Author Archives: odeboyz

The Old Kettle

Posted on December 2, 2014 by odeboyz

Our old Kettle Was almost part of Our black iron coal range In the kitchen. Its trusty companion A china teapot Decorated with festooned roses Waited in expectation. So many times The old brass tap Over the corner sink Filled … Continue reading →

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

An Uncompromising Librarian

Posted on December 2, 2014 by odeboyz

Jim: “Where do I find Tony Blair’s* autobiography? Librarian (without looking up): “Fiction.” *UK Prime Minister 1997- 2007 (Chris)

Posted in Humour, Politics | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Ebola, Malaria and TB*: Competing Horrors

Posted on November 28, 2014 by odeboyz

At the time of writing, (November 2014) ebola is still an incurable disease causing fewer than 6,000 deaths from about 14,000 infections. It is a gruesome disease. Potentially, but not certainly, it may mutate into a mega-disease. Mega-diseases, such as … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Health, Politics, statistics | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CRY!

Posted on November 25, 2014 by odeboyz

In Finnegan’s eyes you dare not see beyond what throbs in there Nor when the Guinness lonely nights rent hugged hard fistful sheets Thoughts as daggers wrench at his constant pain Made worse by such short sentenced timeless loves Stretched … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Poetry, Religion, War | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Leisure

Posted on November 25, 2014 by odeboyz

What is this life, if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows. No time to see, when woods we pass, Where … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

An Uncompromising Quarrel

Posted on November 25, 2014 by odeboyz

Benjamin Britten on Brahms “I make a point of playing one Brahms recording a year, just to remind myself how awful the music is!” From Beautiful Britten , sterling Brahms- a heartfelt tribute to Norbert Hauser 17th June 2014 Johannes … Continue reading →

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The £50.00 Adventure.

Posted on November 22, 2014 by odeboyz

Eleven years ago, Jan (my wife) and I, along with two other couples started a TMO (Tenant Management Organisation) we call PETRA (Parkhill Tenants and Resident Association). I wrote to the Council and explained that we intended to form a … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, housing, local politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Thrill

Posted on November 18, 2014 by odeboyz

God saw a man on top of the hill. And said, in voice so shrill, “That’s the man I want you to kill. It’ll give me a great thrill”. “Killing is the American good- bye God kept talking, “I hope you … Continue reading →

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

A Max Miller* joke circa 1950

Posted on November 18, 2014 by odeboyz

Man: ‘I like seeing experienced girls home.’ Girl: ‘But I’m not experienced.’ Man: ‘You’re not home yet.’ *Max Miller was an outrageous radio comedian who swerved through the UK’s strict censorship laws in the 1950s. (Chris)

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

Disruptive Events and Unknown Unknowns

Posted on November 14, 2014 by odeboyz

“There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t … Continue reading →

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