Ursula Plassnik Spotted!

(Photo: Die Standard)

FRESH! That's our beloved affable giantess just today at some thingy about how there should be more female politicians.

That's great (maybe not Joni Ernst, though)! But I mostly just think there should be more Ursula Plassnik.

Enough Richard Cohen, Let's Have Some URSULA PLASSNIK!!!!!

(Bild: SN/APA/NEUMAYR)

YAY, YAY, YAY! It's been long enough that newcomers to this blog may wish to take a trip down Ursula Plassnik Memory Lane. I'll give you a couple of hours to take it all in.

Back? OK! Ursulaproduct has become so rare, that even though this is a little late (the photos were taken on July 29), I'll take what I can get.  And these snaps are NO disappointment. I mean, hubba hubba and va-va-va-VOOM:

OMG Ursula cleavage! And I'm sure you'll agree that even though we love the gigantic, tablecloth-sized scarves the affable Austrian giantess sports in cooler weather, that incredible jumbo necklace more than makes up for their absence. I don't think anybody other than the mighty Plassnik could pull that off, but on her it works wonderfully.

Google translate is imperfect, of course, but the gist of the short article is that being out of the spotlight seems to agree with Ursula, and that is obviously true. Lookin' good, girl! It turns out that she's now Austria's ambassador to France! Not a bad gig, I'm thinking, and probably not a particularly strenuous one.

We've seen Ursula with that gnomish guy before, and even though he isn't as handsome as she is, he always looks kindly and charming in photos, so I have no problem with that. I'm sure he gives her all the worship and attention she deserves. Plus: WTF is he wearing? It's magical.

Hooray for Ursula! OMG!

Thanks a bunch to Pony Pal™ Tim for the excellent tip!

OMG, Wow! Not Only An Ursula Plassnik Spotting, But An INCREDIBLE Ursula Plassnik Spotting!!!

(Foto © APA)

How long has it been? HOW LONG? It has been over a year, in fact, since we last enjoyed a sighting of our favorite affable giantess, the goddess Ursula! I must say, that incredible dress was worth the wait! Of all the nutty outfits and epic scarves I've seen draped over La Plassnik's formidable frame, this is her most exciting and bewildering ensemble EVER. Yay! On any other person in the entire universe, that dress/jacket combo would look ludicrous, but on Ursula, the fun-sized Auntie Mame of Austrian diplomacy? MAGIC.

I'm afraid I must politely refrain from saying anything about her taste in men. He looks like a very nice man.

The photo was taken at some... thing on September 1 which involved "Glanz und Glamour," so naturally Ursula was invited. Be sure to look at the slide show for the event, because there are many noteworthy fashion triumphs/catastrophes present!

Ahhhhhh. Was that good for you, too?

Saturday Quiz Answers

1. Only when he gets tired.
2. Ursula Plassnik and Richard Roundtree.
3. The deep-fried Mars bar.
4. They are all named after characters from the works of Shakespeare and Jacqueline Susann.
5. September 12, 1962.
6. Alice "Licey" McAdams of Decatur, Georgia.
7. Fiend Without a Face.
8. $12,000, a Pucci miniskirt, and a tame squirrel.
9. Set includes one ambulance, three figures, one stretcher.
10. Henry "Hank" Wolfe Gummer (born November 13, 1979), Mary Willa "Mamie" Gummer (born August 3, 1983), Grace Jane Gummer (born May 9, 1986), and Louisa Jacobson Gummer (born June 12, 1991).

PSP Flashback! Remember When Ursula Plassnik Wore Great Shoes And Made The President Of Syria Look Totally Nervous?

Syrian President Bashar Assad meets with the Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik at Ash-Shaeb presidential palace in Damascus on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, for talks on bilateral relations, the presidential Lebanese crisis and other regional and international issues. Plassnik's visit is part of a Middle East tour that has included Lebanon, the Palestinian territories and Israel.(AP photo Bassem Tellawi)

Ah, How Refreshing! Here's A Cool 'N' Breezy Picture Of Ursula Plassnik

Die Abgeordnete und ehemalige Aussenministerin Ursula Plassnik (OeVP) kommt am Mittwoch (22.06.11) in Wien zu einer EU - Hauptausschusssitzung des Nationalrates. In der Ausschusssitzung wird die Hilfe fuer Griechenland debattiert. Foto: Hans Punz/dapd

