You sure know winter is coming when the Cows come down from the Alps in Bavaria and Austria. This is called Almabtrieb.

It’s a nice tradition (some images here), but still more than just a tourist attraction like the Oktoberfest.

Another one of Klimt’s golden ladies. He was truly addicted to the beauty and charm of woman.

But you should be aware of the cut off head in the right corner. This princess is a dangerous one - guys literally loose their head around her.

To use an old phrase: she is the beauty and the beast in one package.

Yesterday’s wars are today’s football games. Nationalism and passion boils over when football teams battle for the national pride. Although I don’t like football very much I prefer this form of nationalism over wars and other bloody conflicts.

Today is a tragedy in the making: either Germany or Austria will be kicked out of the tournament. In both cases a national disaster.

Since neither nation likes each other very much a war of words already started last week when it was clear that the German team was in deep trouble after it’s shitty game against Croatia.

Now the mighty German Fußball Nation has to win against tiny Austria - which has been not bad so far in this tournament.

Personally: I don’t care! May the best team win - although I would love to see Austria win, which would result in the bigger tragedy. I think that would be much more entertaining …

So far I think Oranje is the best team - they have played the best games so far and played the most convincing football.

The Euro2008 is starting on 7th of June - and since I hate Fußball this is not going to be a pleasant month. Public viewing and screaming fans will mess up my favorite restaurants and cafes.

Switzerland and Austria are this years hosts - which is odd, but understandable, since both countries are too small to bear the full brunt of football hooligans by themselves. So they share the beer and vomit.

Here is an overview which countries are part of the tournament - hey you can even install some crappy widget on your blog or MySpace page - which I certainly won’t do.

If you are a real football nut, you be in pubs the next four weeks or you’ watch the live stream via the intranets (which will cost you €35 - they have already reduced it from €50) or you simply install FootieFox for Firefox (so your browser tells you what’s going on).

I just wish it was all over already.

The powerful magic of Mr Klimt’s colors. He just mixes them like nobody else …

Breathtaking!