Typically speaking, I don’t let criticism get to me. I am not a political analyst, nor a PhD holder, nor an expert on, well, anything. I’m an ordinary blogger and writer, I make money writing, I’m satisfied.

What does get to me, however, is this guy. Not for his insults or rants, mind you, which are laughable at best (can you say “bloody” one more time, you bloody limey?), but for the fact that he is so immature that he disables comments (click link above) after his mediocre comeback, then has the yarbles to continue commenting on my blog (of course I would never disable nor delete comments - that would go against my principles of free speech, you know).

Global Voices is doing a great service by amplifying voices from lesser known blogospheres (or countries), and I think our readership speaks for itself.

I am full of cheese, and thus this is my second campaigning post (most of ya’all can’t read the other one, as it’s hidden deep in the depths of…well, you just can’t).  I reiterate: I am full of cheese.

 /cheese.

I’m running for the governing board of Global Voices not because I have no hobbies, but because I want better ones.  Seriously though, I love everything that this organization stands to and will devote myself as needed to its growth and continuation.

There is a delicious cheese from the Netherlands which you probably know as edam.  In Morocco, however, it is simply called “fromage khamr” or “fromage rouge,” after the red wax in which it is packaged.  I always laugh about this, particularly when I go to a nice restaurant and order something with cheese, then ask “What kind of cheese?” to which the inevitable reply is, “Fromage rouge.”

Thinking that this was just an unofficial Moroccan habit, imagine my surprise yesterday when Hamza came bounding into the apartment holding a new, strangely red package of La Vache Qui Rit (Laughing Cow, for those of you in the States).

Yes, indeedy.  La Vache Qui Rit a la Creme de Fromage Rouge.

I was recently interviewed for a site aptly called Expat Interviews.  I shouted out to a couple of your blogs (they only allowed me 5 links including my own blog, otherwise I would have hit up many, many more of you!)

After a little over six months, and delays due to the Adam Walsh act and the Consulate’s closure, I am happy to announce that Hamza has been granted his visa!

More soon.

I was tagged by Myrtus to do one of those surveys, which I normally avoid. But, I actually like this one! So…

1) Name your favorite band and singer. (The singer can’t be from the band)

Singer: Grace Slick

Band: U2 or the Beatles

2) Favorite historical politician (domestic)?

Roosevelt.

3) Favorite historical politician (International)?

Hassan II?  Just kidding.  I don’t know.
4) You’re giving a Hollywood pitch (25 words or less) about your Blog — GO

A blog is a place to share opinions, counter the major media, and use your voice to talk about things otherwise avoided. What I do.  (that was difficult!)

5) Other than where you live now, what city do you like?

San Francisco

6) Favorite modern politician? (In office now)

Mohammed VI of Morocco

7) Are you a Wilsonian Idealist or Nixonian Realist in foreign policy?

A little of both

Favorite obscure movie?

Heavenly Creatures

9) What is your favorite restaurant?

Don’t hate, but Pizzeria Uno.

10) Choose a music video on Youtube. Why that one?

I can’t post Youtube videos here, but here’s a link: Moroccan Shrek

Do you have translation skills?  Can you translate posts from English to Spanish, French, Chinese…Farsi?

Global Voices Lingua is trying to translate as many Global Voices posts as possible into other languages in order to broaden readership.

If you would like to get involved with GV Lingua or know people who would, please contact  the appropriate Lingua Editor <http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/lingua/>.

Last night, Hamza and I went to our usual DVD seller to pick up a movie - hoping for Shrek 3 (we’d just been to McDonald’s and saw the Happy Meal toys). We picked up a couple of regular flicks, then I saw the cover for “Happy Feet,” which I’ve been wanting to see for awhile. I pointed to it.

“Ah, this film has the same story as Flight Plan with Jodie Foster,” said the DVD salesman in perfect English (I love that - I can actually pick up films and discuss them without accompaniment!)

Not sure exactly what he could’ve possibly meant, we said, “We’ll take it” while giggling at the comment.

He was sort of right! And the movie was more than sort of awesome! Tap dancing penguins? That’s my kind of film.

We all know that U2 is in Fez, but has everyone seen the lovely photo on U2.com?

I wonder if they realize that their location will be partially recognizable to some…

The US Consulate of Casablanca has reopened today, which came as little surprise to me given the comments I received on this blog, the petition that was sent, and all of the other news I’ve heard recently.

Thank you to everyone who commented here and shared their personal circumstances.  Waiting for a visa (nevermind waiting for the Consulate to open) can seem like a lonely thing at times, and it’s nice to know that there are so many others out there.

Regardless, the Consulate is now open and those applying for immigrant visas will be contacted by June 11 in order to reschedule their appointments.  The Consulate is also accepting applications for nonimmigrant and business visas again.