Synopsis: Animated series based off the X-Men comics
Why I love this show: Those who know me well know that there are bound to be a few superhero shows on this list. Debuting in the early 90’s when I was still super young I absolutely loved this show. A few years back I decided to go back and check it out, mostly for nostalgic reasons. I wasn’t really expecting it to hold up, but I was wrong. While the animation and the action aren’t necessarily the best, the show still held up extremely well. X-Men has always been about acceptances of other who are different, and this show totally nails that theme. It does a great job at depicting some of the best stories from the comics as well as highlighting each of the X-Men and their unique powers and personalities. We get to see almost every X-Men character in action in this show. X-Men always been my favorite superhero group and this show does a superb job at showing who they are.
Favorite Season: Season 4
Favorite Episodes: “The Dark Phoenix Saga”, “Beyond Good and Evil”, “One Man’s Worth”
Synopsis:
Three different related families share in life's crazy experiences together.
Starring:
Ty Burnell, Julie Bowen, Ed O'Niel, Sophia Vergara, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet
Why I love this show:
The first sitcom to make my list! I love this show simply because it's always just a lot of fun. It never takes its self too serious and mostly tries to keeps things simple. I really enjoy how most episodes are simply centered around real life experiences and interactions with the characters. Sometimes they try a little too hard, but overall this show keeps things grounded in a fun and hilarious way. I love the interactions between the characters, and actors do a great job at actually making it feel like they are a real family members. I usually like shows that have plots that evolve and build off each other, but I actually like that with this you can watch any episode and not feel lost. Modern Family is one of those shows that I can always turn on anytime and enjoy.
Favorite Season:
Season 3
Favorite Episodes:
Mothers Day, Punkin Chunkin, Australia
Favorite Quote:
“I’ve always said that if my son thinks of me as one of his
idiot friends, I’ve succeeded as a dad.”
Synopsis: A wealthy computer programer and ex-assassin use a surveillance A.I. to stop murders and other dangerous events from happening. Starring:
Jim Caviezel, Michael Emerson, Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Chapman, Sarah Shahi, Amy Acker
Why I love this show: Created by Jonathan Nolan (writer of the Dark Knight Trilogy, Interstellar) and JJ Abrams (Star Trek, Lost) they have created one of the most fascinating new shows on TV. This show plays out almost like a mix between Batman, the Bourne films, and the movie Minority report, but also adds in it’s own unique spin. The premise of it sounds pretty straight forward but things are never as they seem, and this show is full of so many twists and turns. Along with a great plot and story they do a great job at making you care for the characters and the people they are trying to save. It also has a great commentary on the good and bad that technology brings into our lives.
Favorite Season: Season 3
Favorite Episodes: Witness, Bad Code, The Crossing
14. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983-1985)
Synopsis:
The most powerful man in the Universe (He-man of course) and his warrior friends battle against the evil Skeletor for rule of the planet Eternia.
Starring:
John Erwin, Alan Oppenheimer, Linda Gray, Lou Scheimer
Why I love this show:
The Masters of the Universe was a franchise that started as a toyline in the early 80's and eventually launched into books, comics, a feature film, and of course this awesome cartoon. While I was not alive for this show when it first aired, I did have the privilege of having three older brothers who made sure I knew who He-Man was. For me the Masters of the Universe is the quintessential 80's show, even more so than Ninja Turtles, Transformers, or Thundercats. Along with a few other classic cartoons (that may or may not be on this list) are what helped define me as a kid. This show has fun and unique characters, morals at the end of every episode, and some really good story telling for a 20 minute kids show. The thing I love most though about this show was how much it helped me expand my imagination as kid. I use to have counts battles in my back yard pretending I was He-Man fighting off Skeletor and his goons. Going back and watching it now I recognize how campy and kiddie it really is, but now that's one of the things that makes it so classic. Favorite Season: Season 1 Favorite Episodes:
The Diamond Ray of Disappearance
The Dragon's Gift
To Save Skeletor
Favorite Quote:
"Skeletor to King Randor, Skeletor to King Randor. Come in you royal boob!"
I love making lists, especially list of my favorite things. Some of these lists are my favorite movie series, favorite superhero movies, and most recently my favorite pizza places! Well now it is time for me to talk about my favorite TV shows! I narrowed my list down to 15 shows so here we go! 15. Suits (2011-)
Synopsis: Mike Ross, a talented but troubled college drop out, finds himself working at the one of the most prestigious law firms in New York city with Harvey Specter.
Starring:
Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Rick Hoffman, Meghan Markle, Sarah Rafferty, Gina Torres
Why I love this show: To be totally honest, law bores me but this show knows how to make it interesting. Sure it exaggerates it and adds a lot of drama, but when you can make something that bores me and make it interesting that is pretty amazing to me. But the really reason this show is so great is because of the characters. There's times when they can be complete tools and others where you actually care and want them to succeed. They all bring something totally unique to the table which makes the characters interactions so much fun to watch. The writing on the show is witty, and while it can sometime be a little bit too dramatic, the drama usually always works. Suits is a show that is simply just a lot of fun to watch and it keeps you interested from the start to finish.
