Who?

Well, it's like this. I'm Manir Donaghue, but I used to be Manir Khalil. So now I'm Manir Khalil Donaghue, which seemed like a reasonable compromise, as well as an excuse for a few more syllables. I'm neither tall, dark, nor handsome, so I'm exactly the sort of chap that looks good in cyberspace. And by the way, thanks for dropping by. Feel free to browse around. Make yourselves at home.
I'll put the kettle on………….

What?

OK. Let's start with the facts.

Born 13 June 1965 (archetypically Gemini) in Manchester, England.

Raised all over the place, but principally in North East Lancashire. Nelson, to be geographically precise, which is in itself a wonderful collision of Victorian urbanity and wild open hillside.

Had a most enlightening year or so in Copenhagen, and then back to Nelson to finish off my pre-University education. Wrote a couple of plays.

Experienced my first seven and a half minutes of fame by appearing on the not-kitsch-at-all TV quiz show "Blockbusters", whilst still in my teenage hippy phase.

(Two of these people are now probably Captains of Industry. I'm the one in the middle. As you can see I wasn't lying about the teenage hippy phase)

I must have liked it, though, as they asked me back. Twice.

Went to University in Hull - got a degree in philosophy (which did little for my grammar, as you can see). Formed a couple of bands, learned the arcane secrets of alcohol appreciation. Performed at the Edinburgh Fringe with a musical I co-wrote.

Eventually acquired "a proper job", only to take it back after a couple of years to see if I could get a refund. 

(Working for the Inland Revenue was a joyous and life-affirming experience. This is me in untrammeled excitement, having just been given a new biro from Common Services as a reward for good behaviour)

Married in 1990 to the wonderful if publicity-shy Louise, who ticked the box marked "no publicity", so she gets to remain an enigma whilst I make a global fool of myself. ("No change there then", she remarks from stage left)

Nowadays I mainly talk to plants and dogs……..no, that's a random quote. I live in London in a picturesque box with windows and my PC, and while my time away doing various things, of which more later.

(Where?)

Why?

Ego. In all probability.

More specifically, I find myself wanting to grab a corner of the available virtual space and fill it with  things that other people might find interesting. The concept of putting down a relative version of personal history that some of the protagonists might stumble upon has a naïve and romantic charm. The concept that total strangers may find it of interest is flattering if unlikely.

So, Ego it is, then.

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