Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Spaceopoly Kill This Thread IX: The 24-Hour Version (Fifth Time)

I don't think I've seen a flavor other than orange in decades. They used to have grape and grapefruit flavors as well.

Our local deli has San Pellegrino Grapefruit Soda. It's not really cold beverage weather anymore but I still want some right now!!

Back in Newfoundland there were several soda flavours i've never seen anywhere else (except where there are lots of newfies)...all Crush brand; Pineapple, Lime and Birch Beer

I had birch beer once in Philadelphia. It was pretty good.

In Boston, ginger ale is more popular than it is in the rest of the country. You can buy it at the supermarket here in Houston, but it's a rare restaurant or bar that serves it here.

For some reason, growing up I had the impression that ginger ale was alcoholic. I think it's because of the drink's color and the packaging.

Then there's ginger beer, which is entirely different from ginger ale and very hard to come by in the US, but it is delicious.

I find ginger ale to be soothing on an upset stomach.

Cool! Maybe I should try that, though generally carbonated drinks make my stomach more wonky.

Mmmm ginger beer and lime....

Two decades ago, the only way to enjoy ginger beer in these parts was to hit a fancy gift shop like Norm Thompson, buy a bottle of ginger syrup, and try to make it last for a year. (Or maybe make your own syrup at home.)

Nowadays, it's easier to find ginger beer in most stores. Reed's, and Ginger People are both relatively affordable and really good.

I occasionally make ginger wine. In fact, I'm due to get some started in the next couple of weeks. Lovely for the winter.

I once went to a wine-making party at some friends' house when I lived in Boston. It was great fun. I moved out of state before that batch of wine was drinkable, alas.

My friends and I used to have cookout parties, where we'd make things from tacos to sukiyaki to nachos to pasta to pizza. Alas, no drinks though.

My best friend and I went out to dinner every week, usually on Friday, for many years. Lately, we've both been trying to save money, so we've been cooking for each other on alternate weekends. I have The Boyfriend over too when it's my turn. Next week, it will be lasagna.

I wish my cooking/living space could accommodate Thanksgiving guests this year, but it can't. (I get away with the annual New Years Day party only because it's all finger foods and punch, not everyone sitting down at tables to eat a regular meal.)

I've been going to the same former college teacher's house for the holiday potluck almost every year since 1988. But he's taking the year off from entertaining, so now my buddies and I are trying to find an alternate venue. Hopefully it won't end up being Taco Bell™.

It's almost Christmas season again and as early as now, groups of friends are starting to organize reunions. I have to pick and choose which ones to attend. I'm just glad I no longer volunteer to organize - these things are a lot of work.

I may have already mentioned this, but my mom and I host Thanksgiving dinner on the Friday following (I do not like calling it "Black Friday"). That way all our friends who have family commitments the day before can join us. We use Thanksgiving Day as a prep day and get Chinese takeout.

I fully agree with that tactic of being flexible with dates. What's truly important is the spirit of the holiday (giving thanks together with family and friends), after all.

The day after Thanksgiving is a big Christmas shopping day, which I avoid as much as possible. This also gives me something better to do.

Christmas season sort of started here as early as September. Some malls play Christmas carols already.

Ugh. I dread setting foot in any retail store for any reason between now and, oh, about January 15th.

My problem with Christmas in US culture is it begins in September and continues (gathering up more steam after Halloween and Thanksgiving, respectively) and comes crashing to a halt on December 25th.

There's a lot to be said for the concept (for those of us who celebrate Christmas) of a quiet, reflective Advent followed by the Twelve Days of Christmas.

I thought it was only like that here in the Philippines. Maybe it's more noticeable because we don't have Thanksgiving, and Halloween isn't that big a deal, and All Saints' Day isn't all that festive.

The other day an expat was joking around with the Starbucks barista. "How come you have Christmas drinks already? It's not yet Christmas! It isn't even December yet!"

No, it's everywhere and it gets a little more desperate every year. Every day is a sale day, every day is gearing up to the next big holiday or sale event.

I feel for the poor staff who have to work later and later and on more and more standard holiday days to feed the consumers.

I think I've only bought pressies early when there was extra shipping involved. With more and more things online, that's no longer really a problem. So, I don't change what I do every year, regardless of how much retailers jump up and down.

I read an article last year covering a few people who spend Christmas as quietly as possible. For them it was a chance to be away from work, to relax and to spend time doing things they wanted and not what anyone else dictated. One person just enjoyed a few good books for a couple of days. Bliss for them.

For me, Christmas is a church festival first and a family holiday second. I try to focus on the music the choir I sing in has to perform and the meaning of it. Outside of rehearsals, the rule in our tradition is no Christmas music in services till December 24th.

I certainly do buy presents for friends and family, but I try to keep them simple. I make a point of leaving my (artificial) tree up till January 6th. Again, that's what works for me. In a way, it's kind of like the folks Thoth mentioned, though in a more conventional way. If I had children or was not active in a church, I'm sure it would be quite different, though I imagine even if I did not hold Christmas as a religious holiday that I would resist the commercialization.