WebWordsAbout me

I am Marc. I have never liked the name I was given. I was born in the winter of 1963, in the first home of my parents, in a quiet suburb of Southeast London (although, back then, it was referred to as Kent). We were not well off, neither were we poor. I think somewhere between these two extremities. My parents were (and still are) extremely old fashioned. Neither of them really understood children; they were also not particularly well educated, ambitious or interested in anything other than getting by, making ends meet and bringing up their two children to be just like them. How dreadful.

My primary education began at home, when my mother taught me to read and write, as well as how to behave, do as I was told, be good, be quiet and cry when I was smacked or humiliated - or both. My first school was a state-run establishment, catering for infants and juniors. It was a harsh regime at times, but it was still predominantly a happy place. We were taught how to be decent human beings, as well as the basics that would help us on our journey through life.

Being able to read from the outset of my formal education, was seen as a problem by most of my teachers. They seemed to feel that was their responsibility only, so they either ignored me or appeared angry at me, because I was somewhat further ahead than some of my classmates. Unfortunately, because of this and also the strict moral upbringing that my mother had wreaked upon me, I was perceived by others as seeing myself as superior and this brought conflict. It wasn't my fault and I certainly never felt I was superior and neither did I try to give this impression of myself.

My secondary education was at a new "Comprehensive" school. It was supposed to have been one of the best in our area. However, it was an experience I was unprepared for. I was constantly picked on, victimised, bullied, tormented, insulted and prevented from doing well, by my peers. The teachers "turned a blind eye" to the moronic and vicious behaviour meted out to me, I think because the headmaster seemed to feel he was in charge of a public school, where one should thank a master for a beating, despite that it would probably have been given in error or for no apparent reason. Despite everything (and you will find exerpts of my life on this website), I pride myself in being reasonably intelligent, articulate and a decent human being.

My main work is in the field of Information Technology. I do not list computers and technology as one of my interests, although I am interested in what I do. I chose this profession a long time ago, when times were simpler. Unfortunately, though, despite my vast experience and background, I have consistently found myself working with fools. Many people I have met at work have lacked understanding, compassion, common sense and the ability to see and accept reality. I have been bullied throughout my working life, which, coupled with the difficulties I had at school, has had a devastating effect on me.

At the age of thirty-three, I suffered a very rare medical condition, which required major surgery. But for the dedication and brilliance of so many people in the NHS, as well as the selfless blood donors, I would not be here to write to you. Quite how I survived, nobody knows; I was informed afterwards that I was not expected to survive the operation. Perhaps I knew different, but I suppose it was just part of the chaotic universe we live in.

I am a peace-loving man. I enjoy some of the many parks and woods that Kent, in particular, has to offer and watching and listening to the wildlife is something that takes me to a peaceful and warm place.

I do enjoy being with people, but tend to steer away from crowds. I prefer to meet people individually, or in small groups, because it gives me a better opportunity to understand them. Unfortunately, I have few friends and, since I am no longer young and I am single, I have great loneliness in my life. However, that is something I have known since I was a child and I doubt very much whether it will change.