Welcome to the Friday Five! For those of you who are new to this (hi, thank you for being here!), the Friday Five is my weekly roundup of music, art, food, and internet goodness that sparks joy or brings some relief. Stay tuned for Friday Fives from special guests in weeks to come. Share this with someone you’re thankful for.
Song: I first heard Luther Vandross in one of those Time-Life music commercials advertising a compilation CD as a child and his voice and smile had me mesmerized. “Never Too Much” is like a warm hug in song form, and the music video is even sweeter, with Luther singing direct-to-camera in the studio interspersed with shots of beautiful people in New York City. If this song does not make you smile at least once, you’re entitled to a partial refund on this e-mail.
Recipe: I made this sweet and spicy gochujang pasta this week and I wanted to drink the sauce with one of those massive bubble tea straws. This is better than the best pasta alla vodka I’ve ever had (I still love you, Jon & Vinny’s). It’s a deeper spice with a hint of sweetness from honey. I didn’t add cherry tomatoes making this and I don’t think it needs it! Please make this and let me know how much of the sauce you ‘taste test’ because it’s so delicious. It was at least four spoonfuls for me.
Poem: There are a few poems I live by and this is one of them. I turn to it all the time, and it feels especially prescient now. It’s by Saadi and called “Bani Adam,” which means ‘the children of Adam.’ I have it memorized in Farsi and it sounds a lot more beautiful + makes more sense that way, but I think the message is still clear. We’re all branches of the same tree — if one of us is at risk, all of us are at risk.
The sons of Adam are limbs of each other,
Having been created of one essence.
When the calamity of time affects one limb
The other limbs cannot remain at rest.
If you have no sympathy for the troubles of others,
You are unworthy to be called by the name of a Human.
Social Media Follow: I never played with Sylvanian toys or knew what they were until recently, but I love following the Sylvanian Families on Twitter for a dose of purity and happiness (see below). Simultaneously, I enjoy the Sylvanian Drama account on TikTok — run by a young Irish woman who creates deeply dark soap operas with these cute bunnies and bears.
Internet Content: Irish Twitter is wonderful. This first tweet and the numerous replies led me into a deep but hilarious rabbit hole.
Happy almost weekend. If you made it this far, take a deep breath and maybe… unclench your jaw.
xo Roya
i haven't cooked in a couple weeks but this pasta recipe is calling my name <3