You wanted the best, you got the best (of the worst)

Taken at the last Walmart
stockholder's meeting

A few months ago, Chas sent me a text asking if I would be interested in seeing KISS.  I had never seen the band before and I'm not that big of a fan of their music (I find it very simplistic and lyrically unimaginative).  Nonetheless, who am I to turn down a good spectacle?  I resonded "sure."  That was the last I heard about this for a few weeks, until one day Chas says "I got the KISS tickets, mark your calendar for the 18th..."  Well, ok then.  I promptly did as I was instructed; while marking my calendar, I thought to myself what an awesome girlfriend I had making all these plans while all I have to do is keep my schedule clear.

I was a little worried in the days leading up to the concert since I had heard/seen little advertising for the show dubbed "The Hottest Show on Earth Tour."  This was an omen.

The Highway to Hell is a Paved Toll Road.

First, the show was in Frisco, TX.  On a map, it doesn't look that far away from Fort Worth.  Unfortunately, anytime you live somewhere alongside 7 million other people (in the Dallas metropolitan area), you really have to add in some time for the "people-are-in-my-way" factor.  One thing nether one of us planned for was the toll roads.  I'm from West Tennessee and we don't really have toll roads there.  Here is what we learned regarding toll roads:  1) it costs to make a wrong turn; 2) the automated toll booths don't always work (so don't keep pouring in your change); and 3) no matter how fast you think you are in paying your toll, the people behind you think it is not fast enough.

Next delivery...  Folsom City

Doin' time at Pizza Hut Penitentiary.

The show was promoted locally as "Rockin' in the Park" even though it's primary focus was KISS.  The event was hosted at "Pizza Hut Park."  In typical care-free-and-without-predjudice Chastephen style, we noted all of the bands that were playing but didn't care when we could find little information about parking or "house rules" when we looked up Pizza Hut Park on line.  We kind of thought we would be tail gating with members of the KISS Army, but we were sadly mistaken.  We chose to park in the $10 grass and dirt field next to the park.  It was about 100 degrees, so the beer we brought cooled us down a little, but there was no shade.  We walked through the $20 parking lot on the park premisis and found two tailgating groups with tents and grills.  Too late to move spots, we watched as people lined up to get in. 

This is what $8 looks like at Pizza
Hut Park.  Yummy!

We arrived at about 1pm.  This was my fault as the first band was scheduled to go on at 1:30pm and I wanted to see them.  Before they started letting us in the park, they posted sandwich boards that stated "No Readmission."  That meant once we got in there, we were trapped.  This sucked because apparently, shade is illegal in Frisco. We had a cooler of beer that was off limits once we went inside...  sad face. 

While the park was a good size, we felt increasingly claustrophobic as we looked at the $11 beers and $7 pizzas.  We were on a budget and the headlining act was not even going on stage for another 8 hours.  With the sun blaring overhead, we did hard time in this prison of capitalism without remorse.  I made the mistake of using simple math and got depressed:  $6 sodas x 1 per hour x 8 hours x 2 people = $96 minimum.  Ouch!

These newbies were the
2nd best band of the day.

Rockin' Like Dokken?

The first band was Revengence, the Guitar Center sponsored group.  They actually were one of the best of the night.  The next band was called The Envy from Toronto.  They were boring and unoriginal; ironically, unenviable.  (Maybe that should have been their band's name.)  Despite my criticism, I liked their logo.  The Acadamy Is followed them.  I really wanted to like them, but by the time they got on stage, Chas and I collectively sweated off about 12 pounds of water weight and I was wondering if I was going to survive another 5 hours in the big house (aka, Pizza Hut Park).  They are a good band and are from one of my favorite cities (Chicago).  I definitely recommend them to anyone not sitting in a gigantic crock pot (aka Pizza Hut Park).

We're excited we didn't have to pay for
 those seats.  The true owners never
showed up.

