10 years old today
There has been many times when I have stared at the keyboard or stared into space with no inspiration at all, nothing.
Nothing going on at Charlton, nothing going on in the football world, nothing going on in my daily life, of particular interest to anyone else at least, nothing that I have seen on the telly or in the street that has sparked a rant. Nothing.
It happens when you write a blog and has happened to me many times during the 520 weeks of Chicago Addick.
So, it is with a sense of irony that in the week leading up the 10-year anniversary of writing this Blog I flew to London on Wednesday to be at my best mate’s Dad’s funeral, and will be best man at my brother’s wedding tomorrow, and last night witnessed the opening of the 2014 World Cup, 40 years after being inspired by the one in West Germany.
Charlton in recent months has been a ‘happy’ source of much blogging, in fact sparking a new welcome generation of Addick Bloggers. Not that we are getting much material from the club, but there is plenty of empty space to fill in the gaps and pose questions to what has mostly been a wall of silence. Not just the Belgian’s but the previous owners as well.
This Blog has been the source of much personal pride and the fact that it is more popular than ever, at least by looking at the daily stats, helps encourage me in those moments of nothing.
I’d like to thank you all for making Chicago Addick part of your day, week or occasional click for opinion on Charlton Athletic and life in general and also to many of you, mostly a different audience, that read and value the variety of Travelogue’s that I enjoy writing so much.
Just as a reminder, to coincide with with my 10-year anniversary and 40 years of falling in love with the game of football thanks to the spectacular 1974 World Cup in West Germany, I wrote a 6-part series on my memories of that life-changing month and I’ve linked them all at the top of the page.
Thanks again for reading and especially those that comment, some of whom I have got to know personally and call friends. It means a lot.
Chicago Addick
Congratulations on 10 years of blogging. I tend to be more of a lurker than anything else and being a fellow exile I enjoy an alternative viewpoint. Keep up the good work.
Much appreciated Terry.
Well done mate , it can be a bit bruising and I think 10 years is a fantastic achievement . Your blog is always interesting and informative . Here’s to another 10 years
Cheers AA.
Nice one CA – always a pleasure to read you!
Thanks PA.
CA, congratulations and may you continue on for another ten. As a Canadian born and bred Charlton supporter of thirty years, I truly appreciate your “North American” influenced take on all things football and beyond.
And I have always valued your views and emails Bob. Many thanks.
I always look forward to reading your blog CA as your views, more often than not, reflect my own. Keep up the EXCELLENT work & here’s to the next ten years #nopressure ;-))
Thank you Sam.
Ten years is easy if you only pop up occasionally with a post but you’ve been quite prolific right from the off.
I reckon I’ve been reading your output more or less from the start – always good reading.
Oddly, for someone who first started reading your blog because of the (Charlton) football, I find it’s the travelogue pieces I come back to and read a second time.
Keep it up!
M
Thanks Marco.
I can only echo the words above. Clicking into here has become part of my internet structure. I am pleased to read that you are proud of what you have done…self pride can be hard to grasp and anything that aids that is to be encouraged.
Well done you
Richard – I am a big believer in being proud of your own achievements. Brits have never been very good at it, but I have (mostly) always been impressed by American’s self confidence and the way they offer praise to others. Never easy to hear, but important to acknowledge. Thank you.