Home Alone

I've had the last few days by myself, and it's been kind of nice and kind of terrible.

Here's what is going on:  Once we knew when school was going to end, my wife wanted to go to Florida to see her mom. And my son is always up for a trip to Florida, because his grandma has a pool in their complex and he can go everyday and eat McDonalds.  Oh yeah, and he loves his grandmother too!

I might have gone too, but there was a big circus festival in town, and I wanted to attend.  And it cost an extra $400 to go. And I'll see the MIL next month  in July and then again in August, which is plenty.  I don't have a bad relationship with her, (slightly contentious is probably most accurate) but too much of something is still too much.

So on Saturday, after our big awesome Lego adventure, my wife and son took off, and I went to the circus festival.  It was awesome!  I saw a bunch of friends, saw some amazing shows (I counted 10 shows that I saw in a 4-day span, and I was sad because I missed a couple.)  I also got to meet some new people, and in general had a lot of fun at the event.

For the last couple of days, I've been rattling around the house.  I've been sleeping late and going to bed late, and reading, and doing some of those things I was supposed to do while my wife was gone (but not all, honey.  There's still plenty left to nag about, don't you worry! :O) )  And not one RISKY BUSINESS moment at all!  I must be getting old!


This is the first time I've been home alone for an extended time in a while.  I generally like it, but I really do miss my wife and son.  The house seems so empty without them.

Before I had a kid, I spent plenty of time by myself, (I was a little bit of a hermit-- I could spend several days in my apartment by myself and never leave it)  I just don't remember it being so lonely.  I wonder if I was just inured to it, or that I've gotten used to having my family around.  Or maybe I really do love them that much!

When they get home, I'll probably remember all the things that bug me about them, but I don't care.   They get back on Thursday, and it can't be soon enough for me.

Brickworld Chicago- The top Lego Exposition in the area!

Brickworld, one of the premier Lego events in the country, is coming to Chicago June 20-21.

 The exposition, which will be held at the Renaissance Convention Center in Schaumburg, will feature over 66,000 square feet of displays, interactive activities, stop-action lego films, and vendors.

 Nearly 400 artists and engineers will display their creations, which include everything from scenes from mythology and history to futuristic space stations.  Also on display will be replicas of famous paintings, replicas of actual buildings, robots,working trains, cityscapes,  and many more things built entirely of Legos.   Last year they presented the largest LEGO great ball contraption in North America, and that will be back this year as well. (see video to the right)

There will be a play area with 20,000 bricks for kids to build their own Legos, and plenty of Lego vendors and enthusiasts on hand to give tips and sell models and other Lego gear.

There are a number of regional Brickworld expositions, but Chicago is one of the largest.  Says Bryan Bonahoom, organizer of the festival, "Chicago is the crowning jewel of our shows."


(Brickworld is a private company not connected with the Lego company.  Brickworld brings together Lego enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate the creativity, diversity, and inventiveness that characterizes the best of what Lego can represent.)





Brickworld Chicago will be held on June 20 and 21, 2015 at the Renaissance Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL.

Hours are 10 AM – 4 PM on Saturday and 10 AM – 3 PM on Sunday.

General admission tickets are $10 in advance, $11 at the door and kids under 3 are free.

DISCOUNTED TICKETS: Readers of this blog before June 17 can get in for $8.50.  To do so, purchase tickets online at https://brickworld.thundertix.com/events/59051 and use the code DADA15.

Click the image to the left.

This is going to be an awesome event for everybody who likes Legos.  Hope to see you there!







If you are unsure of what to expect, you can take a VERY VERY COMPLETE video tour of the 2014 event.  This video is presented by BEYOND THE BRICK.

And here are some more photos of past events (click to enlarge):