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October 2006 Blog
Rick Hampton Square Dance Caller

Oct 9th
So much to catch up on. I've been sick and basically in bed or calling for the last 8 days.- I'm better but not 100%
So here's the updates.
1) Norm Crawshaw Remains in the Hospital- After 2 surgeries to fix the bad foot/Bone infections he had to have one leg
amputated (from below the knee)- This likely was a lifesaver.
2) Beginners Classes in the V and U areas are disappointing (size wise) The one exception is the Tehachapi group!!!
3) I had fun but ill trips to Riverside/Northridge last weekend but I did not go to Ventura for a recording session (That's REALLY unlike me)
4)Speaking of recording the 2006 SharpShooter Youth Music Project is done!!!
5) Ghosts from the "ill-fated" last class in Visalia are re-appearing- Why don't parents/Grandparents realize that some kids just don't want to be there?????????????-We'll see if this situation works out OK or maybe both Grandma and Kid leave-I hope not but the club (and they're right) has a ZERO TOLERANCE about this young dancer (Y'cannot make older folks fall down by screwing around-Grandma sez the youngster is older now-We'll see)
6) Frazier Park is reeling from a multiple week cancellation (due to the Day Fire) I hope we get the hall back this week as I
don't think the group will survive a cancelled anniversary dance

Rick

October 16th
I remain busy/lazy (to steal a line from K.J) Lot's of good things going on- Skirts Enjoyed Joe Saltel on Wed  Frazier Got the hall back on Thursday-we had a fun workshop and they had a successful Black & White Ball (somebody let Rod know that what happens in Frazier doesn't stay in Frazier-LOL) Gandy's had a very well attended Dance- T's-?????? nobody knows.... Sigh..... another path to self destruction-??......Seem that way....Oh Well.  I'm finally about over a 2 week cold-It kicked my bo-hine!!! Cass turned 16 and Jess threw her a 5am surprise party-atta Girl!!- Jay will call Visal;ia next Tuesday so I can attend a CH Concert.-y'know the dad thing. This week is easy, M-W and 2 dances Sunday

Oct 23-24th a LONG MONDAY
A busy week,Sat.I danced to The "Taller Caller" with his lovely lady- Good to see Norm out minus 1 leg but in Great sprits!!! Mrs. Rick was chaperoning 10 16 year olds at CH(kid #2) B-Day party ..I chose daning with the ever lovely GS
     .I called the last 2006 A2 dance for Sharpshooters on Sunday, Then a dash across town for a s/d party-Chili CookOff- Finally a one niter with good food LOL.Then Mrs. Rick and I had a small date (Adjoining Slot Machines is a date-Right?)
NOW THE LONG MONDAY STORY>>>>>Monday It was to be an uneventful day till #1 Kid called (She was on her way to a concert with her best friend and 1 other girl) The Best Friend's Tire BLEW- In Burbank. She well planned the trip, they took roomies car and bang!- So after their $91 cab ride they made the concert-In Anaheim and Mrs. Rick arranged for an unplanned motel room-Now here's where I come in- The kids could not get the tire fixed (Money in Bank but........... -Long Story) So after Whirlaways I drove to Anaheim-unplanned motel room #2- No problem, we got up-I drove them back to the Car to discover Cost-co had not done a damn thing on the tire, and said it was a 3-4 hour wait-So I woke up a sleeping towtruck driver in the parking lot and got him to tow the car across the street for $20-Discount Tires-Victory and Burbank-ask for Tony- We got the tire bought and only a 1 hour wait-so I said bye to the girls and off I went. Luckily in Santa Clarita on my way to the BEST Italian Deli-Maria's (ah but I digress) I saw Karaoke Supplies and went in- Came out with new music , a lighter wallet and off to Maria's (Meanwhile the kids are now North of me-good thing)- I get a call- "Dad, the car died-I see a sign that says Elevation 3000ft"-So off to almost Gorman I go PDQ. I pull up to a car ,a big rig had stopped-as many male truckers will do with 3 attractive girls broke down- Thanks sir, Bye sir  He had water and I cooled it down and we drove to Ft. Tejon rest area.  I checked the car-Gave the OK and was chatting with Mrs. Rick-They left-(I had stressed to roomie-slow down- these cars get hot at high speeds in the mountains)- Good thing as when #1 kid called 10 MINUTES LATER- "Dad we got pulled over"- Sigh-at least it's not our insurance going up for a change-roomie was still driving- slower too I'm told- The ticket was for 88 in a 65.  I made it home in time to fix a service engine light on the new car (Honey y'gotta put the gas cap on), and be on time for # 2 kids concert- Thanks JH for covering Visalia-PS I know the first "I should back-up my laptop lesson" is hard, but JH you will be OK LOL- End of a long Monday- (Tuesday 11:31pm)

Rick

Oct 26th
Kid # 2 got her drivers license today (In spite of the #% new car having a brake light out) So now I have 2 (3 if you count Mrs. Rick) woman drivers LOL............Frazier Park had zero class tonight-Not counting the "I was told to drop off these (foo-foo s/d Bullsh$t clothes) square dance outfits " 30-ish lady who when asked if she'd like to stay made the fastest exit with a resounding hell no I (or the club has ever seen)- Image problems??? DUHHHHHHH-..... The T club in the U area folded-mainly due to "traditional issues"- AKA attitude- BTW if you (a club officer) ever has to quit cuz the stress of running a club makes you cry-You just might be part of the problem-Sheez-Rent a hall-hire a caller-wear whatever and dance-as far as coffee-1 word............................................. STARBUCKS

Rick

Oct 30th
We had a GREAT weekend celebrating kid # 2's B-Day- We spent it in the city by the bay-Took the cruise-Cable cars-food-shopping (we'll the girls did) .  We had a chance to visit w/Eric and Jennifer and just had FUN- Now it's calling every day for 2 weeks and then a brief break.  I hope you're having a great day!