Design patterns illustrated with real-life examples

Learning design patterns has always put the reader's imagination to the test.
 I've had to read through some of them several times, and I doubt I'm the only one, 
 before I could piece it all together.

Michael Duell's article Non-Software Examples of Software Design Patterns 
 (originally linked by objects.cz)
 explains design patterns with examples from everyday life. Using
 a fast-food meal to illustrate Builder and a customer service operator to explain 
 Facade works beautifully. I highly recommend the article as a companion to studying design patterns.