Author Archives: odeboyz

A Dave Allen Joke

An elderly man walks into confessional. Elderly man: ‘I am 92 years old, have a wonderful wife of 70 years, many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Yesterday, I picked up two college girls who were hitchhiking. We went to a … Continue reading

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Cardinal della Costa: an Italian hero in 1943

The Archbishop of Florence, Cardinal della Costa, has taken a courageous stand. When some of his nuns were arrested, in consequence of having given shelter to some Jewish women in their convent, the Cardinal, putting on his full panoply, went … Continue reading

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A Christian in the Roman Colosseum

Christian to the lion: You’re doing God’s work. Chris (inspired by Dave Allen)

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Book Review: Vince Hilaire (and Tom Maslona) ~ Vince: The autobiography of Vince Hilaire

He was an outstanding athlete excelling in cricket where he played at Essex Schoolboy level, which was dominated by those that were being privately educated (it still is). A black working-class boy from east London was as rare as hens … Continue reading

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Traditional forms of punishment: Britain* 1700-1900

Traditionally, British judges sentencing criminals had five principal options: capital punishment, corporal punishment, exile, imprisonment and torture. Judges sentencing criminals to ‘savage’ sentences were using proportionate and appropriate punishments according to the expectations of the time. The sentences were anticipated … Continue reading

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A male fairy story

Once upon a time, a prince asked a beautiful princess, “Will you marry me?” The princess immediately said, “No!” And the prince lived happily ever after.

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Going to check if it’s right?

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321 Pete

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Family fun days at Easter

My parents were alive in the 1970s. At this time of year Dad would devote a considerable amount of his time in devising, what he called, his grand-children’s ‘grand Easter Egg hunt’.  There were my four youngsters and my brother’s … Continue reading

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Avoid cheap hip replacements

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Film Review ~ Red Sparrow (Jennifer Lawrence)

Red Sparrow is a tour de force for Jennifer Lawrence. Red Sparrow is set in a Russia which hasn’t acknowledged that the Cold War has ended. All the familiar tropes are hard at work. There are assassins (Yes- pre-Salisbury), and … Continue reading

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