Category: Berry Interesting

Life advice you didn’t ask for, trends you’ll forget by next week, and feel-good fluff designed to help you stop doomscrolling, at least for five seconds.

The Cities with the Most Pleasant… DMVs?

Let’s be honest… no one walks out of the DMV raving about how delightful the experience was. At best, you leave thinking, “Hey, that wasn’t as soul-crushing as I feared.” But according to a new report, some cities actually manage to make the process almost… pleasant?

The folks at “Sudoku Bliss” (yes, really) analyzed online reviews and experiences from 140 DMV locations across 30 major U.S. cities, and they’ve crunched the data to find out where your DMV dreams… or nightmares… are most likely to come true.

The Best DMV Cities

If you’re looking for a stress-free license renewal, these ten cities scored highest for short wait times, decent service, and low frustration levels:

  1. Indianapolis – Honestly, this might be their biggest tourism pitch yet.
  2. Phoenix
  3. Seattle
  4. Jacksonville
  5. Philadelphia
  6. Chicago
  7. Baltimore
  8. Detroit
  9. New York City
  10. San Antonio

Phoenix, Jacksonville, and Philly even got special shout-outs for having the most pleasant DMV locations overall. We’re not saying they hand out lattes and compliments… but we’re not not saying it either.

The Worst DMV Cities

On the flip side, here’s where your DMV visit might feel like a form of punishment:

  1. Charlotte – Three of the five most-hated DMV offices are in Charlotte alone. Ouch.
  2. Portland, Oregon
  3. Austin
  4. Boston
  5. San Francisco
  6. Memphis
  7. Denver
  8. Oklahoma City
  9. Los Angeles
  10. Fort Worth

Oklahoma City gets some redemption here… they were named the “most improved,” so maybe they’ve just been working through some things. On the other hand, Los Angeles, Nashville, and D.C. were called out for being stuck in DMV purgatory with no signs of improvement.

The Best Cereals of All Time

I estimate that I’ve eaten no less than 973,000 bowls of cereal in my lifetime. Something that delicious, that can be made that fast . . . It’s hard to believe I ever moved on to other foods.

Name a better way to give yourself mouth love in under a minute. Actually, never mind. Don’t do that. 

There are two types of cereal fanatics in the world. One who grew up with cool parents who gave them access to “sugared cereals” at a young age. And that love of cereal and milk has only grown throughout their life.

The other type had parents who forbade all sugared cereals, and AT BEST they could maybe get some Kix or Raisin Bran if they were lucky. 

Before we go any further, I want to make this point perfectly clear.  Kix sucks.

But after having stale Kix for most of your formative years, the burning desire inside you to explore other cereal options has only fermented. 

If you hadn’t noticed, the two groups of people (ones who were allowed sugared cereal, and ones who were not) encompasses everyone on earth… because everyone loves cereal! And if you’re the rare person who doesn’t, it’s because milk gives you the poops.  

And that’s okay! But I bet you spent a lot of time trying oat milk, or goat milk, or lactose free milk in the hopes that you and the Trix Rabbit could have a love affair once more.

So, without further ado, here are the TOP TEN cereals of ALL TIME:

  1. Cinnamon Toast Crunch (NOT the bacon version, sorry.)
  2. Cocoa Krispies
  3. Fruity Pebbles
  4. Cinnamon Life
  5. Honeycomb
  6. Cap’n Crunch with Crunch Berries
  7. Wheaties (The best healthy one by a landslide)
  8. Lucky Charms
  9. Froot Loops
  10. Frosted Flakes

Who wants to fight about it?

Other fantastic cereals that just missed the cut are: Golden Grahams, Cocoa Puffs, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Total. Also shoutout to Crispix, who would have been in the top 10, but only if you dump a couple spoonfuls of sugar on top.

Are These the Best Old-School Arcade Games of All Time?

If you grew up in the glow of an arcade cabinet, pumping quarters into machines and battling for high scores, you’re not alone. The golden age of arcade games holds a special place in many hearts—and now, the internet has spoken.

Ranker.com recently asked readers to vote for the best classic arcade games of all time, and the results are basically a love letter to joysticks, 8-bit soundtracks, and pixelated glory. Spoiler: Pac-Man still rules the maze.

