allies. If I were a three-storey tall transforming robot, I’d probably keep a low profile too. But if you look at the clues, Autobot involvement is irrefutable.

Just look at the name of the operation: Op Timis Preem. C’mon now. Op Timis Preem? Optimus Prime? That’s a little too close to be a coicidence.

I, for one, welcome the Canadian Army’s expanded use of Transformer combatants. The insurgents will think twice about setting up a roadside ambush if you’re up against robots with laser cannons. I know I would.

Of course, the downside here is if the Taliban somehow manages to get in touch with Megatron. Or even worse, Unicron. Then we’re all screwed. Via Fark.

Fortune can be a confounding mistress.

Christopher Plummer claims in his new biography that a kidney stone, dislodged during some exuberant er, co-ed recreation, was responsible for launching William Shatner’s career.

Shatner was Plummer’s understudy for a production of King Lear at the 1956 Stratford Festival. But one fateful morning, the venerable leading man awoke in no condition to perform:

“I woke up alone the next morning… (pain) all around my groin and lower abdomen… I started to whimper like a whipped dog. ‘So this is what syphilis is like?’ I thought. ‘I suppose I deserve it, but Christ, how the hell was I to know?’

But instead of being struck down by the disease, Plummer had dislodged a kidney stone and had to undergo a medical procedure with a surgical wire to resolve the problem.

He adds, “It began to sink in… Shatner, my understudy, would have to go on… (It) instantly brought back the pain. I screamed for a nurse who jabbed me with more morphine.

“I knew then that the SOB was going to be a star.’”

This whole anecdote is all the more amusing considering the two appeared together in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. As I recall, Plummer spent most of the movie trying to kill Shatner. How method.

Just think: if Plummer hadn’t gotten frisky and busted his man parts, the world may never have known the joy of Shatner. That’s a reality too frightening to contemplate. Via Nerve.

Well, 28 days of the 100 push up challenge are behind me. And, miracle of miracles, this was the week I finally noticed a difference. My endurance is way up, and I can happily tear off 100+ reps (with set breaks) with a lot loss crying and religious introspection than Week One. So there may be something to this whole plan.

Week five looks slightly insane. As I understand it, the first four weeks were all about building strength. This final two week run looks to be more about building endurance. There are now eight sets as opposed to five…fewer reps per set, but more reps overall. Which means I may be right back to the sobbing and theological exhortations.

Lesson of the week: get some protein powder. While I am generally skeptical of fitness supplements, Whey Protein Powder is the Century Push Up Pursuer’s best friend. Taking this stuff immediately after completing your sets will help your muscles recover faster, and get stronger. A big tub usually costs aroung $40. But be warned: no matter what the packaging may claim, this stuff tastes awful. I have mine in a smoothie, and the banana/mango/yogurt combo masks the more unpleasant aspects of the texture. Anyways, try it out. You’ll notice less soreness and fatigue right off the bat.