Three Things Thursday — Parallel Lives, Pure Water, and Perfect Olive Oil
Three things can change your Thursday. One thing can change your world.
Hello,
Here are three things that brought me joy, added value to my life, made me laugh, made me cry, solved a problem, or just made life a little more interesting. Basically–cool stuff worth passing along.
Show – Dark Matter [Apple link]
I didn’t expect to love Dark Matter as much as I did. It’s one of those rare shows that hooks you in the first ten minutes and doesn’t let go. Yes, it’s technically science fiction, but you don’t need to like sci-fi to get pulled in – this is more about life’s big questions than alternate universes. It’s about choice, identity, and the countless versions of ourselves that might exist had we turned left instead of right.
The story revolves around a physicist who discovers a way to step into parallel versions of his own life – each one shaped by a single different decision. It’s suspenseful and emotional, but also haunting in the best way. You start thinking about your own life – the doors you’ve closed, the chances you didn’t take, the people who changed your direction without you even realizing it.
What makes Dark Matter so good is that it makes you feel something deeper than just entertainment. It reminds you how thin the line is between the life you have and the life you could’ve had. It’s smart, unsettling, and completely absorbing – the kind of show you’ll want to talk about long after it ends.
Gadget – 6-in-1 Digital Water Tester
Shout out to Shiv Gaglani for this one. This isn’t your average water gadget–it’s a pocket-sized science lab (for only $60). The 6-in-1 Digital Water Tester measures total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), electrical conductivity (EC), ultraviolet absorbance (UV275), temperature, and total dissolved solids (TDS). In plain terms, it gives you a detailed snapshot of your water’s chemical and physical makeup–how pure, mineral-rich, or potentially contaminated it might be.
I tested it across every water source in our house: kitchen faucet, pot filler, RO system, bathroom sinks, even the shower. Each reading told a different story. The EC and TDS show how mineral-heavy the water is. TOC, COD, and UV275 reveal the invisible stuff–organic compounds that can hint at decaying matter or filter fatigue. When the numbers shift, it means something’s changed, even if the water still looks crystal clear.
What I love most is how this small device turns something invisible into data you can see. It’s not for testing specific toxins like lead or PFAS, but it gives you a deeper, lab-grade view of what’s flowing through your taps. For anyone who likes to experiment, measure, or just understand their environment a little better, the 6-in-1 tester is endlessly fascinating–and surprisingly satisfying to use.
Taste – Fustini’s Olive Oil
When I lived in Michigan, I discovered a small shop in Traverse City called Fustini’s that completely changed how I think about olive oil. They specialize in single-varietal, single-origin oils — no blending, no shortcuts. The olives go from tree to oil in about three hours, which is extraordinary. The result is something you can actually taste — bright, peppery, alive.
I’ve been ordering from them ever since. My go-to is the Coratina, bold and robust, perfect for cooking. For salads or finishing dishes, I love the lighter Arbequina — smooth and buttery. And if you want something special, try their 12-year white balsamic vinegar. A drizzle of that on fresh tomatoes or salad? Pure bliss.
Fustini’s isn’t just another olive oil store. It’s a reminder that freshness, craft, and care still matter.
Here’s to another week of small joys and simple discoveries.
Always ❤️📚💡
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