After The Acadamy Is was finished, Chas and I wandered to the more expensive "west-side" seats and found (of all things) an air conditioned bar.  I thought I was hallucinating...  but not because of the presence of the bar, but rather the prices.  We cooled off for a bit then walked down to the $170 seats (ours were $50 and were at the back of the easy bake oven (aka Pizza Hut Park).  We figured we'd get kicked out, but at least we could have some shade for a few.

Coolest band picture.  Ever.

Drowning Pool was the next band.  They kicked some major whoo-ha.  "Angry, angry expletive!"  Isn't that one of their songs?  No?  Well, as angry as their music may have seemed, the lead singer smiled alot and they definitely owned the audience.  I had never seen them, but would definitely again, as long as I wasn't in the human wok (aka Pizza Hut Park).  Chas loved them, by the way - wok or not.  She's seen them several times in more intimate (and cooler) venues.  She can attest to their rock-ositude.

You remind me of a bloody
turtle with asthma, Chris.

I'm not sure how Pat Green got on the bill, but he played next.  He was as funny and rowdy as any good 'ole boy in country music.  He cussed, made vaguely veiled references to drugs, made fun of the crowd and himself and basically, had a good time.  Oh yeah, then he sang that "Wave on Wave" song.

Chris Daughtry came out next and thoroughly embarrased himself.  Simon was right.



You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best You Should Have Seen Us in 1978.

At 9pm, the venue was still only at about half capacity.  We watched as the Pizza Hut Park "seat-Nazis" monitoring the general admission area wouldn't let people who paid $170 for their seats go down to the half-full genreal admission area (those folks paid $30 for standing only).  Unbelievable.  Chas and I were still in our "reclaimed" premium seats.  While these were better than the original seats we paid for, they still provided a piss poor view of the action.  Definitely not worth the $170-$200 that those around us paid.  In retrospect, we should have just gotten the $30 General Admission seats.  Then we could have gone anywhere we wanted...

One of the many Gene Simmons'
spottings that day.



People watching is always fun and this was the one area where the KISS show did not disappoint.  Two noteworthy examples included "dead guy" and Jon Lovitz the Demon." 

That's the ticket!

"Dead guy" had passed out in the back of the general admission area.  I thought he had died, but eventually the police poked him into consciousness and got him to stand up.  Another guy pushing 50 was sitting to the left of us and looked just like Jon Lovitz, except with Gene Simmons face paint on.  For whatever reason, his group would send him to make the beer runs.  This guy was very obviously drunk, yet left every 30-45 minutes to return with half-spilled beers (that's $50 to you and me).  Once the people in the row front of him saw him coming, they would immediately bolt upright.  Finally, one guy offered to hold his beers while he got back to his seat and then pass them back.  Jon Lovitz the Demon did not like this and almost got belligerent.  Everyone calmed down after a few, but Jon Lovitz the Demon continued to give the good beer samaritan the evil eye for the rest of the night.



While there was plenty of "general standing room,"
you couldn't go there unless you paid for the cheap seats. 
Also, it's blurry, but you can see Jon Lovitz the Demon
(he's circled!).



KISS finally made it to the stage and kicked things off with lots of fire, explosions and video montages.  Unfortunately, Paul Stanley sounded like Betty Boop going through puberty.  He was fairly ok while singing, but in between songs, his voice wavered in and out of clarity.  That, coupled with the fact he has not thought up new things to say to the audience during a show since 1981, made me want to stab myself in the ear with a sharp bit of $8 nachos.  (Yes, I know I said I had not seen KISS live before, and I haven't.  I do, however, have some DVD's of old KISS shows and much of the crowdspeak is the same.) 



Sonic Boom
boom be boom!



The band made it very clear that their new CD, Sonic Boom, was available exclusively at Wallmart.  I thought KISS was the devil band on the cutting edge of mainstream social acceptability.  How lame must that album be if Walmart is endorsing it?  Further, Gene mentioned Dr. Pepper as he introduced the song Dr. Love.  At one point, someone threw the proverbial pair of panties onto the  stage.  Paul looked extremely uncomfortable as he tried to bend over and pick them up.  I don't know what those around me saw, but I witnessed two old men - well past their prime - dressed up like the kids they were 35 years ago, except embracing the mainstream.  It's not a sin, but it certainly doesn't feel right.

