Author Archives: odeboyz

Housing upgrades, repairs and creative tension

Posted on July 12, 2018 by odeboyz

In the winter of 1969, I and five other tradesmen were directed to work in a derelict house in Rushmore Road Hackney. Two stories high it had two bedrooms, a large living room and a  brick back edition. There was … Continue reading →

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Educational discrimination at Harvard University

Posted on July 10, 2018 by odeboyz

University officials did concede that its 2013 internal review found that if Harvard considered only1 [my emphasis] academic achievement, the Asian-American share of the class would rise to 43 percent from the actual 19 percent. What they value more than … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Geraint Thomas – The world of cycling according to G

Posted on July 10, 2018 by odeboyz

Geraint has written an insightful book about pro-cycling. There are relatively short flashbacks to his early life in Wales but they’re the garnish to the main dish. He’s been in the forefront of elite cycling from its inception under the … Continue reading →

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Why you are dissatisfied with your wonderful life

Posted on July 6, 2018 by odeboyz

Necessities become things that are beneath our notice. Conveniences become necessities. Luxuries become conveniences. And then we invent new luxuries…. http://www.bradford-delong.com/2018/06/current-links-1-1-1-1.html Chris

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A good fairy grants two wishes

Posted on July 6, 2018 by odeboyz

Fred: I know you usually only grant one wish but could you make an exception for me? Good Fairy: Yes. I’ll grant you two wishes. Fred: He was overjoyed and immediately asked for the best drink and the best woman … Continue reading →

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International Trade: Neither Trump or Johnson understand this

Posted on June 28, 2018 by odeboyz
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How to have a really good weekend

Posted on June 28, 2018 by odeboyz

An elderly man with his trophy girlfriend walked into a jewellers and asked to see engagement rings. The jeweller showed him rings priced at about £4,000. He was astonished when the man turned up his nose and asked to see … Continue reading →

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The Anatomy Act, 1832: the Criminal Antecedents

Posted on June 28, 2018 by odeboyz

Prior to 1832, dissection used corpses direct from the gallows. These corpses were the only legal supply of bodies for medical schools. Dissection of executed murderers was uncontroversial as they’d lost all of their rights. Britain’s ferocious penal code provided … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, History, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

About the battle of the Somme before it began June 1916

Posted on June 26, 2018 by odeboyz

“The nation must be taught to bear losses. No amount of skill on the part of the higher commanders, no training, however good, on the part of the officers and men, no superiority of arms and ammunition, however great, will … Continue reading →

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Book Review: John Bew ~ Citizen Clem: a biography of Attlee

Posted on June 26, 2018 by odeboyz

Bew hasn’t made this colourless, dour, uncharismatic and secretive man interesting, which is disappointing with 564 pages to read. Endless remarks about Attlee’s shyness, “He was painfully shy and modest and kept up his guard at all times, ‘lest strange … Continue reading →

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