Author Archives: odeboyz

A Grumpy Old Man

Posted on May 16, 2016 by odeboyz

All dress up in our best Togs Food aplenty, on large platters The hall, nice enough Well, thought I, ‘this should all go well After all, it’s the company that matters’. Family, I’ve known for years Friends, we’ve known for … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Humour, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Girolamo Savonarola and the bonfire of the vanities

Posted on May 13, 2016 by odeboyz

The Franciscan monk Girolamo Savonarola was the antithesis of Pope Alexander VI. Savonarola was an ascetic monk who preached against wealth and conspicuous consumption. Pope Alexander devoted his life to power, wealth and the pleasures of the flesh. As Savonarola’s … Continue reading →

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Holiday

Posted on May 10, 2016 by odeboyz

I go on holiday like an escaped prisoner The fearful airport has armed warders patrolling Surveillance cameras and hidden profilers Dogs sniffing, menacing, fear-inducing. Impeccable papers. Confidence-inducing papers. My papers. My thousand yard death stare keeps them at bay Slitted … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why Conservatives win elections

Posted on May 10, 2016 by odeboyz

“…we have a disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful, and to despise, or, at least, to neglect persons of poor and mean condition…..We see frequently the vices and follies of the powerful much less … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Dignified Mendicant

Posted on May 4, 2016 by odeboyz

Many years ago, I was on my regular seven week call out rota; and at about 4 pm I got a message from the Hackney call centre one Saturday, I’m guessing about, 1976 -some forty years ago. I was asked … Continue reading →

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Training to be a beggar

Posted on May 3, 2016 by odeboyz

He* once begged alms of a statue, and, when asked why he did so, replied, “To get practice in being refused.” *Diogenes a Greek philosopher from ancient times Chris

Posted in Philosophy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Not a Shakespearan Sonnet

Posted on May 2, 2016 by odeboyz

The seasons come anew, each in its time, ordered The remembrance, simply lost after years I marvel how nothing’s disordered Knowing galaxies have no frontiers Silent planets, orbiting stars Dark matter swirls between the spaces Understanding neither mine, nor ours … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Anchorites: The Search for Perfection

Posted on April 29, 2016 by odeboyz

St. Benedict’s Rules (530 AD) were the first to be widely adopted by monasteries . These governed every aspect of a monk’s life. Intensely religious people, both men and women, wanted a purer religious experience without distractions. These people wanted … Continue reading →

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Sir Malcolm Sargent on Stockhausen

Posted on April 25, 2016 by odeboyz

When Sir Malcolm Sargent, chief conductor of London’s ‘Proms’ festival was asked whether he had ever conducted any Stockhausen, he was briefly silent before replying, “I think I once trod in some.” I take it, the great man didn’t care … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Governor

Posted on April 21, 2016 by odeboyz

Mr G, or the “Guv” as I called him some nearly fifty years ago was a formidable Hackney “project manager” but that was well before such a title came into popular use. I had of course heard the stories of … Continue reading →

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