“One of the things that distinguishes Americans from other people is that no other people have ever been so deeply involved in the lives of black men, and vice versa. This fact faced, with all its implications, it can be seen that the history of the American Negro problem is not merely shameful, it isContinue reading “RKS Literature: The World Will Never Be White Again (James Baldwin)”
Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)
RKS 2024 Film: “Our Grandmother-The Inlet”
This Canadian short falls into the “angry Indigenous genre” of documentaries. The treatment of Canadian Indigenous nations justifies the anger which is so intense in this short documentary with the distressed Kayah George, a young Indigenous woman that wants to burn “this fucking city down”. Could that be Vancouver? George, often with skateboard in hand,Continue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Our Grandmother-The Inlet””
The Penniless Pensioner and His Wines: A Rare Vintages Occurrence From Portugal’s Alentejano: The .95 Obsession
The big wine monopoly in the province of Ontario occasionally graces its shelves with wine that even pensioners can afford. So yes I am back, The Penniless Pensioner, presenting you a $14.95 Portuguese wine. That liquor monopoly has almost all its products with that 95 after the big dollar. Do they think this sways theContinue reading “The Penniless Pensioner and His Wines: A Rare Vintages Occurrence From Portugal’s Alentejano: The .95 Obsession”
RKS 2024 Film: “Cherry”: A Fly on the Wall Not Wanting to be on That Wall
Marie-Lise Chouinard (1986-2002) a beloved Quebecoise dies slowly in front of the camera. At age 36 she has lymphoma with months to live and heroically with vivacity and humour, but not without moments of sadness and distress, lifts her persona to the very end. When I grasped her terminal state I did not want toContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Cherry”: A Fly on the Wall Not Wanting to be on That Wall”
“Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog”: The Final Cut: “A Dog Saved My Life”: It’s a Wrap! Chapter Sixty Eight (68)
Four months after our arrival in Darwin we have finished shooting “A Dog Saved My Life”. I worked almost every day and enjoyed every minute of it with Nicole Kidman ensuring my proper hydration as she said this Australian sun can suck the life out of you. I admire the dedication of Nicole as throughContinue reading ““Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog”: The Final Cut: “A Dog Saved My Life”: It’s a Wrap! Chapter Sixty Eight (68)”
RKS Literature: Playing the Poverty Game in Paris (James Baldwin)
“In those days in Paris, though I floated, so to speak, on a sea of acquaintances. I knew almost no one. Many people were eliminated from my orbit by virtue of the fact that they had more money than I did which placed me, in my own eyes, in the humiliating role of a freeContinue reading “RKS Literature: Playing the Poverty Game in Paris (James Baldwin)”
RKS Literature: Playing the Poverty Game in Paris (James Baldwin)
“In those days in Paris, though I floated, so to speak, on a sea of acquaintances. I knew almost no one. Many people were eliminated from my orbit by virtue of the fact that they had more money than I did which placed me, in my own eyes, in the humiliating role of a freeContinue reading “RKS Literature: Playing the Poverty Game in Paris (James Baldwin)”
“Travels to a Different Time” :17July2005 Estoril, Portugal: Visit to Cascais and Sintra
Alex is flying back to Toronto from Lisbon today. Breakfast is so “dignified” here. Low voices, Formal settings and service. Might I say “stuffy”? A tremendous buffet breakfast. Years ago while travelling in a just opening up Greece I was starving most of the day particularly with such meagre breakfasts. This breakfast would have beenContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :17July2005 Estoril, Portugal: Visit to Cascais and Sintra”
RKS Literature: The American Bohemian in Paris (James Baldwin)
“They are charmed by the reflection that Paris is more than a thousand years old, but it escapes them that the Parisian has been in the making just about that long, and does not, therefore, become Parisian by a Parisian address. This little band of bohemians, as grimly single-minded as any evangelical sect, illustrate, byContinue reading “RKS Literature: The American Bohemian in Paris (James Baldwin)”
RKS Literature: The Splendid Parisian Air (James Baldwin)
“…it is perfectly possible to be enamoured of Paris while remaining totally indifferent, or even hostile to the French. And this is made possible by the one person in Paris whom the legend seems least not to affect, who is not living it all, that is, the Parisian himself. Him with his impenetrable politesse, andContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Splendid Parisian Air (James Baldwin)”
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 