Author Archives: odeboyz

Every Immigrant is Undesirable: British policy 1905-2018

Posted on May 18, 2018 by odeboyz

British immigration policy isn’t driven by humanitarian principles. Anti-immigrant legislation began in 1905 with the Aliens Act. Mass immigration from Eastern Europe was halted in 1905 because most were destitute and wealth was the sole criterion used for desirability. Nazi … Continue reading →

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

A scene from ‘One foot in the grave’ [two elderly people who constantly bicker: Margaret is the wife]

Posted on May 15, 2018 by odeboyz

Sales Assistant: We can have it delivered to you first thing Monday morning. Margaret Meldrew: Not until then? Sales Assistant: Isn’t that alright? Margaret Meldrew: All right? I’ve just spent the most unutterably miserable week of my entire life coping … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, TV sitcoms | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Film Review: Lean on Pete – Charlie Plummer and Steve Buscemi

Posted on May 15, 2018 by odeboyz

Lean on Pete is a charming film about a fifteen year old boy who’s living a ‘trailer trash’ life. His father is a feckless, irresponsible man who’s fallen out with Charlie’s (Yes! Charlie Plummer and the principal character are both … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Review | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How to avoid a speeding ticket in Canada

Posted on May 11, 2018 by odeboyz

A driver was pulled over for speeding and was approached by the officer, who said, “Can I see your license please?” The driver replied that he didn’t have one because he’d been convicted of drinking driving. The policeman was completely … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Home contents insurance

Posted on May 10, 2018 by odeboyz

In the late 1990s, an elderly tenant living on the estate rang me to asked me to come and see her as she had a problem. I was at her door within ten minutes. I had known Pat for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, tenants rights | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A quip from ‘Friends’

Posted on May 8, 2018 by odeboyz

Chandler Muriel Bing: I’m not so good with advice… Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment? Chris

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

Book Review: Keigo Higashino – The Devotion of Suspect X (translated by Alexander O Smith)

Posted on May 8, 2018 by odeboyz

Those of us who read a lot of Anglo-American thrillers are used to a particular narrative arc. There’s usually a sadistic murder say of a woman/women, a maverick Detective Inspector accompanied by a hero-worshipping sergeant, who solve the crime. Often … Continue reading →

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

Two Horses

Posted on May 8, 2018 by odeboyz

Both immensely strong, but gentle in nature Softly nodding greetings, ready for the day Not yet fully dawn light spreads from the East The ‘tack room’ holding leather smells Chains, stout collars braids and brasses Long girth belts, bridle bits … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Authors are born not made

Posted on May 4, 2018 by odeboyz

A little girl was staying with her grandparents, who worshipped the ground she walked on. Her grand-dad was surprised to see her pounding away on the laptop with intense concentration. “What are you doing, my little treasure?” “Writing a novel.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The importance of the Winter War: Finland’s resistance to the Soviet Union, November 1939- March 1940

Posted on May 4, 2018 by odeboyz

  The Soviet Union’s victory over Finland, March 1940, followed a very competitive war, which was unexpected. This, military observers believed, resulted from Stalin’s purge of the Red Army, 1937-8, which had badly weakened the military capacity of the Soviet … Continue reading →

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