ecause diets supposedly can often reveal a lot about a person's lifestyle, economic circumstances, psychological well-being, and social background, here's a partial list of what I've been putting in my mouth lately:

• Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. Empty calories, I know, and now part of Unilever.
• Coca Cola. I love Coke, but the fact that I'm listing it here doesn't mean that it should belong in our public schools! Neither should Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, or any other dangerous, corporate junk food pushers be allowed in school, ever. Pupils are there to learn, not consume empty, unhealthy calories. Come to think of it, most American parents' and politicians' supposed commitment to education is pure bullshit. While they are busy buying oversized, polluting SUVs and big suburban homes, the irresponsible tax cuts they keep giving themselves are leaving schools chronically underfunded and overcrowded, and their teachers perpetually underpaid. In their efforts to desperately find additional funding sources in the face of inadequate government support, school districts have fallen prey to predatory marketing tactics of corporations, which range from providing propaganda as study aids (e.g., information on energy policies as furnished by the likes of Exxon), to outright promoting and selling (more like pushing) unhealthy junk foods to kids. Because of their greed or ignorance, American parents have essentially abdicated their roles as responsible guardians, and invited corporations like the aforementioned Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, good old Coca Cola, Pepsi, and McDonald's to overrun American public schools and exploit their students. Is it any wonder that American kids are getting fatter? If Americans are genuinely interested in the future of their children, they will adequately fund their education and banish corporate advertising, propaganda, and concessions from their schools. Anyway, everything notwithstanding, my brand loyalty still astounds me sometimes. I reckon the Coca Cola company, as perennially relentless pushers, had successfully reached me at an early and impressionable age. Inevitably I became an addict. A world without Coke is simply wrong. Whenever I'm in a situation where only Pepsi vending machines are available, I usually would just go without rather than commit an act of treason by buying enemy products. Due to my insatiable demand for caffeine, I concede that once in awhile I would surreptitiously imbibe a can of Mountain Dew. Otherwise, my fidelity remains immovable. Incidentally, the phrase "Coca Cola" is supposedly the most recognised in the world. And why the hell not? At least it's not something aggro like, "Fuck you!"
• Japanese curry mix over rice. Considering that I've been enjoying this dish since I was a wee lad, it's amazing how you can never be tired of this stuff. My favourite brand is naturally House "Vermont Apple." I once heard this dish was the most popular food eaten at dinnertime in Japan.
• Latte or capuccino or espresso. Mostly from Caffe Strada, across the street from Wurster. I've gotten coffee there hundreds of, if not over a thousand times. If I'm closer to home in North Berkeley, I go to Peet's. Anyway, I'm just another caffeine addict. I just love stimulants. Coffee or tea or Coke, without them I'm slow, dim, debilitated by headaches, and downright suicidal sometimes. After a nice, strong cup of coffee, sometimes I would feel that life can be somewhat bearable after all. I almost feel happy, even though I have absolutely no reason to be, ever.
• Marmite with butter on toast is a favourite when taking tea. I love Vegemite too.
• No Doze. Like I said before, somehow I can never get enough caffeine. I really love the minty, chewable form too. They're like breath mints. I pop them like breath mints.
• Noah's Bagels. They spread 'em for you without asking. Where else can you get service like that these days?
• Pasta with anything because carbohydrates rock and I'm poor as hell. Incidentally, Barilla pastas are made favourite dried brand. Ideas for American pastas can be found here.
• Perrier. I'm addicted to this, and I'm rarely seen without a bottle or glass on hand. I actually developed this habit from my parents. I reckon it's the fizziness and relative tartness compared to other carbonated waters that makes this such a treat that never gets tired.
• I'll eat almost anything in the form of a pizza. Just like sex and potatos, even when it's bad, it's still better than nothing. Pizza slices from Fat Slice on Telegraph give me the runs sometimes, but they're cheap and filling. Even the homeless and the street kids can afford them just after a few hours of panhandling. You can eat the slices on your way to class or have them standing up in the greasy store itself. Can't beat the low-fi and completely urban-disenfranchised atmosphere there. Strangely enough, I never got hooked on Blondie's, let alone Kip's or LaVal's. Speaking of pizzas, when I moved back to North Berkeley in 1995 after three years in the Southside, I often found myself anticipating what kind of pizza the Cheese Board would serve on that particular day.
• Tea from Peet's Coffee & Tea. It's one of the cool things about living in North Berkeley's official brew.
• Twinings Tea. It's that old caffeine addiction again. I can't live without this in my cupboard or office drawer.
• Udon or soba from Musashi food cart in Sproul Plaza, Berkeley. Yup, it's definitely worth the long queues during lunch.
• Yorkies are sometimes hard to get in North America. "Don't feed the birds!"
• Walkers Crisps. I worship the potato. Whether as chips, crisps, jacket, or mash, they're all good to me.
• Various ethnic or otherwise gastronomic delights as posted on the legendary Chowhound boards. Anyway, after hundreds of meals from Durant "grease pit" food court, Smart Alec's, Noah's, the infamous Cal DCs, and Fat Slice, I've survived to eat elsewhere occasionally. For other places to eat in and around Berkeley, check out this wonderfully handy site.