I woke up at 4:00 this morning.  Prior to that, I woke up a couple other times with those ahhh-did-I-sleep-in-and-miss-my-flight jumpy twitches.

But I didn’t. So I just got up and ready.

In the Regina airport, I crossed paths with pretty much the whole BC Lions team. Would you believe me if I told you that 42 professional football players can be spotted in an average Canadian prairie airport without the use of any special surveillance equipment?

Then I bumped into Coach Buono himself.

I had my Rider jacket on. He had his Lion look on. Our eyes met; no words necessary. I wanted to say, “Hey Wally, how’d Mosaic Stadium treat you last night?” But I decided just to silently nod.

You know I love you, Wally. And I hope your cholesterol is still down—the CFL would never be the same without you.

But I do hope the east side made you feel welcome last night.

I was out a few times today on this warm Saturday and noticed a couple things that made me smile.

An old truck was on the Ring Road.  It had wooden walls on the sides of its box to hold a whole heap of garbage bags.  The homemade walls were painted up green and white with Rider slogans all over.  I pulled past the driver to see him fully decked in his gear.  Rider green shirt and hat to boot.

A few blocks later, I pulled up to a light alongside a car flying two Rider flags flying out the windows.  Who’s in the car?  Two old fellows (both could have been 80!).

So why the “green-ness” all over town, you ask?  A playoff push?  Game day?

Nope.

It’s training camp.  Haven’t even got the roster nailed down yet.

And that’s why Riderville rocks!