This story is 99% likely an urban legend. (The height of the protagonist, the size of his weapon, and the height of a subway car ceiling make it very unlikely.) But damn it, it OUGHT to be true.
(Hat tip to Bruce)
« Bloggers And The Presumption of Innocence | Main | Moonbat Librarians Miffed that Laura Bush Will Speak at ALA Annual Convention »
This story is 99% likely an urban legend. (The height of the protagonist, the size of his weapon, and the height of a subway car ceiling make it very unlikely.) But damn it, it OUGHT to be true.
(Hat tip to Bruce)
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Gimme that old-time religion...:
» TechnoChitlins linked with Blood for Odin!
Send e-mail tips to us:
Get Wizbang in your inbox by submitting your email address below.
Today marks the first Sunday of the 2008 NFL football season. The Miami Dolphins play host to the New York Jets. Both teams I either root for now or in...
12:19 PM |
1 comments
A family of bobcats -- two adults and three cubs -- has taken up residence in a foreclosed home in Lake Elsinore. Karen Brown lives across the street. "They're...
9:45 PM |
0 comments
Questions persist about the credibility of the self-advertised reformer Sarah Palin. Recent history reveals she has spent most of her youthful political career as a bottom feeder to the Washington lobbyist trough. It is all reminiscent of her mentor-in-chief, John...
9:00 PM |
10 comments
Washington Post: John McCain and Barack Obama announced today that they will visit Ground Zero in New York on Thursday to mark the seventh anniversary of the 9-11 attacks that brought down the Twin Towers. In a joint statement, the...
6:55 PM |
0 comments
Barack Obama responds to John McCain's acceptance speech (video).
3:33 PM |
0 comments
One of the many issues on which John McCain is hiding his plans from the American people in is regards to Social Security. It's an important issue to a lot of people.... a lot of Americans are counting on Social Security being there for them when they retire.
12:00 PM |
6 comments
What the...?
11:58 AM |
4 comments
This must be the week for crazy baseball injuries. From AP- CHICAGO -- American League home run leader Carlos Quentin has a broken right wrist stemming from his own temper,...
10:21 AM |
0 comments
Noel Cruz is a portrait artist who took up doll painting to help his wife complete a collection. But the guy is super talented. I mean these make that...
8:33 PM |
1 comments
Let me note two things before getting to the topic- 1- This is my first time to write on this controversial subject. On August 13th I had heart valve surgery...
7:17 PM |
1 comments
Comments (28)
It's fake Jay. There's no ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Mac Lorry | June 21, 2006 6:00 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It's fake Jay. There's no way you can run with pants around your ankles.
1. Posted by Mac Lorry | June 21, 2006 6:00 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 06:00
2. Posted by Brian the Adequate | June 21, 2006 6:30 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I know this must be a UL, but I agree, I really really want to believe. I also wish I had musical talent, cause "Blood for Odin" would make a cool speed metal band name.
2. Posted by Brian the Adequate | June 21, 2006 6:30 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 06:30
3. Posted by MMerlin | June 21, 2006 6:34 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The Washington Monthly weighs in on the the '08 campaign. Clintons are not the only ones with skeletons in ht ecloset it seems:
"Lurking just over the horizon are liabilities for three Republicans who have topped several national, independent polls for the GOP's favorite 2008 nominee: Sen. John McCain (affair, divorce), former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (affair, divorce, affair, divorce), and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (divorce, affair, nasty divorce). Together, they form the most maritally challenged crop of presidential hopefuls in American political history. "
... from the Washington Monthly
3. Posted by MMerlin | June 21, 2006 6:34 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 06:34
4. Posted by Jay Tea | June 21, 2006 6:38 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
...and the obvious response to MMerlin's off-topic posting?
"BLOOD FOR ODIN!"
J.
4. Posted by Jay Tea | June 21, 2006 6:38 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 06:38
5. Posted by Clancy | June 21, 2006 8:34 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Jay - I don't think any of us sensible people would be opposed to the wholesale deletion of off-topic BS spam like Merlin and DFL a few posts ago. It's getting old already.
