Category: Journal Entry

Photo by Darwin Vegher on Unsplash

I wrote this journal about a weekend which was spent partly at the drive-in movie theatre, partly at the beach and finally at a massive buffet.

While these moments may sound mundane on their own, at the end of my ‘adventure’, it did not feel ordinary. I was left with a swirl of unordinary feelings and thoughts and I wanted to condense them. Over time I kept writing and felt this piece became too long for a single post. Hence, you will notice that this experience of mine is split into two separate posts. Although you can read each one on it’s own, here I am, tugging at your sleeve like a little child, with a plea to read both one after the other.

I imagined our weekend, like a movie itself.

Cozy opening credits at the drive-in (watching Toy Story). Followed by a perfect sequel in the form of golden beaches and maybe a buffet for third installment finale.

But no one thought that by the end of the first half, the radio would be blasting Maroon 5 instead of Woody(a character from Toy Story), the car trunk light would be auditioning for Broadway, and my family would be one step away from being chased off the beach by 300 birds.

I pictured a golden sunset.

Popcorn tubs the size of our heads.

Fairy lights glowing in the trunk.

Cushions so comfy you would think we packed the entire living room.

And of course, Toy Story under the stars.

The goal was simple: give my sister a memory she could take back with her, something we would talk about for years. And we did get that… although let’s just say, Pixar wasn’t the only one serving plot twists that night.

Scene One: Sunset and Static

We were among the first few to arrive at the drive-in, the sky was still orange and pink. We all had that restless excitement that we get before something fun.

Then came the radio.

The instructions were pretty simple, “Tune in to frequency X.” Easy right? 

I tap the screen and set the radio frequency to ‘X’.

I hear static, fuzz, and suddenly, Maroon 5 crooning, “She wiiiiiiill be looooooooved.” 

A still from Toy Story at the Drive-In

My husband tries again, and this time, it’s Lady Gaga, “Pa-pa-pa-poker face pa-pa-poker face, ma-ma-ma-ma” 

Meanwhile, the family next door is nodding along to Toy Story. We fiddled with every button, leaned out of our car windows with polite desperation, “Hey, are you getting the movie?” They nodded. Meanwhile we were stuck in an accidental pop concert.

I cracked a joke about Mr Potato Head being voiced by Adam Levine, but to be honest, I was tense. Me and my sister looked at each other with wide-eyes and signaled, “Is this really happening!?”. My husband finally gave up and marched off to get an actual radio. 

He came back with the radio. But the tension was sky high.

Scene Two: The Battle Of The Trunk Light

With the sound sorted, you would think we could relax. Nope. 

The trunk light.

It glowed like a stubborn lighthouse, ruining our dark and cozy vibes. I tried everything, menu settings, dome light off, camp setting, climate tweaks.

Nothing.

It just glared at me like, Nice try lady!

I found some tape in the car thinking we can cover it up. But it kept falling, peeling. Soon it looked like a preschool craft project, a last minute diorama.. tape hanging, paper falling, light still blazing like it’s auditioning for Broadway… and winning the role. 

We kept laughing and groaning at the same time like contestants of a reality tv show who know what they have signed up for. 

At one point, I had the brilliant idea to “trick the trunk”. Out came a paper clip. I poked the latch. It clicked! The light went off! Victory!

… for two glorious seconds.

Then the paperclip broke and got stuck.

Me: I broke the car.

My sister : Wide-eyed silence

My husband: Calm, heroic, pushing the paper clip out like a Tesla-surgeon.

Meanwhile, chaos was building up around me like I’m the centre of a failing ship.

1. My daughter chanted on repeat, “I need popcorn, I need popcorn”
2. My sister, half laughing, half exasperated, “I need wifi.. I need paper plate.. Where is the trash bag”
3. My husband calling from his chair outside, “The radio is not working”

And me in the middle, taped up, light blazing in my face, paperclip residue all over me.

A picture of grace.

My sister and my daughter having Poha and Popcorn with the trunk light ON

Finally we went feral on the light. Layers of tape, more tape, all the tape. 

The light gave up. 

The crowd ( Us and our neighbors, who were following us more than watching the movie) cheered.

It was pure comedy. Stressful in the moment but comedy gold in hindsight.

The real winner though? My daughter. She ignored all of us including the light, happily curled up in my sister’s lap, laughing jumping, clapping and enjoying Toy Story like it was the greatest night of her life.

Honestly, she was right. Kids always know how to focus on the joy. 

I was too tired to eat much of the giant buttery tub of popcorn but my daughter made up for me. Her giggles were the true soundtrack of the night.

This was the part 1 of our adventure. I would love for you to read part 2 and be a part of our little adventure.