Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS 2024 Film: “EARLYBIRD”: Theatre and Life Lessons

Mike (Joshua Koopman) owns a struggling small theatre playing it safe presenting “known plays” like “Romeo and Juliet” attracting small audiences but small is better than playing riskier productions that may fail to attract any patrons. Jerry, the landlord of the theatre premises, advises Mike when his lease expires in two months he will haveContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “EARLYBIRD”: Theatre and Life Lessons”

RKS Literature: The Sovereignty of the American People (Vonnegut)

“The sovereignty of the United States resides in the people, not the machines, and it’s the people to take back if they so wish. The machines,” said Paul, “have exceeded the personal sovereignty willingly surrendered to them by the American people for good government. Machines and the pursuit of efficiency have robbed the American peopleContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Sovereignty of the American People (Vonnegut)”

RKS 2024 Film: “All We Carry”: Fairytale, Fantasy and Playing the USA Migrant Game?

There are usually many sides to a story. The documentary “All We Carry” presents one side focusing on the suffering of thousands of migrants streaming towards the United States border somehow believing they are by rights entitled to entry and a life in the United States. Magdiel, Mirna and their child Joshua are self-described EvangelicalContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “All We Carry”: Fairytale, Fantasy and Playing the USA Migrant Game?”

RKS Literature: The Fork on the Road (Vonnegut)

“Every child older than six knew the fork, and knew what the good guys did here, and what the bad guys did here. The fork was a familiar one in folk tales the world over, and the good guys and the bad guys, whether in chaps, breechclouts, serapes, leopardskins or banker’s grey pinstripes, all separatedContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Fork on the Road (Vonnegut)”

RKS Literature: What Are Public Relations? (Vonnegut)

“Please, what are public relations?” said Kashdrahr. “That profession, “said Haylard, quoting by memory from the Manual, “that profession specializing in the cultivation, by applied psychology in mass communication media, of favorable public opinion with regard to controversial issues and institutions, without being offensive to anyone of importance, and the continued stability of the economyContinue reading “RKS Literature: What Are Public Relations? (Vonnegut)”

RKS 2024 Film: “East Bay”: A Parade of the Mostly Lost

“East Bay” opens with 39-year-old Jack Lee (Daniel Yoon) lamenting his lack of life and filmmaking success from his childhood to the present day. As a child he desperately prayed to God to make him successful. We watch God, an elder bearded Caucasian, throughout the film snickering at the misguided humans and at one pointContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “East Bay”: A Parade of the Mostly Lost”

RKS 2024 Wine: Puente Austral Reserva Privada 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile

The wine is from the Colchagua Valley in Chile which has evolved in the last 15 years from a quiet stretch of farmland into one of Chile’s largest and most active wine-producing wine regions. The relatively low elevation of the coastal hills allows the Pacific breezes to interplay with the Andean winds extending the region’sContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Puente Austral Reserva Privada 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile”

RKS Literature: Proper Corporate Drinking (Vonnegut)

“There wasn’t the inimitable hoarseness of an honest-to-God drunk in the lot. It was unthinkable that there was a man in the saloon without a glass in his hand, but it was also unlikely that many men would have their glass filled more than twice. They didn’t drink at the Meadows now the way thatContinue reading “RKS Literature: Proper Corporate Drinking (Vonnegut)”

RKS Literature: Proper Corporate Drinking (Vonnegut)

RKS Literature: War and Greatness (Vonnegut)

“There is something about war that brings out greatness. I hate to say that, but it’s true. Of course, maybe that’s because you can get great so quick in a war. Just one damn fool thing for a couple of seconds, and you’re great. I could be the greatest barber in the world, and maybeContinue reading “RKS Literature: War and Greatness (Vonnegut)”