- Living with caring and loving Stephen Family. I like plastering my body next to theirs when they are sitting. I am not really a cuddler
- Greeting the Stephen Family at the door
- Treats especially meat a very rare commodity with The Stephen Family. My mandatory piece of toast and fruit at breakfast. I love Montreal style bagels. Oh and yes cheese!
- Sleeping in the sun
- Walks especially off-leash!
RKS 2023 Film: “Til Death Do Us Part”: Nasty Fights, Lots of Blood, Simplistic Plot
It is the day of the big wedding. Bride (Natalie Burn) decides not to marry poor Groom and she wants the wedding not to occur but additionally wants “out” of the “University”. The University is some shady organization specializing in hits in foreign jurisdictions. CIA? FSB? CSIS? Spectre?
You can’t simply out yourself from the University. Escape perhaps but you’ll be hunted down. The hunt starts when Bride flees to her family’s rambling country estate where Best Man (Cam Gigandet) and the Seven Groomsmen track down Bride. Bride is a killer and perhaps the best in the University and in a set of stylistic martial arts style fights assisted by knives, a golf club, a shovel and a chain saw the Groomsmen make their final walk down the aisle.
Great soundtrack and somewhat delightfully offbeat with 50’s rock, crooner jazz and rockabilly. However the plot is somewhat simplistic and perhaps a good excuse for violence.
What to call this type of film might be a bloody suspense film and the dance between the Bride and Groom will have you on the edge of the chair as you just know either the Bride or the Groom will be having their last dance.
Natalie Burn has the action sequences down pat. As for acting Cam Gigandet flashes some really hot talent as the slightly offbeat if not psychologically disturbed bad guy. Have they casted the new James Bond yet? Gigandet would be a good choice. The knife to the neck of the Best Man by the Bride is the weakest in the film as it drags on where the energy of the film at that point surpasses the actual scene.
North American theatrical release on August 4th.
You can see the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQpYoUEswRI
RKS 2023 Film Rating 79/100.
Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Bucket List
God decided when I should be born and he decided when I should die.
I had a full life and I have no complaints. I would have preferred to die in my sleep as all of us dogs and humans wish for. Not in the cards.
I would have liked to make it to my 15th birthday as a party had been planned and I love parties! So I really have one item on my bucket list and that was to visit New York and walk in Central Park. Mistress Fotini told me so many stories about Central Park. The lagoon, the baseball diamond, Strawberry Fields, break dancers and lots of Manhattan dogs. We had tentative plans to drive down so I would avoid the airplane. Well God had other plans for me. Master Robert had wanted to take me to Ritz-Carlton Central Park South so he could have a martini in the lobby bar and show me off.
And oh yes a walk across the bridge to Brooklyn! And perhaps some Hallal Chicken from a food cart on 42nd!
And one more thing. I would like to return to my home and tell The Stephen Family how much I miss them and tell them I am doing fine up here. I hope they feel everything is fine.
RKS 2023 Wine: Featherstone’s Pinkie Pinot Grigio
When I use “Pinkie” I am not referring to a socialist wine but rather the color of the 2022 Featherstone Pinot Grigio. Featherstone arguably makes Niagara’s best rosé but what can they do with Pinot Grigio?
Aroma: Tangerine, peach, apricot and rose Turkish Delight.
Palate: This is about as full bodied one could expect for a Pinot Grigio. It certainly advises your palate it is here! Orange, peach and some candy cane. A delightful bit of raspiness on the finish somewhat like an Encruzado from the Dão.
Personality: Hey are you a bit tired of that washed out Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio from Italy? Rest assured I will not wimp you out. I speak with character and authority. Moroccan chicken with clementines. I must chuckle a bit with the label that states the wine pairs well with scallops, risotto and chicken. For example how many diverse chicken dishes do you know that require a red wine. If any statement is made about food matches for any wine please be a bit more specific!
Cellarbility: I would risk holding this until the end of 2024.
Price: $17.95 CDN.
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100. Dean Tudor 90.
(Featherstone 2022 Featherstone Pinot Grigio, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Featherstone Estate Winery, Vineland, Ontario, 750 mL, 12.5%)
RKS 2023 Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2022 Albariño: An Okie Panokie from Toronto With His Mouth Open
Should I feel a bit like Jed Clampett from the “Beverly Hillibillies” wandering about them infernal goings on in Hollywood when I see Stag’s Hollow Winery in the Okanagan bottling Albariño. I mean that grape is big in Spain and in Portugal’s Vinho Verde but in British Columbia?
