Author Archives: odeboyz

A dentist puts his patient at ease

Posted on December 16, 2019 by odeboyz

“Open wider.” the dentist said as he began his examination. “It’s the biggest cavity I’ve ever seen…. It’s the biggest cavity I’ve ever seen.” “OK, OK! I’m scared enough without you repeating yourself.” “I didn’t! That was the echo.” Chris

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Life Lessons

Posted on December 16, 2019 by odeboyz

When I was small, I didn’t think it strange at all To be told what to do and say And so, I was cocooned in my world Although poor, we were warm and well fed, each day. School was challenging, … Continue reading →

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Book Review: John le Carre ~ Agent Running in the Field (2019)

Posted on December 16, 2019 by odeboyz

Do octogenarians write as well as they did in their pomp? On the evidence of this book they don’t they write differently. This novel is almost a satire. La Carre rails against western ‘values’, which he traduces as a mass … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Politics, Review | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Rugged Individualism

Posted on December 12, 2019 by odeboyz
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A 70 year old lady applies to a university

Posted on December 12, 2019 by odeboyz

Interviewer: “I think it’s marvellous that you want to do a degree at 70 years old but I have a question. What’s your motivation?” Elderly candidate: “My husband has always dreamed of sleeping with a student.” Chris

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Elizabethan Poor Law 1601: the First National Welfare System

Posted on December 12, 2019 by odeboyz

Background English society was shattered by the Reformation in the 1530s, which destroyed centuries of provision for the poor by the Roman Catholic church. What had once been a religious duty1 now was a choice. Sixty years of undirected assistance … Continue reading →

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Pizza as a metaphor for marriage

Posted on December 9, 2019 by odeboyz

A wise man took his son to one side just before he got married and said, “When you understand why a pizza is made round; is put in a square box; and is eaten in triangles. Then son, you’ll understand … Continue reading →

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Hedonism and starting a family

Posted on December 9, 2019 by odeboyz

Starting a family is a hedonists greatest challenge. Giving birth, sleepless nights, nappies, teething, choosing a school, school plays, sports days, another school, their friends, homework, GCSEs, ‘A’ levels, choosing a university, student debt, significant friends, split-ups, getting a job….. … Continue reading →

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The social sophistication of a wolf pack

Posted on December 5, 2019 by odeboyz

The first three are the old or sick; they set the pace for the entire pack. If they weren’t at the front they’d be left behind and would lose contact with the pack. If the pack is ambushed they’d be … Continue reading →

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Why the west is stagnant

Posted on December 5, 2019 by odeboyz

Thomas Piketty, the French economist, calculates that more than half of total wealth in Germany* today is inherited — an estimate confirmed by German economists. In the 1960s and 1970s, the share was just a little over 20 per cent. … Continue reading →

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