Robert K Stephen (CSW)

“Travels to a Different Time : 1July1974: Bacău, Romania: Diary Disaster: East German Circus and Propaganda Film: Dirty Glasses

I am slowly recovering from hell. I lost three weeks of diary to the rain. Like a turkey I set up my tent at an angle on a hill and it rained and everything in my tent was soaked including my diary. The receptionist at the campground tried to cheer me up and showed meContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time : 1July1974: Bacău, Romania: Diary Disaster: East German Circus and Propaganda Film: Dirty Glasses”

RKS Film: “Întregalde”: Romanian Film Spins it’s Wheels in the Mud

Radu Muntean’s “Întregalde” like the Land Rover in the film that is trapped in the mud is spinning its wheels and not really progressing. I was expecting more from Muntean with 6 films under his belt. Three friends head out from Bucharest to deliver food packages in the remote Romanian countryside. Their Land Rover becomesContinue reading “RKS Film: “Întregalde”: Romanian Film Spins it’s Wheels in the Mud”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 19August1973: Getting Stared at by the Provincials in Bonn and Ending up in Philadelphia

Woke up in the hospital with all limbs intact. Tidied up and Michael arrived and Heidi shortly after with some breakfast. Heidi had to be in surgery in another hospital some 4 kms away so we drove her there. Michael took me on a tour of Bonn and after we met Heidi for lunch atContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 19August1973: Getting Stared at by the Provincials in Bonn and Ending up in Philadelphia”

RKS Wine: Harken 2019 California Chardonnay: Does Pineapple Upside Down Cake Still Exist?

I tend to avoid oaked California Chardonnays because often they are throwbacks to when California oaked Chardonnays were overoaked. Before I became more discerning than I am now the novelty of a Wente Oaked Chardonnay was compelling but after a few more bottles and a Yellowtail Southeastern Australian oaked Chardonnay the novelty wore off. OakContinue reading “RKS Wine: Harken 2019 California Chardonnay: Does Pineapple Upside Down Cake Still Exist?”

“Andrij The Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 9: Thanks for the Applause but We Need More

We have breakfast huddled in a conference room. President Biden and our President Zelensky are talking about further American aid. President Zelensky sees me on the screen and asks President Biden to keep close eyes on me. He thinks Putin is becoming unhinged after my attack on the Russian hockey player. He heard that PutinContinue reading ““Andrij The Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 9: Thanks for the Applause but We Need More”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 18August1973: Heidelberg/Köln, Germany: Woken up by Shrieking Elephants and Screaming Tropical Birds: Overnight Stay at The Hospital Hoping to Avoid Amputation

I was woken up today by shrieking elephants and squawking birds as the hostel is by the zoo! I phoned Heidi in Köln and Michael answered letting me know that Heidi would be working at the hospital all week-end. Got picked up by an American soldier with Iron Butterfly’s “In- a- Gadda -da -Vida” blaring.Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 18August1973: Heidelberg/Köln, Germany: Woken up by Shrieking Elephants and Screaming Tropical Birds: Overnight Stay at The Hospital Hoping to Avoid Amputation”

Passage of the Day: “Sickening: How Big Pharma Broke American Health Care and How We Can Repair It”

“Obviously, there is no single source of the dysfunction in our health-care system, but the most powerful force driving this toxic combination of poor health care and high costs is Big Pharma’s influence on American medical care. And the reason the pharmaceutical industry has been able to achieve this” tail wags dog” position is thatContinue reading “Passage of the Day: “Sickening: How Big Pharma Broke American Health Care and How We Can Repair It””

“Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog ” : Chapter 8: Waiting for President Zelensky’s Address to the United States Congress: Do I Embarrass Myself Biting a Russian Hockey Player?

I am feeling alone and frightened being in a strange country in a line of limousines surrounded by heavily armed men on my way to the White House. The only strength I have is that our President has asked me to do this for our country. Big and brave words but I am but aContinue reading ““Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog ” : Chapter 8: Waiting for President Zelensky’s Address to the United States Congress: Do I Embarrass Myself Biting a Russian Hockey Player?”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 17August1973: Heidelberg, Germany: The German Militaristic Character? Getting Thrown Out of a Bar

Up early to avoid the rush of the bright eyed and bushy tailed Europe on $5 and $ 10 a Day crowd. I get bad vibrations from this place. They seem obsessed with order and precision at this youth hostel. I feel like I am in military barracks and somewhat like a caged animal. ButContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 17August1973: Heidelberg, Germany: The German Militaristic Character? Getting Thrown Out of a Bar”

“Andrij The Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” :Chapter 7: Some Advice from CNN Newscaster Jim Prosciutto: I Want to Shit on the Lawn of the Russian Embassy in Washington

Chapter 7: Some Advice from CNN Newscaster Jim Prosciutto: I Want to Shit on the Lawn of the Russian Embassy in Washington I am on the CNN corporate jet with veteran newscaster Jim Prosciutto as we head from Poland to Washington. He is asleep as we take off from Warszawa and I am on theContinue reading ““Andrij The Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” :Chapter 7: Some Advice from CNN Newscaster Jim Prosciutto: I Want to Shit on the Lawn of the Russian Embassy in Washington”