5. Posted by Clancy | June 21, 2006 8:34 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 08:34
6. Posted by Brian | June 21, 2006 8:54 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
BWAAAHH-ha-haa! I know this has gotta be fake, but I wish I coulda seen it.
6. Posted by Brian | June 21, 2006 8:54 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 08:54
7. Posted by Moe Lane | June 21, 2006 9:02 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The version *I've* heard involved a lady fighter coming back from a fighter practice with a coat on over her armor; when stopped by a punk brandishing a six-inch switchblade, she smiled, pulled out her broadsword and said "I'll see your six and raise you forty-two."
I do not believe this story: nobody wears armor for longer than they have to (the stuff is heavy, and smells) and we (that's generic SCA 'we', not SCA fighters 'we' - I don't do heavy combat) don't use live steel at fighter practices. But it's a pretty good story. :)
7. Posted by Moe Lane | June 21, 2006 9:02 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 09:02
8. Posted by hdw | June 21, 2006 9:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sadly it's likely a legend, but I wish it were true. I just can't stop laughing at the image of this guy hobbling down the street with his pants down, screaming at the top of his lungs.
8. Posted by hdw | June 21, 2006 9:37 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 09:37
9. Posted by cirby | June 21, 2006 9:51 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I did know a guy who got surprised once while he was carrying a quarterstaff (not for combat in the SCA, just for practice). Three muggers, two unconscious in he first couple of seconds, the third with broken limbs.
9. Posted by cirby | June 21, 2006 9:51 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 09:51
10. Posted by Big Mo | June 21, 2006 10:02 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You call that a knife? That's a knife!
/channeling Crocadile Dundee
10. Posted by Big Mo | June 21, 2006 10:02 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 10:02
11. Posted by 914 | June 21, 2006 10:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"Blood for Odin" who does this guy think He is Thor?
11. Posted by 914 | June 21, 2006 10:33 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 10:33
12. Posted by yetanotherjohn | June 21, 2006 10:34 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Of course I can see this going into a hollywood movie. As Big Mo points out, it would be a riff on Crocadile Dundee. But some how I also see Indiana Jones when faced by the big sword fighter. The perp pulling out a gun and showing why armor went out when gunpowder came in.
12. Posted by yetanotherjohn | June 21, 2006 10:34 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 10:34
13. Posted by moseby | June 21, 2006 11:15 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I heard the same story once--but the hero's name was Bernie and the little "punks" had sharpened screwdrivers...
13. Posted by moseby | June 21, 2006 11:15 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 11:15
14. Posted by moseby | June 21, 2006 11:25 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'm not a fan off-topic posting but that Mariah Carey side-boob in the "Zud's Vlog" advert at left is worth a peek.
14. Posted by moseby | June 21, 2006 11:25 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 11:25
15. Posted by ed | June 21, 2006 11:52 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hmmmm.
1. I used to do SCA heavy rattan combat back when I was healthy enough to do so.
2. Unless you've got plastic or aluminum armor, it's going to be very heavy. If you're travelling using the subways then it's sometimes a lot easier to wear the armor rather than carrying it. The reason is that when you wear the armor it's balanced across and along the entire body. When it's in a seabag or duffel bag, most common carrying container, then you've got the entire weight off one shoulder.
3. You get used to the smell. Though I have seen fighters get swarmed and their gambesons forcibly removed and then washed.
ahhh. Memories. I should start back up with some very light armor. I found a place that sells titanium scales suitable for a coat of scale armor. Probably end up in the hospital if I did.
15. Posted by ed | June 21, 2006 11:52 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 11:52
16. Posted by Katie | June 21, 2006 11:56 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Yeah, given that a 6'7" guy would not be able to stand completely upright in most subway cars, raising a battle ax over his head would pretty much require the use of a sunroof, which my train, at least, does not have.
16. Posted by Katie | June 21, 2006 11:56 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 11:56
17. Posted by ed | June 21, 2006 11:58 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hmmm.
I re-read the article. It doesn't actually say that the guy was wearing armor so this is entirely plausible.
