I've had this soda. It actually tastes exactly like what it is but sweeter..extremely odd to drink. The curry one is just as weird because its like drinking a Japanese curry (which if you've never had it is amazing.)
I really like the garlic chili one myself. I'm not really sure if these are one of those sort of joke things just for fun and/or to see what Americans will try because its Japanese.

Or replaced two before they were worn thin...or used/retreads or a cheaper brand or learn to plan financially. I know there's going to be a lot of flack for "not understanding" but usually there's another way. That and knowing the "whole story," would help.

I've always found it interesting how the Chicago area is this weird amalgam of American language dialects. It's sort-of an anything goes place. You can do something like call a midday meal lunch but call an evening meal dinner or supper and no one thinks you odd for doing such. I'm guessing its the southern migratory influence that creates a weird dual terminology.

Same goes for trash/garbage can or slaw/coleslaw. You'll hear both terms used interchangeably, often by the same individual.
Another good example is yard/garage/rubbish sale, all three are used on signage and in reference to having a sale of your old junk on your front lawn.

Cell phone? Boom box? Dead weight and useless after the batteries run down.

America's tax dollars hard at work...

I recently had the pleasure of seeing the exhibition of her photos at The Chicago History Museum. (http://chicagohistory.org/planavisit/exhibitions/vivian-maiers-chicago) She made some incredible artwork with her photography. Looking at the exhibit makes one wonder how she was able to capture such raw emotion in some of the subjects. I was fascinated by the way she is able to pick out and highlight small details, like the crinkles on the edge of a newspaper, in a larger image.
I'm really looking forward to the documentary.

Dear Interwebs/Chain Restaurants/Peeps who love booze,

Stop calling every cocktail you make up a "martini." True martinis are a very small group of drinks and do not include things like chocolate, apple schnapps, or fruit. Also, serving a cocktail in a martini glass doesn't make it a martini any more than putting an elephant in a lake makes it a fish.

Sincerely,
Martini snob

The big problems that stem from putting roundabouts in the States is that the things aren't typically taught in driver's ed classes nor the driver's test (most places), likely because they're a rarity. Those two things create a lot of confusion when people here are confronted with them.
A city near me put a roundabout in a few years ago and the uproar it caused was tremendous.
They do make sense, WHEN people know how to use them.

No way either of my piggies would deal with this for long. Though, I did find out that Broker's Gin comes with little bowler hats that are prefectly guinea pig sized. Makes for funny pics if I'm fast enough.

Slowly but surely it is changing. We've a long long way to go but it is getting better. Simple fscf is: it's illness. you don't tell someone with cancer to just make their body magicslly cure itself. the same goes for psychological issues.
Unfortunately, some of the "improvement" is not for the better. The meds CAN help and can do a lot of good. Many people have biochemical issues that need to be adressed with medication. The problem arises when meds get handed out like candy and people aren't treated for the causes of some of their depression or anxiety or aren't given referral to things that can help them develop proper coping mechanisms like social workers or therapists. Don't get me wrong, in some cases medication is absolutely necessary and can save lives and help people immensely. The problem is, those meds make big pharma a lot of money, and sending someone to a social worker doesn't make the health care industry a fraction of what a long term prescription medication can.
The side effects can cause more (long) term health problems which (guess what) result in more meds. (See the cycle?) Things like massive weight gain, hypertension, absent libido, poor sleep, and unfortunately suicidal tendencies. The drug I was on caused such a slow downward spiral it was almost too late before I realized what was supposed to help, was actually killing me. The fact that my spouse and myself lost a friend to an antidepressant drug switch should have made us a little more aware but when you're in the thick of things it is exactly how Allie described. The list of bizzare and detrimental effects I experienced is almost a page long.
So, my biased opinion is, yes some need the meds, but they're handed out too easily by under qualified, and overly busy doctors in a broken system instead of doing the simple human thing and talking to someone and society needs to just "get over" the "but they'll think I'm crazy" mentality.

I am eternally grateful to people like Allie who share accurate depictions and are publicly honest about their struggles with things like depression. As illustrated in her post, there are many misconceptions that exist in regards to depression and other mental illnesses. She is doing a courageous thing that goes a long way to helping those who have never experienced it comprehend and those who do struggle to know they're not alone.

That "Takoyaki Pac-man" pic is so cool! I'd buy a print if it weren't so expensive. Then again, it is making me hungry so maybe that's for the best.

uhm "Sherlock and John Holmes from Sherlock."

As much as the fandom loves to "ship" the Sherlock and John relationship, I have to quote Dr. Watson on this one: "not his date." ; )