Hey Jeff:
As my father is Swedish, and I lived there as a boy (5 years), I want to thank you for discussing something "Swenska" other than Blondes, Ikea, and Sexual Freedom (more on that later).

Just a reminder... the ship is named the "Wassa", but pronounced "Vassa". But I can't spell in English, so... and the ship was built as the greatest ship in the very powerful Swedish fleet, which had successfully beaten off the Spanish Armada in a battle some years before.

As beer was clearly much cheaper back then (no taxes) the Officers and Crew of the Wassa decided it was a great idea to launch without ballast (rocks at the bottom of the ship for stability) and present full sail in a strong wind. The glorious Wassa listed to port, water poured in through the gun ports, and it sunk in front of the King, his Court, and many invited foreign dignitaries.

As Outlaws, and Gunslingers, we should be partial to Pirates... and Vikings too. JohNNy DePP could have been a Viking, as the Double Consonants give us away...

As for all those beautiful women slapping Captain Jack Sparrow in the face... well, clearly the fruit of very intense passions, and received with a resigned acceptance of a good scoundrel.

As for eating reindeer... I am sure he could eat Rudolf, then turn his head with a smile, flair his eyes, and steal a kiss from the most beautiful vegetarian in the land. Skoal.

Allan

P.S.: Reindeer is really good, but try Herring in sweet mustard sauce on Limpa (sweet rye bread).

[This message has been edited by AGAssarsson (edited August 04, 2003).]