My Favorite Things in 2023

Well here we are, once again. It is the end of the year, and time to look back on the year that was and the things in it that made it the most enjoyable for me – hopefully you have your own list and had an even better year! And, if you had more things on your list, then kudos to you too!

This year, I finally managed to get something I had been wanting for a while, but never managed to find just the right one: a new bicycle. The Huffy Rock Creek mountain bike I settled on is sturdy, fun, and simple to use.

In looking up different bikes, tons of them had all kinds of knobs, levers, etc., I just wanted a bike I could ride with my son and not feel ridiculous on. With a simple 18-speed switch, this bike fits the bill, and it even matches the blue of my son Nathaniel’s Huffy Rock It bike, so it gets some points for coolness there!

Next up on my list is a place I spent more time in then I thought I would, and didn’t regret it: the Cybrarium. Filled with more than just books, this is one of my favorite places to tell guests from out-of-town about, and upon entering, it’s not hard to see why.

Between VR stations, a steampunk motif, and numerous rooms to either create 3D goodies, or meet with one of the many different weekly or monthly groups in, this is not a dusty old library. Something for everyone has never been more fitting a label, plus, it’s the only one in the world!

Right next door to the Cybrarium is another one of my hot spots this year, Showbiz Cinemas. If you thought there was tons to do at the Cybrarium, this entertainment complex has even more to keep you occupied.

Sure, there are tons of movies available to watch in it– like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Transformers: Rise of The Beasts, Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and The Creator (all of my 2023 favorites) – but it also includes bowling, an arcade, a bar, a full food-service menu, and even an ice-cream spot. It’s safe to say I have spent many days and evenings enjoying all of these amenities under one, very large roof.

Now, if I was home instead, there is still even more fun to be had. Call of Duty Mobile is definitely all about fun, and it’s another thing on my 2023 favorites list.

My son mentioned it to me earlier in the year, and I finally decided to check it out, as I hadn’t played Call of Duty since the Playstation 3, many, many years ago. I am so glad I did… With tons of guns, weekly game modes, cosmetics, and seasons, this game had me syncing up a Playstation controller to my iPad and playing long into the night, whether solo or with my son on his iPad, and having more of a blast than I imagined I could.

Lots of streaming shows which came out this year also provided great in-home entertainment, but Suits was one I binged alongside my wife at multiple episodes in one sitting; something I would normally never do.

The show experienced a resurgence after it dropped on Netflix this year; so much so, that there's talk of a new spin-off in the works. But to catch all of the seasons, Peacock has got you covered with the complete nine-season run, Netflix only has up to season eight.

With a strong cast, irreverent characters, snappy dialogue, and intriguing stories, this was the show I binged happily – so much so, I haven’t watched the final season, because I just don’t want it to end! Speaking of guilty pleasures, I love anime, and the amount of it available to watch gets bigger every year.

Nonetheless, Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War had me hooked with the return of Ichigo Kurosaki and his adventures in the Soul Society. I’m not going to give away what happened with this new and final arc, but I’m eagerly anticipating the next two parts of it in the new year; so for people who haven’t watched it before, you can catch up in time for the finale, as the show is available on most streaming services.

On the other hand, this next show just got started this year, but I hope it gets more seasons: The Prank Panel. If you ever wondered what would happen if Punk’d and Shark Tank had a baby, this is the answer. Hosts Johnny Knoxville, Gabourey Sidibe, and Eric Andre meet with people who wanted to get revenge on a friend or family member.

If they liked their reason to do so, what followed were the most elaborate and insane pranks I’ve ever seen. You know how some people snort when they laugh? I’m not one of those people…until I watched this show. As a public service announcement, do not drink anything until after you watch an episode. You’re welcome.

Lastly, what would a year be without music? Rancid’s Tomorrow Never Comes came in hot, firing on all of its punk rock cylinders, with a 16-song album full of catchy chords and sonic smashing – this is what I played to make it through Miami traffic, or on Friday nights to end the work week on quite literally, a good note.

Charged and ready for battle, or just to contemplate the current state of affairs, Rancid delivered with an auditory assault to be experienced, not just listened to.

But again, this was my list of this year’s favorites, so yours was probably different, and that’s cool too. What matters is we made it to the end of the year – Happy New Year to you all, and enjoy! Maybe I’ll even manage to finish that last season of Suits before the year ends…