Rick Rubin’s House on the Mountain test: Create according to your own taste, not for applause, critics, algorithms, or market demand. “Imagine going to live on a mountaintop by yourself, forever. You build a home that no one will ever visit. Still, you invest the time and effort to shape the space in which you’ll spend your days. The wood, the plates, the pillows—all magnificent. Curated to your taste.” “This is the essence of great art. We create our art so we may inhabit it ourselves.” “I'm willing to go to extremes to make the thing that I want to inhabit and it's not for anyone else. it's just for me.”

Keira Knightley says she won’t return to Pirates of the Caribbean because the franchise destroyed her reputation. “I was seen as shit because of them, and yet because they did so well I was given the opportunity to do the films that I ended up getting Oscar nominations for.” “It’s a funny thing when you have something that was making and breaking you at the same time.” “They were the most successful films I’ll ever be a part of, and they were the reason that I was taken down publicly. So they’re a very confused place in my head.” Knightley also says the productions consumed years of her life. “The hours are insane. It’s years of your life, you have no control over where you’re filming, how long you’re filming, what you’re filming.”

Subnautica 2 lead designer Anthony Gallegos has addressed the issue of piracy following the game’s early access “I cannot condone piracy, but I get why people do,” “Just to be clear, pirates are gonna do their thing. We were all kids once. Money and the economy are very hard. I get it.” Gallegos clarified that his main frustration was not with piracy itself but with those who openly boasted about illicit copies in the official Discord server. “It wasn’t the piracy that bothered me. It was the people who flagrantly walked in here and waved it in the faces of people who were waiting to play legitimately.” He also addressed misconceptions about his personal wealth: “I’m very much not [a millionaire]. I don’t own a home. I rent.” Gallegos added that the team “just wanted the best launch possible for our people.” Despite the issues, the game has sold over 2 million copies with strong concurrent player numbers on Steam.

Lunch today. Here's the recipe and instructions: Pesto Veggies with Black Lentils and Sweet Potato 1–2 servings
 Prep: 15 min
 Cook: 25–30 min Total : 40–45 min Ingredients Veggie pesto: * 1 packed cup fresh basil leaves * 2 tablespoons olive oil * 2 tablespoons pine nuts * 1 small garlic clove * 1 to 2 tablespoons water, as needed Vegetables: * 1 cup cauliflower florets * 1 cup broccoli florets * 1/4 cup sliced red onion * 1 small garlic clove, minced * 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved * 1 medium zucchini, sliced * 1 tablespoon avocado oil or and high smoke point oil Lentils and sweet potato: * 1 cup cooked black lentils, cooked in vegetable broth * 1 small sweet potato, peeled if desired and cut into cubes * Water for steaming or boiling Finishing: * 2 oz sliced black Kalamata olives * 1 teaspoon truffle oil, optional * Microgreens for garnish, optional Instructions: 1. Make the pesto * Add basil, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and a small splash of water to a blender or food processor. * Blend until smooth or slightly textured, depending on preference. * If needed, add a little more water to help it blend. * Taste and adjust seasoning if using salt. 2. Cook the lentils * Rinse the black lentils if needed. * Cook 1 cup of black lentils in vegetable broth according to package directions until tender but not mushy. * Drain any excess liquid if necessary and set aside. 3. Steam the sweet potato * Place the cubed sweet potato in a steamer basket or small pot with a little water. * Steam until fork-tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. * Set aside. 4. Sauté the vegetables * Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. * Add the red onion and garlic first and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. * Add cauliflower and broccoli and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. * Add zucchini and cherry tomatoes and continue cooking for another 4 to 6 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still vibrant. 5. Combine with pesto * Turn the heat to low. * Add the pesto to the vegetables and stir well to coat everything evenly. * If the mixture is too thick, add a small splash of water to loosen it. 6. Assemble the dish * Spoon the cooked black lentils onto plates or into bowls. * Add the steamed sweet potato. * Top with the pesto vegetables. * Add sliced Kalamata olives over the top. * Drizzle with truffle oil if using. * Finish with microgreens for garnish. Serving Suggestion * Serve warm as a main dish for 1 hearty serving or as 2 lighter servings. * This dish also works well with extra lemon juice on top if you want brightness. Health Benefits * Black lentils provide plant-based protein, fiber, iron, and slow-digesting carbohydrates that support fullness and steady energy. * Broccoli and cauliflower supply vitamin C, vitamin K, and glucosinolates, which support antioxidant and detoxification pathways. * Zucchini, tomatoes, red onion, and garlic add antioxidants and phytonutrients that support overall cellular health. * Sweet potato provides beta-carotene, potassium, and fiber, supporting immune and digestive health. * Basil, pine nuts, and olive oil contribute healthy fats and aromatic compounds that support satiety and flavor. * Kalamata olives add heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and a savory finish. * Microgreens add concentrated micronutrients and a fresh garnish.