Author Archives: odeboyz

A Benny Hill* joke

Posted on May 17, 2015 by odeboyz

Just because no one complains doesn’t mean that all parachutes are perfect. *Benny Hill was a British comedian who enjoyed great success on TV between 1960 and 1983. (Chris)

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

The 1908 Old-Age Pension Act

Posted on May 15, 2015 by odeboyz

The 1908 Old-Age Pension Act was revolutionary legislation embodying the very best of British politics. For the first time there was to be state intervention in the living standards of the people. Assistance was given through non-contributory pensions recognising that … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, History, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Zimmer Frame

Posted on May 12, 2015 by odeboyz

Displaying his balletic agility, and with Perspiration violating his upper lip Jim and his Zimmer are in harmony. Man and machine bonded together. A naturally graceful athlete Jim is Finely tuned in mind and body Ageing, an unnoticed triviality, Eye-catchingly … Continue reading →

Posted in Disablity, Humour, Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Managers are born not made

Posted on May 12, 2015 by odeboyz

“I can’t sit still and see another man slaving and working. I want to get up and superintend, and walk round with my hands in my pockets, and tell him what to do. It is my energetic nature. I can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Literature | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Enoch Powell’s* Prophecy, 1964

Posted on May 8, 2015 by odeboyz

“In the end, the Labour Party could cease to represent labour. Stranger historic ironies have happened than that.” *He was a right-wing Conservative politician and political philosopher. (Chris)

Posted in Philosophy, Politics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Just Moments in Time

Posted on May 7, 2015 by odeboyz

Well over sixty years ago my best friend was a boy named Paul Brewster. Paul was a big lad even at the age of nine or ten where I was comparatively small. Paul and his Mum and Dad lived on … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, History, housing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Joys of negotiating coalitions: Belgium style

Posted on May 5, 2015 by odeboyz

2007 Forming a government took 197 days 2010/11 Forming a government took 541 days Very few citizens of Belgium noticed that they didn’t have an elected government in place.

Posted in History, Politics, statistics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Flight to Scotland

Posted on May 5, 2015 by odeboyz

Up, before I went to bed The minicab lurched from street to street London City Airport – my Nigerian evangelist driver Did his best, to get inside my head. The airport bustle – sad termites Their thoughts silently screaming Most … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Poetry, Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

9/11, George W Bush and Dirty Harry

Posted on April 24, 2015 by odeboyz

“Go ahead, make my day.” Harry Callan (Clint Eastwood) in Sudden Impact (1985)  Harry Callan, (‘Dirty Harry),’ made a coercive threat to a ‘punk’. The threat is effective because he understands the punks fear self-preservation and risk-aversion. George W Bush … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, Religion, War | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Cinema

Posted on April 21, 2015 by odeboyz

The cinema looks like a warehouse, and feels ostentatious, relying on reflected limelight, buried limelight, awkward, buried in history; it is history. It warehouses focus group dreams, meaningless and safe. Safe when terrorised, safe when sexualised, safe dreams, anodyne dreams, … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Poetry, Politics, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment