If you’re a consistent reader of High Praise, you’ve probably figured out that I love a good kids product that is equally appropriate for adults. My latest find in this category is Kitpas crayons. Made from either rice bran or paraffin wax, these Japanese crayons allow for vibrant and layered drawing that really ups the game of any 3-year-old’s (or 33-year-old’s) doodle. They’re similar to oil-based cray-pas, but are thankfully water-soluble and non-toxic. We’ve been drawing on anything from paper to windows with these and the cleanup is incredibly easy. Just a really nice thing to have around the house. (Bonus: here’s a video of how they’re made.)
-DW
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My first thought when I saw Tuesday night’s tsunami warning issued in the wake of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Kamchatka, Russia was, Oh no, it’s here. “It” being, in this particular instance, the Cascadian earthquake outlined in Kathryn Schulz’s aptly titled and Pulitzer Prize-winning New Yorker feature, “The Really Big One.” Originally published in 2015 and possibly one of the best pieces of environmental reporting ever written (certainly the best one I’ve read), Schulz’ article methodically walks you through the long overdue megaquake that could devastate coastal cities and kill or displace tens of thousands people along the Western seaboard of North America. In one particularly harrowing section that remains seared into my brain, Schulz details minute by minute precisely what will happen when The Really Big One eventually hits, including what the warning signs will be (spoiler alert: there are none) and exactly how long one has to get to higher ground. If you haven’t read it, strap in and prepare for a riveting and terrifying read. And if you have, I can assure you it holds up to a second (or third . . . or fourth) reading.
-VvP
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You know what else is found in the Pacific Northwest aside from catastrophic earthquakes? The delightful marionberry. I didn’t know this until about 20 minutes ago, but these delicious blackberry hybrids are named for Marion County, Oregon, where they were bred by researchers at Oregon State University in the 1950s. It makes sense then that the Oregon-based Wyld would make the best tasting marionberry edibles I’ve come across. (To be fair, there isn’t a ton of competition.) These indica-leaning mellow edibles are sweet and a little bit tart (just like the real thing), and contain 10mg of THC per gummy (not like the real thing, but maybe some people at Oregon State are working on it). If you haven’t tried them, I say go for it.
-DW
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I’ve been a fan of chef Bun Cheam’s cooking at Red Hook Tavern for many years now, especially his more Cambodian-inspired specials and annual Lunar New Year dinners. I was especially psyched to learn that Cheam and Cait Callahan, Red Hook Tavern’s general manager and wine director, will be opening their own spot, Hōp, just down the block sometime this year. As with all things restaurant-related in New York City, Hōp’s opening has been delayed, but the good news is that they’re running a weekends-only pop-up at Billy’s Place in Industry City through August 24th. Reservations are required, and I suspect will book up fast. Don’t snooze on your chance to taste what’s coming before everyone else does—we can be smug about it together.
-VvP
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Understandably, tales of superhuman feats are almost always entirely about the athlete at the heart of the story. But I love when the focus shifts to those who help make these feats achievable: the Sherpas, the pit crews, the camera guys—all the important figures behind the scenes who are often putting themselves at similar risk without the promise of fame and glory. This article from Outside magazine takes a fresh look at those who help make “the toughest footrace on earth” across Death Valley possible to compete in, let alone win.
-DW
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I wish I had the words to describe the subject matter of astrophysicist and Gossamer Volume Eight subject Janna Levin’s new Substack, but unfortunately I left any understanding of physics back in 11th grade. Levin, however, is wonderfully aware of most laypeople’s shortcomings, and so has peppered her creative missives with audio-visual musical interludes to bring you in. Start there and subscribe if you’re interested in a little mental exercise.
-VvP
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