Robert K Stephen (CSW)

“Travels to a Different Time “: : 2August2000: Samos, Greece: Bickering, Pale Chicken and Semi Raw Potatoes: Taxi Driver with Bum Ticker

At this small hotel there are often bursts of bickering. It started off in the morning very loud and heated. Over what the bickering is in honour of no idea. I have a limited Greek vocabulary. After breakfast off to the archeological museum in Vathi. Very small but some marble statues from 300-600 BC fromContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time “: : 2August2000: Samos, Greece: Bickering, Pale Chicken and Semi Raw Potatoes: Taxi Driver with Bum Ticker”

“Virus # 26” : Director’s Cut: , “Lessons Learnt From the COVIDs: The Cult of the Front-Line Worker”

There are the medical professionals and politicians who form the top of the pyramid in the COVID narrative but there are also grocers, gas station attendants, bus and taxi drivers and a whole host of people in “essential businesses” that remained open throughout the COVIDs. Hey I was one of those front-line workers as aContinue reading ““Virus # 26” : Director’s Cut: , “Lessons Learnt From the COVIDs: The Cult of the Front-Line Worker””

RKS Wine: Wineflation: Los Clop Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon: Management Discussion with Analysts

Many wine aficionados literally run to the LCBO for highly rated wine. It is a game to snatch a winner before others beat you to it. In this case it is a Los Clop Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 from Argentina rated a 97 by Decanter Magazine. When I see a score like this I thinkContinue reading “RKS Wine: Wineflation: Los Clop Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon: Management Discussion with Analysts”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 1August2000; Samos, Greece: Salivating Dog Wants My Jugular; The Impeccable Logic of Greek Coffee

After breakfast down the hill to Vathi to pick up a ticket on Olympic Airways to Athens. I sometimes go down a dirt path as a shortcut but there is a vicious dog that would like to sink his teeth in my neck and rip it out. Thank goodness the brute is chained but IContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 1August2000; Samos, Greece: Salivating Dog Wants My Jugular; The Impeccable Logic of Greek Coffee”

“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!”