Robert K Stephen (CSW)

“Travels to a Different Time” : 31July2000: Samos Greece, Ephesus, Turkey: Off to the Ancient Greek Ruins: Turkish Merchant Harassment

Out the door at 06:15 to the port to catch the boat to Ephesus or rather to Kusadesi in Turkey then a bus to Ephesus a la tour! Breezed through passport control and aboard a small excursion ship at 08:45 to Kusadesi. An hour into the journey on calm waters and one could see theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 31July2000: Samos Greece, Ephesus, Turkey: Off to the Ancient Greek Ruins: Turkish Merchant Harassment “

“Virus # 26” Director’s Cut: Chapter 11: “Lessons Learnt from COVIDs: The Failure of Social Distancing”

During the COVID-19 waves there was a politico-medico obsession with social distancing to the extent failure to adhere to it could result in warnings from COVID-19 “police forces”, fines, imprisonment and of course the dressing down given by “outraged” municipal, state, provincial and federal governments. These dressing down tantrums were as tedious as the propagandaContinue reading ““Virus # 26” Director’s Cut: Chapter 11: “Lessons Learnt from COVIDs: The Failure of Social Distancing””

“Travels to a Different Time” : 30July2000: Samos, Greece A Beach from a Different Era

The manager of the hotel related a story to me how years ago, many years ago, they swam at a beach called Mauones which is at the far end of Vathi. Being curious about the beach of yesteryear headed down the road. But there was no beach but a break wall with rusted pieces ofContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 30July2000: Samos, Greece A Beach from a Different Era”

RKS Film: “Come Back Anytime”: Get Me to Tokyo Quick!

Welcome to the world of ramen noodle master Masamoto Ueda owner and self-taught ramen master operating out of a tiny restaurant in Tokyo named Bizentei. No big flashy décor but instead a rather homey restaurant that seats 30 at most. And Ueda is referred to by most of his customers as “Master”. He is selfContinue reading “RKS Film: “Come Back Anytime”: Get Me to Tokyo Quick!”

RKS Wine: Niagara-on-the-Lake’s leaning post 2021 Rosé

The leaning post 2021 Rosé is 100% Pinot Noir. The nose presents watermelon, raspberry, strawberry and field tomato. A very summery greeting to the nose. The palate is energetic and enthusiastic like some toddler dancing to “Baby Shark”. But giving that simile a nudge, this is no flippant candy cane Rosé. It is a veryContinue reading “RKS Wine: Niagara-on-the-Lake’s leaning post 2021 Rosé”

RKS Wine: The Perils of a 17-Year-Old Wine: French Wine Gods Have Mercy Please!

I had a friend over for a flank steak with chimichurri sauce recently. It is a classic Argentinian dish. The Merquen and young Ontario garlic can create a bit of a piquant sauce. I chose a 17-year-old Château Monbrison Margaux. 2005 was an exceptional vintage in Bordeaux and I have 8 bottles left. I can’tContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Perils of a 17-Year-Old Wine: French Wine Gods Have Mercy Please!”

RKS Wine: Château Puybarbe from Côtes de Bourg: Example of Out of Whack Acid

Côtes de Bourg has been long known as a bit of an affordable gem for Bordeaux reds. Will this $15.95 2019 Château Puybarbe fall into this category? It is a blend of 76% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The nose presents black cherry, blackberry and blueberry with aContinue reading “RKS Wine: Château Puybarbe from Côtes de Bourg: Example of Out of Whack Acid”

“Travels to A Different Time” :29July2000: Samos: Off to Kokari: Too Much German Flesh Oozing All Over the Place: A Walk to Ano Vathi

Some of the morning spent booking a tour to the Turkish Archaeological site Ephesus. Prices varied from 14-23,000 dracs including lunch. Selected the 14,000 dracs option. Breakfast a spinach pie and a Fanta leminoda. Stopped at a local wine shop. No bottles there but large vats you fill up your own bottles with. About $2Continue reading ““Travels to A Different Time” :29July2000: Samos: Off to Kokari: Too Much German Flesh Oozing All Over the Place: A Walk to Ano Vathi”

RKS Passage of the Day: Jean-Paul Sartre: “The Reprieve” A Summary of Trump?

“He looked at his feet to avoid all those merciless faces: ‘hulking brute!’. He was a proper human wall, one of those callous cruel brutes, like that hulking boy Chamerlier in the elementary mathematics class who snapped fingers in his face at school, one of those types who never question anything, least of all themselves,Continue reading “RKS Passage of the Day: Jean-Paul Sartre: “The Reprieve” A Summary of Trump?”

“Virus # 26”; Director’s Cut: Chapter 10 “Lessons Learnt from COVIDs: Propaganda’s Effect”

In the guise of a never-ending flow of “public service” messages Canadians were bombarded with an incessant stream of propaganda. Propaganda is primarily a tool of totalitarian governments to maintain control of its citizens. The volume of it will dim independent thinking. However, at some point it just becomes noise and has little effect ifContinue reading ““Virus # 26”; Director’s Cut: Chapter 10 “Lessons Learnt from COVIDs: Propaganda’s Effect””