Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner and The Russian Oligarch: Is There a Putin Lovechild Igor?

We haven’t heard much from the Penniless Pensioner in some time. He contacted me and apologized for not keeping in touch with me. He says he had taken up with a Russian oligarch Svetlana before “all this Ukraine crap”. Svetlana apparently made a fortune in vodka, oil and fentanyl and was staying in her TorontoContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner and The Russian Oligarch: Is There a Putin Lovechild Igor?”

“Travels to a Different Time” ; 27July1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Adopted by a Serbian Family: A Ride on a Putt Putt

Well I think I am in a tiny town called Drače in Croatia. What a beautiful beach! What clear sparkling water. There isn’t much to do but get up go to the beach, have Dalmatian smoked ham and a bun with a cold litre of Radenska mineral water, sit in the shade and head backContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” ; 27July1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Adopted by a Serbian Family: A Ride on a Putt Putt”

“Travels to a Different Time”: 26 July1974: Somewhere in Yugoslavia: Low Budget Paradise: Where in the Hell Am I?

I woke up today knowing I am north of Dubrovnik. A tiny village called Janiania? It is not on my map. I really don’t care as I know I must head north to get to Germany to leave Europe shortly. I am in the Twilight Zone and there is a beautiful ocean and lots ofContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”: 26 July1974: Somewhere in Yugoslavia: Low Budget Paradise: Where in the Hell Am I?”

RKS Wine: The Bordeaux River Keeps on Flowing

There is no shortage of Bordeaux reds flowing into Ontario at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. It is not a waterfall as the LCBO attempts to please all with a bit of this and a bit of that and none of many. At $19.95 there is a Château Tour Castillon from the Médoc whichContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Bordeaux River Keeps on Flowing”

RKS Film: “When We Were Bullies”: The Perpetrators and The Victims 50 Years Later

“When We Were Bullies” initially may seem to be a case of 50-year-old memories careening out of control. But in this case the documentary is not about a presidential election in Zimbabwe or some other esoteric event we have no real tangible connection to. It has to do with bullying and I venture to sayContinue reading “RKS Film: “When We Were Bullies”: The Perpetrators and The Victims 50 Years Later”

“Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 16: We Meet The Grand Ayatollah in Tehran Who Loves Pancakes and Waffles!

We arrive in Tehran after stopping to refuel in the Azores. We are met by an assistant to The Grand Ayatollah and taken to see him at his office. He has a big smile when he sees Reggie like they are long lost friends. As customary no business is talked until we have many cupsContinue reading ““Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 16: We Meet The Grand Ayatollah in Tehran Who Loves Pancakes and Waffles!”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 25July1974: All Over Yugoslavia: Massive Confusion in Dubrovnik: Minimalist Camping! Existential Question of Where am I?

I woke up shortly after my Peugeot 404 friends did, Alex and Eckart. On the road at 09:00. We encountered a traffic jam in Titograd but it cleared up and we stopped at supermarket to buy some food for breakfast. Not eating dinner we all were starving. The incredible scenery continued. We arrived at theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 25July1974: All Over Yugoslavia: Massive Confusion in Dubrovnik: Minimalist Camping! Existential Question of Where am I?”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 24July1974: All Over Yugoslavia: Turkish Invasion of Cyprus a Hot Topic: The Ugly American and Smashed Cars Down the Gorge: Yugoslav Army Mobilizes Behind Me!

Up for breakfast at 07:00. I met my German Easy Rider friend for breakfast. The room was buzzing with talk of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The borders into Greece may be closed because of the Turkish aggression. So there is some confusion. After breakfast I came up and packed with grim determination as IContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 24July1974: All Over Yugoslavia: Turkish Invasion of Cyprus a Hot Topic: The Ugly American and Smashed Cars Down the Gorge: Yugoslav Army Mobilizes Behind Me!”

“Travels to a Different Time : 23July1974; Nis, Skopje, Yugoslavia: Am I Jack Nicholson or Peter Fonda? Staying in Earthquake City!

Woke up yet again in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Unfortunately my jeans I washed last night are still damp. These are my last pair of pants. I went down for a great Continental breakfast at 08:30. I ate quickly and hung up my pants to dry further. Not willing to wait I headedContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time : 23July1974; Nis, Skopje, Yugoslavia: Am I Jack Nicholson or Peter Fonda? Staying in Earthquake City!”

“Travels to a Different Time ” : 22July1974: All Over the Place in Romania and Yugoslavia: The Squawking Plastic Parrot: Being a Community Project and a Cadillac With New York Plates Parked Outside a Shack

My last day in Romania. I have been here for 29 days and only have scratched the surface. When I return home I will have to read more about Romanian politics and society. I was up at 06:15 for a breakfast of my bartered Romanian honey and some bread. Off on a dilapidated bus courtesyContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time ” : 22July1974: All Over the Place in Romania and Yugoslavia: The Squawking Plastic Parrot: Being a Community Project and a Cadillac With New York Plates Parked Outside a Shack”