Here’s the full Top 20 list:

  1. Pac-Man – The OG icon of arcade gaming chomps its way to #1.
  2. Galaga – Pew pew! Still one of the most satisfying space shooters ever made.
  3. Street Fighter II – Where friendships went to die. Or at least took a punch.
  4. Donkey Kong – The game that gave us Mario and barrels of rage.
  5. Frogger – Teaching us the dangers of traffic long before driving school.
  6. Space Invaders – Those aliens just never quit.
  7. Mortal Kombat – Finish him! (And maybe traumatize young gamers everywhere.)
  8. Asteroids – A vector-graphic classic. Still hypnotic.
  9. Ms. Pac-Man – She’s faster, tougher, and has better mazes than her man.
  10. Double Dragon – Tag-team street fighting at its finest.
  11. Dig Dug – Blowing up underground monsters with a bike pump never gets old.
  12. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game – Cowabunga, dudes!
  13. Centipede – Speed, precision, and mushroom warfare.
  14. Defender – Rescue mission meets button-mashing chaos.
  15. Mario Bros. – Before the Super came along, this was the humble beginning.
  16. 1942 – Old-school air combat with a side of loop-de-loops.
  17. Gauntlet – “Wizard needs food, badly.”
  18. Rampage – Smash buildings, eat people, be a monster. Therapeutic.
  19. Golden Axe – Swords, magic, and side-scrolling brawls.
  20. The Simpsons Arcade Game – A chaotic and hilarious family beat-’em-up.

Whether you were Team Joystick or just there for the greasy pizza and neon lights, this list hits all the right nostalgia buttons. And if you’re thinking “Hey, where’s [insert your favorite]?” — the list actually goes to 100+, so it’s probably on there. Check it out.

Should Left Turns Be Illegal? One Expert Thinks So—Here’s Why

It might feel like a small thing, but that dreaded left turn across oncoming traffic could be one of the most dangerous moves you make behind the wheel.

Now, a civil engineering professor at Penn State is making the case that we should rethink left turns entirely – and ban them at busy intersections.

His reasoning? The stats don’t lie.

Intersections are already danger zones, accounting for 40% of all crashes.

More than 60% of those wrecks involve someone trying to make a left. Worse yet, half of those left-turn crashes result in a serious injury, and one in five ends in a fatality.

But it’s not just about safety. Left turns can also be a huge time suck for everyone who’s not turning left.

Left turns are huge time wasters.

Left turn signals make things safer. But it means the rest of traffic has to wait just so a few cars can inch across. That stop-and-go inefficiency adds up, especially during high-traffic times.

That’s why the professor is calling on more cities to limit or ban left turns altogether, at least during peak hours. The goal? Make intersections flow more smoothly and reduce the risk of deadly crashes.

While banning left turns en mass might sound unrealistic, the idea isn’t without precedent.

Cities like San Francisco, New York, and parts of Michigan already use strategies to reduce or reroute left turns. UPS even uses routing software that avoids them entirely, not just for safety but to save time and fuel.

So before you grumble about the extra loop around the block, just remember: ditching left turns could mean a safer, faster commute for everyone.

If nothing else, getting stuck behind that person turning left would be one less thing to road rage about.

Our Favorite Summer Activity Isn’t Grilling—It’s Ice Cream

If you’ve got a popsicle in one hand and a scoop of rocky road in the other… I’m not sure how you’re also browsing the internet. But congrats – you’re living your best summer life!

A new poll confirmed that eating “ice cream or popsicles” is America’s #1 favorite summer activity. A full 60% of people love it, and another 35% say they like it. Only 1% admitted to hating it, and we assume they’ve been reported to the proper authorities.

Here’s the full top 10 rundown of summer favorites, based on what Americans actually enjoy most:

  1. Eating ice cream or popsicles
  2. Going on vacation
  3. Grilling
  4. Road trips
  5. Going to the beach
  6. Hiking or nature walks
  7. Swimming in pools
  8. Stargazing
  9. Watching fireworks
  10. Picnics

A few honorable mentions that just missed the top 10: boating, lounging in a hammock, roasting marshmallows, and amusement park adventures.

The biggest surprise? Sunbathing ranked low. Only 14% of Americans say they love laying out in the sun, while 18% outright hate it. Apparently, SPF and air conditioning are winning the culture war.

So if your summer checklist includes ice cream, beach days, road trips, and maybe a little stargazing, you’re officially doing it right.

