Generally, we like to do wrap-up features and specials at the end of the footballing season with hopes to celebrate great fan and squad achievements together.  However, let’s play with one wrap-up dedicated to this calendar year.  Let’s reminisce about all the mail, letters, pictures, videos, and experiences that the community has shared with totalBarça during the year of 2011…shall we?

The “We’ve got mail” or WGM series was created in October of 2010, actually, with its first post on October 31 (yes, Halloween) last year.  Does anyone recall what that post was about?  It was dedicated to something involving a gathering in Copenhagen.  Since then and moving on to 2011, we have received a lot of open and honest words and imagery about FC Barcelona.

Penyas rule the world

During the early part of the year, we received a good handful of Penya-related announcements.  It is extremely gratifying to receive notices, updates and announcements from the organizers of these Penyas from around the globe.  Special thanks to Penya Macedonia, Penya Maryland, Mzansi Penya Barcelonista (South Africa),  and let’s not forget Penya-Barca Dallas.

totalBarca have always wondered if it should form its own Penya, but logistically it would seem too complicated since team members are located in so many geographic locales.  At the same time, why would we want to when there are so many great Penyas out there already, and sharing their developments with us?  Our Penya is this community, and we are pleased to have everyone be part of it.

Videos bringing us to tears

There are some very talented videographers out there who love sharing their work with us.  Let me be the first to say that Doris and I are extremely happy when you send us videos.  Oftentimes, it will be either her or I that will feature your video mix, particularly if we feel that it fits something that we are working on for media (Video/Video of the Day) or for We’ve got mail.  Of course we also have our very own Allas, but we can’t overwork him all the time.

Special thanks to Alex, Linda & Natali, Sebastiaan, Eslam, and Gurvinder for sharing their video editing/mixing talents and love for FCB with us.

Designs that make you go ‘Hmmm…’

Some do it for fun, some do it for business.  We appreciate both perspectives and thus it has given totalBarca the opportunity to show off some amazing talent.  Do you remember Gary’s In Pep We Trust poster?  Be honest – did anyone print that poster out to place in their room, office, or refrigerator?

There was also a monster that we threw in the mix very early on in 2011, sent in by Nico.  Opponents continue to fear this monster I’m sure.  Yet, what better way to let monsters into one’s home than with Kevin’s handcrafted Halloween Barç-o-lantern.

For all the coders and developers out there, Jake shared his code for Barca’s style of play.   I think some coaches are still trying to figure out what exactly the script means means since other teams have yet to show us they can play total football like FC Barcelona can.

A business that thrives on creativity and design is 3Nil.  totalBarca had the pleasure of running a contest with 3Nil in promoting its splendid ‘LEO’ shirt.  We continue to wish Dan and his company much success with hopes to see more Barca-related creations coming out of his Australian shop.

It’s all about me

The personal touch to anything seems to be the most genuine.  We are thrilled that culés from every corner of the globe write to us in sharing their personal Blaugrana experiences.  From an international friendly that Abishek and Greg attended involving Messi and Argentina to a graduation gift bringing Emma to the Camp Nou, there is always a shared feeling of energy and excitement when reading these experiences.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Do you remember the Copa del Rey final versus Real Madrid?  Perhaps the question is – do you want to remember it?  Well, Anna was at the Mestalla for the match and shared with us the class that culés exhibit even among fans of the opponent.

More than a blog

We realize that we are not the only Barca-based community around.  Heck, we are likely just one of  hundreds, possibly thousands.  What is special, though, is when other culé communities reach out and connect with us at totalBarca.  The least we can do is join them to share the joys (and sorrows) that FCB brings to all of us.  We have had the pleasure of featuring the Barca web community in Hungary, the Balkan Portal, and the very unique Stadium Journey project.

Hopefully we will be keeping in touch with them along with many other new and old Barca-based entities throughout 2012 and beyond.

Rounding it out

There are a few other WGM posts worth mentioning that took place in 2011.  The one that likely got the most buzz (or comments) was the one that Sam sent in.  It involved an official response from FC Barcelona regarding the Qatar Foundation sponsorship agreement.  Is the concern behind us all now you think?

Let’s talk about two more…

The second last one being a sign that Messi is penetrating North American pop culture.  Sent in by Sonya, not too long ago.  I still wonder who the writers of that episode were as they must be Messi fans.  They have to be.

Now, on to the last We’ve got mail feature to round out the 2011 community mail.  Well, I am going to be bold and say it has to be this one.  Any group of men who are going to stand up at an eatery singing FCB’s anthem a capella style will always get my vote.  That definitely takes courage.  Thanks to George for sending that in; he swears he is not one of the singers, but I bet he wishes he was!

Up, up and beyond

Heading into 2012, I hope that you will all continue to be part of this wonderful culé community of ours.  Please do not be shy to express your opinions in our posts/stories/articles, but do be respectful of the squad (even its management), our totalBarca team, and most importantly other readers and fans.  We are all here to be part of something, we might as well do it in a Blaugrana-class manner.

For We’ve got mail, we would welcome any (or all) of your contributions.  Personal experiences, penyas, videos, images/photos, letters, special announcements – they all count in our eyes and we look forward to sharing your thoughts, talents and even dreams with all culés.  You can reach us at web(at)totalBarca(dot)com at anytime and we will do our best to respond…we usually do.