Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS Film: “The Human Trial”: Should Private Enterprise Have the Power to Control Pain, Suffering and Life Itself?

The documentary “The Human Trial” is a five-year journey exploring the development of stem cell laden implants into human subjects suffering from Type 1 Diabetes in the anticipation they will produce insulin. Five million people a year die from complications attributable to diabetes. If it doesn’t kill you it may very well blind you orContinue reading “RKS Film: “The Human Trial”: Should Private Enterprise Have the Power to Control Pain, Suffering and Life Itself?”

RKS Wine: Niagara Red Blends: Nyarai Cellars Soars Above the Mundane

In Niagara to review an inn and some restaurants this month I managed to speak with a few people in the wine trade and it was empowering to hear they agreed with a fundamental point I have with Niagara red blends. In Niagara Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are almost best retired as incapable of makingContinue reading “RKS Wine: Niagara Red Blends: Nyarai Cellars Soars Above the Mundane”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 2September2022: Toronto to Athens: Getting There is no Longer Half the Fun!

We booked this trip from Toronto to Athens on points. I wonder if we have been penalized by Air Canada for booking on points as when checking in on-line exactly 24 hours prior to departure as permitted by Air Canada in the entire plane there are three seats available? What’s that old Greek proverb “theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 2September2022: Toronto to Athens: Getting There is no Longer Half the Fun!”

RKS Wine: Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2020 Grand Réserve

Many will say Alsace vints the best Gewurztraminer. A few years ago I may have agreed with that statement until I tried Gewurztraminer from Mayhem Wines and Meyer Family Vineyards in British Columbia’s Okanagan. The trouble is that the British Columbia wines are small batch hence reach a small audience. Pierre Sparr is a bigContinue reading “RKS Wine: Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2020 Grand Réserve”

“Travels to a Different Time” :21-28 July 2007: Thessaloniki Greece

The flight from Munich to Thessaloniki was just over two hours in length on Air Berlin. Non descript ham and cheese sandwich on Wonderbread. After so much great Bavarian meats and cheeses who would have thought the Germans could have sunk so low. Arrived in Thessaloniki in 45-degree heat. Although the Porto Palace Hotel isContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :21-28 July 2007: Thessaloniki Greece”

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!”