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.

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: June 22-28

Spider-Man, fo’ shizzle, Diddy crime, and mattress actors. Here are 10 things that happened 10 years ago this week.

The new Spider-Man was an actor you’d never heard of.

19-year-old Tom Holland was relatively unknown, but did have some cred for his performance in 2012’s “The Impossible” with Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. (Really needed his web slingers in that one. Spoiler: the tsunami wins.)

Leonardo DiCaprio invested in a mattress startup.

He knows his way around a bedroom, so folks laughed. Fellow mattress enthusiasts Adam Levine and (ex Spider-Man) Tobey Maguire were also early investors. The up-and-coming mattress company was Casper.

Diddy was maybe going to jail.

He got arrested for aggravated assault after a dust up with a coach at UCLA, where his son was playing football. The charges were eventually dropped due to a “lack of evidence,” but it was later alleged he’d fought the coach, choked out an intern, and put another staff member in a headlock. The good news is he was able to put his legal troubles behind him…

Dustin Diamond was definitely going to jail.

He got four months for stabbing a dude in a bar brawl on New Year’s Day. Served three, got out on probation. Sadly, we lost Screech less than six years later. Dustin (who was not a smoker) lost a battle with lung cancer in early 2021.

“Fo’ shizzle” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Even the snobby, fancy dictionaries had caved and were leaning into the new 21st century vocab. “Sext,” “hot mess,” “autotune,” and “stanky” also made it in that year.

A cat won Dog of the Year.

You’ll know why when you remember the footage. A loose dog tried to rip a kid’s leg off in Bakersfield, CA, but the family cat kicked its ass. 7-year-old tabby Tara took home spcaLA’s highly coveted National Hero Dog Award. Ask your pup, it’s quite the honor.

Paris Hilton wasn’t in a fiery plane crash.

An Egyptian prank show caught heat for making her think her plane was going down. But TMZ later reported she was in on the prank, supposedly pocketing a cool $1 million for the stunt. The collective reaction was wow… she’s a better actress than we thought.

Rumor had it Tom Cruise might do a “Top Gun” sequel.

The rumor picked up steam when he later said he’d do it if there was “no CGI on the jets.” “Top Gun: Maverick” came out seven years later in 2022 and grossed $1.5 billion at the box office. They did use real jets – with a dash of CGI.

The first “Inside Out” was a huge hit with (most) kids.

Unfortunately, a group of excited kiddos in Ohio were left traumatized after a projectionist accidentally screened the horror flick “Insidious: Chapter 3” instead. Scarred for life.

Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris were together and rich as hell.

“Forbes” named them the world’s highest-paid celebrity couple with combined earnings of $146 million. Beyoncé and Jay-Z were next at $110.5 million.

Taylor and Calvin dated for just over a year. She eventually moved on to car wash owner and Campbell’s Chunky souperfan Travis Kelce. “Forbes” doesn’t do the list anymore, but Tay Tay and Trav would be high up on it.

The 10 Best Backyard Games of All Time

Summer is here! So we ranked the 10 best backyard games of all time.

Quick Disclaimer: Any list like this is going to be subjective, and personal preference comes into play. But that being said, we friggin’ nailed it. So if you disagree with these rankings, you might need to take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Have I lost touch with my inner child? Do I still know how to have fun? Am I dead inside?”

Without further ado, here are the 10 best backyard games of all time, ranked according to fun, accessibility, and overall popularity.

1. Cornhole

It’s the undisputed king of the backyard. Whether you’re at a barbecue or a tailgate, cornhole is almost guaranteed to be there. Modern cornhole originated in Cincinnati in the 1960s, but a similar game with square holes was patented way back in 1883. History aside, it’s easy, addictive, and oddly competitive even before you start drinking. (Bonus points for being able to play with a beer in one hand.)

2.  Bocce 

The beauty of bocce? You don’t need a perfect lawn or even grass. A patch of dirt or gravel works just fine. It’s perfect for all ages, and vibes somewhere between lawn chess and bowling for grownups. (Pro tip: beach bocce sets are lighter and easier for kids.)

3.  Wiffle Ball

A dad in Connecticut came up with it in the summer of ’53 and made backyard baseball possible. If you haven’t swung one of those skinny yellow bats in a while, it makes you feel oddly strong. There were also the big fat red ones – the perfect weapon for toddlers looking to attack Dad’s knees, ankles, and groin.

4.  Two-Hand Touch / Flag Football

An American classic. All you need is a ball (preferably a Nerf one) and maybe a couple rags to tuck in your waistband. Bonus points if you have that one cousin who takes it way too seriously.

5.  Kickball

A gym-class hero that never lost its charm, it’s a game played worldwide. Brits call it “football rounders,” Canadians call it “soccer baseball.” 😑 But everyone everywhere calls it a great excuse to sprint around your yard like it’s third grade again.

6.  Horseshoes

A little more advanced and not quite kid-friendly (those things are heavy). But if you’ve got a sandpit setup, horseshoes are peak chill-and-throw fun.

7.  Badminton

Not as trendy as it once was, and setup takes a minute. But it’s a whole lot of fun if you’re willing to go through the hassle of putting up the net. Once you’re rallying, it’s hard not to get competitive, and the boing sound of a shuttlecock hitting your racket is just oddly satisfying. (Plus, who doesn’t love saying “shuttlecock.”)

8.  Ladderball

Invented by a Pennsylvania mailman and made mainstream by Ladder Golf LLC in 2005, ladder toss has carved out a permanent spot on the backyard game roster. It’s simple, weirdly strategic, and totally addictive.

9.  Lawn darts

Yes, the OG version was basically a weapon. But honestly, wasn’t that a plus? The lawn darts of today are kid-safe and just as fun. (Lies.) Toss them into a target circle to start racking up points – and memories.

10.  Croquet

Sure, it’s old-school… and no one plays it anymore. But croquet was incredibly popular in its heyday and still brings a fancy twist to the backyard. It’s low-impact, slow-paced, and ideal for those sipping something out of a glass with a garnish.

It’s undoubtedly the fanciest pick on the list – the type of game that makes you feel like a member of the aristocracy. But while the word is French, the game actually originated in England in the 1800s. So… not as fancy.

Honorable Mention: Playing Catch

It’s not exactly a “game,” but throwing a ball back and forth has always been part of the backyard DNA. Maybe not Top 10 material, but definitely top vibes.

The Snubs

A few more games that almost made our cut include hide-and-seek, tag, Spikeball, Kan Jam (a.k.a. “Garbage Can Frisbee”), and beer pong if your backyard hangs are more 21+. Ultimate Frisbee also rules if your yard is a full acre.

Whatever Happened to Cereal Box Prizes? And Other Stuff That Quietly Vanished

Some things disappear with a bang. Others just slip out the back door while no one’s looking… like your old Tamagotchi or Kevin Costner’s reputation as a box office draw.

A viral internet post recently asked, “What’s something that used to be everywhere, and now it’s just… gone?” The answers were a nostalgic gut-punch… and also kinda hilarious. Here are a few of the best:

1. Heelys
Those shoes with the hidden wheels? If you weren’t flying down the school hallway on a pair of Heelys in 2004, were you even alive? They’re technically still around, but these days you’re more likely to see a grown man on a Bird scooter than a kid on Heelys.

2. Cereal Box Prizes
Once the highlight of any kid’s morning, cereal prizes are now mostly just QR codes that send you to an app you’ll forget about in 10 minutes. Digging through sugary flakes for a plastic toy was a core childhood memory. Now? Just sadness and fiber.

3. Picture-in-Picture TV
It used to be a very big deal to watch two shows at once. Now we’re watching TV while scrolling TikTok and responding to emails. Modern multitasking made this feature irrelevant… R.I.P. to the little box in the corner.

4. Voiceovers in Movie Trailers
“In a world…” used to open every epic trailer. But gravel-voiced narrators have all but vanished, replaced by ominous piano music and vague text like “From the studio that brought you… something you forgot.”

5. Paid Lunch Breaks
The “lunch hour” used to be part of your shift. Somewhere along the line, it became a “take it if you dare” unpaid thing, and we just collectively shrugged and said okay.

There’s a lot of this kind of stuff. Here are a few things that DIDN’T make the list, but should’ve:

  • Eye contact.
  • Sears.
  • Justin Timberlake fans.
  • The prestige of an Ivy League degree.
  • MTV.
  • Voicemails.
  • Unopinionated people on Facebook.

Modern Trends We’ll Soon Be Regretting

Trends come and go, but some age like milk. Think back to the early 2010s when people were planking on countertops and filing cabinets for internet glory—what felt edgy and hilarious then now looks… a little embarrassing.

Reddit users recently chimed in on which current trends people are most likely to regret a decade from now, and their answers were more thought-provoking than meme-worthy. Here’s a snapshot of what we might look back on with a mix of regret, confusion, and disbelief:

1. Oversharing Online
Documenting every detail of life may come back to haunt you. “The worst parts will resurface,” one commenter warned.

2. Exploiting Kids for Content
Filming children during meltdowns or punishments for likes? Nope.

3. Bullying Educators Out of the Classroom
Teacher shortages are growing—and this trend may only accelerate it.

4. Devaluing Skilled Work
Fast and cheap has replaced handcrafted and long-lasting. But at what cost?

5. Taking TikTok Over Trusted Advice
Influencers are not medical professionals, no matter how many followers they have.

6. Cosmetic Surgery Fads
Procedures like buccal fat removal may not age gracefully, and reversing them isn’t always simple.

7. Face Tattoos
While tattoos are more accepted than ever, some placements still carry long-term baggage.

8. Unrestricted Tech Access for Kids
Unlimited screen time might be easier now, but could lead to developmental issues later.

9. Child-Led Households
Letting kids make all the rules? Some worry we’re raising tiny tyrants.

10. Cringe-Worthy Baby Names
Creative? Sure. But your child might not thank you later.

11. Letting Go of Privacy
We’re voluntarily giving up personal data—and some believe the trade-off isn’t worth it.

12. Sending DNA to Corporations
Curious about your ancestry? So is the insurance industry.

13. AI as a Crutch
Students and professionals alike are leaning heavily on AI tools—at the risk of losing foundational skills.

14. Anti-Intellectualism
Distrust in science, experts, and institutions is on the rise—and many think that trend is dangerous.

15. Sports Betting Normalization
Gambling has gone mainstream, but its addictive potential remains.

16. Having an OnlyFans
Some users worry their content might follow them long after they’ve logged off.

17. The “Broccoli” Haircut
Trendy today. Awkward high school yearbook photo tomorrow.

18. Buying NFTs
Good luck with that $300 pixelated monkey.

19. Cybertrucks
Don’t we already regret these?

20. All-Gray Home Décor
A full-gray palette might feel sleek today—but throw some color in there! Spice it up.

Whether it’s digital footprints or questionable purchases, the internet never forgets. Should we all try to “touch grass?”

Kids Say These Are the Top 10 Things They Want to Do with Their Parents More

Summer is officially here, and if you’re a parent juggling work-from-home chaos with guilt over not spending enough time with your kids, you’re far from alone. Turns out, your kids feel it too.

In a study conducted a few years ago, a whopping 70% of kids said their parents are too distracted. A psychologist weighed in, saying that while routines make life easier, they can also make us forget to carve out meaningful moments with our families. So whether it’s a long weekend or just a random Wednesday afternoon, making space for connection matters.

Not sure where to start? Researchers asked kids to name the activities they wish they could do more with their parents—and the answers are both wholesome and totally doable.

