Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)

The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous!

Introduction By Robert K. Stephen Could it be The Penniless Pensioner is one of the most interesting characters inhabiting the globe today? That will be up to you to decide. From feedback I have received there is no doubt in my mind he is misaligned, misunderstood and some of you have remarked he is marvellous.Continue reading “The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous!”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 2006 Füssen, Germany: Off to the Castles: Bavarians the Calabrian’s of Germany?

Our room at Hotel Kurkafe is Bavarian kitsch. The breakfasts are adequate with some loose-leaf green tea but not as good as the green loose-leaf tea at the Maratim Hotel in Wurzburg. We packed up after breakfast and saw the Bishop’s Castle a rather fortified looking bunker with simple interiors a break from the sumptuousContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 2006 Füssen, Germany: Off to the Castles: Bavarians the Calabrian’s of Germany?”

RKS Wine: Tirana Tigress and Penniless Pensioner Back in Toronto

After hoodwinking the Russians in Operation Payback Lola Frieberg aka Tirana Tigress and the Penniless Pensioner wisely decided to head back to PP’s home in Toronto a luxurious penthouse The Lonsdale on Avenue Road with a huge wrap around balcony and a view of the campus of Upper Canada College. If the Russians ever gotContinue reading “RKS Wine: Tirana Tigress and Penniless Pensioner Back in Toronto”

RKS Wine: Not a Corporate Lawyer, Accountant, Neurosurgeon, Corporate Executive, Overpaid Professional Athlete or Cardiologist? Welcome to Delicious Brutality!

If you are not a “hot shot” it is certainly possible to discover a quality wine at a proletarian price. I mean my friend the Penniless Pensioner would guzzle Chateau Latour with his Boulud Burger in Manhattan and think nothing of paying $1500 as “chump change” for a bottle of Bordeaux First Growth. With aContinue reading “RKS Wine: Not a Corporate Lawyer, Accountant, Neurosurgeon, Corporate Executive, Overpaid Professional Athlete or Cardiologist? Welcome to Delicious Brutality!”

63rd THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: Three Canadian Indigenous Films Featured

3-13/11/2022 Indigenous Cinema Τhe Festival’s grand tribute breaks the rules From Canada’s Inuit and the Latin American tribes all the way to the Australian Aboriginals and New Zealand’s Māori people, the 63rd Thessaloniki International Film Festival sheds light onto cultures, ways of life, and worldviews that have been ostracized from the official frame of ourContinue reading “63rd THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: Three Canadian Indigenous Films Featured”

“Travels to a Different Time”: 2006: Füssen: Germany: A Bizarre Detour

Our trip from Wurzburg to Füssen caused us to encounter a bizarre but not unpleasant detour. Enjoyed the buffet breakfast at the Maratim Hotel in Wurzburg although the top of my mouth is a bit raw. Could it be from all these cold cuts the Bavarians love. Too much nitrate? So more cold cuts, sausages,Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”: 2006: Füssen: Germany: A Bizarre Detour”

RKS Wine: Listening to Customers: Canada Pricing Itself Out?

A couple of months ago at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario I encountered two gentleman shopping for a backyard wedding reception. They asked me what might go with the salmon which was one of the foods for the backyard wedding barbeque. Earlier in the year I had received some samples from a BC wineryContinue reading “RKS Wine: Listening to Customers: Canada Pricing Itself Out?”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 17June2007: Discovering Passau Germany

Nothing like a good sleep to give a fresher perspective on life. Up at 07:30 feeling more like a human being. Jet lag is the bane of travellers. A bit slow but not half dead. Had showers all round and that felt so good! Breakfast in the hotel in a cute and comfortable country diningContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 17June2007: Discovering Passau Germany”

63rd THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM Line-Up

3-13/11/2022 LIST OF FILMS OPENING FILM CLOSING FILM INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION Main Program Out of Competition  MEET THE NEIGHBORS Main Program Out of Competition >> FILM FORWARD >>FILM FORWARD – TRIBUTE TO PETER TSCHERKASSKY >> FILM FORWARD – TRIBUTE TO EVE HELLER IMMERSIVE / VR GREEK FILM FESTIVAL First Run Crossing Borders A Second Viewing SpecialContinue reading “63rd THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM Line-Up”