I do respect the fact that regardless of how I might criticize, we did pay them $50 each for a ticket.  In the words of President and orator extraordinaire George Bush: "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again."

Paul and Gene:  You got me that time; but I won't be buying another ticket, ever.

While glad she got to see Drowning
Pool, Chas is happy to be leaving the
Pizza Hut Penitentiary!

Dénouement.

After about 5 or 6 songs, I turned to Chas and said "Would you be upset, if I suggested we leave?"  The look of relief on her face was comical.  "I was hoping you felt the same way I did.  This sucks!"  This was an important event in my life:  until that day, I have never walked out of a concert before.  Who would have thought that KISS would have been the show to have sucked beyond all other shows...



This was the total for gas after the
show.  Coincidence...  I think not!



We walked back to the car and went to get gas for the ride home.  We had not left early enough though, as the crafty and stalwart civil employees of the city of Frisco were already out, putting up barricades.  And to top off a most "memorable" day, these barricades blocked access to the only gas station near the venue.  It took some doing, but we navigated our way around the one way streets and road blocks, got fuel, a monster and a moon pie, then headed home.

As bad as some of this might sound, we had a good time - Chas and I always do.  The places we go are just the bits of scenery thatr decorate our experiences.  Nonetheless, the show was horrible.  We rate seeing KISS at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX only one out of five eighth notes:  ♪

We're gonna party like it's... really Prince up there (and we don't care who sees us!)

If you could "symbol" yourself,
what would you be?

"Brothers and sisters, we're here today
to get through this blog called life..."

This past Friday, Chastephen went to the House of Blues in Dallas to see a tribute band called "1999."  Yes, this is a reference to Prince:  everyone's favorite 5'2" artist (without the heels) who was formerly known as a symbol who was formerly known only as "Prince," formerly born as Prince Rogers Nelson.

I can make fun: I am one...

The opening act was quite cheesy in that they sounded like a current college band playing originals that sounded like 80's b-sides while looking like they were heading to pick up some Mountain Dew for a weekend of D & D or WoW.  We were sitting in the back of the venue and the sound wasn't so good at first, but I think they said they were from Chapel Hill (thus influencing my idea that they were a college band). 

House of Blues doesn't sell draft beer, only 24oz. cans - at $9 each.  That's probably the real reason they call it the House of Blues (nothing to do with music, just the prices).  However, our waitress was quite busty and very nice to boot.  And, as if to make up for the overpriced beverages, she placed the credit card (given to her for the tab) into her cleavage for safe keeping.  My friends and I all found this quite amusing, albeit highly non-hygenic. 

This is Tripping Billies, the Dave Matthews cover band. 

They neither look like Dave Matthews nor Prince and the

Revolution.  I feel cheated.  Twice now

As I nursed my $9 beer, I had plenty of time to wonder just how a college band gets hooked up and tours with a Prince tribute band?  Maybe it was because the singer of the opening group kind of looked like Prince, except that he wore some long dreds.  Towards the middle of their set, Chas and I walked down by the front of the stage.  There were probably about 200 or 300 people there.  Not bad for a tribute band, I thought.  But what do I know; I've been out of music for a few years.  The last tribute band I saw was (ashamedly) a Dave Matthews cover band - and they had a ton of people come out for that show.  I can't stand Dave Matthews and remember thinking "how in the world does a cover band for Dave Matthews draw such a big crowd?"  I suppose if you close your eyes...  At the time, I just wrote off my state of flabbergastonomy (yes, I made that up.  Feel free to quote me, but if you make money at it, I better get some)  as petty, semi-professional jealousy.  Anyway, I am still contributing to the economy of cover songs.  I testify however, that I am not a lemming because I no longer care.  That's a benefit of age, kids...  Alas, I digress.

Chas' weren't
purple, though.

