Alan Cumming. You probably don't know that you know him, but you do.

My posts about celebrities have been pretty few and far between. I've lamented over the career of Christian Slater, confided in you about my infatuation with David Bowie, and admitted my fascination with all that is Helena Bonham Carter. Today I'm going to share with you my latest celebrity obsession, Alan Cumming.

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You're probably thinking this Scot looks familiar, but no, he's not the guy who played PeeWee Herman, but I imagine if PeeWee and Joey (I think the grey-haired LeBlanc has infested my brain) were to ever have a love child, Alan Cumming would be it.

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I first took note of Alan in X2. He played Nightcrawler (like you didn't already know that), one of the most vulnerable and touching X-Men characters to appear in the X-Men trilogy (in my opinion). He's also had quite a number of one-time appearances on some pretty popular TV sitcoms like 3rd Rock from the Sun (love!), Frasier, and Robot Chicken (as well as some other shows that I've never watched before).

Alan lent his voice to God, the Devil and Bob as The Devil and will even be voicing Gutsy Smurf in the upcoming movie, The Smurfs (and I've already expressed to you how I feel about that). Another TV role that really caught my attention was Alan's portrayal as Glitch in the Tin Man (what do you mean you haven't seen it? Quick! Go put it on the top of your Netflix Instant Queue!), which I believe aired on the Sci-Fi Channel (before it "reworked" its imagine and became the more female-friendly Sy-Fy Channel. And before you jump on that "female-friendly" remark, they aired the movie Enchanted for crying out loud. Why? Why would they do something like that? The channel that brought us such greats as Dinoshark, Mega Piranha, and Ice Spiders chose to air a princess musical? But I digress, as is oft to happen here).

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Keeps your eyes open, and I'm sure you'll spot the unique look of Alan Cumming in other movies and TV series. I'm also pretty sure you can expect to see a great deal of him in the future. In fact, he'll be in the upcoming movie Burlesque with Cher and Christina Aquilera (although after reading about that film, I have very low expectations for it). And if you're interested in learning more about Alan Cumming, you can peruse his website or read his blog.

Do you have a favorite "odd-ball" actor or actress?

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Hope you all have a fabulous weekend. I have nothing planned, but of course, as history has shown us, that doesn't mean I won't have some wild tales to share with you on Monday.

I ♥ Helena.

 

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My love affair with Helena Bonham Carter began with her performance in Hamlet as Ophelia. She played crazy so well.

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But it was her role in Merlin that really had me captivated. Once again, she portrayed crazy really well with her performance as Morgan Le Fey. Crazy aside, I really fell for her style in this movie. I still want hair like hers. Seriously, I do. 

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And then, of course, there was Fight Club. In which she KICKED ASS!

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And then I lost track of her for awhile. (Aside from Planet of the Apes, because who can love the style of an ape?) And then Big Fish came along, and Helena did phenomenally well as Jenny and the Witch.

    

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Fast forward past Corpse Bride and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, (I know she was in other movies, but I didn't watch any of them, so they don't count) and we have the Harry Potter series, where, once again, Helena plays crazy and witch very well, and I love her name, Bellatrix.

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And let's not forget one of my all-time favorites, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Her portrayal of Mrs. Lovett is fantastic. (Did I mention she does crazy REALLY well?)

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One of these days I will get around to watching Alice in Wonderland. I heard Helena steals the show as the Red Queen.

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And you know what? As much as people criticize her personal style (and trust me, they do!), I really kind of like it.

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It's only forever, not long at all...

  

A short time ago I wrote about a childhood crush who has remained a crush of mine into adulthood (as a small update to that post, I think they canceled his show... again. One of these days, Christian, one of these days). Today, I write about another childhood crush who I still can't get enough of.

Yup, David Bowie. 

Now before you judge, I have to ask, have you NOT seen Labyrinth? I mean, seriously, what young girl growing up in the 80s didn't have the hots for David Bowie after that movie? (I must admit though, his pants were kind of frightening to my innocent eyes. I'm providing you with a visual) 

What young girl didn't fall asleep at night pretending she was Sarah, fighting her way to the castle beyond the Goblin City? I know I did. 

What young girl didn't fall in love with the ballroom scene and imagine that when she grew up, she would wear a dress just like Sarah's? And have you ever really listened to the lyrics to the song in that scene? Here, let me remind you...

"I'll paint you mornings of gold

I'll spin Valentine evenings"

 

(sigh) Magical, right? Yeah, I know. You're welcome. And who can forget Within You? This song haunted me and defined what it meant to be in love for me for many years (which probably explains a few of my relationships, unfortunately). It still makes me melt (I mean, aside from the whole obsessive, stalker thing it has going on). I apologize for the length of this one, the good stuff is in the first 2 minutes.

David Bowie just happens to be one of those musicians that I felt like I couldn't openly express my love for. I mean, we're not talking NKOTB here. When you were a young girl in elementary school, the last thing you wanted to do was tell your friends you liked David Bowie (I have to admit, I still have a hard time admitting this one. Kind of like admitting that I am was a huge Madonna fan. Some love is just meant to be kept a secret).

