Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)

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”

“Travels to a Different Time ” : 16June2007: Passau Germany: Bavarian Beer Obsession

Left the house at 17:30 for limo ride to Toronto Pearson Airport. Sent to the wrong line for check in. The new system of checking in online then again checking in again at the airport is idiotic. What time does it save? After waiting in a massive line in the wrong check-in counter as directedContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time ” : 16June2007: Passau Germany: Bavarian Beer Obsession”

RKS Film: “Waking up Dead”: Rock Bottom to Death or Salvation?

If you have viewed the 1947 or 2021 version of “Nightmare Alley” you have a very vivid recollection of what rock bottom is. In that film there was rock bottom to start, then success and then a horrific nightmarish rock bottom. In “Waking Up Dead” there would be a linear line of a descent toContinue reading “RKS Film: “Waking up Dead”: Rock Bottom to Death or Salvation?”

RKS True Story: My 13 Hours in a Maximum-Security Prison

Always game for a new experience I have moved on from acting as a golf marshal to an election official in Ontario. A few months ago it was for the Ontario provincial election. The polling station was in a condominium party room which was comfortable with a fridge and a microwave and immaculate bathrooms. YesterdayContinue reading “RKS True Story: My 13 Hours in a Maximum-Security Prison”