The people-watching was fantastic.  The population of concert attendees included several generations and ran the gambit on race, sexual orientation and clothing styles.  Speaking of clothes, I do admit that I was surprised that I neither saw someone dressed up in a purple matador suit nor a day-glo bustier.  I do admit that I saw more than my share of teased hair and animal prints.  For the occasion, Chas even sported her Bon Jovi boots.

So the sound in the general admission "pit" in front of the stage was very loud, but much higher quality.  The mix was good and the bass and kick drum hit you right in the chest.  Interwoven with the backbeat, the singer/guitarist's riffs cut through quite proficiently and soulfully.  The improved sound definitely did the band justice and improved my enjoyment of their show. 

Simple Minds kicks ass;
ergo, so does Kesha.

One of their closing songs was a cover of "Tik Tok" by Kesha.  An overwhelming majority of the girls in the house erupted with applause and proceeded to gyrate their booties while singing "Whoa, whoa oho,"  with each chorus.  As if it were coreographed and rehearsed before they all came out tonight, when the participating ladies (and some of the guys) sang the line:  "Boys try to touch my junk," they all pointed to their booties, raised an eyebrow and repeated "Junk."  While predictable, it was still amusing and impressive having seen it in real life.

<><><><>

<>

<><><><>

You can get fake sleeves at
tinsleytransfers.com.

With the departure of the opening band, we regrouped with our friends and decided to claim a spot near the front of the stage for the headliner.  The words "General Admission" usually makes me cringe (I know, I'm getting older), but the crowd was as cool as it was eclectic.  Right on the stage in front of us was a mom and dad with their small son. Just behind them were two 50-somethings decked out in their party clothes and big hair.  Next to us, one large guy liked my shirt (a black T, with the name "McLovin" in white letters) and apparantly helped us bond on some level.  Throughout the night, he would randomly point to my chest and blurt out "McLovin!"  Since the frequency of his exclamations increased in direct proportion to the amount of beer this guy consumed, I could have found this annoying by the end of the night.  Instead, I decided it was best to smile real big and point back, sometimes saying "yeahhh!" or "heyyyy!"  The fact that the guy had sleeves (tatts) that looked homemade AND that he could have bench pressed my truck probably influenced my patience level...  Still, no harm was meant and we all had fun.

Rosanne Rosannadanna

Jeff Lynne

Peter Wolf

The tribute band finally come out, opening with a dead-on rendition of "Let's Go Crazy."  While not a mirror image of the Revolution, the band did a good job of not dressing like they are in the 21st century.  The backup singer was in spandex and had big, curly Roseanne Rosannadanna hair.  The drummer looked like Jeff Lynne of ELO and the bass player wore a shirt borrowed from Peter Wolf (sans the J. Geils Band).  I'm not sure what look the rhythm guitarist was going for, but hands down, he won the award for 70's porn star of the night.  Despite the rest of the band refusing to wear their rasberry berets, Not-the-Prince was in good purple form and the keyboard player wore scrubbs and a stethoscope.

70's porn star - get the look!

It only took about 10 seconds to figure out that the opening act was actually a few of the members of 1999 without their cover band clothes.  I thought this was a great strategy.  If you are in the crowd, you feel like you are getting two bands for your entertainment dollars.  If you are the band, you get to warm up and sound check all at once in front of a live audience.  On a side note, while Chastephen found it very obvious that the "two bands" were really the same, it didn't dawn on the 50-something's in front of us until about half way through the show.  One of them turned around after about 45 minutes and said "Hey, I think those are the same guys that played before!"  (It was funny, but having just reread this, I think you would have just had to be there.  See, this was the same woman who - all night long - would alternate between turning around and waving at her husband in the balcony section and then try to molest the poor 20-something kid that was next to her with his girlfriend.  Ouch.)

This is the press photo for 1999.  Not pictured:  70's porn star guitar player. 
Hey, is that Jack Black on the far right?