Yes, this post is all about pizza, with the sole purpose to express how much I love pizza, share my favorites, and find out about other delicious pizza places. I think I always liked the ninja turtles because they were always eating pizza!
image here "Say no to Drugs, Say Yes to Pizza" that might become my new life motto!
I guess you could say I'm not very well traveled when it come to trying different types of pizza, but thats what I have the rest of my life for right! You'll notice that when it comes to pizza my tastes are similar to my taste for movies, I like the some the cheap stuff, but I also enjoy the more "artistic" pizzas. So here we go with my favorite pizza places!
(These aren't in any particular order, just the 5 places I enjoy most)
Dominos
I was never a big Dominos fan until moving to Utah. This is one of the few restaurants thats close by us, and man am I glad its Dominos. After changing up their recipe a few years ago this is the best "chain pizza" around. It's simple, with amazing crusts, sauce, and a good blend of cheese. Seriously I could eat this stuff every day. And the cheese bread is the freaking bomb!
Pizza of Choice: Large (with the garlic crust) with Jalapeños, Sausage, and Pepperoni
Location: Everywhere
First introduced: I can't remember, but I was introduced to the new recipe in August 2014 when we moved to Alpine Utah
Spinatos
In 2012 on a Saturday night, my brother and sister in law called us up and asked if we wanted to go to dinner, but when they suggested Spinatos I was really disappointed. I was in one of those moods where I did not want to try something new, but we went along anyways, and boy was happy I did! Spinatos has become an essential pizza for my taste buds. It takes the cake for the best pizza sauce, and is the best thin crust pizza. They also have some pretty awesome calzones!
Pizza of Choice: Anything!
Location: Tempe and Chandler AZ
First introduced: September 2012 with my brother Matt and his wife Natalie
Barros
When I think of all the things Mesa AZ, has to offer (which is sometimes hard to come up with), Barros is always on the list! This place hit it big in the 90's and hasn't slowed down. One of the greasiest pizzas around but one man this stuff is delicious! I could eat it everyday. I can't go home to AZ with out getting me some Barros. Also, there wings are some of the best around.
Barros: Sausage and Pepperoni
Location: All over AZ
First Introduced: I can't remember, I've been eating Barros ever since moving to AZ when I was a kid.
Pizzeria Bianco
The first time I had it I wasn't that impressed, Taylor and I had to wait for 2 hours, and it wasn't what I was expecting. But after a few more visits and finding the right pizza I was hooked on this stuff. With fresh ingredients and amazing combinations Pizzeria Bianco is one of the best pies around!
Pizza of Choice: I think I've had something different every time.
Location: Phoenix, AZ
First Introduced: April 2013 on my second anniversary
Pizzeria 712
Similar to Pizzeria Bianco, this one took a second visit to fall in love with it, and it's actually a lot like Pizzeria Bianco, but with a few different ingredients. They also have a delicious mint lime drink!
Pizza of Choice: Tomato Basil
Location: Orem, UT
First Introduced: January 2014 with friends Brittany and Bryant Hodson
September there was a lot of adjusting still to life in Utah, but we have some amazing friends who have helped make that process so much easier. So I want to shout out to Taylor and Dani Johnson, Justin and Anna Hodkinson, Derek and Amanda Walker, Kevin and Kayla Lussier, Brittany and Bryant Hodson, Zack and Marissa Allred, and many others that have been huge blessings in our lives.
To kick off the month we attended the Salt Lake City Comic Con. Supposedly it’s one of the biggest in the country and it did not disappoint. We got to meet a few celebrities, the best being Kevin Conroy who voices Batman on the Batman: Animated Series TV show, and do a whole bunch of awesome nerdy stuff all day!
I've got the best wife for letting me dress up like this all day!
Towards the end of the month my friend Bryant Hodson invited me to help around of the set of his short film Shadow of the Mountain. I was there to pretty much do whatever they needed help with. It was so fun being able to be a part of it, even though it was a very cold and rainy day. After being a part of the filming process it inspired me to start writing my own short film with my buddy Hudson Halm. Hopefully we get the opportunity to film it soon!
From the set of Shadow of the Mountain
October
In early October one of the greatest things to ever happen in college football occurred, the Jail Mary! ASU was down to USC by 10 points with about 3 minutes left and came back to win on this play. For those that missed it, here it is:
October my sister Marianne, her husband Andrew, and their cute baby Jed came to visit. We spent a weekend hanging out with them going on hikes, watching General Conference, watching some college football, and having good talks.
Taylor got to spend a week in AZ so while she was gone I got to eat a lot of dominos pizza (I’m obsessed with Dominos right, seriously it’s the best chain pizza out there) and I watched a bunch of movies. You know the ones that girls don’t like to watch:)
I also started going to the chiropractor for the first time in my life after hurting my back playing football one night.
In October I was also introduced to the amazing program Sons of Helaman, and right now I am working on becoming a mentor of one these groups.
And of course there was Halloween. This year we had two costumes. The first was Merlin and Madam Mim from the greatest animated Disney Movie ever made, Sword in the Stone! Then on Halloween we got invited to a murder mystery dinner party and our characters were a cop and doctor. Murder mystery parties are way funnier then I thought they would be, and I loved acting like a pompous jerk the whole night.
