Longtime readers of this here blog are well aware of our love affair with the local drive-in.  It has been how we’ve seen movies for years now.  We even went before we “had” to, back when we just had Harry and could have easier procured a babysitter or taken him to a standard theater.  Then Liam was born and standard theaters were out.  Evie came along and I forgot what seeing a movie at a standard theater was like.

We COULD have been like a lot of families and seen movies primarily on DVD and just left it at that.  But to know Kile and I is to know our fondness for movies.  Our first “date” was to the $1.50 movie theater to see “Hunchback of Notre Dame”.  When we were first married, we would often catch an early fast food dinner on Friday nights and then head to the last matinee of whatever had just come out that day.  When Harry was an infant, we took him to movies with us all the time.  It was a sad day indeed when we learned taking him to movies wasn’t going to work anymore (around 18 months of age, when we went to see “Shrek” in the theater).  I also remember with great joy the day we tried him in a theater again (he was 3 and it was “Finding Nemo”).  Sure, we watch a lot of DVDs too, but we also love to see movies in the theater.  There isn’t any experience quite like it.

The drive-in is definitely different than seeing a movie in a theater, but it still beats waiting six months (or more) to see the latest blockbuster.  Winters are long and dreary around here while the drive-in is closed.  It’s not always EASY to go to the drive in, especially with the two little ones.  Both of them are about the age that they’re itchy and crabby and whiny and generally annoying.  But we make it work and it’s pretty much always worth it.

But… I don’t think I can go back.  Not after this.

Last Wednesday night we went to see “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince”.  30 minutes in or so, a transformer blew and we were issued passes to come back again.  BIG BUMMER.  I was so anxious to see this movie, the movie I was most looking forward to all summer!  The BIG one!  We couldn’t go back on Friday because Kile had to work and we figured Saturday would be swamped.  Sunday night would be perfect… still the weekend techinically, but smaller crowds.

We packed up the kids after dinner, got money out at the ATM to buy popcorn with, got drinks at 7-11 and waited in line outside the gates for about a half hour before they let us in.  We got a great spot, got all set up and everyone situated.  The movie started late.  It was supposed to come on at 8:55… it was more like 9:15.  But, that’s about par for the course at the drive-in.

Maybe two previews in, the screen went black.  Eventually, the sound cut off too.  We waited.  We figured it was a busted bulb in the projector, which we later learned was true.  But it was a while before we learned that there was no one at the theater who knew how to replace the bulb.   Second verse, same as the first.

This time, however, we asked for money back instead of passes.  I don’t think I can go back there.  It’s just ridiculous.  And now I’m devastated that I don’t know if I’ll be able to see Harry Potter until it comes out on DVD.  That’s just AWFUL.  A crime against humanity.

So I’m frustrated.  And annoyed.  And sad.  And peeved.  And downhearted.

Dangit.   NOW where am I going to see my movies at??

Like a great deal of this nation’s population, I had intentions of seeing “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” yesterday.  I’ve been waiting for this!  Watching the trailers and reading the magazine articles and counting down the days.  I told Kile under no uncertain terms that we would be going to the drive in on opening day to see it.

If you’ve been around here any length of time at all, you know that the drive in is how we see movies these days.  As we have no babysitters/family/friends or anything to watch the kids for us, if we can’t take them, we don’t go.   And taking them to a regular theater just ain’t gonna work.  Because unlike quite a few people these days, we actually care about the people around us.  I simply would not subject them to Liam AND/OR Evie at this stage in the game.  So the drive in it is.

We love the drive in!  First run movies, cheaper, and either from the comfort of our van or enjoying the evening breeze from our camp chairs.  The kids love it!  It’s exciting and something different.  It’s an adventure!

Last night we showed up about an hour early to sit outside the gates.  Even so, we were about sixth in line.  We got in, parked, met with friends, bbq’d some burgers and hot dogs for dinner, hung out and enjoyed one another.  Then the movie started.  Along with about fifteen different previews.  Holy moses, yo! But the movie eventually began and I was just starting to get into it.  Evie had just started to nut up and Harry had just gotten to Hogwarts (after getting a sound beating from Malfoy).  Then?

