Things I am learning

I'm at the research, listing and brainstorming and shopping stages for several shows at once right now. There isn't a lot to show here (unless you want to see lists and receipts) but this is one of my favorite parts of the process because this is where I am learning about the plays, learning about the settings and learning about new products and stores. So just for fun, here are some things I have learned in the last week:


-The regulation size for a high school girls' basketball is 28.5" 
-Technically a trunk with a flat top was for storage at home, so that it could be stacked and things could be set on it, a trunk with a rounded top is for traveling, so water and snow don't pool on the top when the trunk is sitting on the back of a carriage.
-You can buy the same type of "dummy" cell phones they have in store displays off ebay. I found this I-phone that has a backlit screen for added realism. 
-They make small vials with little a twist close caps that hold a single shot of cocaine. It's called a bullit and I now know where to buy one in Chicago (for cash...no receipt...never felt more out of place in a store...but the man was very helpful and understanding of my naivete ).
-If you want Star Wars themed memorabilia now, the majority of things available in stores are from the "Clone Wars." 
-Kinkos has a really easy, really quick self-laminating machines, and they are a lot of fun to use.
-I am going to have a lot of fun doing magical effects with one of these.
-Google sketchup is free to download online, and they have an extensive series of free tutorials. 3D drafting is much easier than I thought it would be.
-There is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in the Chicago area, it's in Elgin which is a bit of a drive, but is a fantastic resource. It's like a Goodwill store for carpenters and home improvement. I first went to one with my parents, looking for a replacement door for a house they were working on, I am beyond excited to visit the one here.