First things first: Happy Birthday, Neilochka!

When the idea of this birthday carnival for Neil was proposed I thought it was a perfect tribute for a guy who seems to really take this blogging thing as a serious way to connect to people and not just pontificate his own brand of crazy (like I do. )

One of the things that first (and has repeatedly) facinated me about Neil’s blog Citizen of the Month was not the witty posts, or the adorable bed-head picture on his side-bar, or his separated-but-still-living-with marriage to the a-ma-zing Sophia. All of those things are impressive. And interesting.

What was really impressive to me was the way that he drew people into the conversation, thereby building a community.

Does he answer comments? You bet.

Does he pose funny, interesting questions for people to answer in the comments. Why sure.

But Neil goes beyond that tired old saw and does even more. Over the last six months or so he has:

• Asked us to send us pictures of our beds. And then posted them- complete with commentary about furniture and decor.
• Asked us to send him handwritten notes. And then proceeded to “analyze” our handwriting, telling our deep dark secret motivations to the world. Along with his assessment, based solely on our handwriting, of how we are in bed.

Now, before you think there’s a theme here (of beds, bedrooms and what goes on in them) let me tell you his community building goes far beyond that. He asks us to do things that will improve the lives of others as well.

• He played matchmaker with bloggers, and urged us all to expand our circle of blogosphere friends.
• He asked us to share our musical gifts through the blogosphere at the Christmahanukwanzakah concert.
• He organized volunteers for Mr. Valentine’s Day making IM “You are marvelous” messages available for lonely hearts.
• And he asked us to toast his lovely (and separated-but-still-living-with) wife Sophia on her birthday. (Never suspecting that many of us had been contacted by her a few days before to organize a surprise deluge of cards and gifts and well wishes for his birthday! And this Birthday Carnival. (Everybody say “Awwww!” and Super-duper thanks to Communicatrix for organizing and hosting this here carnival! Don’t forget to click through and read the other posts.)

His mother must be so proud of such a son.

Who knows what he’s got up his sleeve for this year?

So, here’s to you, Neilochka on your birthday. May your next round around the sun be filled with all the good things this life has to offer, the good sense to keep using your gifts and the ability to keep building community around you on all dimensions. L’chaim!