Am I Being Sent to Military Academy? The regime of enforced naps is dissipating. As I progress into six months of age I am gaining stamina and perhaps at most have two short naps instead of the four of my early puppydom. I am now more of a power napper. Bob says this means moreContinue reading ““Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: Am I Being Sent to Military Academy?”
Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)
RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):16October2025: No Guilt Shopping and Observations on Poverty and Luxury
16October2025: No Guilt Shopping and Observations on Poverty and Luxury I have purposely opted out of the day’s tour itinerary not feeling particularly well and exhausted by all the travelling and a late night yesterday. I miss a cruise on the Chao Phraya River, but I did that last night. Yet more temples. The plenitudeContinue reading “RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):16October2025: No Guilt Shopping and Observations on Poverty and Luxury”
RKS Literature: How to Use Your Enemies : Flattery More Harmful Than Hatred (Baltasar Gracián)
Flattery More Harmful Than Hatred Enemies are of more use to the wise man than friends are to the fool. Ill will usually levels mountains of difficulty which goodwill would balk at tackling. The greatness of many has been fashioned thanks to malicious enemies. Flattery is more harmful than hatred, for the latter is anContinue reading “RKS Literature: How to Use Your Enemies : Flattery More Harmful Than Hatred (Baltasar Gracián)”
RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version)16October2025: Suffering From Airconditionosis: Jasmine Tea, Papaya Juice, Lots of Water and Latitudes of Melt
16October2025: Suffering From Airconditionosis: Jasmine Tea, Papaya Juice, Lots of Water and Latitudes of Melt Airconditionosis is an affliction suffered as a result of a travelling companion cranking up the air conditioning to a polar vortex setting causing shivering throughout one’s sleeping period necessitating comforters for warmth. Resulting morning symptoms are predominately feeling like crap.Continue reading “RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version)16October2025: Suffering From Airconditionosis: Jasmine Tea, Papaya Juice, Lots of Water and Latitudes of Melt”
RKS Literature: “How to Use Your Enemies”: Vary Your Procedure (Baltasar Gracián)
Vary Your Procedure Not always the same way, so as to confound those observing you, especially if they are rivals. Don’t always fulfil your declared intentions, for others will seize on your predictability, anticipating and frustrating your actions. It’s easy to kill a bird that flies straight, but not one that twists and turns. ButContinue reading “RKS Literature: “How to Use Your Enemies”: Vary Your Procedure (Baltasar Gracián)”
RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Maison Smith Montpetit 2022 Merlot a Proud Right Banker (Not a Wanker!)
Samples from Maison Smith Montpetit, located in the heart of the Similkameen Valley in British Columbia, arrived today a brutally cold winter day where minus 13 Celsius seems balmy. Tonight minus 24. Fine for icewine but not so for humans. The labels bespeak first growth Bordeaux. Simple yet dignified. Only 150 cases of this 2022Continue reading “RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Maison Smith Montpetit 2022 Merlot a Proud Right Banker (Not a Wanker!)”
RKS Literature: How to Use Your Enemies: Avoid Outdoing Your Superior (Baltasar Gracián)
Avoid Outdoing Your Superior All triumphs are despised, and triumphing over your superior is either stupid or fatal. Superiority has always been detested, especially by our superiors. Princes like to be helped but not surpassed. Advice should be offered as if a reminder of what they’ve forgotten, not an insight what they’ve never had. BaltasarContinue reading “RKS Literature: How to Use Your Enemies: Avoid Outdoing Your Superior (Baltasar Gracián)”
RKS Literature: “How to Use Your Enemies” (Baltasar Gracián): In Your Affairs Create Suspense
“In Your Affairs Create Suspense It is neither useful nor pleasurable to show all your cards. Not immediately revealing everything fuels anticipation, especially when a person’s elevated position means expectations are greater. It bespeaks mystery in everything and, with this very secrecy, arouses awe. Even when explaining yourself, you should avoid complete frankness, just asContinue reading “RKS Literature: “How to Use Your Enemies” (Baltasar Gracián): In Your Affairs Create Suspense”
RKS Literature: The Final Words of Frankenstein’s Creation (Mary Shelley)
“But it is true that I am a wretch. I have murdered the lovely and the helpless; I have strangled the innocent as they slept and grasped to death his throat who never injured me or any other living thing. I have devoted my creator, the select specimen of all that is worthy of loveContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Final Words of Frankenstein’s Creation (Mary Shelley)”
RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):16October2025: Eastern & Oriental Express Embarrassing Good-Bye and a Brutal Travel Day
16October2025: Eastern & Oriental Express Embarrassing Good-Bye and a Brutal Travel Day A rough jerky night on the train. Feeling a tad better but when you don’t feel up to snuff even a luxurious Pullman Cabin equates to being a sardine in a tin can. No appetite so half a croissant and a sip ofContinue reading “RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):16October2025: Eastern & Oriental Express Embarrassing Good-Bye and a Brutal Travel Day”
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 