A lot of events aren't oriented around combat and many involve arts, crafts and ... well ... eating and quaffing ale. Generally if you're travelling while using public transportation you need to fully secure the edges of any metal weaponry, preferably by using a "peace knot" that can't be untied easily. Additionally people are encouraged to leave/make the edges of edged weapons blunt to avoid any accidents. It's entirely possible that this guy was going to an event, i.e. "meet", where he wasn't planning on fighting and just was travelling in costume. Which would include, for a Viking, a battle-axe or sword.
...
You know this might actually have happened. I'll have to ask around and see if there's anyone I know who could confirm or deny it.
17. Posted by ed | June 21, 2006 11:58 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 11:58
18. Posted by Mike O | June 21, 2006 11:59 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It does raise a point; if everyone carried battleaxes and other medievel weaponry on the NYC subway system, things might be a bit more polite. :))
18. Posted by Mike O | June 21, 2006 11:59 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 11:59
19. Posted by Candy | June 21, 2006 12:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
What stinks is that now we all have this private joke, but if we try to use it (ie: somebody cuts you off in the 10 Items or Less lane and you scream "Blood for Odin") they'll have us carted off.
19. Posted by Candy | June 21, 2006 12:59 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 12:59
20. Posted by moseby | June 21, 2006 1:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
What stinks is that now we all have this private joke, but if we try to use it (ie: somebody cuts you off in the 10 Items or Less lane and you scream "Blood for Odin") they'll have us carted off.
Unless it's someone from this blog...then we'll all have a good loff by god.
20. Posted by moseby | June 21, 2006 1:18 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 13:18
21. Posted by Moe Lane | June 21, 2006 1:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
ed: I'm not saying that it's impossible, just that I'm not buying it. :)
21. Posted by Moe Lane | June 21, 2006 1:52 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 13:52
22. Posted by ed | June 21, 2006 1:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hmmmm.
1.
By **Odin**!
2. A link to the Pennsic War website.
http://www.pennsic.net/
Armor link:
http://www.pennsic.net/cgi-bin/pennsic/photos05.cgi?cat=armor
I need some time away from the computer. A nice Lorica Plumata style scale armor project would be nice.
22. Posted by ed | June 21, 2006 1:55 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 13:55
23. Posted by moseby | June 21, 2006 2:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
1.
then we'll all have a good loff by god.
By **Odin**!
OOH!!...nice touch on my pathetic attempt at humor.
23. Posted by moseby | June 21, 2006 2:14 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 14:14
24. Posted by OregonMuse | June 21, 2006 3:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I can hear the moonbats chanting:
No blood for Odin!
No blood for Odin!
No blood for Odin!
.
.
.
24. Posted by OregonMuse | June 21, 2006 3:09 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 15:09
25. Posted by Peter F. | June 21, 2006 3:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
OregonMuse, you stole my thunder, damnit! LOL
Katie's spot on. At 6'7", Odin would have a helluva time raising a battle ax on an NYC train.
Still funny as hell, though.
25. Posted by Peter F. | June 21, 2006 3:20 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 15:20
26. Posted by DM | June 21, 2006 6:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Back in the late seventies, our science fiction club met on the campus of SDSU. One such meeting the loud cry of a lady in distress was heard. The SCA contingent, largely in costume, stopped a would-be rapist cold, detained him for campus police, and testified at the trial. I'm not certain how much force was involved because I wasn't there that night, but several people independently related the story of the halted rape within the next few days.
26. Posted by DM | June 21, 2006 6:36 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 21, 2006 18:36
27. Posted by 89 | June 22, 2006 4:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
If this was a real story, the viking cosplayer would have been arrested for carrying an unlicenced weapon and sued by the would-be robber for emotional harm.
27. Posted by 89 | June 22, 2006 4:42 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 22, 2006 16:42
28. Posted by Mike | June 28, 2006 10:10 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My brother's an SCA person. Lives in NYC. Goes to meets frequently.
When I told him about this one he laughed. He asked around but none of his friends could offer proof that it actually happened.
As a former NYC resident I would have loved it if this turned out to be true...
28. Posted by Mike | June 28, 2006 10:10 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 28, 2006 10:10