We Crave a Different Kind of Buzz

Today I went to my first Comic Con. It was, well, a learning experience to say the least. Here are some random observations.

• The Salt Lake Comic Con FanXperience (or FanX for short) should really be called, "How much are you willing to pay?" I spent a lot of money today, and I really wish I had sprung for the VIP pass instead of just the Gold. Seriously.
• I got an awesome parking spot at City Creek, though I probably should have let the other person take it: someone was pulling out, and another car was waiting for them opposite me; they just hesitated for a second too long and I took it selfishly. I'm terrible.
• Why is it okay for women to be half-naked and when men are, it's just weird?
• I saw some really great cosplays. There was an amazing (and hot!) Thor, and I should have gotten a picture with him. Sometimes I just need to be more brave.
• I did cowgirl-up and ask this young man for a picture.

Not a bad 10th doctor! No idea who this guy is.

• I spent waaaay too long standing in line (I'm glad I wore comfy shoes!). And since I went by myself, I was really bored. People watching was fun, but it would have been much more enjoyable with someone to talk to and to fan-girl with. Instead, I spent those hours texting DeLayna (who is saving her money) and Rachael (who has been sick) and my Mom (who is in Peru, and who broke her leg today). So I will not be attending alone in the future, especially if there is so much family stuff going on.
• Photo Ops will only be worth it in the future if I have a VIP pass. Nearly two hours in a little rat maze with no one to talk to.
• That being said . . .

Just hanging with my friends Billie, Matt and Karen. For all of 10 seconds.

• I was unbelievably star-struck, They were good sports, but obviously exhausted and just trying to have fun with the pictures.
• The panel, "The Ultimate Doctor Who Experience" was awesome. I really enjoyed getting to know them a little better. I love that Matt called Karen "Cass" and is afraid of her skinny wrists, and he called Billie "Pipes."

A picture of the big screen. Matt's shirt says, "Are you sciency?" And yes, that is a weeping angel behind him.

Billie kept curling up on the couch like cat. 

• Matt Smith is tall, handsome, and utterly charming. I'm rather in love with him. And with Doctor Who (obviously!)

That's all I can think of for now. I was so tired by the end, I don't think I'll even go back tomorrow. I will go to my card exchange, which will basically be the opposite of Comic Con: a very small gathering of people I know and love. 

Hopeless Wanderer

A little while ago, my sister Sarah did a blog post on the top 20 guys on her "list."    I have been wanting to do one myself, but I have been a little distracted lately {see #1}.  Now that I'm to the point where I'm not going to be staying up until 4am watching this show, I can blog again.  What better way to spend an evening than by putting pictures of hot men of Hollywood on my blog?  {Disclaimer: I do not own any of these pictures.  They were found on Google.}

First off, let me tell you: this is a current list, as of May 2013.  Things change, and there are perennial favourites, but as of today this is where my mind is wandering off to.  Second of all, I find talent extremely attractive.  Sure there are quite a few guys on here with incredible bodies, but I'm much more interested in how they make me feel.  Third, you're welcome.

20.  Dan Stevens {married, two kids, 30yo, 6'}

Dan is most well-known from his role on Downton Abbey, though if you haven't seen him as Edward in Sense & Sensibility (2008), you are missing out.  I don't usually go for the blonde hair, blue-eyed type, but Dan is an exception.  His character Matthew is quite cheesy, but he's so honorable and good and in love with Lady Mary . . . *sigh.*  Downton Abbey won't be the same without him.

19.  Marcus Mumford {Married, 26yo, 6'3"}



Marcus is a new addition to the list; I have been listening to "Babel" by Mumford & Sons {Grammy for album of the year 2012} in my car, and I just love his voice.  He is extremely talented, and married to the gorgeous Carey Mulligan.  Now that's good stuff.

18.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt {single, 32, 5'10"}



JGL is adorable.  I have had a little crush on him since the Third Rock From The Sun days, when he was just a kid.  He's a really good actor, and sometimes the only reason I need to see a movie is because he is in it.  If you haven't seen 500 Days of Summer, you need to.

17.  Chris Hemsworth {married, one child, 29 yo, 6'4"}



I haven't seen much of his acting, except for the Avengers.  He's pretty much the only guy on this list who is there purely for looks.  And, as such, deserves a second picture:



How adorable is that?  Those arms, man . . .

16.  Hugh Jackman {married, 2 kids, 44yo, 6'2"}



Hugh is a great actor {have you seen his transformation in Les Misérables?}, and his singing is a serious bonus.  One of the coolest things about Hugh Jackman is that he is a nice guy.  There are so many jerks in Hollywood, to find someone who is actually friendly is pretty amazing.  I included this picture, because I wanted to show you his wife {of 17 years!}.  She isn't particularly gorgeous, but Hugh absolutely adores her.  Love it.