Here are the top 10 things kids say they want to do more with mom and dad:

  1. Go to the beach – Sandcastles, waves, and maybe a little too much sunscreen.
  2. Exercise together – From bike rides to yoga in the living room, kids love moving with you.
  3. Play sports – Whether it’s a pickup basketball game or backyard soccer, it’s about the fun, not the score.
  4. Go to the pool – Because cannonballs and floaties never go out of style.
  5. Go to the movies – Shared popcorn and big-screen action? Count them in.
  6. Play at a park – Simple, free, and full of chances to actually talk without screens in the way.
  7. Go camping – Even if it’s just in the backyard, the memories are big.
  8. Visit a zoo, museum, or amusement park – Day-trips can feel like huge adventures to kids.
  9. Play video games – Yes, even if you’re terrible at them. That’s part of the fun.
  10. Go shopping – It’s less about what you buy and more about the one-on-one time.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of packing all this in, don’t stress. Even one or two of these can make a big impact. The key is being present, and maybe letting them pick the playlist on the way.

Here Are the Most (and Least) Patriotic States in America

As the Fourth of July approaches and Americans gear up to celebrate their independence with backyard BBQs, booming fireworks, and maybe a regrettable injury or two, one study is taking a more analytical approach to patriotism—no sparklers required.

WalletHub just dropped its annual list of the most patriotic states in the U.S., based on 13 civic-minded factors, like: voter turnout, military enlistment rates, volunteer work, jury duty participation, and AmeriCorps service. So yes, it’s less about flag-waving and more about actually showing up for the country.

The 10 Most Patriotic States in 2025:

  1. Virginia
  2. Montana
  3. Vermont
  4. Colorado
  5. Oregon
  6. Washington
  7. North Dakota
  8. Maryland
  9. Minnesota
  10. New Hampshire

Virginia takes the crown this year, while states like Colorado and Oregon continue to earn high marks for civic engagement. Vermont and New Hampshire, small but mighty, also made strong showings.

At the other end of the spectrum, some states aren’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard.

The 10 Least Patriotic States:

  1. Arkansas
  2. New York
  3. Louisiana
  4. Alabama
  5. Florida
  6. Texas
  7. Indiana
  8. New Jersey
  9. Rhode Island
  10. West Virginia

California just barely missed the bottom 10, landing at 11th least patriotic. In general, larger and more populous states didn’t fare so well, possibly due to lower per capita participation in the metrics used.

One surprise from the report? When ranked based on how they voted in the last presidential election, so-called “blue states” edged out “red states” in patriotism—at least by this definition.

For those keeping score, South Carolina and Wisconsin landed right in the middle of the pack. Perfectly average, and maybe that’s something to be proud of?

If you want to see where your state landed, WalletHub has the full breakdown on their site. Just don’t blame us if your state’s patriotism didn’t make the fireworks-worthy list.

Source: WalletHub

10 Things That Drain Our “Social Battery”

One minute you’re chatting like a functioning adult, and the next you’re mentally pricing out cabins in the middle of nowhere with zero cell service. Congratulations, your “social battery” just flatlined.

The electrolyte and energy drink brand Zipfizz polled 2,000 Americans and looked at the little everyday annoyances that can completely zap your “social battery.” You know, the stuff that pushes you from “I got this” to “I need to live alone in the woods.”

Here are the top 10 culprits you might encounter today:

