(Wow, the portal takes a long time to load.)
Got back from Florida late last night. Both square dance groups liked me enough that they're hoping I can come back next year. Both groups looked to be having a good time, the C3B people in particular. That's the most rewarding thing about calling, save perhaps seeing someone "get" something I teach: knowing that people are having a good time. I love that. And really, that's the point of the whole thing. Skill-based and technical as Challenge dancing may be, it's a hobby and the idea is to enjoy it. I think one of the reasons I like calling is that it makes me keep that in my little Type-A mind.
The C4 material was indeed harder than they'd have preferred. I don't know why I'm always surprised by that, but I am, every time. I spent some of my "free time" on Friday writing up some easy fluffy bits to alternate with the headpounders, and that made a big difference for the second session. The C3B group, on the other hand, could have handled a bit more difficulty lobbed their way. I also ran out of C3B openers (what was I THINKING?). I spent some of my "free time" on Saturday and Sunday writing simple opening sequences and some more difficult stuff. In both cases it wasn't a big deal, and I'll know for next year, but wow am I short on sleep now.
Got to see a dancer from Gothenburg, Sweden, whom I'd met only twice before (the times I was in Sweden to call). She's fun to talk to. It always amazes me to see people travel that kind of distance to dance.
My feet are very angry with me and are plotting their revenge. I think they may crawl up my torso and throttle me.
Now I try to stay awake at work. :-)
Got back from Florida late last night. Both square dance groups liked me enough that they're hoping I can come back next year. Both groups looked to be having a good time, the C3B people in particular. That's the most rewarding thing about calling, save perhaps seeing someone "get" something I teach: knowing that people are having a good time. I love that. And really, that's the point of the whole thing. Skill-based and technical as Challenge dancing may be, it's a hobby and the idea is to enjoy it. I think one of the reasons I like calling is that it makes me keep that in my little Type-A mind.
The C4 material was indeed harder than they'd have preferred. I don't know why I'm always surprised by that, but I am, every time. I spent some of my "free time" on Friday writing up some easy fluffy bits to alternate with the headpounders, and that made a big difference for the second session. The C3B group, on the other hand, could have handled a bit more difficulty lobbed their way. I also ran out of C3B openers (what was I THINKING?). I spent some of my "free time" on Saturday and Sunday writing simple opening sequences and some more difficult stuff. In both cases it wasn't a big deal, and I'll know for next year, but wow am I short on sleep now.
Got to see a dancer from Gothenburg, Sweden, whom I'd met only twice before (the times I was in Sweden to call). She's fun to talk to. It always amazes me to see people travel that kind of distance to dance.
My feet are very angry with me and are plotting their revenge. I think they may crawl up my torso and throttle me.
Now I try to stay awake at work. :-)