The Viking Rules (or self-titled, I guess) - Víkingurinn reglur (eða sjálfstætt titill, ég giska)

Blog post #2. Not too shabby, eh?

I'm sitting in the Pearson airport and have a brutal amount of time to kill. I should be working on a delinquent chapter for a text book that I'm starting to get grief from the editors about. Instead, I think that I'll 'warm-up' by writing a blog That makes sense, doesn't it?

Exactly. Perfect sense.

So it dawned on me today that I've neglected to give you all the inside track on my blog title -"The Viking Rules". I hate to bring my mother into this, but I can't tell you about it without her. So my mum purchased this men's undershirt (or beater, as I'll refer to it from now on) at the  Islendingadagurinn one year. It's called "Viking Laws" and has got scads of text that describe their laws or principles, I suppose. I think that I'm especially partial to this beater because my mum got dragged into a game of volleyball with her work colleagues and wore it. The idea of her putting on this beater, in favour of her heels and business wear, and attempting to play sports is more humorous than I can take. If I ever feel down, that mental image will always slap a smile on my face. So, before I left, my mum offered to let me take it on my travels. I respectfully declined due to the potential of losing it. I simply couldn't risk the possibility that she could play volleyball without it again. I guess that you could say that I kept it on the bench (a little sports humour). 

Now don't worry because the story doesn't end here. This is where it begins. Before leaving, she transcribed the laws for me so that I could have them with me. I adore these simple, practical principles for a decent and effective life. So when deciding what to name my blog, I figured that basing all of my blog entries on lessons learned and maybe making a few laws of my own would be a good time. 

Now, for my own personal comfort (and yours too perhaps), I've taken the liberty of removing the word "laws" and replacing it with "rules" - has a softer ring to it, don't you think? Put's me more at ease anyway. I've also indulged myself by changing the order slightly, so they sort of escalate in a climactic fashion. So here they are ....

  Ladies and Gentlemen - I give to you:

The Viking Rules - Víkingurinn reglur

KEEP THE CAMP IN ORDER

·      keep things tidy and organized

·      arrange enjoyable activities which strengthen the group

·      make sure everybody does useful work

·      consult all members of the group for advice

BE A GOOD MERCHANT

·      find out what the market needs

·      don't promise what you can't keep

·      don't demand over-payment

·      arrange things so that you return

BE PREPARED

·      keep weapons in good condition

·      keep in shape

·      find good battle comrades

·      agree on important points

·      choose one chief

BE BRAVE AND AGGRESSIVE

·      be direct

·      grab all opportunities

·      use varying methods of attack

·      be versatile and agile

·      attack one target at a time

·      don't plan everything in detail

·      use top quality weapons

So here's the scoop: I'm going to use this opportunity to add on to this list as I go. I don't know if my rules will be as pragmatic as these.... but hey - this is my blog and I'm staring down the barrel of a 7 week gun. I'm sure that I'll pick up a tip or two from the motherland. 

Sarah's Additional Viking Rules - Viðbótarupplýsingar Víkingur Sarah's Rules

·      try a blueberry sundae, at least once

·      find opportunities to step out of your comfort zone and take them 

·      always feed wolves

·      abide by the code of the road and the rules of the Viking

    xoxoxoxox - Sarah