Stuff
This week I’ve been completely absorbed with one task; getting rid of stuff. As you may have read in last week’s email, we’re renovating Madison+Main’s International Headquarters at 1st & Cary Street. So we’ve been working around the clock getting our “stuff” out of the way, so our multi-talented contractor and crew can finish the painting and other work.
It is absolutely mindboggling to see just how much stuff we have collected during almost 20 years in business. On October 3rd, 2005 I moved into a 4th-floor office (aka a closet) in the Advantech Building (Maggie Walker Business & Technology Center). When I founded Madison+Main I had a briefcase, a file folder, a laptop, a lucky bamboo in a vase, and a coffee mug that said “Failure is not an option.” It all fit in one shopping bag.
In 2025, we have a three-story, 6,000-square-foot building and more stuff than we have space.
This week we gave some of the stuff to friends. We donated items such as office chairs, desks, file cabinets, decorations, and supplies to a couple of charitable organizations. Some stuff got picked up by friends and neighbors. The rest of the stuff was thrown away. It was enough to fill a 15 cubic yard dumpster.
All of this stuff was removed because we are buying new desks, chairs, tables, cabinets, lamps, and decorations. In other words, we got rid of all of our stuff and then went out and bought more stuff.
“I can see it on your table, everybody’s got a little place for their stuff. This is my stuff, that’s your stuff, that’ll be his stuff over there. That’s all you need in life, a little place for your stuff. That’s all your house is: a place to keep your stuff. If you didn’t have so much stuff, you wouldn’t need a house. You could just walk around all the time. A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it.” – George Carlin
And by the way, if anyone wants a Madison+Main mug, a Madison+Main beer koozie, a Madison+Main poster, Madison+Main golf balls, or a 6-pack of Madison+Main beer, send me a message here and I’d be happy to give you some of our stuff.
MONDAY:
FURNITURE WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS
This past weekend, Mollie Banks and Carissa Ghaffari (Madison+Main’s Renovation Project Managers) took a road trip to Ikea to snag some cool furniture for the office, so our team can actually have something to sit on, work on, and nap on. The two were successful (and under budget) and are working hard at managing their teams and making sure the office is ready for the first Team Tuesday back in person. Special appreciation for Derek Fair for taking time out of his busy schedule to help lift some of the big stuff, as well!
TUESDAY:
VES IN THE WILD
You may have seen our favorite spokesplug back on TV this week! Jack is back with Virginia Energy Sense and ready to help Virginians all over the Commonwealth save energy (and money). ICYMI, check it out here. For more tips on how you can save energy, visit ValueYourPower.org.
WEDNESDAY:
LAST CHANCE TO VOTE
Love our clients as much as we do? Show it! Today is your last chance to vote for Carroll Plumbing and Heating, Holiday Barn Pet Resorts, The Texas Inn, and Williamsburg Landing for Virginia Living’s Best of Virginia 2025. Show your love for your favorite local spots! Just click here to vote!
THURSDAY:
JOIN OUR TEAM
Madison+Main is on the GROW again. Do you or someone you know have what it takes to be a Madison+Main-iac? We’re hiring a Graphic Designer and Senior Copywriter too! Be sure to WOW us.
FRIDAY:
RICHMOND’S MORNING NEWS
A producer from WRVA called me early in 2021 and asked if I’d be interested in contributing more frequently as a guest on Richmond’s Morning News with John Reid. I’ve been interviewed by John and the previous host Jimmy Barrett many times through the years, so I didn’t mind getting up early. After all, I have a face for radio. Joila! The Weekend Event Update was born. It started once a month. Then every 3 weeks. Then every other week last year and my unpaid internship will continue in 2025. Despite a new program and a new host, the good folks at WRVA will let me give a brief update on the fun, cool, hip happenings in RVA every Friday morning at 8:05 am.
This morning I joined guest host Rich Herrera to talk about things to do this weekend since there’s no NFL action. ICYMI, here’s the segment. A few faves are listed below.
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
DAMN THE TORPEDOES | A Tom Petty Experience
Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: Doors at 6:00 p.m., show at 8:00 p.m.
Location: Tin Pan
8982 Quioccasin Rd, Richmond, VA 23229
The signature riffs, harmonies, and underlying parts of the music are all there—along with some fresh twists that are often inspired in the moment. The resulting performances have audiences smiling, singing, dancing, and mourning the loss of this great artist.
GLOW | Illuminating the fun in STEM!
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Science Museum of Virginia
2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220
This brilliant event will make science shine. Don’t miss your chance to be enlightened! Due to the popularity of this growing and GLOWing annual event, we’re giving guests extra time to experience all the fun.
Lights.
Black lights.
Everything and everyone is GLOWING.
“A house is just a place to keep your stuff, while you go out and get more stuff.“ – George Carlin