My Top Five Girl Crushes.

I've enumerated many a time my Top Five. However, I've never enumerated my Top Five Girl Crushes. These are ladies I want to befriend and converse with. I want to steal all their clothes, or simply go shopping with them. I want to pick their brains. I want to get hair and make-up tips. I want them to tell me their secrets to their confidence. These women, in my mind, rule.

I present to you, in no particular order, my Top Five Girl Crushes:

Gwen Stefani

No surprises here, right? I mean, she's been the inspiration to my LIFE since 1995. Through her music, honest lyrics (from a female point of view), fashion, classiness, business sense, and the way she seems to own at her own life - there's no one I'm more afraid of ever meeting, as well as hoping to become best friends with. If I could choose any one in this world to be a "mentor" in my own life, it'd be Gwen.

Penelope Cruz

I would be Penelope's frenemy in real life because I'd constantly be jealous of her beauty. And her talent. And her fiance. Just kidding about that last one! Kinda. She's simply mesmerizing - from Volver to Broken Embraces - and I want to figure out how to embody that hypnotizing quality. I wouldn't mind the sexiness, either.

Julie Delpy

Have you SEEN Before Sunrise and Before Sunset? Two of my favourite films of all time? You may remember me discussing how they are amazingly realistic romantic stories?? Because if you do, tell me how Julie Delpy manages to be ethereally beautiful throughout the films (and her career) with constant pre-makeover hair and little to no make-up. When my hair was long, it would look similar to Delpy's in it's frizziness and spontaneous waves. Yet, I was never so damn cool. Couple her effortless beauty with the loveliest French accent I've ever heard, and I'm smitten. Plus, she writes, directs, produces, sings, and gets nominated for Oscars for writing.

Zooey Deschanel

She's the reason I spent 2007 with bangs - the year I met Jesse. I want to steal her cute dresses and, sure, I'll take those gargantuan blue eyes, too. I remembered her very clearly from her bit part in Almost Famous. I followed most of her career since then through Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Weeds and 500 Days of Summer, and found her endearing and, suprisingly, not annoying. Then she co-founded She & Him. If you don't know yet, I basically think someone created that modern band with a 60s sound straight out of my head. And as someone close to my age that is also married to a musician (mine's cuter!), I feel like we could really bond if we ever met.

Tilda Swinton

If I could learn "badassery" from anyone, it'd be Tilda. She seems like she does whatever she prefers concerning fashion, the red carpet and her personal life - and all with a certain strength, confidence, and aplomb. Plus, she's strikingly gorgeous. If Zooey rustles up the girliness in me, Tilda (with a splash of Gwen) inspires the ties, the menswear, and any androgynous fashion I may wear on occasion. I once saw her walking out of a movie theater I was entering - I swiveled dramatically, in awe of catching a glimpse. As with all the ladies on this list, she's supremely talented. Sigh.

What are your top five girl crushes?!

It only takes one word or idea to send me in real deep.

I pondered whether I was in the right state of mind this morning in which to blog. Last night (or, rather, this morning!) I went to bed at 330am after watching Iron Man and Iron Man 2 in theaters. I woke up at 7am for work. You can see why my brain might be malfunctionous.

I mean, I'm making up words here.

But, as this is MY blog, I can be as crazy-sounding as I want, and I'm pretty sure you're all used to it. You read my last post, I assume. That means you also know what I've been up to the past two evenings.

So I lead with somewhat of a headline:

01 Robert Downey Jr.
02 Hugh Jackman
03 Joseph Gordon-Levitt
04 Mark Ruffalo
05 Sam Rockwell

You know what that is. You know what that is!!!

I think I live in my own brain too much. Good thing I get to share it with all of you.

And Adam. On Wednesday, Adam and I went to see the Broadway play A Behanding in Spokane. Christopher Walken was playing up his "accent" throughout the play and I double-overed laughing every time. I think there were even times Sam Rockwell was trying not to laugh delivering his own lines opposite him. The play was "uproariously funny," "hilarious," and other such similar exclamations.

The day before we saw the play, Walken got nominated for a Tony for Best Actor for it! I call that "legit."

Immediately after the play, on our way out, Adam impressed me by out-recognizing-an-obscure-actor. He sees a guy in a black sweater and goes, "I recognize him from something!" I take a look and go, "Pfft. He does not seem familiar in the least. How do you know he is an actor?" Said dude looks right at us as we're "recognizing" him and then steps backstage - so he's definitely someone. Three blocks after leaving (yes, I decided not to wait around to meet Rockwell) Adam realizes where that actor is from...he recognizes the dude from - wait for it - FINAL DESTINATION 2. YEAH. My mind was certainly blown. It was the actor who played the COP. I think there was a genuine flicker of pride that he thought two kids recognized him. Even though only one thought of him as vaguely familiar.

POINT: I recommend seeing A Behanding in Spokane if you get a chance, because you will laugh, and it is ridiculous, and damn that Rockwell is a talented comedic actor! And you might also see someone you kind of saw on tv that one time.

Last night I geared up for IRONMANia!!! Tyler and Jim came over after work even though I wanted to nap before the near-all-nighter. So I made them watch The Hills. They knew a wee bit too much about those characters, methinks!

We then headed to Manhattan to meet up with Adam and Kells - Kells, she the lady who has doth never seen Iron Man.

Hold on, my literary prowess is faltering. I must take a quick blog break to give my brain a rest and also take a five-hour energy drink.

I'm back. Those "breaks" don't really translate on blogs. Perhaps I would fare better not telling you.

Anyway. For any readers I haven't lost yet:

We sat center and center (surely you know what I mean) for Iron Man and awaited the impending awesomeness. I came prepared with Twizzlers and Peanut Butter Cups to share amongst our group. I told Kelly at the last possible moment that there were scenes in the film set in the desert, wherein dust and sand were surely to appear wild and out of control. Kelly has a thing about dust and sand in film: she does not like it. But I got her there so she had to stay and watch it!

And who is not charmed by Robert Downey Jr? COME ON.

The best thing about the IRONMANia was that we got to stay in the same seats for the midnight showing

Preview thought #1: The Last Airbender looks like it borrows a lot from the "disaster movie" genre, therefore, I will not be able to help seeing it and loving it.

Preview thought #2: Inception - most anticipated movie of the year for me (since I'm in the theater watching the other one.)

Preview thought #3: Oh, JJ Abrams! You old so-and-so. You always reel me in. You made me see Cloverfield at midnight. Will you also make me see Super 8 at midnight?!

RDJ RDJ RDJ RDJ! ----ack, wait, we open with Rourke. That's okay, it's a movie not an ogle-fest. (Sidenote: FALSE! I realize that I cannot roll my eyes any more at Johansson's casting - here I was, ogling RDJ to the best of my ogling abilities (they're really quite good) and those who are into good-looking women should have the right to do the same...though I will say that straight men leave much, much less to the imagination with all that spandex and butt close-ups - put Tony Stark in a well-tailored suit and I will swoon - he needn't be showing off the equivalent of cleavage for me to go "badowwwww" or whatever they say. I don't know what they say. WHERE AM I GOING WITH THIS PARENTHETICAL?)

I digress.

Things I don't need to see any more of in my lifetime: Mickey Rourke's fingernails. I thought the eerie, shudder-worthy transluscent whiteness of his nails in The Wrestler was horrifying enough. But! Here they are the same meaty curves except with grime and dirt and who-knows-what caked all over. As a lady who notices hands first, and rates the attractiveness on men solely on particular loveliness of their hands (that's a lie), Rourke's hands were frightening.

Finally, we see RDJ. Badowwwww.

Oh hey, Sam Rockwell, I didn't know you were in so much of this movie. And you are hilarious! Just like when I saw you yesterday! I enjoy every scene you are in! You as Justin Hammer and RDJ as your business rival Tony Stark -- I love it! Oh, you've got nice hands.

