Josh Miller – The Family Man

16. James Gunn Superman Film

As I’ve stated before time and time again (an extra reference if you get it); I love Superman. A hero who could juggle the planets of this solar system (depending on the iteration) but instead chooses to help people. His acts of kindness and altruism are things that the world needs more of, and this planet would be better if people modeled their actions more off of him. Unfortunately, he hasn’t always been portrayed as such, and I’m hoping the new James Gunn film rectifies thatfor a large audience and sets in stone just how great of a character he can be.

Not much is known about the film currently, so it’s hard to speculate anything about it really. However, James Gunn seems to have a good knack on heroes and I’m interested to see his take on Superman. Superman has a sense of humor. He loves to smile. But he doesn’t mind getting physical if need be. There are so many attributes of the character I can see that will excel with Gunn behind the charge of the movie, and I’m hoping it shines through when the movie releases.

If anything, maybe people will finally understand he isn’t as boring as they want to believe him to be. There’s a reason he has been around as long as he has with, essentially, no real breaks. He is a relatable character no matter what era. It’s just a matter of finding the right people to show it properly. I have faith that James Gunn will do just that.

17. WWE on Netflix

I’ve loved wrestling as long as I can remember. One of the first Halloween outfits I can recall was a Macho Man Randy Savage one back when I was…I dunno….five years old? As the years passed though, I fell away even though the interest was brewing beneath the surface. But asking to pay more for a product I hadn’t truly followed for a while was a tough pill to swallow. Then, Netflix came into the equation.

Having a place I’m already subscribed (thanks T-Mobile!) to watch some wrasslin’ is going to be so nice. Especially having kids interested in the show too. I might actually try and make it a ritual for them like it was for me growing up. Except instead of Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart it’ll be Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. And maybe, just maybe, see John Cena retire in realtime.

I had a lot of great memories with the WWE (then WWF). Having it as an option on Netflix is a gamechanger for me and gives me the opportunity to give similar memories to my children. Then maybe one day in the future, they’ll attend their first WWE show like a RAW or Smackdown.

18. The Switch Successor

It’s been a long time coming and I’m growing more and more impatient. Not only are my joycons crapping out, so has the battery life of my OG Switch. Add in that performance of games is becoming more glaring and it’s obvious: a new Switch is needed. And from all the rumors, there could be one in the first half of next year.

I’ve basically moved on from playing the Switch for the reasons above. But there are plenty of games I do want to play that are currently out and ones I’m sure will be coming out. But I just can’t tolerate the current Switch any longer. It’s age is showing and no game release on it can seemingly shy away from performance discussion.

I need a new one. Nintendo needs a new one. And like the last one, I’m sure it’ll sell like hotcakes. So like Fry from Futurama once said, “Shut up and take my money!”

19. Universal Epic Universe

Every year, my family and I try to take a trip to Orlando. More often than not, it’s Universal Studios because my kids like the rides over Disney and….let’s face it…..is much cheaper of the two. Usually I dread it, but with the opening of Epic Universe, I am eager to go. Yes, the Universal Monsters section will definitely be a highlight, but I’m more excited for Super Nintendo World. So are my kids.

I feel giddy thinking about being surrounded by a series I’ve loved since I was a child. The landscapes, the characters, and just the general vibe have me excited to visit. We are talking about going in 2025 and doing a stay at the new hotel there at Epic Universe, but we still have to wait to iron out the kinks there. Regardless, going to Orlando again, after not going in 2024, will be nice, but even better with having something fresh to experience.

Normally when we go, it’s also just for a mental retreat of sorts. In 2025, it’ll be for the same reason but also for a much larger reason. 2024 was hard for a number of reasons, but one in particular hit the hardest. And because of that, Universal will be treated as a congratulatory reward of sorts. Which leads me to the fifth thing I’m most excited to see in 2025.

20. My Wife Ringing the Bell

In October, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. She found two lumps herself (check yourselves out, it actually can save your life) and upon further inspection had it lymph nodes as well. It was caught early, but despite all that, it got expensive real quick and took over the back half of 2024 with doctor visits, employment work-arounds, and chemo treatments.

It has sucked. Yes, everything seems to be going smoothly so far at the time of me writing this (December 1st), but it has had its complications. Telling my kids we have to cancel our trip they were looking forward to sucked. And it was made worse by explaining to them why we had to cancel it. Telling them mommy was getting special treatment for a life-threatening disease is not something she thought she would do at the age of 35. It hurts seeing her lose her hair she loved so much and having the chemo days where she feels like complete garbage. Ideally, not every Thursday after chemo will result in her passing out in my arms and rushing her to the ER.

Suffice it to say, things have been better. But it’s also been great to see the support that we have from friends and (some) family. We have cried or been on the verge of crying not just from the bad news, but all the help everyone has offered us since the diagnosis too. Easily the toughest challenge we’ve faced yet, and we feel comfort in knowing the people behind us are truly behind us.

This is without a doubt what I look forward to the most. My wife ringing that bell announcing to everyone there she successfully made it through. I have no doubt she will. We have been together since 2007. She is my best friend. I owe the world to her. And I know how tough and stubborn she can be. It won’t be easy and lots of changes will come from this not just from chemo but the surgery and radiation as well. But I’ll be by her side every step of the way. And I’ll be so incredibly proud of her when she grabs that rope and let’s everyone know that another person kicked cancer’s ass.