15.  Henry Cavill {single, 30 yo, 6'1"}



I had no idea who Henry was until I watched The Tudors.  Oh. My. Goodness.  Apparently Stephenie Meyer wanted him for Edward in the Twilight movies, but he was too old.  Too bad; this guy is stunning.  And in a skin-tight Superman outfit?  Yes, please!

14.  Justin Timberlake {married to Jessica Biel, 32 yo, 6'1"}

Justin with Jimmy Fallon

JT is a serious talent, man.  He can sing, he can dance, he can act . . . I chose this picture with Jimmy Fallon {who gets an honourable mention on my list} because they have a serious bromance going on.  JT is a frequent flyer on Late Night, and they are always hilarious.  Have you seen his performance on SNL?  This video is fantastic!!

13.  Aaron Eckhart {single, 45 yo, 6')



I don't know what it is about Aaron, but he does it for me, ya know?  Another great actor.

12.  Robert Downey, Jr. {married for second time, two kids, 48 yo, 5'9"}



Who doesn't love RDJ?  Iron Man 3 was awesome, and I'm very much looking forward to another Avengers.  One of the coolest things about him is his past: he had a lot of trouble with drugs and alcohol, involving prison and rehab, and he has still managed to bounce back and be an amazing actor.  LOVE.

11.  Bradley Cooper {divorced, 38 yo, 6'1"}



Sexiest Man Alive 2011.  That smile . . . and he graduated from Georgetown, and he speaks French.  And he lives with his mom, because he wants to take care of her.  He is my friend Melanie's #1, so I always think of her when I see him.  He was incredible in Silver Linings Playbook, and he has some serious comedic chops.  Good guy.

10.  Matthew McConnaughey {married, 3 kids, 43yo, 6'}



Matthew is just beautiful.  I have had a crush on him ever since Contact {one of my all-time favorite movies}.  Those abs, that smile . . . yum.

9.  Joe Manganiello {36yo, 6'5", dating model Bridget Peters}



Tall.  Dark.  Handsome.  Need I say more?

8.  Matt Bomer  {partner to Simon Halls, 3 kids, 35yo, 5'11"}



So I just realized that numbers 10, 9 and 8 are all men of the "Kings of Tampa" {from Magic Mike, a show whose only redeeming quality is the eye candy}.  In case you were wondering, some of the hottest men are gay.  Lucky boys.

7.  Darren Criss {single, 26yo, 5'8"}



Darren is the only Glee boy to make the list {the rest get honourable mentions}, mostly because he is SO. DANG. TALENTED.  This boy can sing like nobody's business, but he also plays several musical instruments, and he's just dreamy.  Check out this video from the "Guilty Pleasures" episode of Glee {Season 4}.




6.  Colin Firth  {married, 3 kids, 6'2", 52 yo}



This picture is a little cheesy, but isn't this the scene {from Pride and Prejudice, 1995} where everyone falls in love with Colin Firth/Mr. Darcy?  Love.

5.  Tom Chaplin  {married, 34 yo, 6'2"}



As the very talented and charismatic lead singer of Keane, Tom automatically earns a spot on the list.  Plus, I have seen them in concert twice, and all of them are just enchanting.  And when you see and hear someone that amazing up close, it's pretty much a given that he would rank pretty high.  Seriously, he's adorable.  BTW, "Sea Fog" was featured on Grey's Anatomy a few weeks ago, and this is a cool mini-concert I found on YouTube..  Good stuff, I tell you.

4.  Josh Duhamel  {married to Fergie, expecting first child, 40 yo, 6'4"}



He's just so handsome!  I just read that he has a Bachelor's degree in Biology {no wonder I like him!}, and he's fantastic in so many roles.  Delightful.

3.  Armie Hammer {married, 26 yo, 6'5"}



Terrible name, gorgeous man.  His real name is Armand {which is a little stuffy}, but Armie?  Oh well.  I LOVED him as the prince in "Mirror, Mirror" and as the Winklevoss twins in "The Social Network."  He's not incredibly well-known yet, but I think "The Lone Ranger" will be his breakout role.  Mmmm.  More, please.

2.  Patrick Wilson {married, 2 kids, 39 yo, 6'1"}



I have made no secret of my love for Patrick Wilson in the past; I know I have mentioned him a couple of times.  He has been at the top of my list for quite a while, and although he's down to #2, he is still AMAZING.  So talented.  And boy--can he sing!

