PART I
It seems there's a big celebrity split in the news every week. The fact that high profile relationships are considered "news"--and treated as a priority with breaking reports even from reputable news organizations--really says something about American culture. But that's an entirely different tangent from the one--or two--I'm about to go on.

So about these celeb breakups and divorces. Even if you're not subscribing to Us Weekly or taking the time to read about the "details" (more like random speculation and quotes from anonymous sources "close to the couple") online or in the grocery line, chances are you cannot avoid at least learning of them. I can't. These splits are revealed in the headlines and videos posted on my homepage, the place where all I want to do is log in to check my personal e-mail. And they move on the AP entertainment wire, which I'm required to check daily.

But somehow, when an editor announced Tuesday evening the latest duo to be deemed "dunzo," I hadn't yet seen, heard or read that Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds ended their two-year marriage. That's like 14 years in celebrity life, right? You multiply by seven ...

Anyway, this got me thinking. Unfortunately I thought out loud and shared with said editor and a nearby reporter (who'd jumped in with a comment of his own) that I wasn't at all surprised by this breakup, that they hadn't made the "list" of solid celebrity couples my sister and I can't imagine would break up. Side note: Sisters discuss many things that fall under varying levels of significance. This is just one of those trivial things we've touched on.

Since devising this unwritten list, quite a few of the seemingly "normal" couples either signed divorce papers years ago or are recently separated and likely doomed for the big "D." Brad & Jen, Reese & Ryan, Christina & Jordan (Bratman--he's not famous enough in his own right for a first name-only reference), Courtney and David. Heck, even the Hogans.

Remaining on our "list" and still plugging away at married life (as far as we can tell) are Gwen & Gavin, Will & Jada, Tom & Rita. Sis, am I missing any?

In my opinion it's not a case of celebrity obsession if someone is surprised to learn of a split like Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon's. When a couple have been together for 20-plus years and have raised children--whether they're on your TV or living on your street--their love becomes a statistic, part of a bigger conversation about our society's marriage values.

Part II
The reason I regretted responding to the Scarlett/Ryan news (by saying certain celeb breakups might surprise me, but not this one) is the laughter that ensued.

Two grown men, each old enough to be my father, made fun of me to my face until they both turned red in the face. First, one of them mocked my comment by saying that he and his brother have the exact same list. Then he started giggling like a school boy before turning to the other, who quickly caught the bug. Their laughter grew. Moments after the laughter died down I even caught a glimpse one of them smirking in private, looking as if he wanted to laugh more but managed to finally contain himself.

What was I saying and doing through all of this? I'd actually taken a work call as their laughter first broke--and they still kept it up. They even faced me as they laughed, and I spoke on the phone.

I experience ridiculousness like this each and every day. We all do.

Monday during a trip to the post office I asked for a flat rate box to send my sister, brother-in-law and canine nephew and niece their Christmas gifts. The woman behind the counter pointed to their location but with many different boxes and envelopes on display, it quickly turned into a game of "hot and cold" to find the one I needed.

Apparently my search was taking too long for the old Scrooge behind me. He jumped out of line, abruptly grabbed the folded box and, so obviously frustrated that he was actually short of breath, handed it to me and said (way louder than necessary), "Here it is!"

OH, I'm sorry! Am I keeping you from getting to the Annual Curmudgeon Convention? I didn't say it. I thought it.

Now that I'm on a roll I might as well mention the woman behind me in line last week at a local store, who was apparently so afraid of losing her place that she allowed me no room to breathe. With each complete transaction we all inched toward the register. But she did so at an unnecessary speed, pushing her cart closer and closer, until it was up against my heels. The line was so long there was clearly no need to rush ahead. In fact, they ask that you stand back until a register opens. And for that reason there is merchandise displayed along the way. The woman in front of me got to check out the gift items and the wrapping paper. But I was not afforded that luxury. I had to keep moving--and quickly--or I'd be leaving with more than holiday dish towels. I'd also have the imprint of a cart in my back.

CONCLUSION
As for part one of this rant, I am thankful to know many real-life couples in long-term marriages and they're happy. And when they're not happy, they deal with it. If you have faith in the institution of marriage, then these couples kinda cancel out the large number of couples divorcing today.

And what to take away from the Ryan/Scarlett spinoff tangent? When faced with people who have a hard time remembering their manners, or those who just have no manners at all--in the work place, the post office, the mall--it's best to ignore their rude behaviors. And then vent about them in your blog.

But seriously. Especially during the holiday season, if you want to be jolly, it's crucial to brush off others' Grinch-like behaviors.

I do this by taking one look at my doe-eyed puppy. How could you not forget about the terribly inconsiderate, dangerous motorist who cut you off on the drive home when there's an affectionate companion faithfully waiting to greet you when you arrive?

To forget the day's annoyances I'll also admire my Christmas tree, adorned with a bright and eclectic collection of ornaments, some BK and I have each been given in the past and others we've bought together in the present. I also like listening to Christmas tunes this time of year as a form of stress-relief. My favorites are classics: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Jingle Bell Rock."

So whatever it takes--lighting a holiday scented candle, rising above the ridiculousness, appreciating the strong relationships in your life--have a happy holiday.

Oh life -- getting in my way of blogging about life.

To my few faithful readers: It has been a while since my last post, but here I am again. Mom, thanks for dutifully watching for my next entry. And shout out to my friend, Emily, who follows Babbling Bride in her Google Reader.

Friends of ours got engaged a few weeks ago, and in such an awesome way. As I became a bit emotional during an impromptu viewing of their engagement video at an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party the couple hosted, I got to thinking about our engagement story.

For them, the location was Times Square. To set up his proposal BK's friend used a digital billboard. Personalized messages on three unique screens made this experience seem intimate, even though they stood among more than half a million people at that famous commercial intersection.

I watched her facial expressions on the shaky home video and could relate to exactly what she was feeling at that moment. Even if there had been talk of a diamond and it was understood a wedding was on the horizon, when you're asked that question it somehow still feels like an exciting surprise.

For us, it began as just another Friday in the city. We had lunch at Reading Terminal Market and headed over to the art museum to check out the Renoir exhibit. This was a pretty typical Friday for us. Early in our relationship we began spending carefree days off from work in the city. We'd just walk around or reconnect with museums we'd visited as children.

I wasn't curious that we had dinner reservations at the impressive Water Works that night, because BK treats me to nice dinners pretty regularly. We had been wanting to check this one out for a while and just hadn't gotten around to it.

It was a hot July day. As we left the museum we sought shade across the street under a pavilion overlooking Water Works and Boathouse Row. Of course at the time I did not know BK had visited that spot weeks before and he'd chosen that very pavilion.

At one point he abandoned said pavilion, because in his perfect world it would be empty for our moment. But instead a foreign family had moved in and began snapping pictures. BK made an effort to kill time in hopes the space would clear out, suggesting we walk around some more before returning to the pavilion for one more look at that great view.

He says he had a whole speech prepared in his head but decided to ditch it when he realized the setup was too long, and I'd know what he was going to ask before he could get to the words. So he kept things simple and said to his girlfriend that he thought it would be better if I went to dinner with him that night as his fiancée.

Before I knew it he was kneeling and the surrounding tourists (not half a million but a few) suddenly seemed invisible.

As I watched our friends' special video it was great to be reminded of our engagement story. For those of you who are recently engaged and others who've been married for years, it's a story worth revisiting.