Ursula! Looking fab! So what's the affable Austrian giantess been up to lately? Oh, jeez... you don't really expect me to understand this stuff, do you? It's sooooo totally boring other than having Ursula in it. I think she's still fighting with Turkey? All I know is that she looks happy, triumphant even, and since it's Summer she's eschewed her usual majestic scarves for an equally mighty necklace. I don't know German so I have no idea what that caption above says, but I just know it has got to be something about that necklace. Here, look at it bigger:

That is perfectly scaled to Ursula, as is her Wonder Womanesque cuff. Oh, Ursula, whatever it is you're trying to do, I want you to succeed* so that the once generous spigot of stylish Ursulapics can be turned on once again.

*Oh, oops.

"Cut Down To Size"

PSP flashback: Ursula, scarf, and tiny Turkish foe, 04-21-08 (AP Photo)

I just stumbled across this article in last week's European Voice about Sparklefave Ursula Plassnik's bid to head some European security agency. I'm thankful for the article because it totally explains what's going on with Ursula and how her old nemesis Turkey (see above) is trying to get in her way, but also because the writer feels fit to include a completely unnecessary, gratuitous reference to the affable Austrian giantess' height:

The OSCE's secretariat is based, conveniently, in Vienna, and the conspicuously tall Plassnik was the frontrunner for the job – ahead by at least a long neck – but now Turkey is attempting to cut her down to size.

Ha, ha! It's funny because she's tall!

Let's Take An Ursula Break

Die Abgeordnete und ehemalige oesterreichische Aussenministerin Ursula Plassnik (OeVP) spricht am Dienstag (01.03.11) in Wien waehrend einer Sitzung des Nationalrates zur Libyen Krise im Parlament. In der heutigen Sitzung werden unter anderem die neuen Zugangsregelungen fuer die Universitaeten und die gemeinsame Obsorge debattiert. Foto: Hans Punz/dapd

It isn't much, but I'll take it! A recent picture of Ursula!!!! It's been sooooo long, but there she is, bescarved (bescarfed?) and right back where we want her: in front of a camera. It turns out that she's running for some kind of office ("Secretary General of the OSCE"), but I can't figure it out. Obviously I want her to win whatever it is, because life without Ursula Plassnik as a public figure is difficult.

Pink Pony Has Mixed Feelings About Ursula Plassnik Posing for Photo-Op with Garden Gnome

Gruppenbild: Plassnik und Van der Bellen bei der Überzeugungsarbeit gegen die geistige Verzwergung der Republik (Kommentar der anderen). Der kleine Kerl mit der Zipfelmütze ist eine Leihgabe namens "Wunibald". (derStandard.at)

It's been so long! Eagle-eyed Austrian Pony Pal™ Katharina spotted this report and this photo gallery of our favorite affable giantess, but what to make of it? Katharina reports:

Ursula Plassnik has somewhat disappeared from the glitzy world of international politics, so I was delighted to find her and her gnome pal (the shabby looking guy on the right is the former leader of the Austrian Green party) enjoying some quality time in a park in Vienna. (Apparently, the whole point of this whole photo op was to generate interest among Austrians in view of the upcoming European elections). Hope this is something that true connoisseurs of our favourite diplomazon might enjoy!

And what a fine fix it is! Two sparkley hooves way up, Katharina!

Help Needed in Deciphering Latest Ursula Parody

It's almost like Ursula Plassnik has completely winked out of existence (*SOB*) in the English speaking world. In Austria, however, she is apparently still a curiosity which must be addressed:

Now, obviously this is a conflation of our favorite affable giantess and Asterix, and of course I love the idea of Queen Ursula, but...

Well... a little help here?

UPDATE: Pony Pal Felix explains it all in the comments!