1.  David Tennant {married, 2 1/2 kids, 42 yo, 6'1"}



Who?  Who indeed.  Doctor Who, that is.  Truthfully, I wouldn't have known him for anything other than his very small role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire {he plays Barty Crouch, Jr}, but then I started watching Doctor Who.  And I fell in love.  Is it possible to be in love with a fictional character?  Probably not, but when David Tennant was replaced by Matt Smith as the Doctor, I wasn't nearly as interested in it.  I watched them, because I wanted to, but I didn't feel compelled to stay up until 4am like I did with the 10th Doctor.
David is a brilliant actor, and has done a lot of Shakespeare.  He is Scottish by birth, but his accents are impeccable.  And he can say so much with just one look--it's incredible.  My heart just gets totally drawn in by him.
Here are some pictures of the great faces he makes:









Can you tell that I'm a little bit obsessed?  Yeah.  It's probably unhealthy, but I just adore him.

And there you have it:  the list.   There are some honourable mentions:

The boys of Glee.  They are all pretty darn hot.



Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith, as remnants of my high school obsession with Independence Day.  Oh, yeah.



J.J. Abrams and the crew from Star Trek.  Mmmmm.  J.J. isn't particularly sexy, but he is my favourite director.  Into Darkness was incredible.



Speaking of Star Trek Into Darkness, our friend Benedict Cumberbatch is quite delightful too.



Taye Diggs.  Bald never looked so good.



The Oceans Triple-Threat: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon



And last {but certainly not least}: Tom Hiddleston {a.k.a. Loki}.



I could go on all night, but I need to finish.  There's certainly enough eye candy in this post to keep anyone satisfied.  Enjoy, my friends.  Enjoy.

California 37 Took Me Right To Heaven's Door

I need to write about the AWESOME concert I went to last week: TRAIN!!  *sigh*  I love these guys.  I'll admit--I like their older music a little better than their newer stuff, but it was a really fun concert.  When I got the e-mail announcing that they were coming to the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City, I went online as soon as I could to get my ticket, and--lo, and behold--they had VIP packages available, which included a meet and greet with the band.  Um, YES.  So I bought the "Gold Package," and it was worth every penny.

Jimmy Stafford, Me, Pat Monahan and Scott Underwood

The meet & greet lasted only a few seconds.  I probably could have taken a couple of minutes to talk to them, but I was so star struck that I just had nothing to say, except that it was an honor to meet them.  I was a little surprised that they were all taller than me; I expected them to be shorter.  That was a pleasant surprise.  They also had a professional photographer to take pictures, and I downloaded this from the Save Me, San Francisco website.  I also got a "commemorative" lanyard (not a backstage pass, but cool nonetheless) and a signed poster.  Then, since we had early entry, we got to wait next to the stage and scoot right up against the barriers before the gates even opened.  Good times.

I loved the covers they did.  They made some great segues from, "You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes, you just might find You get what you need . . ." into "I need a sign, to let me know you're here" (Calling All Angels).  And at the end of "Hey, Soul Sister" where they say "I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight . . ." they went into the chorus of "We Are Young": "Tonight, we are young, so let's set the world on fire, we can burn brighter than the sun."  It was awesome, and it was so natural.  Everyone kept right on singing.  So cool.

I wish I had a setlist, but alas--I do not.  This is a setlist from Red Rocks, where they performed the day before.  I'm pretty sure it was the same.

50 Ways To Say Goodbye 

This'll Be My Year 

If It's Love 

Meet Virginia 

I Got You 

Free / Respect / She's on Fire / Get to Me / When I Look to the Sky / Ordinary / For Me, It's You 

(Medley)

Calling All Angels (with Rolling Stones cover, "You Can't Always Get What You Want")

Save Me, San Francisco 

Mermaid 

Bruises 

Marry Me 

Everyday People (Sly & The Family Stone cover)

Drum Solo 

Hey, Soul Sister (fun. cover, "We Are Young")

Drive By 

Encore:

California 37 

Drops of Jupiter 

Sing Together 

I wish I had my camera, but I didn't have that, either.  The phone on my camera SUCKS.  It took one picture, and refused to take any more for the rest of the night.  I made friends with a couple who had iPhones, and they are supposed to e-mail me some pictures, but they haven't done that, either.  There was a gal from one of the local radio stations who had a nice camera and supposedly took some good pictures, but they aren't up on the website yet, either.  So there's not much to show you, but I was right up front--against the barrier, and it was awesome.  Some shorter people behind me were a little uptight that we wouldn't let them in front of us, but I kinda paid a lot of money for that privilege, and I'm kinda mean.  So I didn't give up my spot.  Sorry kids!

