A GREAT DAY IN DALLAS WITH SOME GREAT FRIENDS

This day was due a looooooooooooooooooong time ago! I met Charles back in 2005 or 2007 I think. Charles is an excellent photographer and had been shooting BD a lot too. But his real job is spectacular! He is a model maker (or better yet: architectural model-making specialist) . I had only seen pictures of his work, and found it hard to believe I was looking at a model… I honestly thought it was a real beach resort!

I have seen lots models of various types of buildings, but this is by far THE BEST state of the art work I have ever seen in this line of work!

Charles picked me up at the school and we had a lengthy conversation about a lot of things on our way to Dallas. Once at the studio I was completely blown away by his and Susie’s work. Absolutely stunning! Right now they are working on an assignment for which they are creating a model of London’s Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace ánd Tower Bridge. I wish I could see the final results to that! I got a nice preview though.

After the tour of the studio I helped them out finding some additions to their new kitchen. Funnily enough I think we can find all their needs back in Europe. Apparently it’s hard to get plinths and accessories here in the States, especially with their classy taste! I’m sure I can hook them up with the right companies back home.

Charles and Susie took me out for an excellent meal at Mi Cocina, a Mexican restaurant. Wow… that was really good ! And far too much of course! Hooray for the doggie bags (another thing that’s not all that well-known in the Netherlands).

We met the corps when they were about to leave the school in Little Elm. We rode to the stadium in Denton with them, following the buses. My All-Access pass helped getting us a parking spot near the buses.

The Denton show was a good one! Cadets, Blue Knights, Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, Blue Devils… You certainly don’t hear me complain. The advantage of volunteering with a top-corps also is that you get to attend top-contests!

Enjoyed seeing Krijn and Melanie again. Still having a hard time spotting her in the show though. Cavies are a bit disappointing this season. Phantom has a BEAUTIFUL show. Lots of focus on the guard. Bluecoats,… well,.. maybe I have to see them again a few times. I start liking the Cadets show a lot more than I did when I first saw them. No matter what they play, always a fine corps!

Thank you Charles and Susie for a wonderful day! I should definitely come and visit you when you’re in Bali !

Enjoy,

HK