I think they played over an hour and a half and hit all 6 of the Prince songs I know.  Regardless on your opinions of Prince and his music, 1999 are excellent musicians and performers.  I haven't seen Prince perform live, but Chas says the real guy is outstanding.  She can comment on the performance herself if she wants, but I am sure she'll agree that even though they weren't the real thing, they were definitely worth the $15 a ticket we paid. Here are some shots from my blackberry:

We were both pretty pooped and the ride home was quiet.  It was a short week (with the Labor Day holiday and all), but for Chastephen, it seemed like it lasted 10 days instead of 4.  This show was a good way to unwind after the tough week and helped set a positive tone for the weekend.

The "real" Prince w/ band. 
Say what you will, but this just looks like it was a fun time...

This was a light-hearted outing that skirted the nostalgic.  The tickets were only $10 each with a $5 service charge.  Adding the cost of parking and the beverages, our cost for this outing is just under $100.  For $100: we heard a fairly good band; spent a fun evening with friends; and took in some good people watching.  We rate seeing 1999 at the House of Blues in Dallas three out of five paisley spades:  ♠♠♠

The Weekend is Approaching!

Here comes the weekend and sadly we will not have an entire weekend this time around.  Although never fear we we do have something fun planned..... We are going to see a Prince cover band Friday night at House of Blues in Dallas!  Hope to see great costumes and a decent mockery!   Update coming soon!!!   

A few days ago, in a Galaxy not too far away...

Late Friday night, we started our weekend together, sitting on the patio enjoying the cool breeze while holding hands and taking in a few stars. Saturday morning we woke up and ate waffles, then headed to the "big" town Ennis, TX without much of a plan. No plan is a bit of change in our lives for the most part.

Buc-ee's Beaver Blog

We took off with a map to Bardwell Lake in Ennis; our only schedule was to visit the Galaxy Drive-In later that evening. The adventure began with the purchase of a big Diet Coke topped off with Fanta Strawberry. (Yummy - yes we both enjoy this fab drink!!) Our drive in included reading aloud all the billboards - including ones that advertised Beaver Nuggets at Buc-ees! We wondered what exactly a Beaver Nugget was.  Unfortunately, it turned out that Buckees was about 100 plus miles beyond our destination. Sounds like the makings of a new adventure, maybe...

Boba Fett

One could argue that a proper road trip would have to include a stop at an out-of-town Walmart.  This trip supported that argument.  We pulled off to pick up some ATM cash and see if the local Wally World had a raft suitable for lake floating.  In addition, we took in the essentials of trying on eye glasses glasses and looking at the latest Star Wars toys!!  Surprisingly enough, we could find no rafts. 

Raftless, we pushed on to Bardwell Lake!! Whoops missed our exit!  Being directionally challeneged, that's par for the course for us.  And really, like the Walmart visit, is it a road trip if you don't have to double back at least once? 

Pic from the Highview Marina website

Bardwell is a small lake with a marina. We got to the convenience store/bait shop to grab a drink and some chips.  Once inside, we smelled the minow tanks!  Stephen had forgotten the alluring scent of stink bait, but it came back with a vengence the second that door swung open.  While the regulars seemed just fine ordering bologna sandwiches, we thought it would be best to stay with sealed foods, like Snapple tea and Fritos.

For some reason, we decided to rent a canoe. Yes, a canoe.  Chas's last time in one if those was like almost 20 years ago and Stephen's last time sent him in endless circles!!! Nonetheless, we wanted to try.

Wading through a field of massive bugs to find our canoe and drag it to the shoreline, we hit the water wearing life vests like corsets and paddles in hand. Ahhhh, we made it on the water! The sun was beaming down as we found our paddle strokes to much surprise! Sipping tea and giggling as the canoe shook made Stephen more than a tad bit nervous, but watching the cranes and seeing a few fish splash on the calm lake was worth the "risk." Even though it wasn't that hot (we are in Texas, right?), we start to cook within an hour.  Luckily, we were at a lake, so we decided to turn in the canoe and head to the swimming area. 

