Breaking up is hard to do

Just a daily reminder that relationships – gay, straight, whatever – are hard. Hollywood golden couple Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe announced their separation today. The news marks the third high-profile, long-term, seemingly-stable celebrity couple breakup this year. First Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe. Then Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson. And now Reese and Ryan. It is worth noting that in all these relationships, the woman was currently the more successful partner. All three ladies are A-list actresses. All three ladies had recently released movies. All three ladies had been nominated for (if not won, and for Hilary twice) Academy Awards. Do I spot a trend? Is a successful career woman simply too much for a less successful man to accept (as Forbes magazine so misogynistically suggested earlier this year)? Whatever, it is those fellas' loss. I always thought Ryan seemed too lightweight and pinup-y for a smart gal like Reese, anyway.