Pffffttttttt…….

The screen went black, the sound went to static and I went, “WTF??”

They blew a transformer.  Even the stoplight outside the drive in was out.  Can I get a “GAH!!”?

On the way home (because dood, the show was over) (they gave us free passes though), I joked to Kile that it was the air conditioning that did it.  Yesterday was the hottest day so far this year (you know, at least until TODAY) (or TOMORROW… 100, gah!).  Someone up in the projection booth got hot and said to themselves, “Dang, I’m gonna turn on the a/c!  It’s sweltering up here!  What could happen?”  Famous last words.

I swear, the air conditioning is 90% of why the power goes out here in the west during the summer.  Because who wants to be hot?  I sure don’t!

Then again, I would have liked to have seen the rest of the movie too.  Apparently it wasn’t as simple as flipping a breaker.  The transformer blew so the power company had to come out to fix it.  We would just figure on trying again tonight but we have no idea if they’ve fixed it or not.  And calling the information line yields no results, but maybe later in the day.

In the meantime: NO HARRY POTTER FOR ME!  WOE!  That’s just not right.  Am sad now.

Gosh, is it Tuesday already?? What the heck?  Why am I losing large chunks of time all the time? And DON’T say it’s cuz I’m old.  Cuz then I’ll be forced to smack you over the head with my handbag, you young whippersnapper.

***

So the sixth Harry Potter movie comes out tonight at midnight.  I want to see this movie.  We’ve kinda slacked off in the drive-in department lately, mostly because nothing much good was playing in June so we got out of the habit of going.  The last we saw?  Transformers.  We didn’t even go see Ice Age 3.  I think the general attitude was: “Meh.”  Which, yeah… who really wants to see Ice Age 3?  I sure don’t.  But that’s never stopped us before.  We usually go to the drive-in just to GO.  What movie is playing is sort of beside the point.

But I really wanna see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.  I’m not one of those quasi Harry Potter fans who don’t even bother to read the books.  I read them all!  More than once, even!  I’d like to see it tonight at midnight but… yeah no.  Unless I took Harry with me.  And he has school so that wouldn’t work so hot with a 2 hour and 33 minute movie on a school night that starts AFTER midnight.

The best option is going to the drive-in tomorrow night.  Also a school night, but with a movie starting roughly around 9, would be home slightly sooner.  So what if Harry has school the next day?  So what if Kile has work? This is HARRY POTTER.  This is bigger than school and work.

Damnit, I’m putting my foot down.  We’re going.  And that’s final.  Just suck it up, boys.

***

My children are monkeys.  That is all.

***

Our big Disney Extravaganza is next month.  Like in WEEKS.  It’s getting close.  I’m still scared, but mostly about the traveling to Florida component.  I think the rest is going to be a blast and a half.  But two toddlers and luggage and car seats and strollers and airport security?  BE STILL MY HEART.  Has anyone done an air trip like this before and if so, HOW.  We’re flying Southwest.  On the way out, we stop but don’t have to get off the plane which has GOT to be a plus, right?

I have a feeling this will be the death of me.

***

I think Evie just ate something quite possibly non-edible.  Uhm…

***

The overwatering of the grass continues!  Kile is starting to think maybe he should turn down the sprinklers a hair.  You think?  There’s almost seven hours between the noon and evening waterings and the ground doesn’t even get 100% dry.  And that’s through the hottest part of the day!

The water conservation police are SO gonna have our asses.

***

My left hand is misshapen and sore.  I’m turning into a crone.  I blame the knitting.

***

And yet, I insist that I am NOT OLD.

Oh and GET OFF MY LAWN, punks!

It’s been a few days longer than I would like since I’ve posted.  But as the title to this post indicates, I have a good excuse.  Or rather, a couple good excuses.  Or maybe they’re only good excuses to me because I feel like I need an excuse.  Which may not even be the case because the two people who read this site might not even care that I haven’t posted in two days.  In which case, these aren’t excuses but rather that annoying buzz in your head, like a bad fluorescent bulb or something.