They had two opening acts: Andy Grammer and Mat Kearney.  I didn't know any of Andy Grammer's music at all, but he's adorable!  He sang, "Keep Your Head Up," "Fine By Me," "Ladies" (a super-sweet song dedicated to his mom), and he did a great cover of Rihanna's "We Found Love."  Here's a YouTube video of this song.  It's pretty fantastic.



Mat Kearney was awesome, too.  He's very talented (and yes, I was close enough to see his freckles!).  I know a few of his songs: he sang "Nothing Left to Lose," "Undeniable, "Count On Me," "Ships in the Night," "All I Have," and Mat also did a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark."  So great.  He also sang "Closer to Love."  Here's a video of that song.





Here's a link to a video of Train's latest single.  It's a fun song, and the video is hilarious.  I tried embedding it, but I'm having technical difficulties.

http://youtu.be/GSBFehvLJDc

This is the best shot I got all night, using Allen's little camera.

So anyway, they aren't the greatest band ever (I don't think anyone will replace U2 in my not-so-humble opinion, and I think I'll keep the current rankings with Keane at #2, but Train is a solid #3), and the concert wasn't life changing, but it was awesome.  I loved it.  I danced, I sang my little heart out, I bought a t-shirt and I left a very happy woman.  The Gallivan Center is a great venue--parking is easy, it's pretty intimate, and the location is great.  I loved being so close to the bands.  They signed a ton of autographs, brought people on-stage to help sing certain songs ("Mermaid," "Bruises," etc.), they threw out t-shirts and beach balls.  They brought along an awesome trumpeter (Brian Switzer), they had a real piano on stage, two gorgeous black back-up singers, they had a couple get married on stage and another in the audience get engaged to "Marry Me," and Pat even broke out the sax for a bit.  And at the very end, they gave away a signed guitar to a girl in a wheelchair.  They are such sweethearts!  What a great night!

Shakedown 1979

I have been wanting to do this for a while, and I just need to get it out of my system.  First: an explanation.  There are certain celebrities (the 'cool kids' I feel a certain kinship with, mostly because of age.  Those who are not as close to me in age are just people I really like, and I think we would be friends if we actually knew each other.  As far as the mathematics goes, the science nerd in me needs to make you a graph (don't worry--there's only one axis!).

I have decided to put a number with these celebrities, which I call the PMA (Proximity to My Age).  Because I am thinking of time linearly, I'll note these age differences as positive and negatives, i.e., the difference between my age and Katherine Heigl's (PMA) is -0.17 years (the negative means she is older), and Claire Danes' PMA is +0.12 years (I am older than she is).  I hope that makes sense.  Not that it matters, but that's how I will write this up.  Also, much of my information came from IMDB.  I did try to credit the websites from which I took these pictures, but forgive me if I missed some or misdirected some of the links (there are a LOT of links in this post!).  Sorry.  Contrary to popular belief, I am not perfect (ha!).

So . . . on with the show.  We'll start with the two lovely ladies above.

Claire Danes

April 1979 (+0.12 years)

http://www.dailymakeover.com/hairstyles/all_womens_looks/claire_danes_jan_30_2009?tid_ref=1052

The lovely and talented Ms. Danes got her big break in "My So-Called Life," one of my favorite t.v. shows growing up.    I still remember one scene where she is freaking out about a zit.  One.  And her friend Rayanne told her to pop it and get on with her life.  Yep.  And no matter how big 30 Seconds to Mars gets, Jared Leto will always be hot Jordan Catalano.  That's the way it is in my world.  (P.S. Isn't her hair gorgeous?  I could go for that look!)

Katherine Heigl

November 1978 (-0.17 years)

http://www.deadline.com/tag/katherine-heigl/

Katherine Heigl is everywhere.  Personally, I think she's gorgeous.  I will always associate her with Grey's Anatomy; Izzie really stole the show for the first several seasons (I'm sorry, but Meredith is just so plain!).  Her exit was less-than-graceful, but she has a very fruitful movie career.  Have you seen "Life As We Know It"?  Great movie.  And Josh Duhamel is just delicious.

Neil Patrick Harris

June 1973 (-6.38 years)

http://www.theplace2.ru/photos/photo.php?id=366603

Who doesn't love Barney Stinson?  He's several years older than me, but Doogie Howser, M.D. was my hero.  It ran from 1989-1993, while I was a tween.  I LOVED him.  I'm glad he's one of the few child-actors who have successful acting careers as adults.  