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: July 6-12

Jared Fogel is a creep, NFL players vs. fireworks, and Oreo Thins make their debut. Here are 10 things that happened 10 years ago this week.

We found out Jared from Subway was a perv.

The FBI raided Jared Fogle’s home in Indiana on July 7, 2015 as part of a child pornography investigation. Subway immediately dumped him as their spokesman. Even worse, his cameo in “Sharknado 3” got cut! He agreed to a plea deal a month later that put him away for 15 years. He won’t be eligible for parole until 2029.

Two NFL players lost fingers playing with fireworks.

Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul had his right index finger amputated on July 8, 2015, four days after a firework mangled his hand. Bucs cornerback C.J. Wilson also lost two fingers in a fireworks mishap that same Fourth of July. The injury ended Wilson’s career. Pierre-Paul missed half a season and went on to make the Pro Bowl in 2020.

Your odds of winning the Powerball got worse.

They added 10 more balls, but also dropped the number of Powerballs from 35 to 26. All told, it lowered the odds of hitting the jackpot from 1 in 175 million to 1 in 292 million, but the odds of winning smaller prizes increased. The changes led to the first $1 billion Powerball jackpot winner just six months later. ($1.59 billion in January 2016.)

Oreo Thins made their debut.

ABC News noted the thinner, snappier version took longer to soften when dunked in milk – 37 seconds vs. 19 for the O.G. (They also reported Thins were only 7 fewer calories, but it’s actually 18 fewer.)

The Women’s World Cup Final was the most-watched soccer match in U.S. history.

26.7 million Americans tuned in to watch the U.S. score four goals in the first 16 minutes and beat Japan 5-2. The ratings record stood for seven years until the Men’s World Cup Final between Argentina and France narrowly topped it with 26.73 million in 2022.

Meek Mill had his first #1 album.

“Dreams Worth More Than Money” went on to become the first platinum album of his career. His 2018 album “Championships” also went platinum.

A kid passed his driving test, then his mom crashed into the DMV.

It happened at a DMV in Huntsville, Alabama. She claimed the brakes didn’t work, but her son had just passed his test in the same car, so…

Taylor Swift gave $50,000 to an 11-year-old fan with cancer.

Naomi Oakes’ cancer went into remission a year later. She graduated from high school in 2022. 

LucasFilm announced a Han Solo spinoff was in the works.

“Solo” came out in 2018 and made $393 million, but cost $275 million to make. By “Star Wars” standards, the $118 million profit was considered a modest success.

“Minions” was a massive hit.

The “Despicable Me” spinoff outgrossed the original, raking in $336 million. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” made even more in 2022, leading to a third Minions movie that was announced in July 2024.

Which States Are the Best and Worst for Summer Road Trips?

If you’re mapping out the ultimate American road trip this summer, here’s a hot tip: maybe don’t start in Delaware. Or end in Delaware. Or drive through it unless your GPS absolutely insists.

WalletHub just released its annual list of the Best and Worst States for Summer Road Trips, and Delaware came in dead last. Yes, last. Fifty out of fifty.

The ranking looked at 32 factors, including cost, safety, and how many things there are to actually do.

National parks, beaches, amusement parks, lakes, scenic drives… basically all the reasons you’d leave your house in the first place. And apparently, Delaware offers… not a lot of that.

On the flip side, Minnesota took the top spot, which is a win for lakes, mosquitoes, and people who say “ope” unironically.

Here’s the Top 10:

  • 1. Minnesota
  • 2. New York
  • 3. Ohio
  • 4. Utah
  • 5. Louisiana
  • 6. Florida
  • 7. Idaho
  • 8. Texas
  • 9. North Carolina
  • 10. Pennsylvania

And now, the Bottom 10, aka the states where your road trip dreams might go to die:

  • 50. Delaware
  • 49. Connecticut
  • 48. Rhode Island
  • 47. Vermont
  • 46. Montana
  • 45. Hawaii
  • 44. California (amazing things to do, disgusting gas prices)
  • 43. New Mexico
  • 42. Arkansas
  • 41. Maryland

Some bonus tidbits: Louisiana is the cheapest state for a road trip. Idaho is the safest. California has the most to do, but good luck affording any of it unless you’re road-tripping in a Prius and living on protein bars.

And if you’re looking to not get rear-ended, steer clear of New Mexico, South Carolina, and Tennessee… they are the least-safe states to road trip through.

