Click image for more alpine smacking power …
Actually the whole of Bavaria is a secret fetish nation. We are deeply into leather and pain - as the document above perfectly demonstrate.
Music, dance, Lederhosen and a good "Watschn" is all we need to enjoy ourselves …
*Thanks to Edosan for that historical image*
Bastian Schweinsteiger - called "Schweini" by his friends (which actually roughly translates into "Piggy") - is devasted …
Congratulations Spain - you really are Europe’s Football Champion. That title is well deserved - although I still think that the Dutch are an equally breath taking team.
Germany - once again - didn’t make it to the top. They didn’t play very good and it’s more or less by chance they ended up in the finals.
And I glad it’s over. After a month of madness, endless street parties and over excited fellow countryman I am glad some form of silence and normality is back.
Actually it’s a stupid affair anyway: watching these youngster millionaires sweating it out on the field to make even more money. Almost all of these players are the cream of the top of their national leagues and earn shitloads of money.
So each Euro Championship is mostly about overpaid sport stars duking it out and RAISING their net worth in pro football.
I am actually happy that the Spaniards won the tournament, since it has already helped to heal some of the rift in a still divided country. Spain’s many proud regions usually despise each other and didn’t stand behind their national team in unity. This year was different. So sport and symbolism can have a huge transforming impact - even in so called "modern societies".
So Germany and Turkey play against each other on Wednesday. Once again it doesn’t matter who will win or loose - in both cases it will be a national tragedy around here - with so many Turk living in Germany.
I personally already anticipate a night without sleep, because people will party all night and I won’t get any sleep.
So far my money was on the Dutch team, by the have been kicked out by the Russian - of all teams. At least the boring Italians are also gone. So my money is now on the Spaniards.
But the best news of all: the madness ends with the finals this very Sunday.
My hometown and birthplace München just celebrated it’s 850th birthday last weekend. It is certainly not the oldest city in Europe - more like a middle aged one.
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.
Some nostalgic summer music - I think only Germans can make a depressing reggae summer song with loads of Weltschmerz.
Ideal was part of the so called Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave) - but was never as popular like Nena or Trio (remember Da Da Da?).
Click image for a larger a hungarian Übervater.
Dürer’s portraits are simply breath taking. The details, the atmosphere and the intimacy. He took this art form to a new level as a master painter and an artist.
From Wikipedia about Albrecht Dürers Family heritage:
Dürer was born on May 21, 1471, third child and second son of his parents, who had between fourteen and eighteen children. His father was a successful goldsmith, originally named Ajtósi, who in 1455 had moved to Nuremberg from Ajtós, near Gyula in Hungary. The German name "Dürer" is derived from the Hungarian, "Ajtósi". Initially, it was "Thürer," meaning doormaker, which is "ajtós" in Hungarian (from "ajtó", meaning door). A door is featured in the coat-of-arms the family acquired. Albrecht Dürer the Elder married Barbara Holper, from a prosperous Nuremberg family, in 1467.
Dürer about his father (taken from here) - who was also his first art teacher:
My father suffered much and toiled painfully all his life, for he had no resources other than the proceeds of his trade from which to support himself and his wife and family. He led an honest, God-fearing life. His character was gentle and patient. He was friendly towards all and full of gratitude to his Maker. He cared little for society and nothing for worldly amusements. A man of very few words and deeply pious, he paid great attention to the religious education of his children. His most earnest hope was that the high principles he instilled into their minds would render them ever more worthy of divine protection and the sympathy of mankind. He told us every day that we must love God and be honourable in our dealings with our neighbours.
But one more thing is truly remarkable: the age of his father. Not many people reached 70 in these days. Albrecht Dürer himself died age 56 - a lot younger than his father. I couldn’t find out when his father actually died.
Click image for a bigger shield.
Franz von Stuck - who actually lived here in Munich - is one of my favorite painters. His images are strong and mythical. Many of his paintings have nightmarish qualities and often deeply penetrate the viewers psyche.
Every May Day the same procedure here in Germany: some wacky lefties battle the Police all night, small store windows, burn cars and scream stupid slogans. Sure the slogans have been updated to reflect the currently struggle against “globalization” - but I pity these ignorant fools.
This kind of reoccurring violence without any REAL context is simply stupidity and predictable. If your protest is as predictable as Christmas you loose credibility, since it only shows that you insist on violence without context. And politics without context is blind - and nobody takes you serious.
And smashing up the usual symbols of consumerism (McDonalds, Banks, Police cars etc.) is so 1980’s (or shall we rather say 1968ish) - grow up!
Plus: update your enemies list. China’s ambitions and actions are as evil as the “standard enemy” the US. Where are your protests against such idiots like Robert Mugabe?
There not much a simple soul and music lover like me can write about such a genius.
