Category Archives: Autobiography

A celebrity ‘empathising’ with poverty

Posted on August 25, 2015 by odeboyz

“Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff.” Mariah Carey … Continue reading →

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

Revisiting old memories

Posted on August 14, 2015 by odeboyz

Just on a whim, the other day I decided to revisit the place in Islington North London, where I and my family lived from the late forties to the mid sixties. A tedious tube journey mostly on the District line … Continue reading →

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

Housing in the mid 70s

Posted on July 30, 2015 by odeboyz

Raised in Islington until in my early 20s, as young man in those days, I met a girl, a very pretty girl, and fell madly in love. How fickle she turned out to be? When she told me I was … Continue reading →

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

Evacuee

Posted on July 28, 2015 by odeboyz

They sent me away – “To be safe” they said. My mother’s gone; maybe she’s dead. My dad’s a soldier fighting in the war. Perhaps  I’ll not see my brother any more. I am alone with a stranger who says … Continue reading →

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

Learning to negotiate

Posted on July 17, 2015 by odeboyz

About fifty years ago, following my stint as the plumbers shop steward whilst working for Hackney Council. I was elected as the officers Convenor Steward under the auspices of the then huge union NALGO (National Association of Local Government Officers). To … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Junk Drawer

Posted on July 3, 2015 by odeboyz

I don’t know about you but when I’m not sure where to keep some small objects, they tend to end up in my junk drawer. Over time, (and I do mean years) that drawer refuses to shut tight, as normally … Continue reading →

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

What A Great Day

Posted on June 18, 2015 by odeboyz

Made all the better with sunshine and a gentle breeze we, my good friends Mick and Chris, set off up the A12 towards Chelmsford City race track. Chris driving, (as ebullient as ever) managed to doubt his navigation, so we … Continue reading →

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

Housing

Posted on June 5, 2015 by odeboyz

1972  to 1990 Note: All names  have been changed to save rows and recriminations. I had been married to Angela for eighteen years and thought we had a good life together, but out of the blue one Saturday, a mutual … Continue reading →

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

Racked by Indecision

Posted on June 2, 2015 by odeboyz

Along with the rest of our gang, Dave Rosewarne and I had idled away most of our Saturday afternoon in Hilldene* Café opposite the pet shop. I had smoked a joint or two out the back but Dave, the most … Continue reading →

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

Old Housing and Working Conditions

Posted on May 21, 2015 by odeboyz

1953 to 1963 Gibson Square Islington. Raised from 3 years old, in what was then a slum area – a large ten roomed Regency terraced house situated on one of Islington’s now prestigious squares, nearly each room let out to … Continue reading →

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