Author Archives: odeboyz

Book Review: Chris Gayle with Tom Fordyce ~ Six Machine: I don’t like cricket…I love it

Posted on February 11, 2019 by odeboyz

Gayle’s book is the antidote to the constipated, self-aware, PR fuelled, seriously ghosted British autobiographic sports books I’m used to. It’s vibrant, insightful and magnificent. Chris is a superstar and loves it. As the best batsman in the world he … Continue reading →

Posted in education, School, Sport | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Being a Chinese billionaire isn’t all glamour

Posted on February 7, 2019 by odeboyz

Mortality rate notwithstanding, what’s more disturbing is how these mega wealthy souls met their demise. According to China Daily, 15 were murdered, 17 committed suicide, seven died from accidents and 19 died from illness. Oh, yes, and 14 were executed. … Continue reading →

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

A snowman in Manchester

Posted on February 7, 2019 by odeboyz

https://www.andrewbrooksartist.com/about/ This is a really good site for photographs Chris  

Posted in photography | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Country Dancing: Thornhill Road School

Posted on February 6, 2019 by odeboyz

In 1949 I started my school life at Thornhill Road Infant School. The Second World War had ended four years earlier and rationing was still firmly in place. Although my family, (two older brothers,  Mum and Dad), were poor, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, education, School | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Beware of scientific barmen

Posted on February 4, 2019 by odeboyz

A science lecturer and a student walk into a bar. The scientist says to the barman: “Can I have a glass of H20?” The barman hands over the drink and the lecturer walks away. Wanting to fit in, the student … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged | Leave a comment

Book Review: Isaac Babel ~ Odessa Stories (Translator Boris Dratyuk) (1910s and 20s)

Posted on February 4, 2019 by odeboyz

Babel writes about Jewish life in Odessa at the beginning of the 20th century. Odessa’s a vibrant multi-cultural seaport with a very large Jewish population. Gangsters fascinate Babel and he creates wonderful pen portraits. He also writes about being an … Continue reading →

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

Special Dreams

Posted on February 3, 2019 by odeboyz

In sleep it seems, I feel my dreams Senses alert, as if awake But more, so much more Tactile touch, memories restored. Old friends I once knew Still true, in every detail We interact, as if – I never did … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Love

Posted on January 31, 2019 by odeboyz
Posted in photography | Tagged | Leave a comment

What has been Britain’s biggest privatization to date?

Posted on January 31, 2019 by odeboyz

…Britain’s biggest privatization has not been of housing or a bank. It has been of land. Since Margaret Thatcher entered Downing Street in 1979, and continuing all the way to the present day, the state has been selling public land … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Death of the British Parliamentarian: The Brexit Debate, 11th January, 2019

Posted on January 31, 2019 by odeboyz

Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion. Edmund Burke on representative democracy, 1774.1 It is worth saying that Torbay voted strongly to … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments