I haven’t been doing much creative this week, what with it being half term, going to work as usual and spending time with my little family. But instead of leaving a quote or a random photograph, and believe me I did consider doing just that, I thought I would share with you some of my favourite things. In list form of course, cos who doesn’t love a list! So, in no particular order, here we go!

My Top 5 Movies

1. Transformers: The Movie (1986)
I know it’s an extended advert to kill off the old line of toys so that a new line of toys can be sold. I don’t care. This is the first movie I can recall being able to say was mine, and I still own the VHS. I think it’s a great adventure, with some genuine stakes for the characters and with a unmistakably 80’s soundtrack to boot. I loved this movie then, and I still love it now.

2. Back to the Future
Quite probably the perfect movie. For me this is utterly flawless. I can’t find one fault with it. One of my favourite bits is Jennifer writing her number on the save the clock tower flyer. It’s a small moment but one that the entire film hinges on, because without it Marty has no reason to keep the flyer that will be his way back home.

3. Return of the Jedi
It should be noted here, I’m talking about the original version. Before Lucas decided to put Hayden in the force ghost scene for some reason in his subsequent remasterings.
Empire may be the better movie, and I can’t really argue too heavily against it if i’m honest, but Jedi is the finale of the trilogy, and i’m a sucker for a good ending. Against all odds the good guys win and the bad guys lose. It doesn’t get better than that.

Oh, and the yub nub song. Gotta love that!

4. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
A movie I can just whack on the telly sit back and enjoy. Despite the many repeated viewings I still enjoy this as much as the first time I saw it.

5. Avengers Assemble
The movie that proved that films could be interconnected and successful. Many others have tried to capture the success that marvel have had with their juggernaut franchise and nearly all have failed miserably. Much like Ferris Bueller, I can stick this enjoyable romp of a movie on and simply enjoy myself time and time again.

Top 5 Books

1. Creative Calling By Chase Jarvis
Weather you consider yourself a creative person or not, this book is well worth reading

2. Good Omens By Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
An angel and demon may have misplaced the Antichrist. Which is a bit of a bugger as he’s about to bring about the apocalypse. And they’d rather he didn’t as they quite like it here really.

3. Grand Admiral Thrawn Trilogy By Timothy Zahn
Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising and the Last Command. Regarded as close to Episodes VII, VIII and IX we were going to get before Disney bought Star Wars and wiped the slate clean.

4. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Quite frankly anything by Neil Gaiman is brilliant and should be read repeatedly. In this a bloke gets lost in London Below and winds up dragged along on the adventure of a lifetime.

5. Ready Player One By Ernest Cline
The story of the ultimate easter egg hunt. So full of geekiness it’s bursting at the seams. Probably the reason why I like it so much.

Top 5 Podcasts

1. The Chase Jarvis LIVE Show
Talking to amazing creatives with the aim of helping you unlock a way to fulfil your own creative life. Through this podcast I discovered the likes of Tim Ferriss, Gary Vee and Austin Kleon, just to name a few.

2. Off Camera with Sam Jones
Only recently began to listening to this podcast but it’s quickly found it’s way into this top 5. Really interesting interviews with incredible people.

3. Sh**ged, Married, Annoyed.
Chris and Rosie Ramsey discuss their beefs with each other and answer your questions. Bloody hilarious!

4. The Morphin Grid
Josh and Jake watch an episode of Power Rangers and the talk about it. The better the episode, the less they wander off on random tangents. I just like listening to two good friends discuss a show that they clearly love as much as I do.

5. Fatman Beyond
Kevin Smith and Marc Bernardin give us their spin on pop culture before going in depth on the finery geekery we all know and love.

Top 5 TV shows

1. Buffy/Angel
Quite frankly some of the best television ever written. What else can I say. For a long time Angel was my preferred show over Buffy and I may never forgive Joss Whedon for A Hole in the World, which broke my heart into so many pieces. Rewatching Buffy in the early hours of the morning when my eldest was a baby reminded me of just how incredible this how was and whilst Buffy may not have reached the heights of it’s Season Five finale it ended magnificently in a blaze of glory.

2. Supernatural
Love this almost as much for the behind the scenes pranks stories as for the actual show itself. It’s clear that everyone loved doing this show and I will be sad to see it end. Though feth only knows how they’ll get there.

3. M*A*S*H
11 seasons of comedy gold. That is all I have to say.

4. Arrowverse
Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow. Four shows that I enjoy immensely, especially the crossovers. Which have improved greatly over the years. Arrow went through a stage where I felt it could have ended at least three times over but the last couple of seasons proved that there was still life left and it will be a shame to see it end. Still waiting to see the Crisis crossover as it has yet to air here in the UK.

5. Voltron: Legendary Defender
I’ve watched this Netflix animated series through twice now and I’ve cried both times at the finale. I love this show and that ending is perfect.

Top 5 Videogames

1. Jedi: Fallen Order
Now on my second play through this. Really good story and who doesn’t love wielding a lightsaber. Dathomir still gives me the willies though.

2. Batman Arkham series
As close as I’ll ever get to being Batman. What more do you want?

3. Forza Horizon
Driving a car like a lunatic round the countryside. Simple.

4. Assassin’s Creed
It’s the simple things in life like sneaking around stabbing bad guys.

5. Mario Kart
Light hearted good fun, this is a game I’m able to play this with my kids knowing that even though I can outrace them, (at the moment,) an ill timed blue shell will mean disaster. And it has. My son remembers the time I got hit with a blue shell at the second to last corner and he managed to avoid the blast zone and take the victory. It’s moments like this that Mario Kart is built on and why it’s so much fun.

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I should note that these list are by no means exhaustive. They are in a constant state of flux as I grow ever older and discover new things and the older stuff falls out of favour as my tastes change. That’s the great things about life. You are free to change your mind about things. You don’t have to be locked on one path. You are free to choose your own way.