SoS: The Secretary of State's Shoes, Hairdos, and Fabulous Fashions, Part Two, 2006

(AFP, 01-30-06)

2006 really was Condi's banner year. She did the most while accomplishing the least. By this time, Team Condi had everything down to a science. And while you may argue that Condi's tenure at the State Department constituted more than simply a series of vapid photo-ops, you have to admit that her tenure included an astounding number of them, most of which were faithfully dissected by yours truly. As Condi's routine gelled and settled, so too did this blog's fascination with the minutiae of her fairytale world increase. The highlights from year two:

• 01-06: Bush 'n' Condi allow "5-10 minutes" of their time for Colin 'n' Maddie photo-op.
• 01-06: Condi, Karen Hughes and Margaret Spellings, together at last.
• 01-13: Condi's resemblance to "Chucky Doll" noted.
• 01-16: Condoleezza Hairdo Alert System briefly raised to "Elevated" due to fanciful hats.
• 01-26: Jumbo Conditron is introduced.
• 02-13: We momentarily thought Condi had adopted a large, square afro:

(Reuters)

• 02-16: I indulged in more Condi afro fantasies.
• 02-25: Condi makes the cover of The Black Republican, a real magazine.
• 03-01: The exciting debut of network Condicising.
• 03-02: Condi 'n' Crazy Eyes, the dinner guests from Hell.
• 03-09: If looks could kill, Rumsfeld would be a pile of smoldering ashes.
• 03-12: Condi receives prank cocaine-lined ukulele with love from Bolivia.
• 03-14: Condi meets Elmo, as eerily foreshadowed by PSP.
• 03-16: Condi briefly forced to wear baseball cap, dine with mortals on Australian visit.
• 03-21: Condi does three matching armchairs photo-ops in one afternoon.
• 03-27: A new photo-op type is born as Condi rushes from one Sunday show to the next.
• 03-31: Romance with Jack Straw continues (see below) as Condi visits glamorous Blackburn.
• 03-31: "I know we have made tactical errors, thousands of them."

• 04-01: Pony Pal™ z7 introduces a still functioning Condiriffic diploclock.
• 04-02: Prevalence of Kleenex™ in Arab photo-ops noted.
• 04-06: State Department staffer surfs 53 pages of PSP in 26 minutes.
• 04-08: NY Times publishes puff piece on Condi's chamber music group.
• 04-11: Associated Press obtains hot Condi juvenalia.
• 04-25: Greeks pay tribute to Condi with a special puppet show.
• 05-01: And Rumsfeld glares right back at Condi. Who will win this battle of endurance?
• 05-05: MOMA acquires unflattering portrait of Condi.
• 05-07: Condi dumps Jack Straw.
• 05-08: Wasted Condi appears to fall asleep during Bush speech.
• 05-09: Condi honored by Time Magazine, wears satin, carries Judith Leiber purse.
• 05-10: Condi has to bat off an overexcited Javier Solana.
• 05-16: Her boring iPod playlist revealed.
• 05-16: Superiority of Reuters Yuri Gripas conclusively demonstrated when he wins the Condirazzi Iron Photo-Opographer challenge.
• 05-31: Condi introduces ring-toss as a way to liven up press conferences:

• 06-01: Condi introduces us to Ursula, her exact chromatic opposite. Later, Ursula would be revealed to be the Anti-Condi.
• 06-01: Hilarious Bush/Condi rumors are taken seriously for about five minutes.
• 06-03: The return of Condicising.
• 06-13: Condi 'n' Rummy: still super awkward.
• 07-03: PSP nails down the requirements for a truly cliché Condi presidential rumor article.
• 07-10: Afro fantasies reach their logical conclusion.
• 07-16: Wheee! Condi rides on a golf cart driven by Vladimir Putin.
• 07-20: Condi and Jesse Jackson, together at last.
• 07-24: Condi suffers a nearly complete hairdo breakdown in Lebanon.
• 07-26: "Touching her forehead" or "wincing in pain"? You decide!
• 07-27: Condi shakes off the bad times, dons a bizarre sparkley outfit, plays the piano.
• 07-29: Condi inspires renaissance of mean-spirited Lebanese caricature:

• 08-02: Condi becomes chic fashion accessory for goats.
• 08-03: What if Condi traveled back in time and appeared in a serigraph by William H. Johnson?
• 08-24: PSP endures 10-day Condi dry spell, survives.
• 09-01: Angela Merkel knocks Condi off the "Most Powerful Woman™" pedestal.
• 09-12: Condi has a whirlwind, caffeine-fueled dream date (see below) with hunky Peter MacKay.
• 09-12: Meet serial Condi portrayer Penny Johnson!
• 09-14: Reuters Condiographers begin Condi upskirt contest. All will fail.
• 09-25: Experimental "reaching across the banquet table" photo-op debuts, flops.

