Author Archives: odeboyz

Why football is better than discus throwing

Posted on July 27, 2018 by odeboyz

“….you spin around with a special disc trying not to fall over. You chuck it as far as you can. The winner is whoever chucked it furthest. ‘And then what?’ ‘No, that really is it.’” O’Farrell, John. There’s Only Two … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Sport | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bringing Joy and Happiness

Posted on July 24, 2018 by odeboyz

Richard M

Posted in Humour | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Bizarre, Wonderful Democracy: the London Borough of Havering, 2018

Posted on July 24, 2018 by odeboyz

The May, 2018 election was keenly fought in the London Borough of Havering. Havering is a thriving democracy with nine parties elected to the council chamber. There were 2011 candidates for 54 elected positions. The people of Havering favour the … Continue reading →

Posted in local politics, statistics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

1951 – Cherry Pie

Posted on July 23, 2018 by odeboyz

Replete with dinner, just eaten Mum brought a golden pie in from the kitchen The jug of custard quickly followed, “Be careful, the cherries have stones Just leave them round the side of your dish”. Soon after we, three boys, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Poetry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

My worst day!

Posted on July 20, 2018 by odeboyz

There I was sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, trouble-making biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig. “Well, whatcha’ gonna do about it?” he says, menacingly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged | Leave a comment

Bertrand Russell in Brixton prison, 1918

Posted on July 20, 2018 by odeboyz

For the first two months of his sentence, life at Brixton prison suited Russell perfectly. Freed from the demands of both political campaigning and romantic attachments,* he was able to live precisely the kind of cloistered, contemplative life he craved. … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Prison | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Henrietta Maria: the Heretic Queen of England 1625-49

Posted on July 20, 2018 by odeboyz

When Henrietta Maria married Charles the First, England’s vicious anti-Catholicism made her a hate figure. She was a child-bride of fifteen when she married the 25 year old Charles. Her brother, Louis XIII, agreed marriage articles with Charles, which were … Continue reading →

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

Women always win

Posted on July 17, 2018 by odeboyz

A couple were having a bad patch. They agreed it was best not to talk at all as everything seemed to turn into a row. Their truce was successful and they got used to communicating through written messages. One day … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Book Review: John O’Farrell ~ There’s only two David Beckhams

Posted on July 17, 2018 by odeboyz

A wonderful satire on football is exactly what’s needed in a post-World Cup period and this is that book. O’Farrell has made the wildly improbable plausible- including a Raheem Sterling goal. The book begins with Tony Blair elected as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Review, Sport | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A conversation between my parents

Posted on July 12, 2018 by odeboyz

Mum: I’ve been bitten by a mosquito! Dad: I’ll bet it’s regretting it. Chris

Posted in Autobiography, Humour | Tagged , | Leave a comment