Monday madness

Last night's official first night of Wilde Bunch class 61 took off with a HUGE turnout (for us). At one point, we were dancing FIVE squares, with a number of other angels sitting out. I can't even remember the last time we had five squares up.

I was a bit stunned there were so many new faces. I'm PRAYING they stay through the June 12 crossover. Jack, our (acting) class director even lost count, since not everyone appeared to sign in. There could have been as many as 24 new dancers.

Definitely using the KISS method for teaching the beginners. Framing the bits and pieces into actual dances, and keeping the dances simple. Everything last night was themed around circles, stars and arm turns, pretty basic stuff and very danceable, with very perky music.

On the other hand, the C1 lessons have slowed down to an absolute crawl. I don't think I can add any new calls to their minds without having a blowout. Last night was split recycle, switch to an interlocked diamond, and scatter scoot, not too bad. Many of the many-part calls seem to be getting confused in their heads, like linear action, scoot and ramble, and scoot and little. I don't blame them, considering they show up every week, but I'm thinking they should make SOME stab at looking at the definitions. After all, I learned C1 all by myself to Ed Foote's tapes, never having even seen C1 dancing in 1987.

One woman in particular, who I may have to ask (and her partner, too) to reconsider continuing the lessons, just wanders around aimlessly waiting for someone to grab her and guide her to the correct spot. She wants to cover her total lack of ability with the words, "I thought that's where I was supposed to go"...it's become a mantra, and I had to refrain over and over from saying, "Why DIDN'T you go there." But that would be unkind.

But the energy of the actual Wilde Bunch club class was invigorating, to be sure.

Oh, and last night was the actual 23rd anniversary of the Wilde Bunch, to the day. It was celebrated with a mention, and finger foods. I did see a cake in the back that said, "Happy Anniversary, Wilde Bunch."

Another sad point was that the only Round Dance club in Albuquerque gave notice that they're folding their regular Weds club nights at the center. Sigh. They still have lessons on Tuesdays, but who know how long that will go on.

I was intrigued that the Wilde Bunch board wanted to negotiate with me on my raising my rate for Mondays to $50. Jeez, I mean really. That for 22 years of calling for them, 3 1/2 hours of class/club on Mondays, and the overhead costs, and they're arguing that $50 is too much? Amazing. Anyway, the club finances should be MUCH better these days with Alan as treasurer, keeping a watch on the funds.

Monday madness

Last night's official first night of Wilde Bunch class 61 took off with a HUGE turnout (for us). At one point, we were dancing FIVE squares, with a number of other angels sitting out. I can't even remember the last time we had five squares up.

I was a bit stunned there were so many new faces. I'm PRAYING they stay through the June 12 crossover. Jack, our (acting) class director even lost count, since not everyone appeared to sign in. There could have been as many as 24 new dancers.

Definitely using the KISS method for teaching the beginners. Framing the bits and pieces into actual dances, and keeping the dances simple. Everything last night was themed around circles, stars and arm turns, pretty basic stuff and very danceable, with very perky music.

On the other hand, the C1 lessons have slowed down to an absolute crawl. I don't think I can add any new calls to their minds without having a blowout. Last night was split recycle, switch to an interlocked diamond, and scatter scoot, not too bad. Many of the many-part calls seem to be getting confused in their heads, like linear action, scoot and ramble, and scoot and little. I don't blame them, considering they show up every week, but I'm thinking they should make SOME stab at looking at the definitions. After all, I learned C1 all by myself to Ed Foote's tapes, never having even seen C1 dancing in 1987.

One woman in particular, who I may have to ask (and her partner, too) to reconsider continuing the lessons, just wanders around aimlessly waiting for someone to grab her and guide her to the correct spot. She wants to cover her total lack of ability with the words, "I thought that's where I was supposed to go"...it's become a mantra, and I had to refrain over and over from saying, "Why DIDN'T you go there." But that would be unkind.

But the energy of the actual Wilde Bunch club class was invigorating, to be sure.

Oh, and last night was the actual 23rd anniversary of the Wilde Bunch, to the day. It was celebrated with a mention, and finger foods. I did see a cake in the back that said, "Happy Anniversary, Wilde Bunch."

Another sad point was that the only Round Dance club in Albuquerque gave notice that they're folding their regular Weds club nights at the center. Sigh. They still have lessons on Tuesdays, but who know how long that will go on.

I was intrigued that the Wilde Bunch board wanted to negotiate with me on my raising my rate for Mondays to $50. Jeez, I mean really. That for 22 years of calling for them, 3 1/2 hours of class/club on Mondays, and the overhead costs, and they're arguing that $50 is too much? Amazing. Anyway, the club finances should be MUCH better these days with Alan as treasurer, keeping a watch on the funds.

We have a garage!

Sunday was a very encouraging and productive day for both of us.

Danny slept in till 9, since he's still having those bad headaches that can't be traced down to anything. I do worry about that. I put together the Wilde Bunch lesson plan for the new class, and tinkered around till Danny got up.

We made our pilgrimage to Homo Depot, then on to Lowe's where we ordered the last two Bali blinds for the downstairs, got another remote control for the garage door opener, picked up 3 sets of 5 tier shelving for the garage, and a couple of other stuff. We just keep spending money like we had it.

Getting home (it took forever to get the blinds ordered) we started the cleanup of the workshop/storage area of the garage. We must have moved the same pile of leftover lumber six times in this whole process.

But I had show tickets for the Glenn Miller Orchestra for 3:30, so we did relent and take a break. Well worth it, too. abqdan posted his reaction to the show, but it moved me a lot, too...I'm a sucker for live big band music anyway.

When "Danny Boy" was introduced as a homage to lives lost in wars, I started to lose it, and when the elderly lady sitting next to me asked if she could hold my hand, the tear faucets opened and I sat there dripping away. Took me till 1/2 way through the next livelier song to recover. Boy, did I feel drained.

Back home again, we finished up the cleanup process and decided we had to sort the rest of the tools and supplies that I had moved from the gym to the dance room before we could effectively put them in the garage storage. Good enough!

We happily called it a day, and just relaxed for the rest of the evening.

I am looking forward to a weekend when we DON'T have work at home nagging at us

We have a garage!

Sunday was a very encouraging and productive day for both of us.

Danny slept in till 9, since he's still having those bad headaches that can't be traced down to anything. I do worry about that. I put together the Wilde Bunch lesson plan for the new class, and tinkered around till Danny got up.

We made our pilgrimage to Homo Depot, then on to Lowe's where we ordered the last two Bali blinds for the downstairs, got another remote control for the garage door opener, picked up 3 sets of 5 tier shelving for the garage, and a couple of other stuff. We just keep spending money like we had it.

Getting home (it took forever to get the blinds ordered) we started the cleanup of the workshop/storage area of the garage. We must have moved the same pile of leftover lumber six times in this whole process.

But I had show tickets for the Glenn Miller Orchestra for 3:30, so we did relent and take a break. Well worth it, too. abqdan posted his reaction to the show, but it moved me a lot, too...I'm a sucker for live big band music anyway.

When "Danny Boy" was introduced as a homage to lives lost in wars, I started to lose it, and when the elderly lady sitting next to me asked if she could hold my hand, the tear faucets opened and I sat there dripping away. Took me till 1/2 way through the next livelier song to recover. Boy, did I feel drained.

Back home again, we finished up the cleanup process and decided we had to sort the rest of the tools and supplies that I had moved from the gym to the dance room before we could effectively put them in the garage storage. Good enough!

We happily called it a day, and just relaxed for the rest of the evening.

I am looking forward to a weekend when we DON'T have work at home nagging at us