On my inextricable connection with Madrid

Card from my boss. He knows me so well.

Today is my birthday. It's also the holiday "Fiesta de la Comunidad de Madrid," in remembrance of the uprising against Napoleonic troops in 1808. I always did like a little insurrection with my celebration.
The (spoiler alert!) ultimately unsuccessful uprising was ruthlessly crushed by French agents, and the country itself never really re-stabilized until at least 1850, but the Spaniards put up a good fight. In fact, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Madrid, Malasaña, is named after one of the heroes of the revolt.
I'm thankful for another year of life and all the blessings God has given me. But most of all I treasure the fact that this means I'm one year closer to Spain.