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Stuff I Love Challenge - Week 1
Feb. 3rd, 2026 10:59 amI saw a challenge on another journal, and I am gonna participate.
Basically the challenge is to share a top 10 list of things you love every week of February.
This weeks theme is to share your favorite standalone pieces of media.
In no particular order:
1. Through the Ice (1989) by Piers Anthony & Robert Kromwise - Novel - This was started by Kromwise, who emulated Anthony's style. Piers finished it after Kromwise passed away. I found this inside a desk in high school English (back in 1992) and it was amazing to me. Seth Warner is pulled from a fight in Michigan into a magical world, becoming part of a prophesied group of four (including Tirsa the telepath, Rame the faun, and Vidav the giant) on a quest. Such a good read.
2. Empire Records (1995) - Film - This is probably my favorite movie of all-time. I once watched it 30 days in a row and never got tired of it. Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) runs Empire Records, an independent Delaware store that employs a tight-knit group of music-savvy youths. Hearing that the shop may be sold to a big chain, slacker employee Lucas (Rory Cochrane) bets a chunk of the store's money, hoping to get a big return. When this plan fails, Empire Records falls into serious trouble, and the various other clerks, including lovely Corey (Liv Tyler) and gloomy Deb (Robin Tunney), must deal with the problem, among many other issues. An awesome cast, great music and a fun story.
3. Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met (1983) - Stand-Up - My first introduction to the comic Robin Williams, after seeing him on 'Mork & Mindy' and 'Popeye'. He was incredibly funny. I still quote lines from this 43 years later. I miss him immensely.
4. Mox (2021) by Jon Moxley - Autobiography - I have been a huge pro wrestling fan and have read a few autobiographies from wrestlers, but this one stands out. He didn't use a ghostwriter, and the part I loved was that it wasn't done in chronological order. It was like he was thinking about his life in ADHD terms.
5. Dressed to Kill (1999) - Eddie Izzard - Stand-Up - Eddie is an amazingly funny person and this was my introduction to someone who is a transvestite (they're an executive transvestite). Like Robin's, I quote this one quite often.
6. Stepmom (1998) - Film - Susan Sarandon and Ed Harris play divorcees with two children (Jena Malone and Liam Aiken). Julia Roberts plays Ed's new girlfriend. Susan's character has to deal with the new woman in her ex's and children's lives. Julia and Susan are fantastic together and Jena Malone is so mature for her young character. Liam Aiken steals every scene he is in.
7. Balatro (2024) - Video Game - I love poker and this game provides the ability to play it - with a twist. The player chooses a deck, each with unique effects and cards, before each playthrough or "run". A run is divided into antes, each with three blinds of increasing difficulty. During a "round" against a blind, the player must use their limited number of hands and discards to play poker hands, and attempt to score the required number of chips (points). To defeat blinds more easily, the player may purchase various cards which change the rules of the game or provide an advantage. I have spent a lot of time playing this, as it is addictive.
8. Murder on Music Row (2024) - True Crime Podcast - Keith Sharon delves into the mystery of a man murdered in the street on 'Music Row' in Nashville in 1989. Keith goes through the history of why, how and recounts the brutal way Kevin Hughes was gunned down. This eight part series was so compelling.
9. Easy A (2010) - Film - Emma Stone is amazing in this Scarlet Letter themed movie about a girl who starts a rumor that goes wild through the school. Stanley Tucci, Amanda Bynes and Malcolm McDonald are also so wonderful in this. Definitely a great movie to watch.
10. Glee (2009-2015) - TV Show - This show is one of my favorite things in the world. The music, the characters, the stories. I have re-watched this more times than I am willing to admit.
That was fun. I am excited for next week's theme.
Basically the challenge is to share a top 10 list of things you love every week of February.
This weeks theme is to share your favorite standalone pieces of media.
In no particular order:
1. Through the Ice (1989) by Piers Anthony & Robert Kromwise - Novel - This was started by Kromwise, who emulated Anthony's style. Piers finished it after Kromwise passed away. I found this inside a desk in high school English (back in 1992) and it was amazing to me. Seth Warner is pulled from a fight in Michigan into a magical world, becoming part of a prophesied group of four (including Tirsa the telepath, Rame the faun, and Vidav the giant) on a quest. Such a good read.
2. Empire Records (1995) - Film - This is probably my favorite movie of all-time. I once watched it 30 days in a row and never got tired of it. Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) runs Empire Records, an independent Delaware store that employs a tight-knit group of music-savvy youths. Hearing that the shop may be sold to a big chain, slacker employee Lucas (Rory Cochrane) bets a chunk of the store's money, hoping to get a big return. When this plan fails, Empire Records falls into serious trouble, and the various other clerks, including lovely Corey (Liv Tyler) and gloomy Deb (Robin Tunney), must deal with the problem, among many other issues. An awesome cast, great music and a fun story.
3. Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met (1983) - Stand-Up - My first introduction to the comic Robin Williams, after seeing him on 'Mork & Mindy' and 'Popeye'. He was incredibly funny. I still quote lines from this 43 years later. I miss him immensely.
4. Mox (2021) by Jon Moxley - Autobiography - I have been a huge pro wrestling fan and have read a few autobiographies from wrestlers, but this one stands out. He didn't use a ghostwriter, and the part I loved was that it wasn't done in chronological order. It was like he was thinking about his life in ADHD terms.
5. Dressed to Kill (1999) - Eddie Izzard - Stand-Up - Eddie is an amazingly funny person and this was my introduction to someone who is a transvestite (they're an executive transvestite). Like Robin's, I quote this one quite often.
6. Stepmom (1998) - Film - Susan Sarandon and Ed Harris play divorcees with two children (Jena Malone and Liam Aiken). Julia Roberts plays Ed's new girlfriend. Susan's character has to deal with the new woman in her ex's and children's lives. Julia and Susan are fantastic together and Jena Malone is so mature for her young character. Liam Aiken steals every scene he is in.
7. Balatro (2024) - Video Game - I love poker and this game provides the ability to play it - with a twist. The player chooses a deck, each with unique effects and cards, before each playthrough or "run". A run is divided into antes, each with three blinds of increasing difficulty. During a "round" against a blind, the player must use their limited number of hands and discards to play poker hands, and attempt to score the required number of chips (points). To defeat blinds more easily, the player may purchase various cards which change the rules of the game or provide an advantage. I have spent a lot of time playing this, as it is addictive.
8. Murder on Music Row (2024) - True Crime Podcast - Keith Sharon delves into the mystery of a man murdered in the street on 'Music Row' in Nashville in 1989. Keith goes through the history of why, how and recounts the brutal way Kevin Hughes was gunned down. This eight part series was so compelling.
9. Easy A (2010) - Film - Emma Stone is amazing in this Scarlet Letter themed movie about a girl who starts a rumor that goes wild through the school. Stanley Tucci, Amanda Bynes and Malcolm McDonald are also so wonderful in this. Definitely a great movie to watch.
10. Glee (2009-2015) - TV Show - This show is one of my favorite things in the world. The music, the characters, the stories. I have re-watched this more times than I am willing to admit.
That was fun. I am excited for next week's theme.