We questioned whether we should wear shoes down to to the shore or just go with our bare feet?? Screw it bare feet it is!!! We felt the mud between our toes:  squish, squish!!  Stephen has never experienced this and was a little grossed out. As we got into deeper water, we enjoyed the cold current on the bottom!!! We watched the boats speed by and snuck in a few kisses.  We got back on shore and sat in the sun for a little while (half of us had a few zzzzz's). It was very relaxing to listen to waves and people playing.

Mmmmm...  booty.

Unfortunately, the ants decided they liked us and chomped on Chas's butt a couple times!  We decided that fighting carnivorous ants was too much hassel for a holiday weekend (their sheer numbers put them ahead every time), so we left to find the campground showers and clean up for a pre-movie dinner. 

When travelling, the rule is:  don't eat at a chain restaurant.  We saw billboards advertising the Ennis truck stop cafe and Bubba's BBQ & Steakhouse.  As appealing at a truck stop cafe sounds (especially a truck stop cafe that actually uses "truck stop cafe" in their name), we decided on Bubba's and were not disappointed.  The food was excellent (rib plates for both of us) and the service was both friendly and on task (even though the buffet/not-a-buffet concept was a little disjointed for us first-timers). 

frozen margarita = yummy

We finished eating with a couple of hours to spare before the show, so we decided to try and find a bar with a happy hour.  Despite the fact we had never been to Ennis, we didn't have much trouble running across a nice little Mexican restaurant with a "Happy Hour" sign prominently displayed by the front door.  This, like Bubba's, turned out to be a winner.  The Happy Hour margaritas were well above the "quality" we expected.  We liked them so much, we had and extra round and were a little late leaving for the movie.

We arrived at the Galaxy Drive-In at about 6:30pm.  The Galaxy has 4 screens, an 18-hole putt putt course, and a concessions' bar that sells edible (albeit health-questionable) snacks and T-Shirts.  A single ticket for a double feature is dirt cheap.  Regardless of any criticisms we may have of the Galaxy, we spent less money the whole day (including driving, eating and gasoline) than we would have just seeing one movie in a chain theater in Fort Worth. 

We arrived at around 6:30pm and found a great spot.  We bought tickets to see "Machete"  and "Takers."  The movie didn't start until around 8:30pm, but we beat the crowd (yes, there was a crowd) and had plenty of time to walk around.  Our first stop was the concession building.  The entrance from the picnic area was right in between the prominately marked bathroom doors.  While the food here was no more (or less) healthy than the standard offerings at any other movie establishment, having to pass in between two public bathrooms (whose doors are perpetually open) definitely deters the appitite.  (A word of warning though:  if the hot dog leaves pink food coloring residue on the bun, walk away.)

...Whatcha gonna do when they
come for you?

Chasity overcomes childhood fears.

The 18-hole putt putt course was surreal to say the least and has several noteworthy features.  First, there is a locked cage at one of the holes.  When I say "locked cage," I mean an empty -but locked - jail cell for one.  We assume that Galaxy placed it there so parents may gleen credibility when threatening unruley kids.  The decor included Raggedy Ann and Andy saluting you. 

Two peas in a pod,
Spongechas Stephenpants.

There's nothing really wrong with Raggedy Ann and Andy, but they are a bit old school. Further, Chas doesn't care for them, but she posed for a picture nonetheless.  Next to them, Spongebob is absolutely tickled to see you.  Of course, he is always tickled to see people, isn't he? 

The turkey-dragons watch over us all.

There is also a really cool light post... with dragons.  If you look closely though, you can see that the dragons' wings are bolted on; maybe they were just snakes and someone "spiced them up" a bit.  Further, they have wattles under their chins (like a turkey's) that terminate to a globe.   We believe that wattles of this nature on a dragon would probably be uncomfortable, highly un-practical and kind of gross. 

That's not a big rip, that's a "hazard."

And finally, one of the last holes had a giant patch of artificial turf seemingly "chewed" away.  Now, Galaxy only charges $3 for a game ($4 for two games) so we're not surprised that it has been left unrepaired.  Nonetheless, we choose to believe that they have left it there since it is truly a unique and effective hazard.