Except when your character obviously used too much self-tanner because his hands were orangey and they didn't even make an outright joke about it which made me love it even MORE.

I realize you may not be able to follow this rambling. I realize this.

I recommend Iron Man 2 especially if you loved the first one and you like to laugh and you love RDJ's nuanced and witty portrayal of Tony Stark. Also, if you are a comic book nerd because there is a lot of that in there, obviously. And if you like well-tailored suits. Like in Mad Men. By the way, Roger Sterling is in the film, but they took away the thing that makes him inherently silver fox-hot: his white hair! And trust me, that is where his power lies.

Fun fact: that scene on the racetrack they show in the previews? Apparently Rourke made them blast Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" while being super menacing and crazy during that scene. That made me laugh out loud to read in last week's Entertainment Weekly.

Also! I liked some of the plot choices made...and there was some real great innuendo in some of the lines, as well. Justin Theroux wrote the script, and I am impressed. He was in my top five at one point - it's true.

One final shoutout to my friends for hanging out for IRONMANia and staying up until 330am with me. THEY ROCK.

So now it's Friday. Jesse arrives from Boston this afternoon!!!!!!! I will probably nap a whole bunch when I get home from work. This is good news to you, I'm sure, as you've reached this sentence. That in itself makes me think that you too are not well and should get some rest, ya hear?

Rip scripts, slash, burn up the courage.

Another thing about my job is that it can be pretty easygoing on most days - except for one week out of every month. Which happens to be this week. And when I return to the homestead every evening during these kinds of weeks, the last thing I want to do is look at a computer some more! But I'm hoping to get a post up tonight that's been in the works for a while! Stay tuned.

For now, here's a list of random:

• I get to see Jesse next week!!!!
• Remember back in December, when I went to Chicago for the Motion City Soundtrack shows and posted each night's setlist to my tumblr? Well, since Motion City (re)learned their entire catalog back then, they're switching up their setlists each night of their current tour and Jesse has taken it upon himself to post their setlist each night to their own tumblr! Check it out!
• Their album My Dinosaur Life debuted on the charts at #15 !!! WOOOOOOO!!! Also, it's the only album artwork that doesn't show up on my computer here at work:

And #3 on the Alternative Chart !!!

• Jesse and I are currently in the lead for that wedding photo contest - but please vote for us if you haven't! It ends on Monday, February 1st.
• I get to see Jesse next week!!!!
• Motion City is performing on THE JIMMY FALLON SHOW next week, too! You bet I'll be there!! (And of course, remind you to watch on February 2nd!)
• I got to hang out with my bestie Jiscilla last night, as she's taking off tomorrow to visit our other bestie Christy in Austin, TX. I'm jealous of sweet friend hangs PLUS sweeter weather than the snow/sleet that's going on right now in New York. However, last night was uproarious fun with the gang, and Jiscilla's lovely boyfriend Tyler footed the bill at the end of dinner in a suprise move. Dude rules.
• My friend Jim has the same "break out laugh face" that George Clooney does.
• In (seriously) unrelated news, Robert Downey Jr.'s Golden Globes speech has pushed him into the #1 spot on my own popularity chart, the Top Five. George, after years as king, has been dethroned. Also, in case you hadn't heard, Mark Ruffalo and Joseph Gordon-Levitt replaced Lee Pace and Chris Pine, as well.
• The gym, I'm loving it. Haven't skipped a morning yet!
• And I recieved another FormSpring question yesterday, another one I already answered! Here's the question: thanks for sharing! (i asked what you do for a living) "transponster" i detect a Friends reference! (You are correct!) It seems you live a lifestyle that is desperately desired, did you always imagine your life would turn out this way? If not, how did you imagine it would?  Here's my answer! (It's somewhere there in that list!) Thanks for asking - and for thinking my life is desirable! I'm pretty happy with it!
• Of course, anyone can ask me anything.
• I get to see Jesse next week!!!!

That's what I've got.

I could break your heart any day of the week.

It's Friday! I'm in a great mood even though today is the fifth straight day of raining in New York!! Because?! It's FRIDAY!!

And what else better to commemorate a great mood than officially unveiling the current status of my Top Five. You all had your guesses. You were mostly close. So here it is. Please, allow me to girl-out.

1. George Clooney

Probably the most obvious to long time readers. Is there any one with more easy charm? Just see Out of Sight, one of my favourite movies - J.Lo or no J.Lo!

2. Robert Downey, Jr.

Yes, I think to enter my Top Five, apparently a charming personality is necessary. Probably the most eccentric of my Tops, I've blatantly loved RDJ through the 90s, and he's the only reason I want Ally McBeal to come out on DVD - I loved his character Larry and his singing made me swoon. This crush reignited via movies like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Iron Man.

3. Hugh Jackman

Hugh seems like an all-around nice guy, you might say CHARMING, and he's got that, um, body. He also plays my second favourite X-Men character and probably single-handedly made me like him more than I did before the movies. (Remy LeBeau was the stuff of my childhood swoons.)

4. Lee Pace

Oooh, a surprise for some! But we all know I love Pushing Daisies. His bashful, awkward, idealistic romantic character Ned is so adorable, sometimes I squeal. I dig his lankiness, the way he raises his eyebrows, and his giant hands.

5. Chris Pine

A BLOND IS IN THE TOP FIVE. Being so recent, I don't think I have to explain where THIS crush comes from and why. Jon Hamm was booted from this spot for Pine Flu. Although, Mad Men airs again on August 16th - but when is Star Trek out on DVD? How will these two battle for my imaginary affections? Other people who wavered in and out of the top five were Matthew Fox, Christian Bale, Chris Carrabba, Edward Norton, Jason Lee, Mark Ruffalo, Ewan MacGregor, and others.

The thing about the Top Five is that I don't know any of these dudes. I don't want to. They live in my head mainly as their characters and the little snippets I gather from their personalities via interviews and whatnot. I don't want to know that much about them, actually - because my projections of them are much sweeter, I'd guess. The good thing is that I have my number one in real life: Jesse. I know pretty much everything about him and that only enhances the fact that he's amazing. He's my number one charmer, my lovely man, my own personal superhero, my daily source of appeal.

So it's a good thing I'm marrying him! [Lock. It. Down.] In fact, this weekend is an all-ladies weekend with my Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party! Yes. This weekend. I don't share much of the wedding whatnots here, as planning a wedding isn't all that fun, and I don't think readers will gather anything of use from MY wedding planning, but you what is fun? Parties. So stay tuned for reports of the awesome parties!

I'll make this painless, try to be sweet.

What a glorious weekend it was! On Friday, Erica, Kelly and I had another official summer date - dinner at Sweet Emily's and then a movie. What movie? Well, Star Trek. Yes, third time! Yes, Chris Pine has officially entered my Top Five. And I'll discuss those included in the top five in another post. For now, know that Jon Hamm was kicked out (this may change on August 16th...) and neither Keanu Reeves nor Ryan Adams were ever in contention, however intrigued I am by their works.

Here's another thing about Star Trek - my best friend Kelly is not a fan of science fiction. She has very high standards when it comes to movies. It has to be thought-provoking and usually indie and/or star Zac Efron. She despises sci-fi, period pieces, and cheesiness (except where Mr. Efron is concerned). She loves Wes Anderson films and Natalie Portman. But she looooved Star Trek. This is the highest recommendation I can give. "Oh why haven't you checked out [Movie]? Kelly saw it and loved it." That usually makes any friend of mine who knows Kelly, go see the movie. That's why her nickname is Kells For the Win.

On Saturday, Erica and I hosted our annual rooftop BBQ! We had some real fun with our good friends! Per usual.

Jen & Molly!

Gaby, Katie, Sean.

Kristen, Lauren Ashley, Cara, Rob.

Molly, Ben, Kristen, Lauren Ashley.

Andrew, Katie, Jonah.

Rob, Jaime, Andrew.

ROOFTOP BOCCE!!!

After the festivities, we headed into Manhattan to see Tyler & Pete's band A Great Big Pile of Leaves play a show at Lit Lounge. It was uberfun and I love their music - it's quite interesting to watch Tyler's skills at the drums. He said he will teach me how to play some Foo Fighters songs on the drums in the future (holding you to that, T-Bone!). Anyway, they're working on a video right now for a new song and a) the video is awesome and b) I can't get the song out of my head!! More on that when it's released!

Yesterday I caught up with a lot of things on my checklist, and also caught the MTV Movie Awards because I heard Chris Pine was presenting an award. There was actually a few good moments during them, none that topped Pine's cardigan + oxford + tie ensemble, though. Let's be honest.

Later today I'll be announcing the winner of my Mandy Moore contest! We had a very astute reader come through on Saturday with a one-step answer and I think that's put off any other contestants from leaving a comment :)

How was your weekend?!

Just to be over then back to another one.

Look, it's been a pretty busy week all around so I haven't had time to post! It'll be much better after this weekend. Should I list it all out for you?

On Monday, I met up for post-work drinks with Zan - a monthly ritual. It includes amazing Pear Martinis. We sit at a table by the window of Whiskey Park, a bar on Central Park South. We talk about a myriad of things, but this past Monday we saw many a suit pass by and deduced that these were people having to do with the Fox up-fronts. They were going into Central Park following signs that said "FOX" and big balloons with "GLEE" written on them. It was pretty sad how much detective work we did when all we really had to do was ask one of the suits. Or, ya know, make our brains work faster. These monthly get-togethers are so much fun, though, and I'm looking forward to June's!

I'm still pining the Pine. In fact. Look at this picture of Chris Pine & Zoe Saldana in Japan -

Could a blond crack my Top Five?! On a related note, somebody coined the term "Pine Flu" on the internet this morning, and I'm taking it.

Also, Zan attempted to guess my Top Five just from reading this blog, and she was very close except she included Keanu Reeves! Keanu is totally a fascination, not a crush. He hasn't written me in a while... Anyway, can you guess my Top Five?

I'm currently reading the 900-page behemoth that is 2666 by Roberto Bolano. I love it so far. The version I have is split into three books/volumes, so I'm getting mighty ambitious with this cross-country trip - I'm bringing all three. I've got really long flights...

I got a good haircut in New York! Yes! And it wasn't too expensive, meaning, I shall be going back. They took off a few inches (my hair is getting long long long) and it's all healthy and fun now. I'm excited to know there's someone I can turn to in the city for my haircutting needs - and it won't cost me $100. Whatchoo think?

On Tuesday night, I accompanied Erica to Trainwreck, where Dave Holmes was guest-DJing, and the fellows from Passion Pit were there to celebrate their latest release, Manners! Check it out! It was a fun time, and Mr. Holmes (remember that guy who lost to Jesse Camp in that MTV VJ contest but then continued to have a better career with MTV than the winner? THAT'S Dave Homes) was a very nice dude.

Last night I had a lovely date with Kells and Erica at Sweet Emily's (addicted, fact.) and we've decided to continue this three-fifths of Curbside tradition for a weekly date. Next week? Possibly...perhaps...seeing Star Trek again. Kelly hasn't seen it!! And I think I've convinced her with my flurry of Pine pictures. I think I've infected her. PINE FLU!

Then Erica and I came home, watch Kris Allen win American Idol as the Entertainment Weekly with Adam Lambert sat on our coffee table, and then I packed and I'M LEAVING TODAY AT NOON FOR LOS ANGELES!

Jesse awaits me and I couldn't be more excited to see my dude and get some FACETIME in. Sporadic updates will ensue this weekend, but I should be back to full-fledged afterwards.

What are you doing for Memorial Day Weekend?