Monthly Archives: August 2018

Book Review: Mick Herron- Slow Horses

Posted on August 21, 2018 by odeboyz

Every organisation has people who don’t fit in. Slough House is full of MI5 rejects, underachievers and the really talented who don’t fit in: they don’t have any career prospects. Jackson Lamb is significantly superior to everyone else with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Review | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Japanese commuters

Posted on August 17, 2018 by odeboyz

Ray E.

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Paying for blood: a good thing?

Posted on August 17, 2018 by odeboyz

Only countries that pay for plasma are self-sufficient in it. (Italy where donors are given time off work, is close to self-sufficiency.) Half of America’s plasma is shipped to Europe- 20M contributions worth. Canada imports 80% of its plasma products … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Health | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Who Will Succeed Theresa May? A Guide

Posted on August 17, 2018 by odeboyz

Margaret Thatcher resigned as Prime Minister in 1990 leaving the Conservative party bereft. Six leaders in the intervening twenty-eight years hasn’t reduced the grief. All six were mediocre.1 The Conservative Associations are dominated by the elderly who are the electorate … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Appointing a new deputy sheriff

Posted on August 14, 2018 by odeboyz

The local sheriff was looking for a deputy, so Gomer – who was not exactly the sharpest nail in the bucket went in to try out for the job. “Okay,” the sheriff drawled, “Gomer, what is 1 and 1?” “11” … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged | Leave a comment

Book Review: Omar El Akkad ~ American War

Posted on August 14, 2018 by odeboyz

Omar was born in Egypt, lived in Qatar and is now a Canadian. This matters, American War is a dystopian novel set in the late 21st century. America is engaged in a vicious civil war. Climate change has caused havoc … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Politics, Review, War | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Trump’s gigantic wall is a medieval response to a non-problem

Posted on August 10, 2018 by odeboyz

1 The USA has a population of 326.8 million (Britain has a population of 65.6 million people) and 2 The USA has a landmass of 3.797 million sq. miles (Britain is 80.823 sq. miles) and 3 Therefore the USA needs … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, statistics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Begging and Beggars: London Borough of Havering, August 2018

Posted on August 9, 2018 by odeboyz

Just the other day*, my wife and I went to Sainsbury’s in Hornchurch High Street. We passed three beggars sitting near the entrance – none actually saying anything, each looking pathetic. I suppose the older woman seemed more needful, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Book review: Anonymous ~ The Secret Barrister: stories of the Law and How It’s Broken

Posted on August 7, 2018 by odeboyz

The Secret Barrister quickly establishes his non-traditional background. He was educated at a comprehensive school and isn’t a high-flyer. His post-2000 career has been blighted by reductions in legal aid payments. He offers many examples of stellar legal work but … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Politics, Prison, Prison reform, Review | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

An adroit Trade Union negotiator

Posted on August 7, 2018 by odeboyz

Negotiations were at an impasse. The union denied their members were flagrantly abusing the company’s sick-leave provisions. During negotiations the H.R. director held up the morning edition of the newspaper, “This man called in sick yesterday!” There, on the sports … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged , | Leave a comment