So is THIS the glamorous part of being self-employed?! Just finished teaching class… now hoping to make the deadline! Like a whole month’s extension wasn’t quite enough time??? Sheesh!

Apparently, people found two “alleged” explosive devices at Openlands… both of which “allegedly” might be left over from World War II – originally coming from Fort Sheridan which is right there.

The lakeshore preserve is shut down while they investigate… but still a “sight to see” as we pedaled through to catch a beautiful view of the lake a bit further north.

DONE… thank you Pfizer & Walgreens for my second shot this afternoon. Do your part… roll-up your sleeve to help curb this pandemic. Protect yourself and those around you so we can all get back to “normal” some time soon.

I’m now half of the way there… and feelin’ safer already!

Even the portraits were made out of LEGOs!!! So much work. So much creativity… so many flashback memories of FRIENDS. I kinda think I need to go back and re-watch every episode from the beginning again!!!

So who is YOUR favorite FRIEND… and why?!

Let the binge begin… “Could that BE any more fun???”

My favorite part of the THE FRIENDS EXPERIENCE yesterday was the full-blown replica of Central Perk… all made out of LEGO’s!!! Fully interactive with all the furniture, details, colors & props you remember and want to play with for your photo-ops! So much fun… and SO MANY LEGOS!!!

And yes, before everyone gets weird… there was PLENTY of safety protocols in place! Full masks all the time at THE FRIENDS EXPERIENCE… staggered time entry, limited group access to exhibits, social distancing and more than a LOT of cleaning stations to keep everything “Monica Clean”!!!

Yesterday I took my niece Taylor and her parents to THE FRIENDS EXPERIENCE downtown. She’s a new FRIENDS fan having recently binged the entire series during the pandemic… so I knew this would be the perfect birthday gift! Especially when your friend Terry is one of the creative masterminds behind the project and gets you free tickets for the exclusive preview event!

So much fun touring through the world of FRIENDS. Central Perk. Monica’s kitchen. The window to poke Ugly Naked Guy. Joey & Chandler’s apartment. Phoebe’s guitar. The wedged sofa. Joey wearing all of his clothes at once… even the fountain & sofa from the opening credits!!! Tons of memorabilia and plenty of photo-ops along the way… PIVOT!!!

Be sure to stop by THE FRIENDS EXPERIENCE on Michigan Avenue as it opens this Wednesday, March 17th. And special thanks again to Terry for hooking us up… I love having talented FRIENDS!!!

So no one told you life was gonna be this way.
Your job’s a joke, you’re broke,
Your love life’s DOA.
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear.
When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month…
Or even your year, but…
I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU.

Just ran across this headline as I was pulling old newspapers out of a box in my studio to put out some wadding to stiffen-up a bit. Hard to believe it was a year ago. Hard to believe it’s still going on. Hard to believe there’s finally a glimmer of hope at the end of this very long tunnel.