Anaheim, Day #2

[bjarvis]

The first day of caller school began with disappointment:  no free internet access.  My laptop doesn't have a network port so I couldn't test the 10baseT in our room and the only wireless network we could latch onto was the secured back-office network of the hotel administrative office.  The Marriott has two wireless networks, both secured... one was a conference-only network for a HUD convention, the other was a pay-per-use via the Starbucks.  Boo.

I was ready to assist Tim McNamara running the caller school in any role or task he required, but as usual, he was completely prepared:  everything was in order and merely needed a gentle nudge to set everything in motion.  I settled into the advanced hall:  all halls needed checkers but I've been a student in both the beginner & intermediate halls prior so this seemed a good opportunity to audit the class for future attendance.

Todd Fellegy with TA Barry Clasper largely ran the 12 students through their sample patter & singers, making notes & critiquing.  Some folks needed vocal work, some resolution issues, some programming questions.  The bulk of the day was spent fixing these & other discovered issues, and answering general questions from the floor.  I had fun, dancing a great deal but otherwise keeping my mouth shut.  There were lots of familiar folks:  Warren Jaquith, Dave Decot, DC Cronyn, Mark Benoit, Allan Hurst, JP Slater, Chi-Chi Stolarick-Hoffner, John Oldfield (*drool*) & Michael Maltenfort.  I didn't know Diana before, but she's lots of fun too.  We also had checkers Bill Hunter, Pam Clasper, Kate & Kent.

I had decided last year not to be a student at caller school this time around:  the hours are brutal and the work can be a little tedious.  I was also concerned I wouldn't be good enough to attend an advanced class as a student while repeating intermediate wouldn't be useful.  After a session with the advanced folks though, I find I would fit in well, kinda.  We are all very much alike although since I only call from cards for A2, I don't have the same sight-resolution issues others have at MS or Plus.  Still, I wish I had the range of novel get-outs many of the others have.

Oddly enough, now that I've been through a portion of the advanced class, I'm less inclined to attend in future:  I think I need a harder class to make it worth the money in time.