The wacky carnival of Neilochka

Doesn't this brightly-painted building in Malaysia - apparently a reflexology clinic - look like it should be part of Neil's carnival? Photo by Marie-Claire Holmes, altered by editing.

You may have heard that Neil of Citizen of the Month is celebrating his birthday. To honour the auspicious occasion, some of Neil's blogging buddies are participating in the Carnival of Neilochka hosted by Colleen at Communicatrix.

It's hard not to like a smart guy with a great sense of humour. Plus Neil has all the neuroses of many transplanted New Yorkers living in California and freely admits to them. He has something to say about everything, including soap operas. If it weren't for Neil, I wouldn't have known that Dixie was poisoned and Brooke had been asked to leave All My Children.

And it's not just pop culture that has Neil's attention. When it comes to Middle East politics, Neil is my favourite antagonist. We've tangled a few times over differing views. Neil can be stubbornly opinionated and exasperating, rather like an annoying, yet endearing little brother. But I respect Neil's ideas and asked him to write a piece, "Counterpoint," for my blog. In his younger days, Neil took a class taught by the late Edward Said, whom Neil described as "brilliant." So for his birthday, I've sent him a collection of Said's essays.

One of the highlights of my first year of blogging was being named Neil's Crush of the Day. Franchement, all kudos and recogition that followed that honour just pale in comparison.

Neil once wrote that he'd like to come to Paris, where he imagined the Paris-based bloggers would serenade him with Edith Piaf songs. I told him we're all just waiting for the chance. Bonne anniversaire, mon ami!