• 10-06: Condi completes terrifying 50-yard dash in Baghdad.
• 10-10: Vampire Condi officiates at gay wedding, almost bites Crazy Eyes.
• 10-18: Two words which always quicken my pulse in Condi photo captions: gusty winds.
• 10-18: Origin of "holding the invisible sphere" gesture found in Italian Surrealist sculpture.
• 10-19: Koreans make the prettiest anti-Condi graphics.
• 10-20: Multiple Chinese matching armchair photo-ops spoiled by enormous flower arrangements.
• 10-20: Karen Hughes likens Condi to 7th Century Muslim woman.
• 10-25: Condi flops on return to Heritage Foundation, neocons turn on her, too.
• 11-09: Condi introduces washed-up ice skater as latest weapon in the war on terror.
• 11-12: Condi vs. Rummy battle over, Condi wins.
• 11-15: Peter MacKay breaks up with Condi long-distance.
• 11-17: Condi 'n' Crazy Eyes wear ill-advised satin outfits to banquet.
• 11-21: She finally gets leid:

• 12-01: Protesters decide Condi is best represented by a hirsute bird puppet.
• 12-11: Hacky rom-com author gazes at Condi, finds her wanting.
• 12-12: Condi experiences bigger invisible spherical friend envy.
• 12-14: PSP longs for Condibot/Ben Bot romance.
• 12-19: Angry Condi avatar hits the WII.
• 12-29: We notice that Condi wisely keeps her ladyparts covered during close encounters with the rest of the Bush administration:

Another crazy year for Condi watchers! Note, however, that 2006 contained the crest of her fabulous trajectory as SoS, and by the end of the year, people would regularly be writing mean things about her and deciding that some dumpy German lady was more powerful. The nerve!

Stay tuned for 2007, a year of decline and embarrassments, and 2008, re-runs.

Here's 2005, 2007, 2008/9.

Ursula Grief Stage Four: Depression

New Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger, left, presents a bouquet of flowers to his predecessor Ursula Plassnik, Tuesday Dec. 2, 2008 in Vienna, Austria. (AP Photo/Bernhards J. Holzner)

That was the scene on Tuesday, but I just couldn't write about it until today because I was still so sad!

Oh, Ursula, this guy seems nice, and it was grand of him to give you such gorgeous flowers and everything, but he's just not....

*sobs uncontrollably*

*sets favorite cashmere scarf on fire in gesture of grief*

Ursula Grief Stage Three: Bargaining

Ursula Plassnik, Austrian Foreign Minister and German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter-Wunderlich, right, present the Austrian Cross of Honour, that Anne-Sophie Mutter received, to journalists, in Vienna on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Lilli Strauss)

I have a sneaky feeling that certain Pony Pals will be thrilled to see that the affable diplomatic giantess' last formal act involved giving a piece of fancy jewelry to a beautiful woman. On the other hand, this is the kind of cutesy photo-op that seems more... Condiesque than we're used to seeing from no-nonsense Ursula.

But now we won't even be getting those! And here's where the bargaining comes in: Attention, please, Ursula staffers! Yes, you! I know for a fact that at least one of you reads this blog, and even Ursula herself has apparently viewed the Pink Pony at your urging (the thought makes me dizzy). I'm begging you: don't let Ursulaproduct pass us by! Now that's she's going to be a normal member of the Austrian parliament, so won't be showing up on the Reuters and AP feeds nearly as often, so it'll be up to you guys to snap as many pictures of your beloved boss as you can to fill the gap! The Pink Pony NEEDS Ursula! Don't let her fade away! Try taking sneaky pictures with your cell phones! It's up to you, Ursula staffers! I'LL PAY YOU!! OMG.

Ursula Grief Stage Two: Anger

Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg from Czech Republic, left, kisses the hand of Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik after signing a culture agreement in Vienna, Austria, on Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Hans Punz)

I'm so mad about this! OK, that's the Kübler-Ross Grief Cycle™ gag out of the way. But seriously! I mean, one moment you've got the Czech foreign minister kissing your ring, being treated as the goddess you are, radiating power from your mighty scarf, and then... two days later! Just two days later, and you're resigning and jobless! Boo!