Anyhow.  Where was I?

Oh yeah!  My excuse(s):

1) The internet was kaput on Wednesday.  HIGHLY frustrating.  Apparently Charter (I love them so) (not) was upgrading their equipment or something on Wednesday morning.  The only thing is that once they were done fixing their stuff, I still had no internet because something or other had to be fiddled with on our cable modem.  And I’m pretty stupid when it comes that sort of thing.  So I had my phone.  And my knitting.  I could check email and do basic internet functions.  And YES, I suppose I could have written a post from my phone about how I had no internet or something.  But no one likes to read about people who have no internet.  It’s boring.

Oh… wait…

Ooops.

2) Wednesday night, once Kile was home and fixed the internet, was busy, busy.  We went to the drive-in to see Transformers (at last).  It was a great night ot go and we all had a good time, even though Evie went thermonuclear midway through.  She’s officially reached that age where not being in bed at bedtime is a criminal offense.  Still, I got her knocked out eventually.  And the movie was a lot of fun.

What would I do without the drive-in? I ask you!  Oh and I also did some knitting.

3)  I’ve been knitting a lot.  Surprise, surprise.  I’m going to be a “guest vendor” at CongFu on this next coming Wednesday and that means having a few items (like the one in the picture above) to stock.  I’m kinda excited about it but not really expecting anyone to want my stuff all at the same time.  Anyhow, it means I’ve been knitting any chance I get for the last several days.   Let me just say:  This is going to be some CUTE stuff.  I won’t be entirely heartbroken if they don’t sell because that means I can keep them for my own.  Muahaha!

4) Thursday was a busy day as Kile took the day off (hurray for a four day weekend!) and we got some shopping done and just basically had a good time.  It meant not a lot of time spent at home though.  I did take my knitting with me so I could work feverishly in the car.  But we went and spent the rest of one of Kile’s gift cards, raided the Carter’s outlet store, bummed around Target (I seriously want to live there), went to Kohl’s and finally found Liam some sandles, had dinner at Texas Roadhouse which I’ve decided is my new BFF and then finished up our monthly grocery shopping trip (the one I started on Tuesday) at Walmart.  WHEW.  All that and we were able to get the kids home and in bed on time.  I think that deserves a medal.

So those are my excuses and I’m sticking to it.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some knitting to do.

So we’re at the drive in. Again. This pretty much happens every weekend so you’re just gonna have to get used to it.

Anyhow, there was much dramaz tonight. And we seriously JUST got parked. See, we’ve been coming here for a while and we know the drill. The line starts at the gate before it opens and goes out into the street and around the corner, moving northbound up El Rancho. We come from the north so it’s no trouble to just hop in line as we get here.

But there have been a few times we’ve stopped in at 7-11 to get drinks. When we do that, we know enough to get back on El Rancho and go find the end of the line.

Tonight the line was massive. Both Terminator and Night at the Museum are both new this week, plus it’s a holiday. The line was pretty long before we got here and the gate hadn’t even opened yet.

Once things started moving, we saw people cutting in line. These wereiften people coming from the south and turning left at the light, expecting to hop in line. The car in front of us was filled with kinder souls than us, because they let in not one but TWO cars.

Then? Someone tried to cut in front of us.

Oh HECK no!

We got on the bumper of the car ahead of us and refused to let him in. Yes, even when he HONKED at us. So he tried with the car behind us. No dice. The car behind that one also shut him down. So he sort of idled beside us until we got to the gate.

Now, standard protocal has you stop and talk to the employee with the clipboard and he then tells you which line to get into depending on what movie you’re seeing. We did this and then pulled forward to get in line for our respective ticket booth.

So what did Cutter do? He zoomed up as we pulled in and got in one of the lines. Clipboard Guy calmly walked to his window and basically told him he had to go get in line.

Su-weet!!

Funny thing is, we saw another car try to do the same thing before we got out of view of the gate.

Crazy sauce, I tell you! Some people, I swear.

So now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go watch a movie.