Tank Top Tuesday

Wow, almost another whole year is in the history books. As with every end of the year, I tend to get a little retrospective. But instead of just reflecting on the historic and personal milestones for the year, I like to think about what really matters – tank tops. Or, more specifically, the women I failed to feature throughout the year in tank tops. I only have a few days left to right this terrible wrong. But, you know what they say, better late than never having Naomi Watts waiting for you in a tank top, fedora and wingtips on the kitchen counter.

Freida PintoShe has been MIA since “Slumdog Millionaire,” but we’ll see that beautiful face back on screen where it belongs next year.

Margaret ChoGetting bounced off “Dancing with the Stars” early was actually a good thing. The less you’re around a Palin, the better for your mental health.

Maggie SiffI’m not into biker gangs, but suddenly I can see the appeal.

Molly RingwaldI think I speak for all children of the 80s when I say, damn girl.

Catherine BellOn second thought, I think I like her out of uniform better.

Olivia WilliamsOh, “Dollhouse,” if only you’d been given a chance.

Rashida JonesI know, I know – I can’t shut up about how happy I am “Parks & Recreation” is coming back.

Natalie PortmanI know, I know – I also can’t shut up about how great “Black Swan” is.

Jessica AlbaThis picture is so hot I’m pretty sure it’s illegal in 32 states.

Whew, now on to 2011.

Bedtime stories

How is it that it's been just three days since my vacation and already I am feel sleep deprived? Clearly, I have a problem. Clearly, this problem is serious since it was not remedied by a whole week of sleeping in until past 11 a.m. Though, thinking about this issue in the wee small hours of the morning, I realized that perhaps my problem is simply motivation. Because, well, if any of these women were in my bed I'd have no problem crawling under the covers. Of course, whether we'd sleep or not is entirely another matter. Hmm, perhaps this is the wrong kind of motivation after all. Wrong but delicious.

Famke JanssenAudrey TautouAngelina JolieJulie DelpyMargaret ChoKate WinsletSarah ShahiTina Fey

Come to think of it, maybe a good night's sleep is overrated.

Adorable Alert Level: Puppy

Another day, another chance to post videos of cute people doing cute things. How cute? Puppy level cute. Yeah, that's pretty freaking cute. So, without further ado – because who wants to ado when you could just do – I give you the cuteness.

I Can Has Natalie and Rashida Sammich?

Never mind Henry Paulson and Ben Bernanke, Natalie Portman and Rashida Jones really know how to fix our current global economic crisis. Scientifically speaking, on a cuteness scale of 1 to 10, Natalie + Rashida + puppies = 1,275.

Honey Honey, Puppets Puppets

OK, so this one is less cute, more melancholy. But it has Feist and puppets, which in my book will always be worth a look. Here is her new video for “Honey Honey.” It is a beautiful song with a fascinating video and, best of all, it has absolutely no shot of being played into the ground in another iPod commercial. Bliss.

Get Off My Lawn, Yes on Prop. 8 People

No puppies in this one either, but if an ad about a serious issue can be deemed cute, this is the one. The Notorious C.H.O. and friend Selene Luna explain why Proposition 8 sucks. And, if you haven't already, please consider donating to 8 Against 8. Also, pssst – come closer – word on the street is that everyone who donates will be in the running for some fabulous prizes here at Surrenders, so keep your confirmation emails. Wait, I've said too much.

Prideover

Wow, what a weekend. My nose is sunburned. My body aches in muscles I didn’t even know I had. And I think at one point in the night my shoes could have been wrung out to make a cocktail or two. Now that’s what I call a Pride. To round out the two days of debauchery fun I caught Cyndi & Co. at the True Colors Tour, which was fantastic. If you are anywhere near one of the tour’s three remaining shows (that means you Seattle, Vancouver and Denver areas) get thee there. But the best part of Pride, as always, was spending time with wonderful friends and just being so damn gay together. I’m not gonna lie, I still need to rest a bit to get back into full form. So in lieu of tank tops today, please enjoy this musical interlude. Cyndi totally rocked, as did the B-52s (We came late so that’s all we caught. So this video isn’t mine, nor is most of the audio live. But you get a feel for the night’s homotasticness.)

Unless I’m horribly mistaken, I think part of me is actually in this picture somewhere. It’s like Where’s Waldo, but so much gayer.

So, got any of your own pride stories to share from this year? Or is your pride still coming up. Please share, because I’m exhausted. Who else needs a disco nap?

My Weekend Crush

See, I was serious about bringing the funny. Margaret Cho has been one of my favorite comedians since I realized that people could stand in a room with a microphone and make you laugh for a living. My sister and I still quote one of her earliest bits about, well, a chicken head. Heck, I was even one of the dozens and dozens of people who watched her ill-fated 1994 sitcom “All-American Girl.” Of course, I’m predisposed to love the incomparable Ms. Cho because she is a fellow Asian-American sistah. Kimchi in the house, y’all.

Over the years Margaret has emerged as one of the most gay-friendly, gay-inclusive and just plain-old gay comics around. She identifies as queer and always used “us” or “we” when referring to the community. She is also a feminist, diversity advocate, stereotype stomper, sex-positive champion and – bottom line – fucking great comic. Hear her talk about GLBT issues and you hear the best way to tackle ignorance, with righteous indignation and a good laugh.

So I was particularly happy to hear that Margaret is getting another TV show, and this time on her terms. VH1 has greenlit the new reality show/sitcom “The Cho Show.” The series “chronicles her interactions with her friends AND her beloved parents.” I am so already there. And, if nothing else, I am forever indebted to the Notorious C.H.O. for giving me the best way to blow off unwanted attention. Sorry, no speak English! If you can’t beat the stereotypes, use them to your advantage. Happy weekend, all.

Don’t be afraid to let them show

Cyndi Lauper’s song “True Colors” always puts a little catch in my throat. To my ears, it’s one of the clearest, purest declarations of love in all its many forms out there. Each time I hear it, it moves me anew. So I was thrilled to hear that Cyndi, who has been a longtime gay rights activist, is taking her message on the road on the new True Colors Tour. The 15-city tour will raise awareness about gay rights and funds for the Human Rights Campaign.

But wait, there’s more. Not only will the fabulous Ms. Lauper be headlining, along for the ride are a virtual pantheon of gay icons and performers: Debbie Harry, Erasure, The Dresden Dolls, The Gossip and The Misshapes. Popping up at select dates will be Rufus Wainwright, Rosie O’Donnell and the Indigo Girls. And emceeing the whole shebang will be - wait for it, wait for it - Margaret FUCKING Cho! I am doing all I can right now to suppress girlish squeals of glee.The tour coincides with Pride celebrations across the country. It starts its run June 8 in Las Vegas and finished up June 30 in Los Angeles. A portion of the proceeds go to the Human Rights Campaign. The project is also partnered with the Matthew Shepard Foundation, PFLAG and Logo. Hey, I kinda work for them. Yeah, I’m fairly certain that won’t help me score any tickets.

Regardless, it sounds like a fantastic idea (though I’m not sure how many straight audience members they’ll get; that’s a pretty gay lineup). And, just in case you’d forgotten, “True Colors” is an amazing song and Cyndi is a pretty amazing woman.