This evening, while engaging in some work-related nerdery. . .and I'm not sure that's even a real word, but work with me here. . .I came across one of the first signs that 2012 will be a much better year for the Vikings than this past season was. Granted, that's not a high hurdle to clear, but still.

No, it turns out that a couple from Pennsylvania went out to empty some of the traps they have in their yard to keep rodents away from their numerous bird feeders, and found a purple squirrel. Yes, the squirrel was purple. That's the squirrel up there in the corner.

Nobody knows how it was that the squirrel came to be purple, although numerous theories have been advanced. The couple in the story, Percy and Connie Emert, make their home in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, so it's probably just a matter of time before the squirrel starts fist-pumping, walking around with a fauxhawk, and getting involved in a relationship with Snooki.

And, if you're interested, the purple squirrel has its own FaceBook page and its own Twitter account. . .because really, why wouldn't it?

But, if you believe in omens. . .well, this has to have some meaning for our favorite football team, doesn't it? Unless you think the squirrel is connected to the Baltimore Ravens somehow, which is clearly not the case.