Let me leave you with a few more Bowie tunes (at this point, I must point out that while my love for the Goblin King was all encompassing, my love for David Bowie doesn't extend to his teeth, which are hideous. You'll see). 

Sorry, but I'm going to make you work for these videos. And remember...

"I ask for so little. Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave."

Let's Dance     Dancing in the Street     China Girl     Modern Love    

I'm crafty! -or- Michaels is crack and I'm a crack-whore

   

Okay, normally I don't blog about (insert random topic here) craft projects. Mainly because I don't have time to do them and haven't, in fact, done anything crafty since Christmas of 2008. Sad, I know. However, all that changed today because of some sunshine, a tapestry and two bottles of beer! (For an explanation on how those otherwise seemingly random items relate to each other, click here)

I started this morning out by experimenting with some glass etching. I was lacking some crucial materials, but managed to find some suitable replacements in my closet (it's like a gold mine in there!). I'm going to save that whole process and what not for a later post, but here is a teaser pic to get you excited...

After my glass etching experimentation, I became inspired to take a trip to Michaels, one of the best and worst stores to waste an hour or two or three in. I went there for letter stencils and left with about $20 worth of goodies (which is really GOOD for me. I can drop $60 in that place in 30 minutes. My current financial situation, however, forced me to restrain myself.) Without giving too much away about my future craft endeavors, I purchased...

a pack of these  

(or, something similar to these)

 

two of these 

(or, close enough)
 

a "toob" of these 

(which I have plans for inspired by these gilded goodies- alright, well, I can't find them, but I promise when I post about this crafty project, I will have a link)

I also purchased some little blue birds, but I can't find them online anywhere, so, that's that. After my trip to the crack house Michaels, I was super psyched to get back home a create some more! Here's a peak...

Alright, that's all for now. I'm distracted by the Oscars right now and have totally lost my focus of this post. (Ryan Seacrest is an idiot, and I can't figure out why E! is having Jay Manuel and Giuli-whoseherface critique people's outfits like they're doing a play-by-play for the Super Bowl, AND I'm really enjoying following Una LaMarche's live Oscar blog). I will catch you all up tomorrow... I think... wait, what? Sorry, I just saw Jake Gyllenhaal. Gotta go!

He has returned!

     

Ah, life is good. Yes, everything in the world is right again. Christian Slater has returned to television. My prayers have been answered.

   

Seriously, I love Christian Slater. Alright, maybe not love, but I'm definitely, seriously infatuated with him. Ever since Will Scarlett chanted those magical words, "What a dope! He tripped on a rope! Now look at him shiver!" I was hooked. Maybe it was his sardonic humor or maybe it was those deviously squinty eyes, but regardless of what it was, I just CAN'T. GET. ENOUGH. 

         

I know some would cite Heathers as Christian's first (only) memorable role, but I was a mere eight years old when that movie came out, so I'm pretty sure I didn't see it until at least three or four years later, long after Will Scarlett stole my heart. Ah, Will Scarlett. Who didn't cry with him when he revealed to Robin that they were brothers and pleaded, "And what I want to know brother, is will you stay with us and finish what you started?" The tears well up just thinking about it (damn you, Kevin Costner, you don't deserve a brother). He introduced me to my first fuck, as in, "Fuck me, he cleared it!" (Sigh) And when he's being tortured in the dungeon and "turns" on Robin... (sigh) it was love.

       

I'll admit, Mr. Slater hasn't always had the greatest roles or chosen the best movies to be a part of (ahem, Bed of Roses? Really? Mary Stuart Masterson? Really? I can appreciate your romantic side, Mr. Slater, but who falls in love with Mary Stuart Masterson?). But he won me over again and again as Arkansas Dave and George Kuffs (and, hello! Milla Jovovich!). Gotta love that bad boy attitude!

    
But then I lost track of Christian for awhile (about ten years, to be more specific. Ten years of movies I've never even heard of, He Was a Quiet Man? What's that about?). In 2008 though, he returned in what I considered to be the best show on television*, My Own Worst Enemy, where he played not one, but TWO main characters. Score! But, ooh! Those geniuses at NBC had to go and cancel the show. Way to go NBC!

        

Fast forward to 2010 and switch the channel to ABC, and we have, The Forgotten. I have to admit, I haven't actually had the chance to watch this show yet. Unfortunately it airs after my other favorite show, Lost. (As soon as those credits roll, my sister and I are on the phone comparing notes and talking theories about our favorite island dwellers.) What I have seen of The Forgotten has been a muted Christian Slater. But I'm okay with that. At least he's back, and one of these nights I'm sure I'll catch the entire show. (Seriously, check out that scruff and those eyes, all wrapped up in a blue jean, leather-clad package. Yum!)

*but only after Lost, which is, of course, the best show on television.