Freedom Is Groovy

Talking Trash – Vividseats, Chicago, Groovy Ranch Crisis, and Hurricane “Kiss My Grits” Flo

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Mr. Groovy
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Hello, groovy freedomist. Welcome to another installment of Talking Trash with Mr. Groovy—and another lame post. I got back Sunday from my Chicago bucket-list adventure and I’m still suffering from jet lag. Translation: the North Carolina humidity is kicking my butt and I had no energy to write a proper post for today.

But I promise. I’ll write at least one killer post next week. In the meantime, here’s a couple of pictures from Chicago.

First, what is it about Chicago and goats? My Airbnb was one mile from Wrigley Field, in the heart of the city, and it had two boisterous goats in the backyard.

And the most famous bar in Chicago is the Billy Goat Tavern. It’s owner cursed the Cubs in 1945 because he wasn’t allowed to sit in the Wrigley Field stands with his pet goat. The Billy Goat Tavern was also the inspiration behind the classic SNL skit, “Cheezborger, Cheezborger, Cheezborger.”

Second, how could I have left Chicago without going to the Art Institute of Chicago and paying tribute to my favorite painting of all time?

Special Note: On 9/25, I modified my original tribute to American Gothic by adding Fritz and Jackie from Retirement Manifesto take-off I produced for an earlier post. So now we have the Grant Wood version, the Maddie Blank version, and the Mr. Groovy version. Pretty groovy. If you want to get in on this meme, feel free to send me a picture and I’ll include it.

Okay, groovy freedomist, that’s all I got. Have a great weekend, and enjoy the latest installment of Talking Trash with Mr. Groovy. Peace.

Comments

17 responses to “Talking Trash – Vividseats, Chicago, Groovy Ranch Crisis, and Hurricane “Kiss My Grits” Flo”

  1. Tom @ DividendsDiversify Avatar
    Tom @ DividendsDiversify

    Hope you had a good time. I lived in Wrigleyville in my first few years out of college. It was a bit different in the late 80’s, but hey things change. I’m a much older suburban Chicago guy now, but the pics bring back some memories. 🙂 Tom

    Reply
  2. Cubert Avatar
    Cubert

    Glad you and Mrs. Groovy are okay after that storm went blasting by.

    I remember visiting the BillyGoat many years ago. The cheeseburger was delicious, and I still miss Jim Belushi.

    Reply
  3. freddy smidlap Avatar
    freddy smidlap

    i gotta tell you y’all crack me up. sounds like our house when i listen in. i’m a big fan of kate nesi and she was kind enough to allow me a guest post on my running life on her site a few months ago.

    that flooding is no joke. i drove in a flash flood in new orleans which my substandard ex-wife advised me not to do. i had to go uptown to get some fancy cheese and i got off the highway near the superdome and the water was up to the middle of the truck doors. i made it through but maybe would have rather drowned than admit she was right that i shouldn’t have gone out in the first place.

    Reply
    1. Mr. Groovy Avatar
      Mr. Groovy

      Ah, freddy, I like you even more now that I know you admire Kate as well. She’s great and I had a blast recording her podcast. And your description of your ex was classic. “Substandard.” I got to remember that one. Quick question, though. Why is it that wives, even substandard ones, are always right?

      Reply
      1. freddy smidlap Avatar
        freddy smidlap

        that’s a large question that might require a whole post or interview style format, but it will always be true. we can’t win.

        Reply
  4. Kyle @ NYPFGuy Avatar
    Kyle @ NYPFGuy

    Chicago is my hometown! I could’ve given you so many great recommendations. Hopefully you had some Italian beef, pizza and Mexican food. Glad you made it to the Art Institute.

    Reply
    1. Mr. Groovy Avatar
      Mr. Groovy

      Hey, Kyle. I wish I would have remembered you are a Chicagoite. I would have picked your brain. We went to Lou Malnati’s for deep dish. Loved it. But others have said the Pequod’s is better. What say you? And what say you about Italian beef? We missed out on that delicacy but heard Al’s is the place to go. Don’t want be unprepared for our next visit. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Cheers.

      Reply
      1. Kyle @ NYPFGuy Avatar
        Kyle @ NYPFGuy

        I really like Lou Malnati’s, but I do think Pequod’s is better. It requires a bit of planning to make a reservation and get up to Lincoln Park though. And Al’s is a great spot for beef. Make sure to get hot peppers!

        Reply
  5. GenX FIRE Avatar
    GenX FIRE

    I have been a baseball fan my whole life and while my team is the New York Yankees, I have always wanted to make a pilgrimage to Wrigley Field. I’ve been able to knock off Fenway about 20 years ago. And yes I know Yankee fans aren’t supposed to like Fenway, but it is a great old baseball place. Anyway sounds like a great trip and I hope you don’t have too much trouble down there in North Carolina. I have some friends and family down there that were very fortunate considering how close the hurricane got.

    Reply
    1. Mr. Groovy Avatar
      Mr. Groovy

      Wrigley Field was fantastic. Much better than I expected. Are you a hockey fan? Chris Chelios led the crowd in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The atmosphere and crowd were great. In fact, to a man, we all enjoyed our Wrigley Field experience better than our Notre Dame experience. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. And thanks for asking about Hurricane Flo. Thankfully, Flo took pity on us and did little damage.

      Reply
  6. Susan @ FI Ideas Avatar
    Susan @ FI Ideas

    Goats! I’m reading your book right now and I had to Google “Goat Yoga”. I was so ignorant of the latest fad on how to waste my money on that one and you gave me a good laugh. You have such an eye for the hilarious things in life!

    Reply
    1. Mr. Groovy Avatar
      Mr. Groovy

      LOL! I was ignorant of goat yoga until Tonya over at Budget and the Beach did a post on it. It looks like a lot of fun. If I ever did a yoga class, I wouldn’t mind a goat standing on my back. Thanks for stopping by, Susan. You made my day. Cheers.

      Reply
  7. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    Thanks you two, such sweet comments! It was such a fun interview, I look forward to publishing it soon for everyone to enjoy!! Thanks again for coming on 🙂 Mrs. Groovy is hilarious on this video.

    Reply
    1. Mr. Groovy Avatar
      Mr. Groovy

      Thank you, Kate! We love your podcast and were honored to be a part of it.

      Reply
  8. Fritz @ TheRetirementManifesto Avatar
    Fritz @ TheRetirementManifesto

    Not a bad pic, but I have a better one. Wish I had a way to connect it in your comments. You know the one…. Smiles.

    Reply
    1. Mr. Groovy Avatar
      Mr. Groovy

      Haha! Thanks for reminding me. Fixed it.

      Reply
      1. Fritz @ TheRetirementManifesto Avatar
        Fritz @ TheRetirementManifesto

        Honored. Beyond. Words.

        Wink.

        Reply

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