Hand picked, hand sorted and destemmed before pressing. Fermented in both stainless steel and older French oak.
Aroma: The peach and apricot has me thinking seriously this may be a Viognier but it isn’t. Perhaps that is the next Euro grape refugee Stag’s Hollow masters. Secondary notes of pineapple and guava.
Palate: My big fear of white wines is that they may be flinty and overly acidic but no such fear rises from the glass here. There is some very fine acidity complimenting the wine. Tangerine, sweet white grapefruit and some citrus. Minerality yes. A battle amongst fruit and minerality/acidity is like a debate between Donnie Trump and Donald Trump.
Personality: You might think me a bit rich and lush when you nose me but taste will dissipate any such thoughts. I make a statement without being flashy.
Food Match: More of a wine meant for food than for sipping. Simply prepared ocean fish like Orata, Spigola or Porgy. Being an Okie Panokie I’d say deep fried possum with peanut butter a la Elvis. Given my bizarre tastes in that regard the winery suggests pairing with a wide range of seafood. Right on.
Cellarbility: As I think of this as a fresh and vibrant wine consume by the end of 2024.
Price: $26 (CDN).
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 89/100.
(Stag’s Hollow 2022 Albariño, Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, B.C. VQA, Stag’s Hollow Winery, Okanagan falls, British Columbia, 750 mL, 12.5%).
“The Eternal Memory”: Powerful and Touching Documentary Against the Unwinnable Alzheimer’s: A Mandatory Watch
Years ago I worked as an orderly in a long care facility for seniors in Montreal. The money was good but it was shift work much of the time. 23:00 hours to 07:00 was the worst shift. However it helped finance university and provide for travel funds. There were many “spaced out” residents but in those days who heard of Alzheimer’s?
Fast forward to the widespread acknowledgement of Alzheimer’s as a disease and my initial thoughts at that time were that it just might be a pleasant way to move on to the next world. A little mental fog then a huge fog and death. Thank goodness for documentary films as I saw one several years ago, now forgetting the name, where a son documented his mother’s Alzheimer’s over several years. Alzheimer’s may start gently but as the mental fog strangles the memory there is not only a total collapse of memory but physical deterioration leading to death. That documentary made a huge impact on me. Alzheimer’s is a nasty disease that kills memory and then the body. A double-edged disease.
“The Eternal Memory” chronicles the Alzheimer’s deterioration of Chilean author and journalist Augusto Góngara and the struggle of his wife Paulina Urrutia, a famous Chilean actress and former Minister of National Culture, to care and nurture Augusto and to retain his memory. It is a losing battle she fights with compassion. While it is a study of Alzheimer’s ultimately it is also a tragic love story.
If you seek to understand the progression of Alzheimer’s this is a must view. No matter who it strikes it is an unpleasant story. One might argue the loss of Augusto’s memory is more painful to witness due to his intellectual background where a highly functioning brain is a given.
Augusto, as a television journalist chronicled Captain General Augusto Pinochet’s murderous Chilean military rule from 17December1974-11March1990. Countless murders, executions, beatings, disappearances of opponents. His co-authored book “Chile the Prohibited Memory” in 1997 dealt with the damaged collective memory of the Pinochet years. The view that a nation doesn’t know who it is without a memory. So a philosophical treatise now becomes Augusto’s personal story and with his deterioration his memory grows fainter, his frustration and anger increases but a viewer might assume his love for Paulina somehow remains eternal.
Directed by Maite Alberdi the director of the lighthearted “The Mole Agent” directs the film. You can see my review of “The Mole Agent” here https://setthebarlifestyle.wordpress.com/2021/03/19/the-mole-agent-nominated-for-best-dochttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-hxO7_oEZwumentary-feature-at-the-93rd-academy-awards/
Winner of the Sundance 2023 World Cinema Grand Jury Prize.
Opens in New York on August 11th Los Angeles/San Francisco on August 18th with a U.S. select city rollout by MTV Documentary Films following.
You can see the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-hxO7_oEZw
RKS 2023 Film Rating: 93/100.
Augusto Góngara died on May 19, 2023.
Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Brilliant Downtown Career
There are country Westies, city Westies and suburban Westies. Well I was a midtown Toronto Westie and that’s just fine with me. I liked my backyard, trees, grass and squirrels to chase. Living in downtown cement where can a Westie pee? On hot cement. Gross.
