How time flies. It passed almost without notice. MadridMan.com‘s 10 Year Anniversary passed me without fanfare, without parties, without cork-popping champagne bottles. The 10-year anniversary passed on July 20th, 2007 for the domain name registration (then $100 per year to buy/renew!). The previous year, 1996, “MadridMan’s Yankee Home Page” was actually born.
On July 20th, 2007 I was in Ohio, USA visiting my parents and other family after a 1-year absence in the homeland. That day came and went and I didn’t give it a thought. How does that happen? Something SO PROFOUND in my life, something that shaped my character, my focus, and my professional future, and it went unnoticed.
My sister recently told me the same thing with the passing of her 10-year wedding anniversary in that a friend had to remind them of the milestone reached. I guess it happens. We tend to take things for granted to a certain degree WHILE taking care of the day-to-day details of maintaining the organism; in this case, MadridMan.com.
Ideas are tossed around in my head about how to observe or commemorate the occasion, the 10-year anniversary of MadridMan.com, and I really can’t decide if it even warrants such commemoration. Like any big birthday, 16th (you can drive in the USA), your 21st (you can legally drink alcohol in the USA), your 30th (you’re 30, for God’s sake! No more fooling around with your life. You’re finally a real adult!), your 40th (oh gawd. You’re halfway there!) your 50th (wow, you’re really old now), your 75th birthday (wow, you’re REALLY REALLY OLD now! Tick Tock. Don’t buy a new car!) probably deserves at least some small cake and gathering of close friends, right? I’m not sure. Maybe it SHOULD be taken for granted.
Should press releases be sent? Should the local TV stations be called and potentially face video cameras in my home – and with my awful Spanish (which is improving) and face potential public humiliation? Should I call the local government and request a meeting? hehee.. Okay. No. Not that much. But a dinner, at least? A big, blow-out “Party With MadridMan in Madrid”, maybe?? At the very least this last one, right? But how? Where? And would anyone attend? Wouldn’t it be shameful and embarrassing if I rent out a large, elegant hall, invite a hundred people, and 15 show up only looking for free food and beer? AND THEN I have to report that!? The potential for disaster always exists, I know, but the potential BOOM could be great as well. Regardless, it’s a risk.
But who needs it, right? I doubt USATODAY.com publicly celebrated their, what, 20th Anniversary. I don’t know. I just don’t know what to do. I welcome comments on this one. I’m sure the majority of comments will be supportive and positive, thank you for those, but I’ll welcome the negative ones too.
Saludos, MadridMan (2 glasses of Rueda wine and I’m all nostalgic)
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Somewhat off topic from the post you made, but what is dating like there? Are there any significant differences between American women which you grew up with an the women in Madrid/Spain? Any stories or tips or insights? Just curious as I will be there (hopefully) for quite some time
Yeah. This is way off topic – and I can’t give you any insight either, I’m sorry to say. And now since you’re registered, I think this would be better posted in the ABOUT SPAIN forum category of the ALL SPAIN Message Board to enlist others more knowledgeable on the topic.
im afraid you have a problem, MadridMan is a one man organisation with 90 percent of your workforce only contacted through the internet, apart from the friends you have in Madrid and then it is difficult to get together all at the same time. Tommorow i celebrate my birthday, it will be with my family and we shall go out for the day have a nice meal finished off with a shot of whiskey or three.
If its any consolation to you i shall have a glass and toast to ten years of hard work and giving pleasure and information to people from around the world with the Spain message board and now by being entertained by the blog site
Congratulations on your 10 years
(Go on go out have a few beers you know you want to!)
Happy Birthday to you, billy the man, and thank you for your kind words. I’m not much for celebrating things; birthdays, anniversaries, or even much for holidays but you’re right – I should so SOMETHING. YOU enjoy yourself tomorrow.
MadridMan, Sorry it has taken me so long to register to be able to comment…just getting back into the new semester is really rough, especially after the long summer in Argentina.
Anyway, I wanted to say HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY of MadridMan.com. Your website changed my life, as you know. It really brings Spain, and especially Madrid, into my daily life and I am so glad! I appreciate the hard work it is to keep the site going. I know that there are lots of us out there in ciberspace who appreciate it. So, I send you lots of love and best wishes on this special occasion.
Thanks for your kind words, Esperanza. We all want to make a difference in the lives of those around us. I’m privileged to not only know you personally but to have created something which made such a difference in your life. The honor is mine.