I remember when I was 16 and a coworker introduced and educated me about classical music. Since I loved symphonic soundtracks like Star Wars or Star Trek II that was easily done - and I was hooked. Loved Beethoven and his wild emotions and free spirit. Mozart - nah - that was shallow. My coworker told me to be patient - and the taste for Mozart would come with maturity. Now that I am an old fart myself I have to say he was right. Now I am very much into Mozart and much more can hear and appreciate all his subtleties and nuances.
The challenge with Mozart - for any new acolyte of classical music - is his huge volume of work. It ranges from entertaining little melodies to to breath taking requiems. There is music for almost any occasion and mood in his huge repertoire.
Click to play “The Marriage of Figaro - Overture”:
Click to play “Klaviersonate Nr. 15 C-dur KV 495″:
Click to play “Symphonie Nr. 31 D-dur KV 297 ‘Pariser’”:
So if you like what you just heard and want to dig deeper buy one of the many “Best of Mozart” CD or MP3 collections. Check the pieces and maybe pick one piece that you enjoyed in particular.
His operas range from easy to monumental, so if you want to see one go to YouTube and dig a bit deeper. The Magic Flute is always a safe choice and charming, Don Giovanni is more like Heavy Metal. 
More? Mozart @ Wikipedia
Germany still has an odd relationship to anything military, because of it’s Nazi past. Germany’s Bundeswehr is finally an active army again - supporting NATO and the UN in peace missions. It took Germany over 50 years to allow military involvement OUTSIDE of Germany.
The Bundeswehr is more and more becoming a professional army - and now that bullets are flying again the military leadership would like to have the same gadgets and gimmicks all other armies have: medals.
There are already some medals, but these are campaign medals which a soldier gets automatically - if he has been brave or not. So the German Generals would like to reintroduce the Iron Cross that has been the medal for valor for a long time.
But because it smacks of militarism and Nazis our politicians go bonkers and refuse that little piece of metal. Sometimes political correctness is simply idiotic. Germany needs to accept it’s bad spots, but also reintegrate the military in a normal and positive way into society. The least thing you can do for young man brave enough to risk their necks for everybody is to give them a nice medal to honor their achievements …
“Joy is not in things; it is in us.”
“I hate this fast growing tendency to chain men to machines in big factories and deprive them of all joy in their efforts - the plan will lead to cheap men and cheap products.”
“One supreme fact which I have discovered is that it is not willpower, but fantasy-imagination that creates. Imagination is the creative force. Imagination creates reality.”
According to the latest pageant - these are currently two most beautiful Teutonic females around. I think these two are perfect examples of modern mediocrity and going for a consensus instead of brilliance. Here is the rest of the field …
I don’t see anything that would turn my head in an encounter at the supermarket …
More? Official Website
After Knut now Flocke (Flake) - another Polar Bear Mania sweeps the country. So many shops sell stuffed bears, the news and magazines can’t get enough of this cuddly something (image gallery here). Flocke even has her own official YouTube channel.
Madness.
The Security Council was and still is a good idea - but it no longer reflects the global status. After WW2 the US, Soviet Union, France, Britain and China reflected the world’s powers at that time.
But not today.
India und Brazil have been lobbying hard for a permanent seat - so did Germany and Japan as big spenders for the UN.
Europe is already over represented by France and Britain. I think ONE seat for the whole of the EU would be enough. Africa should also get it’s own permanent seat. Since India and China represented such a huge slice of the population - they also should get a seat each. Although I must say that neither China nor India have been big supporters of international progress - they have been too busy to get their own countries ahead. Although India has sent many troops to international missions.
It would be great progress if this important international forum would reflect the realities of 2008 and not 1950.
More? Wikipedia entry and a BBC discussion if India should get a permanent seat - some nice comments in there.
There are not many German bands that achieved such a cult status like Kraftwerk. Today electronic music is everywhere - with any cheap computer you can create Kraftwerk-like music. But there is more to Kraftwerk than simply beeps and zaps.
The first big song ‘Autobahn’ from 1974:
Starting 1974 (with Autobahn) till 1986 (Electric Café) they released a string of albums that defined the electronic music scene for decades to come. Many great artists like Bowie were big fans and many house & techo musicians were heavily influenced by their sound.
This is one of the newer pieces - a theme song for the Expo 2000 in Hannover:
Their synthesizer music sounded so different from eletro pop, disco or synthesizer artists like Jean Michel Jarre or Tomita. Kraftwerk didn’t try to make electronic music ‘nice’ or more like old instruments. They quite liked the harsh purity of their machines.
‘Taschenrechner’ (Pocket Calculator) from ‘Computer World’:
But also Kraftwerks minimal lyrics about the digital future were right on target (from ‘Computer World’ the song ‘Computer Love’):
Computer love
Computer love
Another lonely night
Stare at the TV screen
I don’t know what to do
I need a rendezvous
Computer love
Computer love
I call this number
For a data date
I don’t know what to do
I need a rendezvous
Computer love
Computer love
Their use of computer animation for music videos and cover art was state of the art at the time. Also their usage of robot like makeup and later real robots for their live performances just pushed the Kraftwerk-style further ahead.