Some very helpful Pony Pals helped me understand why La Plassnik resigned. She was unwilling to work with people who wanted to subject, like, random EU decisions to a public vote, like, three times a week or something. So, what, Ursula doesn't enjoy the idea of every bureaucratic decision getting politicized, and so you cast her aside like an unfashionable brooch? Ursula frankly speaks:

"I was not ready to serve as an EU warranty or fig leaf for a government where some of its members do not distance themselves enough from a fruitless and energy consuming alliance with EU-critical forces," Ms Plassnik told Die Presse.

Ursula Plassnik didn't want to continue as a foreign minister because of the new coalition's EU policy (Photo: Austrian EU Presidency)

The minister's center-right OVP party formed a "grand coalition" with the populist Social-Democrats (SPO) at the weekend, following two months of talks that locked Austria's resurgent far-right factions out of power.

The new SPO chancellor, Werner Faymann, declined to insert a clause into the coalition pact guaranteeing that future EU treaties will be ratified through parliament instead of referendums, prompting Ms Plassnik's departure, she explained.

[...]

"It is not about cutting 'the people' out. Mr Dichand [the editor of Krone] is not 'the people.' It is about explaining carefully and clearly the EU and its co-operation with Austria. The EU must not be chased as a scapegoat through the villages. This is false and brings Austria to a dead end. And Austria is no dead end country," Ms Plassnik told Kleine Zeitung.

A coalition cannot assume governing responsibility and have an "official pro-EU line," but at the same time "enter a coalition with EU opponents," she added. "It shouldn't be the case that Austria becomes a risk country [in terms of future EU integration]."

OK, so I understand just enough of all that EU stuff to know what they're talking about, but I don't know enough to interpret it. I kinda want to side with Ursula, but that's just because it's Ursula! And I don't blame her for, um, not wanting to be a fig leaf!

Ursula Grief Stage One: Denial

Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik arrives for the federal party executive committee of Austrian People's Party, OEVP, in Vienna, Austria, on Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

OK, let's take a deep breath and appreciate that Ursula, on her way to, I guess, her political denouement, had the fabulousness still within her to wear that incredible necklace! Awash with yellow and orange!

I mean, Mr. Obama! You haven't totally sealed that deal with Hillary, have you? Because come on! Look who's suddenly available! The Anti-Condi!

But, like, I'm still trying to figure out what happened to Ursula. Even though I've been obsessively covering her for, like, years, one could somehow get the impression that I'm not really familiar with, you know, what Ursula does. Or did. Whatever. So anyway, it's fully not very comforting to read things like this:

The new coalition hopes to avoid the internal bickering that paralysed the outgoing government.

Uh, oh! Internal bickering! I totally did not know anything about this! Was Ursula an internal bickerer? They always look so happy in all those shots! No, no, no, I will not believe it. She is a totally affable, affable giantess, after all.

Here's more info:

Michael Spindelegger, the deputy parliamentary speaker, will take over from Ursula Plassnik as foreign minister.

Plassnik resigned on Sunday because the government programme left a door open for national referendums on future European Union policies, a key campaign promise of the Social Democrats which she opposed.

Now we're getting somewhere! So, um, does anybody know what that means?

Tragic Day: Ursula is Out

Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik announces that she won't be part of the new Austrian government in Vienna, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, after Austria's center-left Social Democrats and conservative People's Party forged a coalition Sunday, dispelling fears the far-right could become part of a governing alliance. (AP Photo/Hopi-media, Bernhard J. Holzner)

NOOOOOOOOOO! Oh, Ursula, how could you do this to me? I'm afraid it's true, Pony Pals: Ursula is out. Retired. Gone. This is the worst news ever for this blog, a crushing blow.

I don't pretend to understand Austrian politics, but I think it's noteworthy that Ursula chose to wear a pin of a sad looking leopard cheetah on the occasion of her retirement. That is totally the saddest thing I've ever seen.

BUT! Something tells me this isn't the last we've seen of the affable giantess.

Ursula Break!

Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, right, welcomes Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki to the Palestine Ambassador conference in Vienna, Austria on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Hans Punz)

I've been neglecting the wonderful Austrian giantess lately, but just will you look at Ursula last week! So divine. And look how happy al-Maliki is just to be lucky enough to be near her. Oh, Barack, can't you pick Ursula for something?