And why is Delaware last? Well, it’s small, and it’s quiet. So unless you’re really into scenic bank headquarters and toll booths, maybe keep driving.

Hallmark’s Christmas in July Is Here

Break out the cocoa and crank up the AC because Hallmark Channel’s beloved Christmas in July tradition is back starting today. And this year, it’s coming with a fresh sprinkle of holiday magic: a brand-new docuseries about their first-ever Christmas Cruise.

The network’s mid-year yuletide binge-fest is known for rerunning cozy classics like “Christmas Under Wraps” and “The Nine Lives of Christmas”, but 2025’s lineup comes with some festive firsts.

It’s normal to watch Christmas movies in July, right?

And then premiering Monday night is “Christmas at Sea”, a four-part reality series following Hallmark superfans aboard the inaugural Christmas Cruise that set sail last November. Think Christmas carols, themed excursions, and more twinkly lights than your neighborhood HOA would ever allow.

Then the four-movie anthology, “Unwrapping Christmas”, which had been exclusive to Hallmark+, is getting its broadcast debut.

And the holiday cheer doesn’t stop there. Another Hallmark+ exclusive, the eight-episode limited series “Holidazed”, will finally hit linear TV screens. So if you’ve been dodging spoilers for that one, your time has come.

For the full schedule of sugarplum-packed programming, head to HallmarkChannel.com.

Most of Us Clap at Concerts, Even If We Don’t Mean It

If you’ve ever found yourself reluctantly applauding at the end of a terrible concert, you’re not alone. According to a new poll, 60% of Americans say they’ll clap no matter how bad the performance is . . . because it’s polite, expected, and less awkward than sitting in silence.

That leaves about a third of us who aren’t so generous with our applause. In fact, 31% say they only clap if the performance actually deserves it. Then there’s the 7% who aren’t even sure what kind of clapper they are, and the rare 2% who claim they never clap at the end of shows. (Which feels oddly specific and a little suspicious.)

So why do so many people fake the applause? Social pressure.

One in four Americans admit they’ve clapped just because everyone else was doing it, not because they actually enjoyed what they saw.

The same goes for those spontaneous standing ovations, where you’re not sure if you’re honoring a theatrical triumph or just trying to see over the tall guy in front of you.

And while some of us might give every act a round of applause—especially if there’s free wine involved—others draw the line at certain events. Kids’ school recitals, for example, seem to be a tipping point for even the most automatic clappers. No offense, Timmy, but that wobbly rendition of “I’m a Little Teapot” isn’t quite Grammy-worthy.

Still, applause is a weirdly powerful social cue. It’s one part appreciation, one part herd mentality. And even if the performance was a dud, sometimes clapping is more about acknowledging the effort than the execution.

So next time you’re at a show that didn’t quite stick the landing, go ahead and clap if you feel like it. Or don’t. But if you do find yourself standing, applauding, and questioning your life choices . . . you’re not alone.

What’s Missing From Your Fourth of July? Probably One of These Foods

If you’ve ever screamed, “WE FORGOT THE BAKED BEANS!” like it was a national emergency, you’re not alone. Instacart just dropped data on what people were frantically ordering for the Fourth of July last year.

Here are the Top 10 Items That Surged in the lead-up to America’s birthday:

  1. Canned Baked Beans – 4.2x more popular than average.
  2. Hot Dog Buns
  3. Watermelons – Great for eating, better for watching your delivery driver try to lug five of them up your front steps. (Don’t forget to tip.)
  4. Hot Dogs
  5. Hamburger Buns
  6. Popsicles – Melting in 0.6 seconds, just like your will to host a backyard party.
  7. Pickles – Because your aunt insists the potato salad needs “CRUNCH.”
  8. Mayonnaise – For salads, slathering, and summoning flies from six ZIP codes away.
  9. Potato Chips
  10. Lemonade & Limeade

Honorable Mentions from the Patriotic Panic Cart:

  • Rainier Cherries – $37 per bag and worth every sweet, bougie bite.
  • Angel Food Cake – Light, fluffy, and usually topped with fruit like it’s pretending to be healthy.
  • Frozen Daiquiri & Piña Colada Mixes – For people who want to feel “beachy” while standing on concrete.
  • Ice

So if you find yourself panic-ordering watermelon, and 14 pounds of beans on July 3rd . . . don’t worry. You’re not alone. You’re just very American.

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