Kraftwerk’s last album ‘Tour de France’ in 2003 was certainly in line with their style - but it was no longer a unique experience, since techno, house music, trip hop and electronica all were built on the Kraftwerk sound and therefore Kraftwerk itself was just another bleep on the market. Nevertheless it was good music.
One cultural note: Kraftwerk has always released it’s albums in German and in English for the foreign market. I consider their German albums and lyrics the original versions.
German dudes singing in English with a terrible accent might have been avantgarde in the 70’s and 80’s to non-german ears - but for me their songs in German are often rather melancholic or satirical. It rather feels like a commentary on the Zeitgeist and the Zukunft (future) instead of trying to be arty farty.
But I guess that gets lost in translation.
When the USA liberated (and this time it was such a thing) Afghanistan from the Taliban I considered this a good thing. This was actually religious fundamentalism gone mad and very bloody.
The Afghan situation can certainly be blamed on America’s lack of interest after the Soviets left the country and the Taliban used their military power - once provided by America - to terrorize this poor country.
But nevertheless - giving this country a chance to get back on it’s own feet was and still is a good cause. And some fighting was to be expected. The Europeans, Australians and Canadians thought a bit of the Taliban would be still around and annoying. Once again politicians committed troops to do the nation building thing without really thinking about it.
Now several years latter and many dead soldiers and Afghan people the Taliban are a serious threat - again.
Canadians, British, Dutch and Australian troops have been involved in fierce fighting - while German, Italian and French troops stayed save and away from bullets.
Frau Merkel loves posing with the troops, but not committing them to the fight for a good cause.
Although NATO asked Germany several time to commit some combat troops to the fights in the south Frau Bundeskanzler Merkel has successfully avoided supporting OUR allies.
Yesterday it was finally announced to send a combat unit to Afghanistan where already 3.000 German troopers are busy building roads, schools and bridges. Here comes the joke: it’s only a small unit - 250 fighters … and they are replacing 350 Norwegians in the safer north of the country.
Although I believe in Pacifism and not in Militarism - but the Taliban won’t go away, by being nice. If the wars in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan have taught us anything it’s this: you can’t do Nation Building without security on the ground. And that means confrontation and sticking your head out and catching bullets. People will die.
I consider Fritz Lang as one of the greatest directors ever. His movies were ground breaking in his days. His masterpiece ‘M - eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder’ still puts many modern productions to shame. But I also recommend watching his outdated movies like ‘Frau im Mond‘ from 1929. How times have changed … but this movie actually ‘invented’ the countdown, which is still in use today.
Click image for a larger Teutonic Master.
Herr Dürer is simply a God of Art. He paints and draws like none other. Too bad his great skills were wasted during the Dark Ages. This is his self-portrait aged 28.
The Christmas tree is labeled as a German invention. But who would have thought that Arab countries and the Chinese go mad for them? German consumers are currently facing a serious price hike, because ‘their’ trees are getting shipped or even flown out to "those foreigners".
So global consumerist culture trumps so called Christian traditions? Frohe Weihnachten …
Today we celebrate Nikolaus here in Germany - we don’t have Father Christmas on the 24th (we rather say the Christchild is coming on that day). Here is an excellent website about the different Santa Claus traditions all over the world …
I better let Wikipedia tell you what the Krampus and Knecht Ruprecht are all about:
The Companions of Saint Nicholas (or Father Christmas) are a group of closely related figures who accompany St. Nicholas in many European traditions. The tradition is particularly strong amongst the Germanic peoples, with some regional expression in the U.S. (largely from European ethnic groups).
The most recognized companion, especially outside of Europe, is Knecht Ruprecht, which translates as Farmhand Ruprecht or Servant Ruprecht. Other companions include Krampus (Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary [spelled Krampusz]), Klaubauf (Bavaria), Bartel (Styria), Pelzebock, Pelznickel, Belzeniggl, Belsnickel (Pennsylvania), Schmutzli (Switzerland), Rumpelklas, Bellzebub, Hans Muff, Drapp or Buzebergt (Augsburg), Hanstrapp (Alsace, East of France) and Le Père Fouettard (Northern France). In the Czech Republic, St. Nicholas or Svatý Mikuláš is accompanied by the Čert (Devil) and Anděl (Angel). These servants are often associated with, but are distinct from Saint Nicholas’ helpers in the Netherlands and Flanders (called Zwarte Piet, meaning Black Pete(r) in English).
Make sure to read the whole entry for loads of details.
As you can see from the last image this tradition is very much alive here in Europe and I can assure you that tonight many kids and some adults gonna crap into their pants when St. Niklaus and a wild Krampus hits their home …
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