  1. Being interrupted or talked over. Honestly, is there anything more infuriating? At least let me finish my story before you jump in and try to top it, Chad.
  2. Awkward small talk. An occasional musing about the weather is excusable as long as it’s quick and painless. If you follow with “how was your drive to work,” my brain starts weighing the pros and cons of hitting you with my car.
  3. Dealing with customer service. You’ve been on hold for 20 minutes when a real human finally gets on the horn… and it turns out they’re an idiot. Bye bye, social battery.
  4. Talking to strangers. Some people love a random convo if you catch them at a good time. Otherwise, it can feel like you’re being forced to talk to someone you’ve never met, don’t care about, and will likely never see again. (Hence, the not caring part.)
  5. Unsolicited advice. Nothing more refreshing than someone “helpfully” telling you how to live your life when you didn’t even ask. Bonus points if their own life is in the crapper.
  6. Office gossip. The drama, the whispers, the alliances. I’d rather just watch more reality TV.
  7. Group video calls. The overlapping chatter, frozen screens, and “sorry, you go ahead” loops are enough to fry anyone’s brain.
  8. Oversharing coworkers. There’s TMI, and then there’s “things I can never un-hear.”
  9. When someone wants to show you something on their phone. It’s always a blurry photo, a too-long video, or a meme you saw three weeks ago. But they’re excited, so you have to be.
  10. Networking events. Nothing drains introverts faster than forced mingling, name tags, and small talk marathons.

So if you’ve ever felt socially fried for seemingly no reason, now you know you’re not alone. It’s not that you hate people. It’s just that people can be a lot.

13 Myths That Won’t Die—Even Though They’re Totally False

Think that gum you swallowed in 2018 is still rattling around your insides? Good news: it’s not. Despite what you may have heard, gum does not take seven years to digest. In fact, like other indigestible things (think corn kernels or seeds), it simply passes through your system in a matter of hours.

That age-old myth is just one of many floating around in the public consciousness—some persistent, some downright ridiculous. A Reddit thread asked users to name the dumbest myths people still believe, and the responses are both enlightening and entertaining. Here are some of the most widely believed—and wildly inaccurate—claims that came up:

  1. Lie Detectors Are Foolproof
    Polygraphs measure stress, not lies. Your anxiety alone could trip it—and that’s one reason they’re not admissible in court.
  2. Wills Are Read Aloud Like in the Movies
    There’s no dramatic family gathering in a mahogany-paneled office. Estate lawyers say people usually just receive a copy in the mail.
  3. Black Belts Must Register Their Hands as Weapons
    Martial artists are not walking legal weapons—at least not in any official database.
  4. You Swallow Spiders in Your Sleep
    Nope. You’d need a perfect storm of circumstances to even swallow one, and even that’s extremely unlikely.
  5. You Have to Wait 48 Hours to Report a Missing Person
    False and dangerous. You can report someone missing immediately, and in some cases, the faster the better.
  6. A Penny Dropped from a Skyscraper Could Kill You
    While dramatic, the physics don’t hold up. A penny maxes out at about 30 mph—more of a flick to the head than a fatal impact.
  7. We Only Use 10% of Our Brains
    Neuroscientists would like a word. Brain scans show activity across the entire brain, even when we’re resting.
  8. Flashing Your Lights at a Car Without Headlights Is a Gang Thing
    This urban legend has zero basis in reality.
  9. Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker
    It might look coarser because the hair is blunt-cut, but shaving doesn’t change its structure.
  10. MSG Is Dangerous
    Monosodium glutamate has been demonized for decades, but it’s no worse than table salt for most people.
  11. The Earth Is Flat
    Still? Really?
  12. Carrots Help You See in the Dark
    This was WWII-era propaganda, not a nutritional fact.
  13. “He Who Smelt It, Dealt It”
    A timeless defense.

As for that gum? It might not dissolve in your stomach, but your body’s digestive system is more than capable of moving it along just like any other fiber-rich food. So relax: your 2018 gum is long gone.

All We Need from Dad Is: 👍

If you’ve ever gotten a silent nod, a half-smile, or the ever-reliable thumbs up from your dad, congratulations: you speak Dad. Or at least, you’re fluent in “Dad Speak,” the understated emotional language many fathers abide by.

A new poll dropped just after the emotional rollercoaster of Father’s Day, and it highlights just how much dads say without really saying anything.

According to the survey, more than a third of people say that a simple thumbs up from their dad is a solid sign of both love and support. No hugs, no tears… just one digit raised in solemn approval.

And honestly? That checks out.

