MONDAY MEME - 20 WOMEN I ADMIRE

A couple of weeks ago, I did a meme called 20 men I admire. I figure it is only fair that I do the 20 pop culture women I admire as well. I am an equal opportunity blogger after all. *grin* I am not going to have any rules, but if you do the meme, let me know and I will link you so that everyone can visit and ooh and aah.

Now on to the lovely ladies of geekish admiration.

1. Cate Blanchett. The woman is positively luminous. She has a regal ethereal look about her, but more than that she is a chameleon. For me, like Johnny Depp, she disappears into her roles, can fake accents like no one's business and come on she played Queen of the Elves and the Queen of England.

2. Katee Sackhoff. You knew she was going to be on here. Can you blame me? She plays one of my favorite characters on television. She's adorable, funny and even made the dismal Bionic Woman remake more interesting (In fact it probably would have lasted longer if it had been about her character). I cant help but have a girly crush on her.

3. Laurie Notaro. She makes me laugh. Actually she makes me snortle which is that funny cross between a snort and a chortle in which you almost spit out the drink you’re sipping all over the pretty little book you are reading and she has many of them. Of course snark always works well with me, but more than that she thinks like I think. She’s not perfect and neither is her writing, but it seems honest like the inner monologue that is constantly going on in my head in written form.

4. Diablo Cody. The woman responsible for Juno, a movie I adore and my new recent interest, The United States of Tara. She's funny, intelligent and hey not every day that a former stripper wins an Oscar.

5. Tori Amos. I fell in love the moment I heard Little Earthquakes. It resonated. It was beautiful and I haven't stopped enjoying her since. There are more personal reasons why I enjoy her and her music. Suffice it to say, she rocks. Now if I could only afford to buy Comic Book Tattoo.

6. Imogen Heap. She's a bit unusual, but I love her voice. Would give anything to see her in concert.

7. Maggie Gyllenhaal. Secretary is one of my favorite films ever. In fact, I am a firm believer that all should see it. Maggie plays Lee in that film and tends to do a lot of indie films which makes me love me more. She has this awkwardness about her, but one that I can relate to. I cant help but love her and admire what an amazing actress she has become.

8. Janeane Garofalo. Acerbic wit at its very best. I saw her when I was in university and I loved how this completely adorable woman, self deprecating, intelligent, and completely unafraid to say what's on her mind could make me laugh and nod as much as she did. She is amazing.

9. Angelina Jolie. You can say what you want about her, but the woman is absolutely stunning and I think she's a top notch actress as well. She's a woman who is completely comfortable with who she is no matter what anyone says. And I love that she has used her celebrity to do good things in this world.

10. Diane Setterfield. The Thirteenth Tale is one of my favorite books. I knew the moment I was introduced to Margaret that I was in awe of Setterfield; the way her character loved books, devoured every written page, loved the way words rolled off her tongue. Could there possibly be a woman who loves books as much as I do? One thing that stands out is the prose in her debut book. It is rich and descriptive, each word carefully chosen and an absolute pleasure to read. I really wish she would write more.

11. Alyson Hannigan. She played Willow on Buffy and now she is Lily on How I Met Your Mother. In person, she is a peach. On screen, she makes me laugh and smile. Plus she is too cute for words. How can you not help but like her?

12. Jane Espenson. Writer and Producer extraordinaire. The woman is hilarious, intelligent and has written some of my favorite episodes of television. Not only has she worked in the Whedonverse, but she has also written for BSG, Gilmore Girls and Ellen. Plus, she wrote some of the best quotes ever. Which I still use to this day. In short, she rocks.

13. Jodie Foster. She’s the reason I wanted to become an actress. She is amazing after all, but more than that she is classy and intelligent, has managed to maintain her privacy despite being a Hollywood force and did I mention she is an amazing actress.

14. Sarah McLachlan. Like Tori Amos, Sarah’s music helped me get through parts of my life. I connected with the lyrics, loved the music that went with it. Some might call her music sad and while yes there are songs that I cant help but listen to when I am feeling lost, her music also puts me at ease.

15. Dita Von Teese. The Queen of Burlesque. She’s sultry, glamorous and rocks the retro pin up glam like no one else. She is stunning and I absolutely adore her wardrobe.

16. Mira Nair. One of my favorite directors. Because of her I have Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (One of my faves), Monsoon Wedding, Salaam Bombay and the Namesake. I cant wait to see her entry for New York, I Love You.

17. Zooey Deschanel. Indie darling. She is adorable, can sing, can act and has that disarming smile. She’s quirky and I love quirk.

18. Madonna. Need I say anything really?

19. Sarah Vowell. Author, humorist, journalist and down right amazing woman. If you haven’t listened to This American Life, you should.

20. Dakota Fanning. Amazing talent in a cute little package.