The Sunday Digest 166
"Let your life proceed by its own design."
Welcome to The Sunday Digest — a free Sunday newsletter featuring long (and some short) reads, original columns, things I’ve saved over the last week, relaxing playlists, episodes releases, exclusive product drops, and more. Yes, you can reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you.
Sunday Read: Thirteen Waters: Tasting Notes from a Sommelier
by Amalia Ulman for The Paris Review
I hate plastic water bottles. I hate the flimsy caps. I hate how they crinkle when they’re half warm. I hate how they all taste a little different. I hate that I accidentally drank vodka out of them in college thinking they were water. I hate that hospitals require people to use them instead of reusable bottles. So like I said, I hate plastic water bottles.
But, I do understand the need for them. And when I actually have to purchase one, I do try to get something that’s glass over plastic. After this week’s Sunday Read, however, I now kind of want to become a bottled water sommelier.
Here’s an excerpt:
Most people, especially New Yorkers, who are proud of their tap water, mock my interest in mineral water; to them, “all water tastes the same.” I disagree. When I was little, my mom would send me to buy different brands of water; she had a special interest in some and a strong disdain for a few.
I was accredited as a water sommelier in 2023. Only two schools in the world offer these degrees: there is the Fine Water Academy, an online course taught by celebrity sommeliers, and then a course at the Doemens Academy near Munich, organized by Peter Schropp from the Water Sommelier Union. The decision, for me, was easy. The first sounded like a scam, whereas at Doemens I would study under a chemist and pass exams based on my capacity to distinguish different waters blindfolded.
Read in full here.
The Sunday Haiku: Industry S4E2
Wait all day to watch,
too exhausted to finish,
so let’s just save it.
New Episode › Retail Therapy 139: Traitors, Chillets, and 2016 Fit Checks
A look back at 2016 after how it's captured the internet over the last week, the men's haircut that dominated The Golden Globes, Traitors style (and further discussion filled with spoilers), Nike ACG's Olympics drop, non-alcoholic martinis, the state of slop bowls, who is reading the most, wishlist items, and more.
Listen to Retail Therapy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and anywhere else podcasts are found. You can also follow Retail Therapy on Substack.
Things I Saved This Week
Of Note: This post kind of rattled me when it came across my feed because it’s the same room we stayed in for our honeymoon.
My Sunday To-Do List
A high of 64 today means time will be spent outside.
My clothing chair is… covered in clothing. Time to put away, wash the delicates, or take stuff to the drycleaner.
A new print was supposed to arrive on Friday but got delayed in customs. Rather than hang it today, it looks like I’m going to create a spreadsheet and log all the art I own. I don’t know why I feel compelled to do this, but feels like something Future Me will thank Current Day Me for doing it.
Now Airing: Industry Season 4 Episode 2.
Whether you have a busy Sunday or a relaxing one, I hope you can leave it feeling fulfilled.
— Will
Would love to see a post about your art - your list, photos, how your source/find art! That has been the hardest part of decorating our home for my fiance and I.