Happy Birthday, Manichaen! 
An interview with Manichaean:
*Why are we doing this interview thing?*
It's a ritual Lit Net check up for goldern oldies to determine (a) if we are still alive and (b) compos mendis.
*So, how old are you?*
69.
*What is the best birthday present you've ever received?*
A percussion cap gun when I was five. I was forever sticking it in my mothers ribs and say "Stick em up."
*If you had a personal theme song what would it be?*
"It's Only Rock and Roll but I Like It" Rolling Stones.
*Are you male or female? *
I have a beard and a deep voice. Does that help?
*If you could build an entire planet from scratch, what would it look, sound and smell like?*
A combination of France's epicene civilisation and her music hall statesmanship.
*Would you like to join Maximilianus' Air Force?*
I seem to have flown everything else. Why not? "Bandits 11 o'clock."
*If you owned the site, what would you change?
*
I'd ban all threads with asterisks and allow the word "***." I'd also have a holding jail section for spammers and other miscreants.
*What was the inspiration for your LitNet username?*
I first came across the word in a book called "The Last Lion" by William Manchester, looked it up and became fascinated by the concept of the continuing fight between good and evil, light and darkness.
*Which countries have you visited?*
Really too many to list individually. Most of Europe, The Middle East, The Far East and great chunks of Africa.
*Which languages do you speak?*
English, French, German. Bits of other languages where I have worked, mainly related to ordering a beer or making a fool of myself.
*What is the last thing that you have done that you have been really proud of?*
I made it through last night.
*If you could live somewhere different, where would it be and why?*
Discovery Bay, Jamaica. I fell in love with the island at a formative age.
*Do you have any pets?*
I had one dog from Battersea Dogs home called Penny. She died of old age in Africa and it broke my heart. I have never been able to face going through that again.
*What makes you happy?*
The love of passionate women, family, friends, travel & Jack Daniels.
*What's your favourite song for singing in the shower?*
O Danny Boy
*Which actor should play you in a movie based on your life?*
Liam Nielsen, or Oliver Reed when he was alive.
*What's your signature dance move?*
Walking. I've recentl given up back flips.
*How do you like your coffee? *
Jamacian Blue Mountain, black & sweet.
*Given the option, what animal would you choose to be?*
Dogs look up to you, cats look down at you, but I think a pig, as they are prepared to accept you as an equal.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
No idea. I drifted from a degree in Monetary Economics, to the Construction industry, to Health & Safety to a part time writer. But I've had some good breaks.
*What makes you feel great about yourself?*
Being trusted and respected by those on my job site.
*How did you meet your significant other?*
Which one? I seem to have collected a new wife in every country I have worked in for any length of time. My funeral arrangements will no doubt be very interesting.
*What was the best day of your life?*
Seeing my mother's pride when awarded my degree from the LSE.
*What are you naturally good at? (Skills, abilities, gifts etc.)*
A sense of humour and capable of great affection. Sorry if that sounds big headed.
*What is the one thing you must do before you die?*
Finish the short story thread "A Murder in Accra."
*If you had to teach something, what would you teach?*
English Literature.
*What would you regret not fully doing, being or having in your life?*
My travelling never allowed me a proper chance to see my family grow up properly. There are simply gaps I have missed.
*If you were to be stuck at a particular time in your life, which one would you choose and why?*
The 60's in London. So much energy.
*Do you get tired living life?*
Never.
*What one thing would you NEED to have on a deserted island if you didn't have to worry over food and water? *
Anything Hugh Hefner could not handle.
*If you were a king/queen for a day, what would you do?*
Make Prince Harry hier to the throne.
*What’s the stupidest forum argument you’ve ever had?*
I normally make a point of not engaging in arguments on Lit Net, unless my Irish side come through.
*What song is in your head at the moment?*
"Locamotion" by Millie.
*Which book are you reading at the moment?*
"The Return of the Native" Thomas Hardy.
*What is your favourite quote?*
Is it possible that words, mere words, can work such miracles? Or are they not words at all, but chalices and Holy grails, of human passion, full of the life-blood, staining the lips that approach them scarlet, of heart-drained pulse-wearied ravishment?
*What’s your favorite word?*
orotund
Which comedians or cabaret artists do you like?
Tommy Cooper, Frankie Howard, Tony Hancock, George Burns.
*Favorite threads?*
Short Story Sharing and Prendlemicks unending saga,
What's your favorite sandwich?
Salt beef on rye, piping hot.
*What is your answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?*?
Something delivered with self-assurance and precocious eloquence.
Who were some of the nicest people you met on LitNet?
Zoolane, Aunt Shecky, Hillwalker, Hawkman, Steve Hunley and Dark Muse.
*What are you wearing at the moment?*
Construction site uniform and safety boots.
*Favorite poem?*
"When We Two Parted" Byron.
*First novel you remember reading on your own?*
Brave New World.
*What era do you find most of the books you read are from?*
19th Century.
*Favorite TV shows?*
Masterchef, Only Fools and Horses.
*Which Forum members would you like to meet in person?*
I think Steve Hunley and I would have a ball at some exotic location in S.E.Asia and then fall out over the same woman we fancy.
*Are you a winter or summer?*
Summer. Two winters in Alberta made me like that.
*Last words you said out loud?*
Same again.
*Last person you hugged/kissed?*
My pillow last night. No females on camp.
*What do you do (for a living) to be able to keep your LitNet addiction going? And are you happy with your chosen profession?*
HSSE Manager (Health, Safety, Security, Environment) on petro-chem projects around the world. It is very interesting, constantly changing and pays obscene amounts of money, which hopefully will allow me to write full time when I retire.
*What would you like to be if you could change your profession?*
A full time writer.
*Which one of the seven dwarves are you and why?*
Doc. The only one with glasses.
*What is your most outstanding feature?*
Tall with a white beard, rather like an elderly fallen angel travelling incognito.
*If you could change one thing about the way you look, what would that be?*
Nothing. I'm past all the male menopause uncertainties.
*Which book do you wish you had written?*
Brideshead Revisted.
*What book would you recommend to others of all types and ages as a must read?*
The Sonnets if only for the beauty of words.
*What should you be doing at the moment instead of answering these questions?*
Working.
*Describe your ideal day, please.*
A hard day on a construction site followed by a cold beer and fresh sheets.
*Favorite movie?*
Shindlers List.
*Last movie you watched?
Who Is Joe Black.
*Favorite painting?*
Bal du moulin de la Galette by Renoir
*Are you gellin'?*
I have no idea what that is. Sounds like a setting jelly.
*Wonderful Superman or depressing Batman?*
Amusing.
*Something you want to forget but you never can?*
Oh, there has been a few of them along the way.
*What is the wisest thing that has been said to you?*
"Never trust a man who does not take a drink." My Irish father.
If you could relive one moment in your life whenever you wanted to, what would it be?
Sitting on my balcony pre-dawn on the north coast of Jamaica and feeling the breeze on my face.
What is the best thing that happened to you since your last birthday?
My second daughter got her act together.
*If you could send one thing to the Room 101, one would that be?*
No idea what this is.
*Are you mostly happy with life or are you still in pursuit?*
Still in pursuit of a voice of my own.
Tell us something scandalous about yourself.
Deported from Nigeria three times. Or is that a negative virtue?
*How long did it take you to answer all of these questions?*
1 hour.
*One final word of wisdom for LitNet users?*
The lively is always more contemplative than what is dead and sad.
*What question would you like to ask to the person to be interview after you?
What is the exact threashold of your credability?
Live long and propser - H
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