drive in

Rain Filled Movie Night

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Last night we hit the Twilight Drive In for a retro double feature. The family piled into the car and we were off… two and a half hours before showtime. Even though we bought tickets in advance, it was sold out and we have a few spots that are a “Must Have” when watching from the car.

We’ve done the local Drive-In numerous times in the past. Many times for our son’s birthday (same with last night). Even though last night was quite the rainy evening, we stayed for both films. It made for added effects to our viewing of Back to the Future / Back to the Future II.

Of course, our car battery died halfway through the second film. I ran the car during the intermission in order to try and keep the battery alive. The seven speaker stereo, defogger and wipers did the battery in. But since we’ve done this before, I knew to bring a backup radio. Because, you know… the movie watching is important! By the end of the second film, the car started up again with no issues.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot- our son lost one of his final baby teeth from a hard candy in between the films. I told him the tooth fairy does not visit teenagers. He was not at all phased. That’s because the tooth fairy still made an appearance.

Go figure.

Our Boy is Fourteen

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Where does the time go? Our son is 14 today. Every year I write about him on his birthday, as I do with each of our children. Okay, I write about our children more than just on their birthdays. But on their Birthday, it’s always about them. Here’s a quick snippet about him and his day.

He’s quite the charmer. He knows how to make people happy through his kind acts. Theory also has impeccable manners and is respectful of everyone. It makes me happy to see that our parenting has paid off. Plus he has two wonderful big sisters who have steered him towards being the great kid that he is.

Today was a fairly subdued celebration. We had a big breakfast, followed by opening of gifts. My wife and I finally purchased the trick scooter he wanted. Later this evening, we will be attending Back To The Future at The Twilight Drive In. It’s a sold out show and they predict rain. That will be fun seeing how to cram three teenagers and two adults into a small suv!

But as far as Birthdays go, this one is pretty good for him. And he seemed very happy with what he got. Especially the handmade gifts from his sisters. (A painting and a Star Wars pillow).

Happy 14th Birthday Theory! May the Force Be With You!

Back To The Drive-In

Posted on by Josef Havelka

This Saturday is our son’s 14th birthday. With the world being what it is, no party will be happening. But we still want to make it special for him.

It just so happens that our local Drive-In Theater The Twilight Drive-In is playing retro movies. This is due to the fact that the movie studios are not releasing anything new. The Drive-In allows for social distancing in our cars as a family. Which is perfect. The film series this week? Back to the Future.

Our family has always loved the Back to the Future series. Back in 2010 at The Calgary Expo, we met a couple who built replica DeLorean and was taking donations for Parkinson’s Research. We took some photos that created the start of some fantastic memories.

Fast forward to October 2015. We are now in California at another convention… our son decided to cosplay as Marty McFly. He had a great time taking photos and pretending to be Marty.

This Saturday will be a fun night of watching a double feature. BTTF and BTTF 2. When I was younger, I rented Back to the Future 2 on VHS when it first came out. I watched it 9 times in a row during the one day rental we had. Needless to say, I enjoyed the film.

So come on out to the Drive In the Saturday and walk past to say Happy Birthday to our son!

Summer Clean Up

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Our kids have already been enjoying over a month away from school. We’ve kept them busy and active for the most part. Or at least tried to. Somehow they always resort back to playing on screens both big and small. Ask them to get off the computer, straight to the iPad. Ask them to put down the iPad, off to the iPhone. Then the PlayStation or the Nintendo Switch. The kids need to be occupied with something.

Today my wife and I are going to keep them occupied with a massive cleaning of our home. Inside and out. Our kids’ responses: GROAN. That was to be expected. But our lovely home has fallen into some disarray. It’s time to get things back on track and try to keep it that way.

Hahahahaha… I know the house will get messy again. Of course no one wants to do chores. But we all love living here. So…

GET TO WORK!

Hopefully the weather stays calm and we can enjoy our first night at the Drive In. You know- reward the kids with the biggest screen of all!

Wish Granted

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Yesterday was my birthday. It was perfect. My family did exactly what I wished for- nothing.

Well, not exactly “nothing”. They took me out for sushi dinner. Then they gave me 42 homemade cupcakes. I received a few bags of candy with 42 pieces in each. Then we went to the drive-in movie to watch “Black Panther”.

It was a perfect birthday. Exactly what I wished for. No big party. No extravagant gifts. Just my wife and kids having fun.

Perfect.

At the Drive In

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Summer weather is here in the Lower Mainland.  That means with sunny days and warm nights on the horizon it is time to hit our local Drive In.

When I was in my later teen years/twenties we used to go to the Hillcrest Drive In throughout the summer.  The Hillcrest opened in 1953,  and shutdown in 2003.  After fifty years, the owners were looking for a new location to open, not because of the money but because of the love of the drive in.  It took them a couple years to get settled and open up again.  Under the name “Twilight Drive In” they opened again in 2005.

The Twilight Drive-In’s screen stands 20 feet off the ground and is 40 feet high by 94 feet wide. (Thats the equivalent to a 1224″ T.V.). We project in the true “scope aspect ratio” of 2.35:1 (That means the picture is 2.35 times wider than taller, for films produced in scope aspect ratio).


In 2007 my family moved to our new home.  Lucky for us the Drive In is only five minutes away.  We have spent every

summer going to the movies every couple of weeks.  We get to be outdoors, enjoy a couple films, and have quality family time, and support a local business all for under $50.  We could drop twice that at the multiplex and out money goes to a big corporation.  

Team Captain America


Usually we sneak in around Spring Break, but since we were traveling, we couldn’t.  Last night was our first film of 2016.  We watch Captain America: Civil War.  Besides the film being fun, our family enjoyed the night out.

I hope that the drive in theater sticks around for a long time.  This is something that I hope my kids can take their kids to.