RKS Literature: Why is Frankenstein’s Creation so Malicious? (Mary Shelley)

“I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me. You would not call it murder if you could precipitate me into one of those ice-riffs and destroy my frame, the work of your own hands. Shall I respect a man if he condemns me? Let him live with me in the interchange of kindness, and instead of injury I would bestow every benefit upon him with tears of gratitude at his acceptance.

Mary Shelly, “Frankenstein”, 1818.

RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):Singapore 11October2025: Singapore Panoramic Tour: Is Singapore Soulless?

Singapore 11October2025: Singapore Panoramic Tour: Is Singapore Soulless?

“Singapore Panoramic Tour” sounds a bit easy peasy just what the doctor ordered for haggard jet laggers. On a luxury coach (no WC facilities) at 09:15. First stop Merlion Park at the Esplanade Bridge. Right behind us one views the Singapore skyline with innumerable skyscrapers many with bank and insurance company signage. Is this Manhattan? Our tour guide, a former trader of financial instruments, notes Singapore is the third largest commercial centre in the world. Despite the urban nature of the city centre lush foliage plantings create an illusion of space. Is Singapore soulless in all its glitter and affluence?

Across the water from Merlion Park one can see a huge casino and hotel somewhat as imposing as the Sydney Opera House. I am not sure I expected such bland modernity and the wealth of Singapore. The only toiling masses I can see in the blistering heat and humidity are Bangladeshi construction workers.

The tourists, many Indonesians on this visit, flock to the statute of the mythical Merlion which possesses the body of a fish and the head of a lion. Its fish like body symbolizes Singapore’s origins as a fishing village. The statue’s head represents the city’s original name Singapura (lion city in Sanskrit). According to legend, Sang Nila Utama- a Srivijayan prince of Palembang- landed on Singapore’s shores amidst a tempest at sea. Near the mouth of the Singapore river, the prince spied a strange creature, which he identified as a lion, thus giving Singapura its name. This legend is embodied in the statute at Merlion Park.

Spouting water at its mouth, the Merlion statue stands at 28 feet high. It was designed by Kwan Sai Kheong, built by local craftsman Lim Nang Seng and unveiled in 1972 by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. It faces east which is believed to a be a direction that brings prosperity.

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.