It is the last day in September, this means I can put out my Halloween village tomorrow!

Inbetween my day job and working at the theatre I installed wood blinds in my apartment.  They look really great!  However, they weight a ton when you fully lift them up. 

Pillow Talk is coming along!  I still have by Monday to complete the set, wet and dry tech is Saturday and Sunday. Translation, I can not be in the theatre at all because they (lighting designer and director) will be busy setting light cues and then with the actors.  Meanwhile, I will be at AMC movie theatre watching a live feed from London for The Phantom of the Opera stage production.

Going to Dallas Shakespeare in the park tonight.  I am seeing Hamlet for my first time.  Since the weather has cooled off it will be a nice night.

This weekend will be time to paint and set dress the set for Pillow Talk.  I need far more set dressing than I thought especially in Jan's apartment.  The carpenter has done a great job, I couldn't be more happer with his work.  However, the only person I am frustrated with is myself.  I should have scaled the walls to eight feet instead of the ten feet that it is currently at.  The apartment looks a little big, but I don't think that people will notice, that's if I set dress it cleverly.  

The Phantom of the Opera is turning 25 years old in a couple of weeks! Everyone that knows me knows this is one of my favorite things of all time.  I have seen it a handfull of times, worked on the first Texas College production and the show still captivates me in I way I can't explain.  From the spactacular sets and costumes designed by the late Maria Bjornson to the increadible score, it is withstanding the test of time.  On October 2nd it will be broadcast live to certain movie theatre around the world.  I found that it will be showing here in Dallas at Northpark's AMC Movie Theatre.  So you can bet you will find me with my phantom gear singing to The 'Music of the Night.'

I secured some amazing furniture for Pillow Talk.  I am going through my 'How To Design' books from the 1950's, thanks Clare for the loan, and trying to tie in the furniture with paint and set dressing.  My set for Jan's apartment is looking like the picture below.  It will have pinks blue-greys, black and white.  It's looking great!

Set load in at the theatre for Pillow Talk is today.  Made just a couple of adjustments but the carpenter is ready to build.  Next Sunday will be the first day to starting painting. 

So, I finally saw the final installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part Two.  I really liked the series as a whole.  I think I might go back and try and watch the series over a weekend to understand the details that I missed.  I was sitting in the theatre thinking to myself, it's over no more Harry Potter.  I have been coming into the theatre year after year for eight or so years watching these characters grow.  They really have become part of my life.  No more moving staircases and enchanted portraits talking, no more broomsticks and deathly spells, however, I'm sure I'll but they DVD collocters pack and re-enter the magical world of Hogwarts again and again.  Or I can actually go to the real Hogwarts at Universal Stuidos in Flordia and ride a broom but I better save up for that trip.  Below is Hogwarts at Universal Studios, pretty impressive.

Amalgamated Home & Field Kit
The “Always-Prepared” Kit to Awe & Impress All Others:

Here is stuff to have on hand all the time in a carry bag, your car, or your garage.

Tape Measure - a small one (for shopping), 25’ or larger in kit or car.
Camera - to document furniture, dressing, or a theater.
Sketchbook - always! and with it have a…
Pen, Pencil, & Eraser – duh.
Stapler - small in the car &/or Paperclips.
Scale Rule - you can use the tape, but a small scale is nice.
Drafting Tools - a small Triangle is handy or a traveling Board.
Tracing Paper - steal (borrow!) copy paper, but trace is useful at meetings or Build.  Some designers like Grid Paper.
Construction Drawings - always! Have your latest-revised drawings.
Samples - paint chips, fabrics, photos…
Calendar - when’s that due? when can you meet?
Cell Phone - no one can catch you otherwise.
Contact Sheet or #s - or you can’t call anyone else.
Paint Clothes and Shoes - you’re tired of paint on good clothes.
Paint Tools - most theaters have most basics, but bring what’s missing or needed for that special technique, also Small Brushes  and a Drop Cloth.
Screw Gun - and assorted Screws.
Fasteners - a grab-bag of: nails, hooks, upholstery tacks, wire, fishing line, safety pins, etc.  If nails, then Hammer.
Staple Gun - assorted Staples & a comfortable, dependable gun (if you can find one) &/or a Screwdriver to unstuck it.
Pliers - preferably needle nose pliers with wire cutter edge.
Knives - mat/craft knife, Xacto knife, snap-blade knife, pocket knife (pref. with scissors for fabric samples).
Scissors - sharp craft &/or fabric scissors.
Adhesives - theaters usually have Gaf and painter’s tape plus Elmer’s &/or carpenter’s glue, but you may want your own plus double-stick tape, Super Glue TM, etc. and you will want your own…
Glue Gun & Glue Sticks - lots o’ glue sticks.
Sewing Supplies - include a curved Upholstery Needle and black & white Thread and Button Thread.
Old-Faithful Furniture - footstool or Pouffe that can be easily reupholstered; probably a Chair or small Table that can be painted.
Basic Set Dressing - assorted Picture Frames, Pillows, Vases, etc. that you find yourself using over and over again.

Visit clare at www.devriesdesign.net or www.devriesdesigndiary.blogspot.com