The shooting at LA Fitness happened in Collier Township, a town just a short drive from downtown Pittsburgh.

I was first alerted to the news via my friend Christina’s facebook status. She is a member at LA Fitness, and by some twist of fate decided to not go tonight. Thank God she is alright. Unfortunately, many others are not.


Then the twitter updates started coming in. And the text messages.  And more facebook status updates.


According to KDKA at least five people are dead in addition to the gunman and more injured. It’s also being speculated that this was the result of the gunman being dumped/rejected by a woman in the class by local news stations.

I’m utterly stunned and shaken by this news. Collier township is just mere minutes away from where I grew up. Plenty of my friends live in the area. My wedding reception is being held just a mile or so down the road. This isn’t an inner-city neighborhood. It’s not even a “bad” neighborhood.

What troubles me most is I just got done telling my coworker today how leaving Chicago to move home seemed more appealing every day, based on the rising crime rates in the city. But the harsh reality is senseless crime is everywhere. There’s really no escaping it. Thinking you’re immune to crime because you live in the “right” neighborhood is just naïve.


I’m not trying to push religion or beliefs on anyone here, but please keep the victims’ families in your thoughts and prayers. Especially my friend’s cousin, who was injured in the shooting. I know I will be.

Why are there so many pregnant ladies all of the sudden? Today I counted 11 within a block radius of Panera. -2 possible explanations: Obama babies. Or there’s nothing else better to do when its -17 outside.

When is Chicago weather going to find a happy medium? -As long as I can still wear a light cardigan, who cares.

Why do I lack complete motivation for working out when I know I need to? (gotta drop those Lbs before the wedding) -my trainer can be as lazy as me. And clearly I enjoy wasting money.

Why is it so hard to write a damn bio? It’s not like I’m being asked to write a bio on a complete stranger. -Jury’s still out on this one…

How can I kick my addiction to starbucks?-discovering I had spent $55 in 8 days was a wake-up call. I need rehab or something.

Does my (future) mother in law know about my blog? Is it okay to write about her?-the general consensus is don’t do it.

Why am I too chicken to ask my friend to be my bridesmaid?-I toughened up and asked and she accepted!

What should I bring to Allie’s book club/BBQ tomorrow?-I brought hotdogs and cheese curls. perfect BBQ combo

Is it wrong to want to give my cat a lion haircut? (She sheds A LOT)-Allie and I will be doing this sooner or later.

Am I turning into a bridezilla?-probably not. At least not bad enough to smash a cake or make my future mother in law clean my dress with her own toothbrush.

Am I choosing the right thing by wanting to move home? -I still don’t know, but as Akirah says “home is where the heart is”.

And my whole new list of questions I’m asking myself:

How am I gonna cram about 15 girls in here for my Gap Born to Fit party?

How come I didn’t end up with someone who was a neat freak?

What am I going to wear to BlogHer?!

Why am I addicted to shows about pregnancy, such as 16 and Pregnant, and I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant? (especially when I don’t even really like babies?)

How many times is too many to see the Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince?

Why does this keyboard want to add an extra “.” every time I use it?

How can I convince Chris to get me a new couch, like ASAP?

Why is laundry a neverending chore? Perhaps those nudists are on to something…

Why is it pretty much impossible to cook for only 2 people?

What should I put on a mix CD for my Gap party?

How excited am I for my trip home in a little over a month? (I can answer that right now: VERY EXCITED)

When is Chicago weather going to find a happy medium?

Why do I lack complete motivation for working out when I know I need to? (gotta drop those Lbs before the wedding)

Why is it so hard to write a damn bio? It’s not like I’m being asked to write a bio on a complete stranger.

How can I kick my addiction to starbucks?

Does my (future) mother in law know about my blog? Is it okay to write about her?

Why am I too chicken to ask my friend to be my bridesmaid?

What should I bring to Allie’s book club/BBQ tomorrow?

Is it wrong to want to give my cat a lion haircut? (She sheds A LOT)

Am I turning into a bridezilla?

Am I choosing the right thing by wanting to move home?



So what are you wondering today?

So far this year, Wall•E was my most anticipated film. More than Ironman, Indiana Jones, and the Incredible Hulk combined. Anytime I watched a trailor I would get goosebumps, so it should come as no surprise that I had my ticket well in advance for the midnight showing. 

I promise not to give away too much, because I know many of you are also excited to see it and I don’t want to give everything away. The story takes place 700 years in the future, where Earth is a desolate wasteland. Wall•E bots were designed to clean up the pollution and waste that has stricken the planet. From what you can gather, he is the last remaining Wall•E bot and he’s pretty lonely. Wall•E is basically a trash compactor; he collects garbage, compacts it, and stacks it neatly. Eve is a very sleek egg shaped robot with a temper who is programmed to find sustainable life on earth i.e. a plant. Wall•E is lovestruck at first sight. Eve, like most females, likes to play hard to get. In an attempt to impress Eve, Wall•E shows her his favorite items that he keeps in his storage container. He shows her a small plant that he’s been keeping in a boot, and that’s when the real adventure begins. 

Wall•E is every bit as charming and endearing as he is in the trailors. His robot romance with Eve is as real as any live action one, and probably a bit more heartwarming. The movie’s mood shifts from playful, to action-packed, to serious without coming across as a stretch. I admit to tearing up a few times toward the end. The animation is spectacular; I almost forgot it was animated a few times. Overall, the emotional effects and message of the film pluck on the heartstrings without feeling forced and the visual imagery provides a landscape that is literally out of this world.

Pixar really lived up to the hype with this one. I really think kids and adults alike will have a sense of wonder and adoration for this film. Go see it, I promise you won’t be disappointed.