Warning: that 'romantic comedy at the drive-in' idea backfired hard on me in Austin last summer

My date showed up in a lifted truck with 4000 lumens of LED light bar pointed right at the screen. I couldn't see anything for 20 minutes while he argued with the lot attendant about turning it off. Has anyone else run into people who turn public spaces into their personal light show?

3 comments

3 Comments

sean_johnson163h ago

personal light show" yeah I feel that. Had a guy at a campground near San Antonio bring out one of those giant work floodlights. Set it up on a table like he was at a construction site, not a campsite. Felt like I was staring into the sun trying to make dinner. Some people just don't get that not every spot needs to be lit up like a football stadium. Wish they'd save that stuff for their own backyard.

simonl112h ago

@sean_johnson16 that "felt like staring into the sun" part hit home. I ran into the same thing at a state park last year. Guy had one of those LED tripod lights you see at job sites pointed right at his camper. I just walked over with a roll of aluminum foil from my cooler and offered to help him rig up a shield. He actually laughed about it and we ended up cutting a piece to fit. Made a huge difference for everyone around. Sometimes people just don't realize how bright those things are til you show them.

patricia_green211h ago

Is it really that serious though? I mean, you're camping, not trying to sleep in a hospital room. A little extra light never killed anyone. I remember one time at a park in Ohio, a guy had a string of Christmas lights draped over his whole setup, and people were actually complaining. It was just a soft glow. I guess I don't see the big deal with a bright lamp for an hour or two while someone makes dinner. Maybe we're all just getting too sensitive about stuff like that.