RKS Literature: How Can Frankenstein’s Creation Cease His Threats to Humanity?

“For some days I haunted the spot where these scenes had taken place, sometimes wishing to see you, sometimes resolved to quit this world and its miseries forever. At length I wandered through these mountains, and have ranged through their immense recesses, consumed by a burning passion which you alone can gratify. We may not part until you have promised to comply with my requisition. I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create.”

Mary Shelley, “Frankenstein”, 1818.

RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version)

Singapore 11October2025: Cultural Enrichment Session on Singapore: Getting the Quietly Obscene Gesture from a Trumpist

Jagged sleep. Nightmare about giving a botched political speech. A portent of political mischief to come momentarily?

Given this is the first day of our tour and our group of 18 are Americans (5) and Canadians recently arrived suffering from 12-15 hours time difference ABC International has no pity in holding a cultural enrichment session at a hotel meeting room at 08:00. Fascinating session when fatigue wasn’t tuning you out. Ethnic composition of Singapore is 75% Chinese, 14% Malay and 9% Indian. A simplistic explanation of Singaporean history given. In a nutshell: Singapore a wealthy country, many expats including Bangladeshi construction workers, a financial centre, paternalistic democracy and no homelessness.

In a question session I asked if President Trump has rattled his sabre at Singapore as he had been doing to Canada calling it the 51st state, insulting Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and calling Canada the land of the igloo people. I was told one of the 4 Americans on the tour and present in the room gave a polite obscene gesture in my direction after asking my question. I should have worn my sealskin boots are these are what Canadians wear to ward off the cold 365 days a year!

RKS Literature: Frankenstein’s Creation Declares War on Humanity (Mary Shelley)

“I became fatigued with excess of bodily exertion and sank on the grass in the sick impotence of despair. There was none amongst the myriads of men that existed who would pity or assist me; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No; from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and more than all, against him who had formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery.”

Mary Shelley, “Frankenstein”, 1818.

RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):

Singapore 10October2025: Yet Another Parsimonious “Welcome Reception to Meet Your Fellow Travellers”

Given the hefty sum paid for this tour upon reading in the itinerary “Welcome Reception” one expects somewhat of a full-blown reception with nibbles, cocktails, wine and perhaps a bit of music. But my past experience with our tour company ABC International in Malta this year taught me differently. In Malta the “Welcome Reception” at our hotel consisted of bargain basement Spanish wine and peanuts and chips. Malta, being a producer of wine and the focal point of the tour, should have been at the table, with its wines. In this case in Singapore, it was low quality wines from Southeast Australia, mass produced Singaporean Tiger lager with mixed nuts, supermarket potato chips purchased by the Tour Director, stuffed cherry tomatoes and mini cheesecake bits. Given the superb cuisine at the Singapore Shangri-La what miserable food. At least the nuts were mixed. How much extra did the almonds and cashews cost ABC International? A step up from peanuts in Malta! Extravagance!

RKS 2026 CANADIAN Wine: Tempranillo in British Columbia!

Look out Rioja! Tempranillo has appeared yet again in British Columbia, Canada. The first Tempranillo I encountered was from Stag’s Hollow in the Okanagan area of British Columbia and it was mighty impressive. This is far less so.

Inniskillin’s Discovery Series presents 500 cases of its 2020 Tempranillo from the Okanagan.

Aroma: Jampacked black fruit with cassis, black cherry and blueberry asserting themselves. Some cedar and dark chocolate. Impression is gruff and rough.

Palate: Packs a punch despite its thin texture. Runs hot. Acerbic and acidic. Brackish.

Personality: Hoping my novelty disguises my personality.

Cellarbility: Five years in the bottle hasn’t done much for the wine.

Food Match: Some hot and spicy meat dish.

Price: $35 CDN.

RKS 2026 CANADIAN Wine Rating: 73/100. Wine Align 89.

(Inniskillin Discovery Series 2020 Tempranillo, BC VQA Okanagan Valley, Inniskillin Estate Wines, Oliver, British Columbia, 750 mL, 14.5%).

RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):Singapore 10October2025: A Gringo and His Singaporean Dollars Are Soon Separated

Singapore 10October2025: A Gringo and His Singaporean Dollars Are Soon Separated

We met a few fellow tour members in the lobby of Singapore Shangri-La and decided to have a Singapore Sling at the landmark Raffles Hotel as after all that cocktail was invented there. We took a taxi to the Raffles and followed the lobby signs to the bar. At the entrance to the bar a swell of gringos mostly from the United States were braving the lineup and a 40-minute wait. A Singapore Sling for $44 Singaporean dollars ($47CDN). What a gouge! Headed instead to the Raffles’ courtyard bar for a Swiss Sling at half the price. How quickly a gringo and his Singaporean dollars can be separated.

