Hey Nina,

This morning, here in Cologne, just outside our window at 9AM - yup, that was midnight for you!, this little parade marched down our street.  This marks the opening of carnival weekend in our city, and they march to the place that the elected "prince of carnival" is sleeping to wake him, which happened to be the hotel down the street.  Of course Stefan and I decided that the marching band was just for you, and we thought that it was so appropriate that your 40th falls on this day, what they consider LADIES-DAY of carnival weekend, when all women are allowed to run wild through town with a pair of scissors cutting every man's tie in half - it's hysterical, it's a great day to wear that horrible tie one gets for Christmas  :-)  

So... just so you know, even here in Cologne, they are marching and beating drums for you ... AND celebrating wild women everywhere!

xo, Noel and Stefan