Category Archives: Autobiography

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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My very good friend, Lew Hawks

Posted on April 17, 2015 by odeboyz

I first met Lew in the mid-60s when we were both employed as plumbers by Hackney Council. Lew was a big dour man, seldom bent to smile, even less so after his wife died suddenly after a very brief illness. … Continue reading →

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The Absolute Importance of Luck

Posted on April 14, 2015 by odeboyz

It must have been late 1941 or early 1942. Jews were required to wear the Star of David and to obey a 6 p.m. curfew. I had gone to play with a Christian friend and had stayed too late. I … Continue reading →

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My Old Car

Posted on April 3, 2015 by odeboyz

In the early 70s I had gone through a particularly difficult divorce when my then wife left me for another woman. I now see that as a positive event (neither of us loved the other) but at the time I … Continue reading →

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The Real World

Posted on March 19, 2015 by odeboyz

On the estate where we live, there are petty crooks, drug addicts, alcoholics, perverts and general low life, all mixed in with angels, professional people, artists, musicians, and sweet older people who like us, despair at the way our world … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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