Author Archives: odeboyz

The Hated Bedroom Tax

Posted on March 6, 2015 by odeboyz

An anecdotal story. Some people will know that more than a decade ago we set up our own TMO (Tenant Management Organisation) in order to manage three council owned tower blocks of 146 two bedroom flats, in the Hornchurch area … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Economics, Politics, tenants rights | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Ken Dodd: Comedian and Tax Avoider*, 1989

Posted on March 3, 2015 by odeboyz

Ken Dodd’s lawyer at the trial: “Some accountants are comedians, but comedians are never accountants.” George Carman QC (Dodd was acquitted) How Ken Dodd began his act after the trial “Good evening, my name is Kenneth Arthur Dodd; singer, photographic … Continue reading →

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

The Elderly Might Say

Posted on March 3, 2015 by odeboyz

Young Man, I would ask, “just what is your age?” For your actions are very disturbing.” Must you spit in the street, where gentle folks feet Find your nastiness very perturbing. Young Man, I would ask, “can’t you speak without … Continue reading →

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Does David Cameron Understand British Democracy?

Posted on February 28, 2015 by odeboyz

The British electoral system is an incoherent mess. There are, currently, six distinctive ‘systems’ operational in local and national elections*. Additionally the Scottish Referendum reduced the minimum voting age to 16. British democracy has many quirks, not least of which … Continue reading →

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

Fancy a City Break?

Posted on February 24, 2015 by odeboyz

Riyadh on Friday; Jerusalem on Saturday; Belfast on Sunday (Chris)

Posted in Humour, Religion, Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

laundry ballet

Posted on February 24, 2015 by odeboyz

there are dancers on my washing line arms aloft, reaching for gently spiralling snowflakes stiff soviet ranks at dawn, they skip at noon, with a hint of polka mid-afternoon gusts lift a hem here, curl a fold there allegro furioso! … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Old Curiosity Shop

Posted on February 20, 2015 by odeboyz

On attending a seminar at the L.S.E. (London School of Economics) at Lincoln’s Inn Fields (12th February 2015), Jan (my wife) and I got to the venue 30 minutes before we were due to register, so, as you do, we set … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, History, Literature | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A HR Manager Trashes Kant

Posted on February 17, 2015 by odeboyz

“Jim would be an average employee if he had a better manager.” (Chris)

Posted in Humour, Philosophy | Tagged , | 5 Comments

A Dialect Now Seldom Heard

Posted on February 17, 2015 by odeboyz

I dun’t bleedin ‘adam n eve it’ (believe it) Mr ‘truble- n- strife’ (Wife) Recons anuver ‘saucepan lid’s’ on the way (Kid) Always appens when I as a few ‘elephants ears’ (beers) It’s bang ‘Alan Boarder’ (out of order) It … Continue reading →

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

Voting Rights Act (1965) and Ferguson, Missouri (2013)

Posted on February 13, 2015 by odeboyz

Martin Luther King and President Johnson in reality ended the American Civil War with the Voting Rights Act (1965)*. The ‘real’ Civil War ended with the Northern States victorious 100 years previously. However, the embedded conflicts echoing down the next … Continue reading →

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