Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)

“Travels to a Different Time” : 4July1975: Umea, Sweden: Germans Getting Piggish

Woke up freezing cold and with great bravery uncovered myself and quickly dressed. The Germans were up and stuffing themselves with breakfast and never even offered me some. I had no food. Come on guys have a heart as I got you in free to a couple of discos and beer to boot. Fortunately aContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 4July1975: Umea, Sweden: Germans Getting Piggish”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 3July1975 : Sundvall, Sweden: Up in the Land of the Midnight Sun

Up early and to the German’s Simca heading North into the land of the Midnight Sun. Bought our breakfast supplies on the way and kept bombing around until 15:00 where we stopped at a lake. The owner of the house invited us to swim and use his chairs facing the lake. We ate lunch inContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 3July1975 : Sundvall, Sweden: Up in the Land of the Midnight Sun”

RKS Film: “Atomic Hope”: The Bad Boys of Climate Change Advocacy (Toronto Hot Docs Festival)

There is nothing like documentary film to flip you on your head and make you realize that perhaps nuclear power is the most efficient and quick way to reverse climate change. Initially the anti nuclear power people were on the fringe but decades later they are part of the establishment so the pro nuclear powerContinue reading “RKS Film: “Atomic Hope”: The Bad Boys of Climate Change Advocacy (Toronto Hot Docs Festival)”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 2July1975: Stockholm, Sweden: Too Many Winos and Police

Up at 07:00 thinking I would go to student employment office but gave up on that idea. Went back to sleep feeling like bugs were crawling all over me. Scratching and itching! I am into my austerity programme so today I will eat one meal only. I will go to the smorgasbord at Hotel RydbergContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 2July1975: Stockholm, Sweden: Too Many Winos and Police”

RKS Film: “Million Dollar Pigeons”: Do You Still Think Pigeons Are Flying Rats?

“Million Dollar Pigeons” is a fascinating look into the exciting (yes I said exciting!) world of pigeon racing. Once a working man’s sport it has morphed into a multi-million-dollar business where recently two million dollars was spent by a Chinese bidder on a pigeon in an auction. The Chinese millionaires are in the auction arenaContinue reading “RKS Film: “Million Dollar Pigeons”: Do You Still Think Pigeons Are Flying Rats?”

RKS Wines: Bonarda, Should Malbec Be Worried?

Years ago the Argentinians launched International Malbec Day. I suppose then we won’t be seeing Bonarda Day? There is a certain mass appeal to the plush and lush Malbec. Perhaps that is why you see so much more Argentinian Malbec than Bonarda in Canada. How about the Lamadrid Bonarda which was ranked #37 in WineContinue reading “RKS Wines: Bonarda, Should Malbec Be Worried?”

RKS Film: “Images of a Nordic Drama”: Battle Royale in the Art World (Toronto Hot Docs Festival)

Norwegian art collector Haakon Mehren is reluctantly led to a barn in 1990 by his friend who has unearthed a huge cache of paintings by unknown Norwegian artist Aksel Waldemar Johannessen (1880-1922). Another collection of his paintings is held by his surviving daughter. Mehren thinking that “treasures in a barn” is a fairy tale isContinue reading “RKS Film: “Images of a Nordic Drama”: Battle Royale in the Art World (Toronto Hot Docs Festival)”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 1July1975: Stockholm, Sweden: No Midnight Shift for Me at the Laundromat

After breakfast a chat with a Brazilian guy who had found a job at a laundromat. He had the address of another laundromat that might have a job so I went to it and waited 10 minutes in the office to speak to the manager who had a job at the night shift. That wouldContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 1July1975: Stockholm, Sweden: No Midnight Shift for Me at the Laundromat”

RKS Wine: A Douro Delight? Prova Cega Sparks Demonstrations Against Canadian Wine Writer in Portugal!

Spoilt brats like me get so accustomed to consistent excellence of Douro reds from Portugal they often fail to become excited by them and instead nonchalantly assume excellence. Poor spoilt brat! What pressure on Douro winemakers to be held in such high esteem! I have had some knockouts at under $15 so money doesn’t necessarilyContinue reading “RKS Wine: A Douro Delight? Prova Cega Sparks Demonstrations Against Canadian Wine Writer in Portugal!”