What Made you Smile/What Ticked you off Today?

[Bikeage]

Ticked: Hauling a 20' trailer 2000+ lbs full of cargo with a full size pickup, in the right lane moving at or just under the posted speed limit of 60 MPH down a rural Indiana four lane divided highway, when some idiot in a car travelling east on a county road rolls through the stop sign, and begins to make a right turn onto the highway. Because I was not going 5-10 miles over the speed limit, which I am just as guilty of doing as anyone else, I was able to slow down enough to avoid collision and give her a few precious seconds to move to the shoulder, seeing as I passed the cunt was on a fucking cell phone.

Smiled: Violent video games later that evening were unusually cathartic.

[Forlorn Drifter]

I fucking hate people that don't respect drivers with trailers and talk on their cell phones. I live in TEXAS!!! I can't drive in frickin' San Antonio without somebody cutting me off while I drive with 50 cattle down the road in a custom 23' trailer.

(In response to the last post, showing I feel your pain. Also, not the fact I still have a learner's permit...)

[Luke]

Smile: My Father.

The man is simply amazing, and there is still very little I know about him. He only gives slivers of details, and usually unless you directly ask him a question he will divulge nothing. One trait that we do have in common (besides a lack sympathy), is never being star struck.

So anyway, I asked him about working at Merchandise Mart. He mentioned that at every lunch break he and co-workers would spend lunch drinking it up at Billy Goat's Tavern on Lower Michigan. This wasn't uncommon. People smoked and drank booze at their desk all day if the boss permitted. I still have a picture of my Father, while in his early thirties, sitting in his office with a full bar behind him and a cigar in his ashtray.

Back on track, when he told me this, the first thing I said was "Holy shit. You used to have lunch at Billy Goat's Tavern !?! Roger Ebert used to frequent that restaurant for drinks during his lunch break". Ever so stoic my Pops says, "Yeah, I've had a beer with him once or twice". *Jaw drops* (no pun intended).

So I figure my Father will have these great stories of him and Ebert throwing back a few beers, chatting it up about new releases and old classics.

Nope.

When I asked my Father with invested interest "So what did you two talk about?" he replied "How much the Cubs fucking suck".

Not much of a story, but it sure does show you the mentality of Chicagoians.

[gtmtnbiker]

Back on track, when he told me this, the first thing I said was "Holy shit. You used to have lunch at Billy Goat's Tavern !?! Roger Ebert used to frequent that restaurant for drinks during his lunch break". Ever so stoic my Pops says, "Yeah, I've had a beer with him once or twice". *Jaw drops* (no pun intended).

So you're star struck? I never heard of Billy Goat's Tavern.

I like to think of myself as someone who is not star struck. One thing that annoys me is people collecting autographs. I never understood the appeal of that.

[Luke]

So you're star struck? I never heard of Billy Goat's Tavern.

I like to think of myself as someone who is not star struck. One thing that annoys me is people collecting autographs. I never understood the appeal of that.

Not star struck, just surprised my Father hasn't told me about this before, which I shouldn't be surprised about. And you've probably heard of Billy Goat's Tavern, even if you haven't "heard" of it.

I keep autographs when they are personal and mean something to me. I agree, just having someone sign a piece a paper doesn't have much value to it (unless it's GW or Gandhi).

[YoshiEgg25]

Yeah, all Chicagoans and Cub fans know about Billy Goat Tavern. Pretty much a landmark for locals.

[dsheinem]

*Jaw drops* (no pun intended).

That's a great bar - I've been there a few times myself

[mjmjr25]

As a life-long cubs fan...that bar was a bit of a let-down both times I went there, surviving on status alone imo. The cool part is entering into an underground area like a 30's speak-easy - that's legit.

I understand all about charm and not changing things "because this is the way it has always been" but...the place smells a bit like piss and the hotdogs I had last time were just absolutely nasty.

[YoshiEgg25]

As a life-long cubs fan...that bar was a bit of a let-down both times I went there, surviving on status alone imo. The cool part is entering into an underground area like a 30's speak-easy - that's legit.

I understand all about charm and not changing things "because this is the way it has always been" but...the place smells a bit like piss and the hotdogs I had last time were just absolutely nasty.

I've never been there personally. I'm not sure I ever care to either. Not like there aren't better places to go. The Cubby Bear is a pretty nice place. I haven't been to Harry Caray's but I've heard good things. Plenty of other bars in Wrigleyville without having to travel all the way out to the Tribune Towers.

[Luke]

*Jaw drops* (no pun intended).

I hate myself for posting that. I felt like I had to beat a jerk to the punchline.

Like any bar (or waffle house for that matter), it depends on when you visit when a bar will or will not smell like piss and will or will not serve decent food. Shame on them for serving a bad hot dog, but you don't go to Goat's for hotdogs if you're in Chicago.

SuperDawg Best hotdog on the planet.

The best thing about Harry Caray's is that Frank Nitti used to own an apartment in the same building. Tourist trap it is if you ask me.

I wholeheartedly agree that Wrigleyville has a better bar, and comedy bar, selection. Friendlier, less pretentious. That and there is a place called Piece that redefined Chicago pizza that is welcoming, pretty easy on the wallet, and I've never had to wait for a table.

And now, I am starving.