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August 2007 Blog
Rick Hampton Square Dance Caller

August 4th
A fun evening at Pismo's & Taw's, A light crowd but larger than their last month dance. Folks there asked if a Tulare weekend was going to happen? I had to answer that I was planning to pick up the weekend, but bowed out, to allow some local folks to do it- Guys it's August and nothing? Proper publicity (or the lack thereof) killed the Squarama, along with dumb money mistakes- If we had picked up the weekend we would have had 6 months of publicity out-Better get with it or give it up for good.............. This is my last "light" week till the new season starts. 20 dances/workshop/classes left in August (out of 28 days) Then I get busy.  By the way Oakhurst A2 weekend is looming and the crowd is UP, The staff in 08 will see our good friends Mirdza and Jim bow out and Charlie and Joni come aboard- It's an exciting new season of s/d circa 2007

Rick

August 7th
I'm very proud of the Visalia Class They are staying together, and progressing well- The Monday group is recovering from recent poor attendance, and trending UP!- If they focus on the future, and not past whoopsies by previous administrations, mistakes, politics and such all will be GREAT-Trust me-Been here, done it, seen it etc-Focus ahead please!!!!!.. The Wednesday group I'm covering for (Ricky' B's) club is recovering from his untimely death (Is there ever a timely death???.....hmmmm) and will be in great shape when Rod Takes over as club caller in September.  Frazier park is small but trying very hard- I hope it works out. This week sees me ramping up for the new season-woo-hoo

Rick

August 12th
A new experience for me last nite- I called the Happy Squares Black light Dance and I now realize that my peepers are going south-Ask David A.  FUN NITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This week is full Mon-Thurs with s/d-Then a trip to the Pantages theatre for Wicked and Sunday is Frazier Park's first European Style Dance w/Rod and I. Then my last slacker week for a couple of months.

Rick

August 13th
Hey a great time tonight-Lotsa visitors and a above "long term" crowd- Perhaps summer's over and things are well- I think so. I'm thinking about re-joining CallerLab (I will absolutely keep being an ACA member)-any Thoughts-callers?? (This should be interesting)

Rick

August 16th
A nice time in Tehachapi last nite- 2 more weeks for me then Rod will assume the reigns left vacant with Ricky B's passing.
Tonight was the 2nd week of my annual YMCA family camp parties-12+ squares between the 2 weeks enjoyed a Square Dance Party-Young groups-No Hay Bales and no fiddles- I'm already re-booked for year 4.  My bud Sterling went with tonight and picked up a gig with this YMCA on a date I was already booked for- They'll be in great hands.
LA with Lynn and Kid #2 to see Wicked, Then European Style SD in Frazier Park Sunday.  I wonder if Mrs. Rick realizes that my weekly mowing of the lawns expires after next weekend for almost 2 months-I'm booked solid-hehehehehehehe

Rick

August 19th
Fri/Sat Lynn and I took Kid #2 to see Wicked-WOW-What a great show-I HIGHLY recommend it!!!!.  Fun trip and a great time to chat with our senior (sheez kid #2 is a Senior-AGGGHHH)- soon it will be by phone-Alas they do grow up.  Today was a FABULOUS time at Mountain Squares- Rod and I calling with special mystery caller Eric H.- I'm SO PROUD of My Monday group, always traveling but I'm AMAZED that Visalia got a banner- THANK YOU NEW CLASS, They've seen what the Whirlaways (Monday Group) do and emulate-and Have a blast-Kudos also to the Valley Trailers and Joaquin Squares for helping out- The Frazier Park gang needed a boost!!!

Rick

August 22nd
A fun nite in Tehachapi, the folks who had drifted away are meandering back, I wish they had given the various callers, new and old, a better chance.  Anyway this group will be in GREAT hands with Rod-His challenge will be to unite the casual dancers with the more proficient ones- I've been able to meld to 2 groups a bit, but this is a long term issue.  On other matters, specifically my recent blog on R/D cuers 1) If I work with you often or we live nearby, There is no problem, if there was I would have spoken to you directly-Trust me 2) There is a problem, as I described earlier, with some cuers who don't seem to realize it is a Square Dance w/Rounds- Cuers if you want to chat about this, and fix the issue call/email me- otherwise the vast majority of cuers who work well and do their jobs will suffer- Euro Style Dances are on the rise, and will likely grow- I suspect "rounds by Records" are increasing as well- Gang work with us!!!!!!!!!! oh yeah one LAST cuer thing-Please purchase your music- If I hear another proud cuer telling me they started using a laptop, and so&so gave me all the music-even stuff I didn't have I will barf-Please don't steal music, and don't overdo pre/early rounds, and don't pack up and leave before the dance is over. (I'll bet I'm gonna hear about this post-hehehe)

Rick

August 28th
A very hot week, A cool large crowd Sunday- Nice to see a few new faces, and many old ones. A square from Kern County as well. Speaking of temperature-somebody please fix the thermostat at Norris it's wired wrong- A/C and Heat are not supposed to be on at the same time.  I'm off to the races with 30 calling dates between 8/27 and 9/29
YeeHaw

Rick