40 B4 40: Drive-In Movie

When Return of the Jedi was released, my mother and I saw the movie together at the local drive-in theatre. No sisters. It was just the two of us and Jabba the Hutt and the Ewoks. I wasn’t allowed to tell my sisters we’d been to see the show. It was our special, secret mother-daughter outing. To this day, Episode VI is my favorite of the Star Wars series. Was it the Ewoks or the secret?

A year later, the entire family returned to the drive-in. I don’t remember the first feature, only the second. After the family-friendly show, my sisters and I were supposed to sleep in the back seat while my parents watched Sheena: Queen of the Jungle. What little girl wouldn’t want to peek at a movie in which a beautiful woman is friends with the animals of the jungle? Of course, we were shocked when Sheena took off her clothes to swim, but that only added to the forbidden appeal of the film.

My last excursion to the now-defunct Your Twin drive-in theatre was in the summer between my senior year and college. By this time, I was aware of the drive-in’s reputation as a hot-spot for teenage romance. My long-time crush, Ryan Penner, invited me to a show. I dressed with care, wearing the short denim shorts I had just updated with ruffles along the pockets and cuffs. Although we saw the show with a group, just the two of us sat in the front seats of his parents’ Toyota Camry. I waited all evening for the pass that never came. He was there to see the movie. I can’t tell you what show was playing.

That theatre was demolished during my last year of college. The outdoor movie theatre industry declined. I didn’t even see another drive-in until I moved to Sacramento, nineteen years after my last, and disappointing, drive-in movie experience.

We now live less than 3 miles from the West Wind Sacramento 6 Drive-In. On long winter evenings, the movies are a distraction when driving the nearby roads. How could we not at least try it?

Things have changed since my last visit to a drive-in. No longer do bulky, retro speakers hang on the windows for sound. Instead, we were able to tune in to a radio station and hear the movie on Beefy’s car’s excellent sound system. Not much is forbidden about the experience, as a married adult. We “smuggled” in Subway and Taco Bell, but I don’t think that was against the rules. We could have made out (and more) in the seats, but I think we’d both rather do that at home. I wish I had brought in a beer, and Yelp reviews reveal that the scent of marijuana is not uncommon, but the strongest drug we consumed was diet Coke.

The drive-in has new appeal as adults. The Honda CRV's seats were far more comfortable than a conventional theater. We were able to use our phones to our hearts’ content. We conversed during the movie without being shushed. (I love to comment on the action during a movie.) I took my shoes off and propped my feet on the dash, without fear of later stepping my stockinged foot into sticky soda residue. When it was over, we didn’t even have to get up out of our seats to leave. It was a comfortable and private experience. But not at all mysterious or thrilling.

At some point in our lives, we revisit childhood or young adult experiences and find them rather less stimulating than we remembered. I’m afraid that my recent drive-in experience just reconfirms my fears that turning 40 means the end of excitement and the beginning of comfort. I just haven’t decided if that’s all bad.

Suspicious Activity

I got to the airport early, and parked on the top floor of the garage, to take my outfit photos and work on my 365 project. I know the ATCs could see me from their tower and I was probably visible on a security camera or two but no one interrupted my photo session.


Cardigan, Mossimo (thrifted). Sweater, Joseph A. Overall dress, Hydraulic Denim. Leggings, Danskin. Boots, Steve Madden. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Bag, thrifted.

The views are incredible from the roof, but it was so windy and bright that I didn’t realize I hadn’t gotten a good picture of my outfit until I reviewed the images later. All the full-body shots were blurry or not full-body at all (i.e. missing my feet)!



As often happens, my favorite photo of the day, and my 365 pick, was taken spontaneously with my iPhone. Here’s Jasper as he patiently awaits my sister’s arrival at baggage claim:

Winter Break

Most of the bloggers I follow break for the holidays, but I love to take my vacation to spend even more time on my blog. I may have slowed down on the outfits (too many days spent in workout gear!) but I haven’t been taking a break. I’m busy working on my 40 B4 40 project and writing about the experiences.


Vest, Deb. Sweater, Tweeds (thrifted). Belt, thrifted. Skirt, London Jean. Leggings, Danskin. Boots, Sam Edelman. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Bag, Nine West.

If my blog were a job, I would have quit long ago. Instead, it’s fun and I look forward to spending time on it. (Even on Christmas day.)


We are saving our gifts for my sister’s arrival the day after Christmas. We did let the puppies open one present each today.


I gave myself the gift of marzipan on Christmas Eve:

Shepherd

From my pictures, it looks like I spend all my free time outside with the dogs. That’s sort of true.


Sweater, Banana Republic (thrifted and gifted). Dress, Jams World (thrifted). Leggings, We Love Colors. Boots, Vince Camuto. Hat, Lids. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Earrings, street fair.


365 photos from the last few days (and proof that I’m sometimes at home drinking, not out with the dogs):

Cocktail Flats

At our final agility class of the year, Jasper and I were notified that we’d be graduated to Beginner 2. However, the instructor asked that I wear appropriate footwear so that I could keep up with my dog. (I’d been wearing boots once the weather cooled off. They wanted me in sneakers.)

With that advice in mind, I chose flats for the WAG holiday party. No dogs were invited, but I was glad of the sensible shoes when circling the room for an hour playing the “box game.”


Blazer, Diane von Furstenberg (consignment). Dress, City Triangles (thrifted). Tights, We Love Colors. Shoes, Chelsea Crew. Necklace, Serket Jewelry.

So . . . the “box game.” We lined up and circled the room, rolling giant dice when we reached the front, for a chance to work on opening a sequence of boxes while wearing a Santa hat, scarf, and mittens. The final box contained a gift certificate to the agility center. Each box was gift wrapped, taped, and sometimes nestled inside another wrapped and taped box. No teeth or stiletto heels were allowed. Elbows and the corner of a table proved to be the tools of choice. Once the next player rolled a seven or twelve, your turn was up and it was time to return to the queue. There were some motivated players and at least one broken gift.