Author Archives: odeboyz

Paolo Maldini: a great Italian defender

Posted on March 21, 2017 by odeboyz

In football, successful defenders can be a nightmare for [gambling] statisticians. During his playing years for Milan and Italy, Paolo Maldini averaged one tackle every other game. It wasn’t because he was a lazy player; it was because he didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Sport | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Bow and Arrow Pub, Harold Hill

Posted on March 17, 2017 by odeboyz

Those who have read my blog on the Pompadours pub (aka the “Flying Bottles”) may have got the impression that all of Harold Hill was a nest of malcontents, vicious thugs and criminal with no moral compass. This is not true. … Continue reading →

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

Pollution in the ‘Good Old Days’: New York 1880

Posted on March 14, 2017 by odeboyz

By 1880, there were at least a hundred and fifty thousand horses living in New York, and probably a great many more. Each one relieved itself of, on average, twenty-two pounds of manure a day, meaning that the city’s production … Continue reading →

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You Might Think I’m Nuts!

Posted on March 13, 2017 by odeboyz

To relax, I close myself away Sometimes try to write or get creative Always in the company of music Not the frippery of teenage stuff Serious music, with body and thought Created with tender care and passion, Albenoni, Brahms, Chopin, … Continue reading →

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A Spanish Wage-Slave

Posted on March 10, 2017 by odeboyz

“Carlos Recio was appointed Head of Archives in March 2006,” a Council spokesperson told reporters in Valencia, “to work as the chief bibliographer. However, a recent investigation confirms that he has never shown up for work since that date, never … Continue reading →

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Euthanasia: a civic right

Posted on March 10, 2017 by odeboyz

They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow… They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. … Continue reading →

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The anti-Semitic Martin Luther

Posted on March 8, 2017 by odeboyz

Luther calls for the secular authorities to burn down all the synagogues and schools, and ‘what won’t burn should be covered over with earth, so that not a stone or piece of slag of it should be seen for all … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Religion | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Designer Adoption

Posted on March 3, 2017 by odeboyz

  A husband and wife who work for the circus go to an adoption agency. The Social workers raise doubts about the living conditions in a circus, but the couple produce photos of their 50-foot luxury motor home, which is … Continue reading →

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The Flying Bottles: The Pompadours, Harold Hill Romford

Posted on March 2, 2017 by odeboyz

  The Flying Bottles is what most people on Harold Hill called the Pompadours pub. There were many managers that attempted to run the pub when I first lived in Harold Hill and there were many more after when I left in … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, housing | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Disappointed

Posted on February 28, 2017 by odeboyz

I could have screamed When, some years ago, An idiot tenant confessed, “Oh I’ve never voted, in any election”. Recently, that same Non-voter, had a water problem A leak, going into the flat below his Coming, from somewhere in his … Continue reading →

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