Robert K. Stephen – Page 181 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS Literature: Politics; The Unpaid and Paid Windbags

“Like many unpaid windbags he thought that he could combine the reports he read in the papers by paid windbags into an orderly scheme, upon following which a logical and sober mind (in this case his mind) could with no effort explain and foresee a multitude of world events. The names of countries and theirContinue reading “RKS Literature: Politics; The Unpaid and Paid Windbags”

RKS 2023 Film: “Here is Better”: Leaving That Box of Horror in the Desert

Yes, haven’t we all witnessed the carnage of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) particularly amongst veterans? Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Korea, France et al. Often it is the violent incidents associated with PTSD we encounter in the media. But there is also a quiet form of suffering without any violence except for violence against theContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Here is Better”: Leaving That Box of Horror in the Desert”

RKS 2023 Wine: A Bordeaux That Tastes Like Rusty Nails? Mon Dieu!

The 27May2023 Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) Vintages Release catalogue has a snippet of a jamessuckling.com review for a Château Clou du Pin 2020 stating, “There is a rusty note in the finish that reminds you of rusty nails.” Indeed a most interesting descriptor! Yet “clou” in French means “nail” and thank goodness notContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Bordeaux That Tastes Like Rusty Nails? Mon Dieu!”

RKS 2023 Film: “Tramps”: A Riotous Explosion of Music, Art, Dance, Fashion and Early Drag of the New Romantics

So what is a tramp? A hobo meandering along with his belongings in a kerchief on a pole tramping along aimlessly. Or it could mean a “trashy” and promiscuous person. In the Canadian documentary “Tramps” the New Romantic culture is explored from creation to death and it has elements of both views of what aContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Tramps”: A Riotous Explosion of Music, Art, Dance, Fashion and Early Drag of the New Romantics”

RKS 2023 Wine: Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz: An Affordable Côtes-Rôtie?

When I saw the Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz having just under 5% Viognier added to it I thought perhaps it might be somewhat similar to a Côte-Rôtie of the Northern Rhône in France where Viognier is added to the Shiraz in very small quantities. Côte-Rôtie is very dear in price. I have twoContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz: An Affordable Côtes-Rôtie?”

RKS 2023 Film: “How to Rob”: Bostonian Small Time Hoods and Mob Hitmen Meet Their Match

“How to Rob” is an American film which is not graphic nor big studio assuaging. Sean Price (Chinaza Uche) and Jimmy Winters (Josh Koopman) are two Quincy, Massachusetts small time hoods robbing small time drug dealers and participants in high stakes card games. They receive tips from bar owner Judge (Kevin Nagle). Their legitimate businessContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “How to Rob”: Bostonian Small Time Hoods and Mob Hitmen Meet Their Match”

RKS 2023 Wine: Herdade do Sobroso from Portugal’s Alentejo

I have made previous comments concerning the surge of red wines from the Alentejo region of Portugal leaving the Douro somewhat behind. In the 27May2023 LCBO Vintages release catalogue of the Portuguese reds 3 are from Alentejo and 1 from the Douro. The Herdade do Sobroso is a blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet SauvignonContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Herdade do Sobroso from Portugal’s Alentejo”

RKS Children’s Literature: “Children Who Dance in the Rain”: Materialism and Privilege Meets Spiritualism and Abject Poverty

“Children Who Dance in the Rain” is Sophie’s adventure from a cozy cocoon of materialism and privilege of the First World into the spiritualism and abject poverty of the Third World. Sophie has it mighty good as the daughter of Indian immigrants eating fancy breakfasts and playing on her tablet. She is spoiled and selfishContinue reading “RKS Children’s Literature: “Children Who Dance in the Rain”: Materialism and Privilege Meets Spiritualism and Abject Poverty”

Porthead Alert: Offley 10-Year-Old Tawny: Port Attention Deficit Syndrome

Offley is a Sogrape brand. Pre-Covid I recall going out with the Sogrape folks to the Bolsa (Old Stock Exchange) in Porto for some stellar Portuguese beef…prime rib roast I recall and we had Port with the beef. It worked perfectly and I won’t forget that match. But mention it to just about anyone inContinue reading “Porthead Alert: Offley 10-Year-Old Tawny: Port Attention Deficit Syndrome”

RKS 2023 Film: “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire”: Caught in the “Forest Fire” Conundrum

I thought it a perfect time to watch the American documentary “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” while Canadian forest fires rage in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta and Health Canada advises many Canadians to stay indoors, close windows and wear a N95 mask outdoors in face of a dangerous particulate smog. Yes I was going to watch allContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire”: Caught in the “Forest Fire” Conundrum”