Author Archives: odeboyz

Being a Chinese billionaire isn’t all glamour

Posted on April 1, 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 →

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I don’t want to go to school

Posted on April 1, 2019 by odeboyz

“I don’t want to go to school today mum.” “Well you’ve got to. And that’s that.” “The boys hate me and the teachers hate me. And I don’t want to go.” “Well you have to. And that’s that.” “But why?” … Continue reading →

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Chaotic Farce

Posted on March 31, 2019 by odeboyz

“Let me be clear, said the silver haired leader, This is no democracy, I don’t care what you think I’m right, well I always am, don’t think me neurotic My brilliance is clearly underrated as your cheerleader”. “I’m not so … Continue reading →

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Players of the Year Award: diversity triumphs (2015-18)

Posted on March 28, 2019 by odeboyz

   

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Dutch Teenage Resistance Fighters

Posted on March 28, 2019 by odeboyz

She [Freddie Oversteegen] was 14 when she joined the Dutch resistance, though with her long, dark hair in braids she looked at least two years younger. When she rode her bicycle down the streets of Haarlem in North Holland, firearms … Continue reading →

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W. T. Stead: Investigative Journalist

Posted on March 28, 2019 by odeboyz

Stead’s Victorian London was squalid and amoral. He used his editorship of the Pall Mall Gazette to attack moral evil. Prostitution was rampant in London. It was so blatant that there were guides to ‘specialised’ brothels, which were entirely legal.1 … Continue reading →

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Too honest

Posted on March 25, 2019 by odeboyz

A gamekeeper in Oregon arrested a man for killing and eating an Egret. He pleaded guilty explaining to the judge, “I was just trying to feed my hungry family. I’ve never done anything like that before.” The judge freed him … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Zhou Haohui ~ Death Notice (Translator Zac Haluza) (2014)

Posted on March 25, 2019 by odeboyz

Waterstones dreaded ‘Buy one, get one half price’ has led me- greedily- to buy absolute lemons in the past. On this occasion I wasn’t disappointed. In fact I was delighted. Zhou’s novel is set in Chengdu. This is an enormous … Continue reading →

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Small pleasures

Posted on March 21, 2019 by odeboyz

A receptionist at an accountants office got a call. She was asked by the caller to put him through to Mr. Dewey. “I’m sorry, sir,” the receptionist said, “Mr. Dewey passed away yesterday.” “Oh. I’m sorry about that. Goodbye.” But … Continue reading →

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Comparative Poverty: The Top 1% vs the Top 0.1%

Posted on March 21, 2019 by odeboyz

Someone at the bottom of the top percentile of incomes is on about £120,000 a year. The top 0.1%, however, gets over £500,000…. The very rich price the reasonably rich out of houses and schools: top private school fees have … Continue reading →

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