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February 2008 Blog
Rick Hampton Square Dance Caller

February 5th
All's better in The family life- Thanks for prayers for understanding- They worked!!!
The Visalia Class is going well, 90 % have returned and 2 couples actually called in sick- We'll see them next week
It was a fun but monsoonal dance in Redding Sat-sheez what great news-Rain and snow, but closed highways make
for intimate dances.   This is a normal week, assuming no snow on Thursday, and Lynn and I may get to hit a dance on Sat. I'm still awaiting a confirmation on a s/d party-I just may be off.

Rick

February 11th
A Good week- Visalia Enjoyed Dennis, I got to stop by at the end- The Clovis Sunday group had a great workshop and I've decided to get guest callers when I'm out of town!!!  Monday's party nite went well- A fabulous crowd and dancing at Festival speed- MS is the goal for the near future festivals!!!  The rest of this week is normal, I'll be in Sacramento on Sat. for a new dancer hoedown (I'm still waiting for this club to let me know that- sheez- and they wonder why attendance is down at their dances- PUBLICIZE accurately and in advance- I could have brought new dancer visitors along, but too late-OFW)

Rick

February 13th
Wow- It amazes me how things never change, A YEAR ago I sent a question to the CALLERLAB office via the ex. Sec. and never got a response, Now I replied to same office (from a email sent by the same Ex. sec) no response- Perhaps CL should sell him or her to the NEC- It seems both organizations are ineffectual at best and hurting the activity at worst (or likely???????)  And some wonder why s/d is sooooooooooooooo screwed up.

AGGGHH
Rick- Proud ACA Member-Tried to reach out to co-join CL- OFW

February 16th
I feel like crap, Yet I will make the Sac Dance tonite.....I was tempted to bail but I don't do that- I'm not that sick........I was amused that after the above blog post, and a couple of emails- I got a multitude of responses to my question................. similar to the sudden response to many questions
we had for Wichita.            Life goes on in SD

Rick

February 17th-Early
The few squares had fun tonite, too bad the club didn't bother to tell me ( I call 300+ dates a year- I rely on what the contract says) that it was a new dancer dance.  4 weeks ago I called a new dancer dance in the general area and would've been glad to promote this one........The booker said "It's been a new dancer dance for 20 years"  "you should've known"   How ESP??...this  goes to show that some folks stay in office waaaayyyyyy too long. OFW.........If I had an ounce of brains I would've called in sick, but I don't do that.  G'nite it's 3:07am

Rick

February 25th
A Fun weekend w/Eric- A very successful dance in Bakersfield- despite gale force winds- I'm sure it hurt the crowd, but still one of the largest dances in Kern County in a while.  Sunday's attendance is up (I guess the needed door price increase is not hurting-in fact I think it helps folks realize we have to value our activity)  Monday was a bit light in attendance-typical after a GREAT Sat. dance!!!  I really love what I do- Calling, I hope I can continue doing this, but the finances are starting to look like I may not- So, again, anybody have a job that will work around my sked????

Rick

February 26th
I had to do one of the hardest things in Calling tonight.  I had to tell a class member not to come back. I'll bend over
backwards to help regular attendees, even if they are not getting it- However a sporadic attendee is a whole 'nuther
story................Still I hate this.

Rick

February 29th- Leap Year Day
Lynn and I got a chance to dance a bit at A nearby Festival (Note to ALL festival Organizers- If you are offering split packages- Let folks buy split sessions- In this case I would have bought Sat Day too, but not for the price the nice folks at the desk said-$ 17 dollars-each- more than the whole, at door package-There was no provision to buy a Fri Nite/Sat Package- Oh well ) This obviously does not apply to full package weekends- These price this way as these do not need more folks