Why I could have been a Viking

I was going to write about the Chili Cook-off that I am going to be a part of this weekend, but I thought instead I would use this post to explain my thoughts on why I could have been a viking... In the past few years Pirates have become big business. With the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, a slew of cartoons and Jimmy Buffett, pirates are the new Cowboys and Indians. At a recent event I told everyone in attendance that I think I could have been a great viking. This isn't really based on any hard evidence its just a feeling I have. I can grow a great beard which is probably one of the most important parts of being a viking.

( the beginnings of a great viking beard )

And I can also endure cold weather which is another "must" for Vikings. If you think about it, Vikings were like the first pirates. They sailed around and looked for treasure and stole stuff, but they didn't have fancy boats or cannons. They just had swords and axes and of course beards. If we all have an inner person mine would be a guy who wears furs and swings a huge ax. By the way, this isn't really going anywhere. I haven't drawn any life lessons out of this new thought, and I am not going to quit my job to sail the Nordic seas. At most I might rent one of the many adaptations of Beowulf and think about what might have been. Who knows, maybe I will get my wish and Disney will start making viking themed movies and roller coaster rides.