If camels have "toes,"

do bears have "claws?"

On the way back from the putt putt course, we passed by a metal fence that had Smokey the Bear painted on it.  The artwork showed him pointing to a sign that encouraged everyone to buy snacks from the concession stand so the drive-in can stay in business.  The blatant parody of Smokey's "catch phrase" from years' ago ("... only you can stop forest fires,") wasn't lost on us.  It was overshadowed though, by the extremely huge eyes and abnormally pudgy crotch of Smokey.  Never having met the bear in person, we didn't want to be rude, but this was freakish.  Also, he had a shovel next to him as if to warn those who might be smuggling in Twizzlers from the outside...  Scarey stuff, for sure.

lolpix.com

Having been properly freaked out by Smokey, we decided to stop and get some snacks on the way back to the car.  The concessions' bar was very crowded and confusing, to say the least.  Dazed customers were moving in and out like zombies in a "Dr. Suess on Ice" Living Dead spectacular.  For sheer entertainment's sake (we're sure), someone organized the flow of customers to come in at each end of the bar and exit at the middle... together... by the soda fountain... and the condiments.  Patrons, two-fisting cotton candy and popcorn, clenched empty styrofoam cups under their chins and piled up in the center of the snack bar.  They had no where to go as they waited for those in front of them, one person at a time, to fill their drinks and squirt mustard on their hot dogs.

As if the potential for excitement wasn't exhausted, we were amazed to find there were actually two clerks assigned for each line.  Inevitably, customers always queued in front of the first clerk, unaware of the second.  We watched the petite, young second clerk on our side as she tried to yell over the rabble of the hungry movie-goers.  No one could really hear her.  She would seem to get annoyed and try again, only to continue to be ignored , making her even more frustrated.  We were visually captivated by the mayhem, but were unable to stay as the waves of Snack Walkers pushed us through the side door exit.

After doing his part to support Drive-In's across America, Buzz Lightyear eats
one of those hot dog that makes the bun turn bright pink and runs to the potty.

Back at the car, we listened to "Galaxy Radio," the theater's oldies station.  While each screen did have a specific FM radio station assigned to it, Galaxy had working metal speakers that you can hang on the side of your window during the movie - just like the times before THX.  This brought a certain charm and disctinction to the venue and moved any idiosyncratic foibles to the background.

A little after 8:30pm, the show started.  Before the movie, they showed a couple of advertisements from the 50's or 60's.  One was about pickles and it was quite promiscuous.  And, as if Smokey the subliminal bear wasn't enough, they showed a grainy, dreary, PSA-type documentary on the "plight of the drive-in."  Basically, they just wanted us to buy food from the concessions' bar again.  They should stick to Smokey - aside from the oversized eyeball-crotch thing, he's less creepy.

"Machete" was exactly what we thought it would be.  We do know what we like but we are not movie critics; so, we'll leave commentary on the pictures to a minimum:

• "Machete" is a movie made to be watched at a drive-in and we're lucky to have done so. 
• The second movie,"Takers,"  sucked.  Don't spend your money on it. 

This picture came from: 
adventuresinastrophotography.com

We lost interest quick once "Takers" started and resigned ourselves to watch the stars (from the bed of the truck).  Living in a major metoropolitan area means we can only see the brightest of the stars, even on clear nights.  The view here was beautiful and worth the money we spent without the features.  Eventually, we fell asleep and woke up after cars started pulling out.  We hung out and let most of the cars leave before we headed to the gate.  Getting back on the interstate from the "service" road was a bit tense, but beyond that the ride home was fairly quick and uneventful.

Upon our next visit to the drive-in, we will be sure to bring: 

- An air matress for the truck bed.  (Our booties still hurt.)

- A couple of blankets and maybe a jacket. (It got a little cold.)

- A portable radio. (While the metal box speakers were neat, they we're very loud for the movies.)

All in all, our experience at the Galaxy was memorable and fun.  Therefore, we give the Galaxy in Ennis, TX four out of five spades: ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