Weekly Finds #41 - February 24th, 2024
Sharing some of the interesting things I've gathered over the course of the week.
📖 Read
Robin Williams: Playboy Interview from 1992
The article portrays Robin Williams as a multifaceted individual, oscillating between childlike enthusiasm and mature introspection. Known for his comedic brilliance and dramatic depth, Williams navigated personal struggles, including substance abuse and public scrutiny, to emerge as a respected figure in both comedy and acting. Despite setbacks, he evolved into a prominent philanthropist, co-founding Comic Relief and advocating for social causes. Williams's talent transcended genres, earning accolades for his stand-up routines as well as his performances in iconic films like "Good Morning, Vietnam," "Dead Poets Society," and "The Fisher King." His versatility is lauded by colleagues like director Terry Gilliam, who praised Williams's ability to seamlessly transition between manic energy and tender vulnerability. The article, based on an interview conducted by Lawrence Grobel, provides insights into Williams's personality, describing him as a stream-of-consciousness communicator with a genuine concern for others. Despite his fame, Williams exhibited humility and compassion, as evidenced by his willingness to assist Grobel when his car failed to start. Overall, the article paints a vivid portrait of Robin Williams, capturing the essence of his complexity, talent, and humanity.
🙉 Overheard
“Love does not consist of gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.”
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
🎧 Listen
A couple of items from this week’s Music Curated issue.
I mix it up here and share various music with my readers, so you’ll see something different each week. You may be into some of what I share, and you may not be into other things, and that’s okay. My goal is to share the things I enjoy and I hope to introduce my audience to something they might not have otherwise heard, and I hope some of it also resonates with you.
Song: Hermanos Guitiérrez - El Bueno Y El Malo
There’s a bit of a theme today. I’ve lately been really into the music by the Ecuadorian-Swiss brothers Alejandro Gutiérrez and Estevan Gutiérrez, who started their Latin instrumental band, Hermanos Guitiérrez, in Zurich in 2015. From their fifth studio album released in 2022, El Bueno Y El Malo, this track by the same name is one of my favorites.
Album: Hermanos Guitiérrez -Hoy Como Ayer
The brothers’ third studio album from 2019 is the self-released Hoy Como Ayer, featuring the incredible Cerca De Ti. This is my favorite album of theirs, but they’re all quite enjoyable
🍲 🍹 Eat & Drink
My Big Fat Halloumi Salad
Dive into a flavor-packed adventure with this Middle Eastern-inspired salad. Loaded with tantalizing textures and bold flavors, it's like a meze spread on a plate.
Crunchy roasted almonds, chewy dates, tender eggplant, crispy chickpeas, and seared Halloumi come together in perfect harmony. After a toss in a zesty sumac dressing, peppery arugula and bitter radicchio provide the perfect backdrop for the vibrant medley of ingredients. Whether you prefer to mix and match with each bite or fully commit by tossing it all together, every mouthful promises a delicious journey!
Chirulín
Transport your taste buds to Peru with the timeless Chirulín cocktail. Crafted from a centuries-old tradition, this exquisite blend features smooth pisco, zesty pomelo, and a touch of cinnamon-spiced simple syrup. Served over ice with a pomelo wedge and cinnamon stick, it's a true delight for the senses.
In Lima, mixologist Tatiana Flores puts her own spin on the classic, infusing it with the vibrant tang of grapefruit and a splash of lime juice for extra zest. Perfect for aficionados of sours like the Paloma, Brown Derby, or Greyhound, it's a refreshing sip of Peruvian heritage with a modern twist!
🧒 Kiddos
My kids thought this was fascinating and wanted to share it with you all.
Light Can Evaporate Water Without Heat
Researchers at MIT discovered that evaporation, the process of turning liquid into vapor, can happen not only with heat but also with just light. Led by Gang Chen, the team accidentally found that water evaporated faster than expected when held by a hydrogel material. Further experiments showed that certain colors of light, like green, could trigger evaporation without needing any additional heat.
Their discovery, termed the "photomolecular effect," was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This revelation opens new doors for understanding evaporation's role in various environments, potentially impacting climate change research. The team's next step is to explore how light-induced evaporation occurs in everyday settings, like soils and ocean surfaces, and its broader implications for the planet.