Nearly half of respondents (49%) say their dad would probably describe himself as “not good at emotional stuff.” Unsurprisingly, women were more likely than men to hear “I love you” from their fathers. But the love is there… it’s just usually wrapped in acts of service or sarcastic jokes about thermostat settings.

That’s where “Dad Speak” comes in. It’s not about what he says… it’s what he does.

Here are the top 20 ways dads show their affection, according to the poll:

  1. Showing up when you need him.
  2. Buying you a meal (bonus points if it’s your favorite).
  3. Teaching you a practical skill, whether it’s grilling or how to unclog a sink.
  4. Fixing stuff around the house, with or without being asked.
  5. Offering you a ride.
  6. Lending you tools. (Or at least telling you where they used to be.)
  7. Helping out with your kids or pets.
  8. Helping you move. (Again.)
  9. Making you a hot drink. (Or cracking open a cold one.)
  10. Forwarding links he thinks you’ll find “useful.” Even if they aren’t.
  11. Checking your tires or topping up your oil.
  12. Giving you a thumbs up.
  13. Cooking your favorite meal without fanfare.
  14. Sorting out directions like a human GPS.
  15. Giving you a thumbs up: The emoji version.
  16. Mowing your lawn or tidying your yard while “just stopping by.”
  17. Reminding you to bring a coat (even if it’s 65 and sunny).
  18. Helping with your school work like he remembers algebra.
  19. Packing snacks or sandwiches for a road trip.
  20. Filling up your gas tank.

So next time Dad sends you a text that just says “ok” or forwards you an article about car maintenance “for no reason,” know this: he probably loves you a lot. He’s just saying it in his own language.

And if he adds a thumbs up emoji? That’s basically a sonnet.

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: June 15-21

It’s time for another nostalgic look back at the good, the bad, and the just plain weird. Here are 10 things that happened 10 years ago this week.

1.  Trump announced he was running for president, and everyone chuckled. He descended his golden escalator, formally entering the fray on June 16th, 2015, and no one thought he had a chance. Hillary Clinton had announced her candidacy two months earlier that April.

2.  The Rachel Dolezal scandal broke. The former president of Spokane’s NAACP chapter resigned after it was revealed she was extremely caucasian. She made headlines again in 2024 when her OnlyFans page got her fired from a teaching job in Arizona.

3.  “Jurassic World” had the biggest opening weekend ever – $208.8 million. But the record only stood for six months. “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” opened to the tune of $248 million that December.

4.  Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig’s made-for-TV movie premiered on Lifetime. “A Deadly Adoption” was a typical Lifetime drama. The only comedy that existed was the fact that Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig decided to do a typical Lifetime drama.

5.  A-Rod got his 3,000th hit, and the fan wouldn’t give him the ball. His 3,000th hit was a homer snagged by pro ballhawk Zack Hample. Two weeks later, Hample finally traded the ball for some signed swag, free All-Star tickets, and a $150k donation to the charity Pitch in for Baseball.

6.  Brian Williams got banished to MSNBC for his B.S. helicopter story. He’d been suspended by NBC News earlier in the year after claiming he was on a helicopter that got hit by an RPG in Iraq.

7.  Sean Penn and Charlize Theron broke up. Yeah, they dated for a minute – or more like 18 months between 2013 and 2015. Their 15-year age gap may have been an issue, and also the fact that he’s known to be… difficult.

8. A divorced guy literally split everything down the middle. A woman in Germany left her husband of 12 years. He went viral after doing the only mature thing and sawing their possessions in half.

9.  Even Michael Jackson’s son thought the name “Blanket” was dumb. News broke that he’d started going by Bigi at school because he was sick of being bullied. (It was just a nickname anyway. Bigi was born Prince Michael Jackson II. MJ introduced him in 2002 by dangling him off a balcony with a towel on his head. Normal dad stuff.)

10.  Utah Valley University invented cellphone friendly stairs. Three separate lanes for walking, running, and texting. It’s been a decade… how has this design not become ubiquitous?

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