Jason Segel

January 1980 (+0.98 years)

http://im03.thewallpapers.org/2343/actors/celebrities/celebrities/pamela_anderson.php

Since we're on the HIMYM bit, Mr. Jason Segel is just a year younger than me.  He's adorable.  I love that he's tall and goofy and musical (did you see The Muppets?  So great!).  Love you, Marshmallow!

P!NK (Alecia Beth Moore)

September 1979 (+0.62 years)

http://www.billboard.com/column/chartbeat/weekly-chart-notes-p-nk-bruno-mars-band-1004133464.story#/column/chartbeat/weekly-chart-notes-p-nk-bruno-mars-band-1004133464.story

I'm not a HUGE fan of her music, but I think she's awesome.  I think my favorite P!ink song is "Sober," though I really like "Raise Your Glass," too.  She is getting ready to release her 6th studio album . . . wow.  She was married to one Carey Hart, then they got divorced, now they are back together and they have a kid.  All I can really say is that she acts pretty tough for a girl named Pink Hart. ;o)

Adam Levine

March 1979 (+0.14 years)

http://www.shoppingblog.com/blog/312201211

Adam is the lead singer of Maroon 5, in addition to being a celebrity judge on The Voice.  He's pretty full of himself, but he is pretty talented and relatively easy-on-the-eyes.  I'd have to say that my favorite Maroon 5 song is "This Love," but I also like "Makes Me Wonder," "Wake Up Call," "Harder to Breathe," and "Misery."  Good times.

Tom Chaplin

March 1979 (+0.11 years) 

http://liveoc.livemagazines.net/articles/single/313

How could I not mention the lead singer of Keane?  Love, love, love.  Definite connection.

Okay, a few more.  No more explanations, because I need to go to bed.

Kate Hudson

April 1979 (+0.23 years)

http://www.go4celebrity.com/kate-hudson-017.htm

James McAvoy

April 1979 (+0.23 years)

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/James-McAvoy-Talks-About-His-Take-On-Professor-Xavier-In-X-Men-First-Class-20791.html

John Krasinski

October 1979 (+0.73 years)

http://www.people.com/people/john_krasinski/0,,,00.html

Love you, Jim!  He and Emily Blunt are one of my favorite celebrity couples.

Jayma Mays

July 1979 (+0.47 years)

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/30/jayma-mays-glee-john-stamos-smurfs-cookies/

Norah Jones

March 1979 (+0.17 years)

Diablo Cody

June 1978 (-0.62 years)

http://www.justjared.com/photo-gallery/954131/diablo-cody-oscars-2008-03/

Katie Holmes

December 1978 (-0.11 years)

http://www.searchnigeria.net/articles/index.php?page=view/article/1347/Tom-Cruise-and-Katie-Holmes-to-divorce

I don't think Katie is the greatest actress, and her teeth kinda bug me, but I think she's got the lowest PMA of all the above celebrities (39 days).  I never really got into Dawson's Creek, but I knew a lot of people who LOVED that show.  In her IMDB trivia, it says her favorite movie is "My Best Friend's Wedding" (definitely one of my faves!!).  Plus, she and Tom (who just turned 50!  Gads!) got together around the same time Allen and I got together (summer 2005).  Of course, they are getting divorced now . . . but she is a very cute mom (I love all the pictures of her and Suri).  Good luck, babe.

Others (born in 1978): Zoe Saldana, James Franco, Malin Akerman, Rachel McAdams, Dominic Cooper, Ethan Embry and Ashton Kutcher.  Born in 1980: Ryan Gosling, Chris Pine, Zooey Deschanel, Michelle Williams, Christina Ricci, Macaulay Culkin, Kim Kardashian.  

Honorable mentions: Natalie Portman (+1.37 years), Drew Barrymore (-3.94 years), and Reese Witherspoon (-2.85 years).  

I know this whole exercise was pointless.  It was kinda fun, though (is it weird that I enjoyed figuring out the PMA numbers?).  Is there a Hollywood personality who you have a connection with?  If Lifetime was going to make a movie about your life, who would be the star?  For me, I think it would have to be Adele (+9.28).  She's not necessarily an actress, but I think she's the closest thing I have to a Doppelganger in the celebrity world.

http://www.adele.tv/photos/?s=photos&page=1&photo=7097%2F7248583494_4c7e631cc5.jpg

Plus . . . I love her voice.  She's amazing.  And if you don't own her album "21" yet, you must be crazy.  It's fantastic.  Her cover of The Cure's "Lovesong" is absolutely brilliant.  And she's expecting a baby in September!  Yay!

It really is time to call it a night.  You may be right, I may be crazy.  But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for.  (Turn out the lights, don't try to save me!)