I love the gorgeous, folksy jacket, and I really love the understated (for Ursula) bolo-style necklace. Superb, Ursula, superb.

Kinda hit-and-run this morning, but I just wanted to post some Ursulalove! Yay!

Ursula's in the Tank

Austrian Defence Minister Norbert Darabos, Interior Minister Maria Fekter, Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and special Ambassador Anton Prohaska (LtoR) pose for photographers after a news conference about released Austrian hostages Andrea Kloiber and Wolfgang Ebner in Vienna November 3, 2008. The two Austrians disappeared in February while on holiday in Tunisia and are believed to have been held by al Qaeda's North African wing in a remote desert area of Mali. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger (AUSTRIA)

Yay! I knew she would be:

ÖVP Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik has said the victory of Barack Obama in the US presidential election is a "signal of belief in the future".

Plassnik said: "This result is like a moment of confidence. It is a new start – and above all else, there is the magic of the slogan 'Yes, we can'."

She added: "Barack Obama has won in a convincing way. His victory merges the topics of politics and hope, which is very important at times when people are fed up with politics."

Plassnik, who, polls have consistently shown, is one of Austria’s most-trusted and -popular politicians, said she hoped the Democratic candidate's victory would bring about change in regard to "future challenges like climate change and the financial crisis."

SPÖ Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer said: "With Barack Obama, a politician has been elected who has always been engaged on behalf of the socially-disadvantaged."

Look Who's a UN Security Council Gal!

(AP Photo 09/26/08 Sorry, no more recent Ursulaproduct.)

Yes, yes, yes! Austria is totally the newest member of the super-special UN Security Club, and it's all due to Ursula! And she's so excited, and she just can't hide it:

"Austria has made it! We have been elected to become one of the 10 non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for the next two years," emphasised Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik following today’s decision by the UN General Assembly to entrust Austria with a seat in the UN Security Council for the period 2009-2010. Austria has won 133 votes already in the first round and therefore the necessary two thirds of the votes required for a seat. In these elections Austria has had two strong competitors, namely Turkey and Iceland as the representative of the Nordic states. We shall work together closely with our partner Turkey in a spirit of partnership. Turkey has earned much respect in recent months for its committed mediation initiatives in its neighbourhood - the Middle East and the Caucasus," according to Plassnik.

I totally feel safer already knowing the affable Austrian giantess and her mighty scarves will be making the world a safer place! And if, for some reason, you still aren't convinced she's the Anti-Condi, have a chuckle at this little dig at certain large nations which Ursula is too classy to call out by name:

"If we don’t want to leave the shaping of our world to the big states, medium-sized states like Austria, in particular, must be prepared to assume concrete responsibility. In this spirit today’s decision is also a sign of encouragement to all those who are committed to multilateralism. Indeed, we can only find common solutions to global challenges if we cooperate effectively," affirmed Plassnik.

Oh, snap! To whom could she possibly be referring, hmmmmm?

A hefty snort of glitter through the velvety nostrils goes out to Pony Pal™ Bob for waving this in front of me.

EDIT: Again I find myself addressing the many new readers of this blog! Click the "Ursula Plassnik" topic tag below to find out more about our towering Teutonic favorite!

UPDATE: Um, some new Pony Pals™ seem to think that Ursula is somebody I regard the same way I regard Condi, Sarah Palin and Cindy McCain. You are mistaken. Ursula Plassnik is quite possibly one of the coolest forces of peace in the world, and I encourage you to learn more about her before saying mean things about her. For real, OK?

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful

General Secretary of European Union Council Javier Solana, left, and Austria's Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, arrive at a meeting of the European Union's foreign ministers, in Avignon, southern France, Friday, Sept. 5, 2008. The European Union's foreign ministers are discussing how and when to send a planned mission of civilian monitors to Georgia during two day talks in Avignon. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

You didn't think I forgot about Ursula, did you? OK, maybe a little. It can be difficult to worship her regularly because she just isn't a fameball media hog. But look! She's hanging around with our favorite, the excitable Javier Solana. So cute! We love him! And here's our favorite affable giantess yesterday:

(Reuters)