View from the Raffles courtyard bar

Stunning example of British Colonial architecture.

RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Jackson-Triggs Shiraz from Niagara

You are more likely to see “Syrah” instead of “Shiraz” on Ontario wine labels. Is Jackson-Triggs hinting at an Australian Shiraz experience with their label for this wine?

Aged in a combination of American and French oak.

AROMA: Indeed, this has the richness and intensity one might expect from an Aussie Shiraz, but such attributes do not necessarily make a good Syrah. Definite Niagara in the wine but a richer than ordinary Niagara Syrah! Blackberry, blueberry, cherry pie and dark chocolate complimented by precise oak.

PALATE: Moderate but solid tannins with a texture of perky sophistication. Toasty. Peppery black fruit. Its rough creaminess may be a question of youth reticently guarding its fruit performance.

PERSONALITY: Consider me a rich Niagara Syrah. I can’t hide from my roots. I am not Australian! Plenty of that on the market.

FOOD MATCH: Monkfish slowly cooked (for 25 minutes) in a just about ready rich tomato sauce including garlic, onions, Kalamata olives, capers and San Marzano tomatoes.

CELLARBILITY: Will improve in the cellar. Consume prior to end of 2029.

PRICE: $30.

RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE RATING: 91/100. Decanter 2025 World Wine Awards 90.

(Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate 2022 Grand Reserve Shiraz, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Jackson-Triggs, Niagara-on-the-Lake,750 mL, 13.5%).

RKS Literature: Frankenstein’s Creation Wretched, Miserable and Alone (Mary Shelley)

“Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different than mine in every other respect. He had come forward from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with and acquire knowledge from beings of superior nature, but I was wretched, helpless and alone. Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition…..”

Mary Shelley, “Frankenstein”, 1818.

“Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: RORY CONTEMPLATES HIS DESTINY AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY

RORY CONTEMPLATES HIS DESTINY AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY

I was born late August 2025 in Denfield, Ontario. I have 4 brothers and sisters all destined to leave the warmth and protection of their mother to play in the lottery of life.

I recall Bob and Fay paid me a visit four weeks after my birth. They picked me up and sweet talked me. Bob looked in my eyes and we rubbed noses. I almost pooped on his shoe! Then in November departure from Denfield with Bob, Fay and their son A who sat in the back seat wrapping me up in a towel to keep me cozy warm. Yes I peed in the towel.

I was both frightened and excited to arrive at my new home. I ran around and around the walls of the main floor whimpering in awe at what the real world was throwing at me. I slept in the crate and woke up early in the morning crying and yelping being very fearful. Bob had to sweet talk me and rock me in his arms so I could fall asleep.

You have read about my adventures here to the present day so I will not bore you by repeating them.

My destiny is tied to Bob, Fay and A They have been good to me living with my stubbornness but playing with me, training me, encouraging me, feeding me, walking me, cleaning up my messes, bathing me, brushing my coat, taking me to the animal doctor and teaching me manners and some cool tricks. They sometimes become cross with me but give me a break saying that I am only a puppy but you are smarter than some of your errors may indicate. If my life is comparable to a lottery I have won the big prize. I even am blessed with a godfather Mr. G!

My community is all that I encounter including Dash, Mooky, Billy, Nigel, Remy and Jasper and their masters. I see them on my walks. All of them let me jump on them and give them my happy greeting. Billy and I play fight. My community will grow.

What adventures await me?

RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version): Singapore 10October2025: Garden of Eden at Singapore Shangri-La

Singapore 10October2025: Garden of Eden at Singapore Shangri-La

After breakfast up to room to smear on sunscreen and take it easy. We arrived a day before our tour commences to help acclimatize to the time difference. Feel groggy but not excessively so.

To the left of the reception desk are some very impressive gardens, gorgeous creations with tropical flowers, ponds, waterfalls and koi. Serene and unique for the interior of a hotel.

Outside more gardens and a wooden shell structure covered in orchids from its base to its ceiling. Humid but bearable this morning. Our driver in from the airport said there are three climates in Singapore: rain, sun and cloudy.

Walked down the entrance street to the hotel, Orchard Street to the start of the main shopping street. Well manicured winding streets with high end condos and “executive residences” for corporate executives from abroad working in Singapore’s financial centres. No toiling masses here!