Mr. and Mrs. Smith are just like you and me

I really didn't want to like her. I wanted to play for the other team. I cheered for the nice girl and I tried not to see what he saw in her. I tried to think of her as the inappropriate husband-stealing-mistress.

But, I've certainly failed. Because I like her. Can you blame me, though?

Angelina Jolie is philanthropic, talented, confident and beautiful.

She and Brad Pitt are beautiful together and while their family is certainly not typical, it seems to work.

As I was reading Vanity Fair's recent article about Jolie, I was impressed. So many other couples, from Hollywood to Dollywood and everywhere in between, aim for the archetypal family.

But Pitt and Jolie aren't masquerading as a normal family. They admit that they're doing it differently. From the beginning of their relationship, it's been unconventional.

They began on a movie set while Pitt was married to Aniston. They pushed through criticism and Team Jennifer shirts. They adopted kids, had their own babies, and never once uttered the words "let's get married."

And it works. It's not normal. It's not typical. And yet, they make it look so good.

What's funny is that they've recently been compared to the Brady Bunch, now that they have six kids.

This is humorous because the Brady's, although brought together under uncommon circumstances, quickly became the average American family.

They represented the typical American problems in a time when divorce was looked down upon and spoken of in hushed tones.

And now, we hardly think twice about divorce.

Are Brad and Angelina forging a trail for a new type lifestyle? Today, although their circumstances are unusual, they represent the love of a normal family. (No, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are not common people. But let's be honest, Marcia wasn't normal either, she was perfect.)

Maybe eventually we won't think twice about unwed couples outside of Hollywood having numerous kids. Maybe shotgun wedding will be an obsolete term. Why would you have a shotgun wedding when no one is ashamed of having kids outside of marriage? Why not wait until you have your body back post-pregnancy for those wedding photos to be taken? Why not do what you want?

We all know Angelina does what she wants.

Rockefeller in Rock & Republic

"And who am I? That's one secret I'll never tell. You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl." Gossip Girl

A few of today's headlines:

Pricey Drugs Put Squeeze on Doctors

Obama, McCain Tackle Economy

Mortgage Fears Send Global Shares Down

Twelve Easy Steps to Robbing a Bank

All right, I made the last one up. But, the world seems to be revolving around the money we don't have and an economy we can't fix, so I really don't find it that improbable.

Today in 1839, John D. Rockefeller was born. Fifty years later, in 1889, the inaugural issue of the Wall Street Journal was printed. When it comes to money, these are two important events: Rockefeller had it and Wall Street knows it.

Unfortunately, though, it seems that currently no one knows what to do about the economy and no one has quite as much money as they want. Even the richest are at a loss.

Rockefeller would be disappointed if he were still around, trying to celebrate his 169th birthday.

It seems ironic that in a time when everyone is budgeting a little more than usual, Gossip Girl, a show about the richest New York high schoolers who have it all but still want more, is thriving.

What is truly ironic about it, though, is that Gossip Girl's reviews are sub par, however, people are addicted to the high-priced fashion items. While viewers find the plot to be lacking the style is soaring.

If Rockefeller were alive, struggling to maintain his money, and all the while his four daughters were trying to keep up with Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, I think he might be a little frustrated.

I can't imagine he'd understand when his daughters try to explain that although it is only ten inches of fabric for $790, it's Gucci! But, you never know. Maybe Johnny Rockefeller was more of a fashionista than the old black and white photos reveal.

Move to the back of the bus

I have a terrible confession to make.

When I was younger, and my brothers were weaker than me, my neighbor, Sara, and I used to make them wear girl's clothing.

OK. Not just clothing. Hair accessories too.

And they absolutely hated it (my dad also hated it, you can imagine). They would do everything in their four-year-old power to stop it, but we were just that persistent.

The thing is, is that we had dolls and Barbie's. Why, exactly, we had to force my innocent brothers to wear ribbons, I'm not really sure.

I honestly still feel bad about it. That's one of the meaner things an older sister can do to her brothers.

I'd like to tell myself that the reason I was doing it was beyond the playfulness of a child, which is why dolls did not fulfill my needs. Maybe I was trying to break down societal stereotypes and show my brothers that they could be whatever they wanted to be.

Somehow I doubt it.

However, this is somewhat similar to the mission of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. While the company has received many complaints and they're striving to remodel the campaign to some extent, I think it's an impressive mission.

It's nice for girls to see that perfection is not commonplace. Whether or not Dove will truly transform the entire media industry is debatable.

But, hey, Rosa Parks probably thought she was taking a small step when she stayed seated, and look at all that she accomplished. You've got to start somewhere.

Have a Coke and a smile

"Joey: I hate Pottery barn too! They kicked me out of there just because I sat on a bed.
Chandler: You took off your pants and climbed under the sheets!" Friends

Yesterday I enjoyed a Coke in Africa, Europe and Asia. I've officially mastered teleporting.

OK. That's a lie. But I did enjoy Coke from all of those continents, I just remained in Atlanta while doing so. Specifically in the World of Coke.

Katie, Emily and I had a fabulous afternoon exploring the vast world that is the Coke museum. We saw a video in 4-D, tasted a variety of flavors of Coke and met a crazy lady wearing way too much denim.
I learned quite a lot about the company, but what I found most interesting is that a bottle of Coke was a mere five cents from 1886-1956. Can you imagine? At school, my friends and I pledge our loyalty to the Circle K because we can purchase a Diet Coke for seventy three cents.

Consider being able to purchase a Diet Coke for 5 cents. I could have almost fifteen of them for the price I pay now (It's probably for the best that I can't, really).

Thinking about the inexpensive price makes me a little nostalgic for the days before our time. I'd like to be able to go back to 1950 and stock up on Diet Coke before returning to the present.

Similarly, it seems that Jennie Garth is itching for earlier days. She and other members of the Beverly Hills 90210 cast, including Tori Spelling, are set to be in a new series this fall, 90210: The Next Generation.

Long ago, when 90210 was still airing new episodes, my siblings and I were not allowed to watch it. It was banned from our household, along with The Simpsons.

To be honest, I've still never seen The Simpsons. However, I did manage to sneak in an episode of 90210 from time to time. While it was highly entertaining and far ahead of its time with the whole So Cal craze (The O.C., Laguna Beach, The Hills...) I'm a little concerned.

Just because the Sex and the City movie was a hit does not mean everyone should come back for round two (all of this recycling!).

Besides, I'm not sure how well the show will be without Luke Perry. An integral part of the drama surrounded bad boy Dylan's love triangle with Brenda and Kelly; it might really lack something.

As excited as I could be about seeing Beverly Hills' finest reunite, I might be more excited about the potential Friends movie. As far as I'm concerned, as long as the original six characters are all present, it could be amazing.

We better be careful, though. If too many shows enjoy silver screen success, it could get out of control. Before we know it, Danny Tanner will be up there kissing the Olsen twins goodnight.