November
No matter how the season ended up being for ASU, the first two games (Utah and Norte Dame) of November were amazing. Both games I enjoy watching with my AZ friends Zack and Kevin.
November also gave us the incredible film, Interstellar! It’s funny the different reactions to this movie. Some like myself loved it, and others did not enjoy it so much. I loved it because it challenged me, it made me think. Like most movies, everything wasn’t just handled to me to sit back and enjoy. This movie stretched my brain both intellectually and emotionally. While the theories and science blew my mind, the story and characters pulled at my heart springs. The themes and messages of humanity are also ones that need to be discussed as well. I loved that this movie has created so many different conversations. Usually when you see a movie, most people either say it was good or bad, but not with this one, people wanted to talk about it. I love that because I love talking about every movie I see. Well I didn’t mean to turn this into a review, but if anyone has any theories and wants to talk I’m all ears.
On Nov. 20 we packed up and drove down to AZ to spend Thanksgiving with our families. It felt kind of surreal to be in AZ and to not have a house to go home to. While we were down we celebrated my 26th birthday on the 21st by getting Barros Pizza (oh man do I miss Barros) and seeing Hunger Games: The Mocking Jay Part 1. Not as great as the amazing Catching Fire, but still good.
We spent most of the trip simply hanging out with family and friends. We didn’t really have an agenda, just a good old time relaxing with our loved ones. The foodies that we are we tried to hit up some of our favorite AZ places to eat like Filabratos (at least that’s mine), Gallo Blanco, Tia Rosas, Spinatos, and of course Barros! We didn’t get to go to Geckco Grill though:(
One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is playing in a turkey bowl, and I played in one of the funnest Turkey bowls ever this year (we had a freaking offensive line). After the turkey bowl we went out to Scottsdale for Thanksgiving lunch with the extended Jackson family. After a few hours there we drove back to Mesa to spent time with my Ma (and her delicious rolls) and my siblings.
The rest of the trip was filled with a little shopping, the new Super Smash Bros (the Wii fit trainer is the bomb!), family pictures with both sides, and some working out with my brother in laws.
Oh and I can’t leave out one of the best things of the whole trip, seeing the Star Wars trailer with my brothers! December 18th 2015 can’t get here soon enough!
December
Man December was a big blur for me. Seriously it cruised by! To start off the month Taylor got a new job at Shep Salon in Provo. It's one of the better salons in Provo, and she has enjoyed working there and learning a lot. It's also been very hard working long hours, and being on her feet all day, but she handling it better than I would!
While Taylor was working her butt off, in my spare time I was playing my old Nintendo 64. I spent a few late nights playing one of my favorite games Star Wars Shadows of the Empire.
Also in the first week or so I started seeing a therapist. I was hesitant to put this in here at first, but honestly I have LOVED being able to see a therapist. It's added such great value to my life and helped me see my life a little bit more clearly. It's not something I will probably keep on doing consistently but, for now its helped. I use to think that when someone was going to see a therapist or counselor it meant that they had some serious mental problems or had some big issue, but I think seeing a therapist is something that everyone should do at some point in their life. At the end of the day we all have issues, and I think everyone could benefit from it no matter how big or small the issues.
About mid December I got to travel down to AZ again this time for my best friend Jacob's wedding reception. He and his new wife Sammi got married in Oregon so we couldn't make it up, so I made the trip down to be there for the reception (and Barros catered so that was another reason to be there!)
When I got back to Utah, that's when things got crazy. Almost immediately after getting home and I started feeling the sore throat, ache feeling symptoms coming on, and next thing I knew I had a fever and I was glued to bed. I was struck by the flu and I had a fever for 5 days straight! I could hardly get out of bed and walk anywhere. It was probably one of the sickest I've ever been. I ended up losing 10 pounds from it all. It took me about a week until I had even a little bit of strength to get out of bed.
Finally as I started recovering we made our way down to AZ again for Christmas. People always say they dream of white Christmas’s but man I love Arizona Christmases. Christmas consisted of delicious soups, pinatas, temple lights, home made presents, dance parties, Super Smash Bros, and Indian Food. Christmas is easily my favorite time of the year and this was year we were blessed with a lot!
The rest of our time in AZ we spent hang in out with as much family and friends as we could, did some after Christmas returns/shopping at Scottsdale mall, saw 4 movies, The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies (great), Unbroken (solid), The Imitation Game (fantastic), and Into the Woods (okay), and of course we ate more delicious food!
I absolutely love AZ and it’s always hard to leave, especially to what we came home to! We flew home on the 29th and we were greeted with a snow storm, and negative degree weather! It was cold! But despite the cold, I have so much to be grateful for. I feel so blessed for the year we had. For all the triumphs and for the defeats. The joy and pain. I didn’t write much about the hard things in this year because I felt that I needed to touch on the things that I was blessed with. With 2014 behind me, I can’t wait for all the things in store for 2015! (Star Wars in 11 months baby!!!)