My moment of fame was marching in some parade called something like Gay Pride. Why were so many there half naked? Why did some men try and look like women and some women like men? I am puzzled. I marched in the parade with a rainbow flag in my mouth and had my photograph taken. Too much noise and loud music drove me a bit, pardon the expression, squirrely.
I also attended a Nuit Blanche celebration in downtown Toronto. We took the subway down which was so very noisy or that is what my sensitive Westie ears picked up. I really had to poop badly so I did it in a flower bed at City Hall. There were thousands of people so in a few places I had to be picked up. We played chase with a security guard at a big office tower where there was a huge installation.
There was also Kensington Market with people called Communists handing out newspapers and punks with their vicious huge dogs hanging out at a very dingy bar. I must admit I loved Jamaican patties, non spicy of course. And the cornbread when it was toasted at home and served with peanut butter. A Westie in bliss!
But not boasting so many people would stop and look at me and say how handsome I was. West Highland Terriers are beyond cute. They are God’s perfect canine creation! Ok I boast a bit!
So yes I never had a brilliant downtown career. And I was fine with that.
And I was never hit by a falling walnut from the huge black walnut tree in the neighbour’s yard!
RKS 2023 Wine: A Frappato From Planeta in Sicily: Looks Can Be Deceiving
A very light and transparent red. Hints at a light red.
Aroma: Light indeed. Bright red cherry intertwined with mega raspberry tinged by wildfire smoke.
Palate: Not exactly a hefty punch but the colour of the wine, light in this case, easily could lead you to a false assumption. While there is plenty of raspberry kicking around be prepared for some hints of Azorean volcanic soil grown Orange Pekoe tea. Some cactus pear and cinnamon and a peppery finish. Not much tannic presence but the pepper gives the wine some muscle and a long finish. Given this summer wet sauna weather serve slightly chilled . I like to refer to this wine as quasi rosé.
Personality: I look like a 99-pound weakling but looks are deceiving in my case. Light on the nose and more substantial on the palate.
Food Match: Grilled rainbow trout filets or farm raised salmon. Bagels, cream cheese and lox. Better yet watch with a glass the great Italian comedy “Johnny Steccchino”.
Cellarbility: I would consume by the end of 2024.
Price: $24.95 (CDN).
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 89/100. Jamessuckling.com 91.
(Planeta 2021 Frapatto, Sicilia Vittoria DOC, Planeta, Menfi, Italia. 750 mL, 12.5%).
Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Cleaning Lady and My Sixth Sense
Many dogs it is thought have a sixth sense. Master Robert and Mistress Fotini were amazed how I knew at least half an hour prior to the arrival of our Cleaning Lady that she was coming. I’d start barking and making a ruckus by the front door every single time without fail. Why I never liked the Cleaning Lady I simply have no answer for that.
And CLEANING LADY I am so sorry for having nipped you. You were in MY begging corner and I nipped you. A overzealous West Highland Terrier in his youth. We dogs are sometimes acting on pure instinct and invade my begging spot some protective urge sweeps over me.
I was crated after that when she arrived but there was just a bit of fear in her eyes. Please forgive me CLEANING LADY! West Highland Terrier’s have a Scotch blood in them that can get out of hand.
Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Terrible Itch!
West Highland Terriers have a reputation that is somewhat itchy! Some of us Westies are prone to skin problems.
I won’t go into the details but suffice to say a little itch became a hot inflammation. Biting and chewing gave glorious but temporary relief but moments later the itch burned more. Poor me and The Stephen Family. A vet prescribed some medication which only worsened the problem. Master Robert simply didn’t know what to do and in desperation we visited a special, and very expensive, canine dermatologist and it was determined I was allergic to the medicine that had been prescribed. The drug company picked up the dermatologist’s bill. Did I recall Master Robert, a lawyer, say in a fit of frustration, “I’ll sue their ass?” Eventually a drug called Aquopel was prescribed and it worked wonders although I had to wear a cone for a week to ensure I couldn’t chew my skin further. I had to take daily medicated baths for a month. I HATE water!!!! I was also restricted to chicken only kibble. And everything worked wonders. I had a little flare up a few years later but Aquopel worked immediately. So dear pet owner should your Westie have skin problems the problem could be yeast, food, environmental or even psychological. No way you’ll get me to a dog shrink!
I suggest if you have a West Highland Terrier, or perhaps any dog, you may want to go to westiesinneed.com for a review of “the skin issue”. The message may be that veterinarians do not always have the answer so you’ll have to do some leg work to combat skin issues. Trial and error.
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