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Renee CK

writer, editor, tweetable http://twitter.com/chicskirt

I'm a fun girl who's on a quest to figure it all out. I'm cynical but living the dream- I'm not sure how that happened exactly. Follow along in my blog for fun, mayhem, and merriment. There's never a dull day! (Or, go download my book!)...

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I Hate to Love Her

why does angelina jolie have to be so damn great

Today is a wonderful day.  It’s not, but the circumstances surrounding it are.  I have been in a funk for the last few days which is manifesting itself as an intestinal battle within me.  My bff’s birthday party was last night and I had to talk myself into going continually through the day (and bff’s party is one you just don’t miss) and even as late as sitting in my van decided not to go.  Thankfully a friend who is emerging as my spirit’s champion picked me up, took me, brought me home and drank a bottle of wine with me in my second most favorite place in the world- my patio.

So, this morning I woke up to find that the funk has still not passed.  The news is reporting that Tropical Depression Fay is going to grant us rain on and off all day.  It’s the kind of day that requires pajama pants all day.  But then what to do with the kids?  Cartoon Network has answered that question- Scooby Doo marathon. Considering my son is a Scooby Doo fanatic, that takes care of both kids because little sister will do anything big brother wants to.  So with the weather forcing no outdoor activities and the kids having entertainment for the day, I turned on the TV to my favored Bravo.  I swear, I’m addicted to it. And, they’re having a marathon of one of my favorite shows- Inside the Actor’s Studio.  How can I not buck a funk when all there is to do is watch Elton John, Sarah Jessica Parker and *record scratching* Angelina Jolie.

Inside the Actors Studio has the amazing ability to make anyone who graces it’s stage likeable. I think they could have Charles Manson on and I’d be riveted.  Maybe it’s James Lipton. “Charles. It has been said that the grizzly method of your killings has never and will never in the history of the world been rivaled.  What inspired you?”  Me: yes Charles. How did you use that butterknife to cut off her arms?  I’m waiting.

And we’re at Angelina.  In the name of full disclosure, I will tell you how shafted I feel Jennifer Anniston was by Brad Pitt.  She JUST got to a place where she could start a family with him having ended her run on Friends, and he up and leaves her for Angelina.  Yes, Angelina Jolie who married the whackadoo Billy Bob Thorton and carried his blood around her neck in a vial.  Angelina Jolie who is an ambassador- a postion which requires compassion.  And, no, I don’t know what was happening in the Anniston/Pitt relationship, but from my seat, Angelina took Brad from Jennifer at their most opportune moment.

It’s established that Angelina is kinda out there.  She’s sitting on James Lipton’s stage talking about her early sex exploits, cutting, drugs.  And dammit, she’s likable.  She’s talking about these things in an effort to be honest and help anyone considering it or doing it.  The words are coming through amazing lips.  How can anyone so messed up be so beautiful?  That’s just contradictory.  Good people are beautiful (see Charlotte York) and bad people are ugly.

I am cynical to begin with. I prefer people who are upfront about their issues and talk out loud about where they’re broken.  Everyone has something that’s different, the hard part is finding people with the same differences.  Okay, yeah, so I like tattoos and margaritas.  If you don’t then don’t spend the time trying to get to know me if it’s not something you can get past.  And too bad for you.  The energy spent trying to hide our brokenness is wasted, better spent trying to repair or strengthen.  Besides, being broken is not actually broken.  For the longest time I feared being anything but the WASP ideal.  I was meant to take baked goods to my kids’ classes for each party, organize fundraisers, support my husband’s business, keep my house spotless, and maintain my own calendar of charitable events.  As Jane Porter’s book, Mrs. Perfect shows, the most put together moms have issues too.  And if they don’t, either they have a great therapist or a great amount of denial.

And so, Ms. Jolie in all of her beautiful imprefection is sitting on James Lipton’s stage talking bluntly about her life and her experiences. I appreciate her honesty.  I hate that I do, but I do.  I wish that she got up there and danced on a picture of Jennifer Anniston because then it would be easy to hate her.  But instead, she talks about her experiences with an ease and a comfort that makes you wonder how there could be any other way of living it? 

God I love her.  And I hate that.

Enjoy!
Renee