At 11:38 AM 5/18/2006, Lisa Greenleaf wrote:
> * model good behavior [especially after Lisa called me out at
> SnowBall, 2004!]
What did I do? Can't remember.....
One of my favorite stories, and the reason I really stopped booking ahead.
I was trying to avoid it previously, but this was a public slap on the
wrist (read: humiliation) that permanently cured me.
One of the bands at SnowBall 2004 was Moving Violations (MV). I forget the
other band - Babes in Tuneland, maybe?
One of the fiddlers in MV was Van Kaynor, of whom I have a high affection
for. We passed each other in the lines early in the dance, and I asked him
for the next dance. He said sure.
Lisa announced the next dance was a square. Bobbie Jo and I have an
agreement to do most of the squares together, as both are avid squares
lovers. We found each other and setup in a square. You can see where this
is headed, I am certain.
Suddenly, I hear Lisa's voice of the mic: "Paging Seth Tepfer. Paging Seth
Tepfer. Your partner is looking for you." I turn around to face the stage
saying "But I already have my p...."
And there on the stage next to Lisa is Van, anxiously scanning the room for
me. Oh. The entire room said "uh oh!" and had encouraging laughter.
This event has been burned in my memory. The reason I had been previously
trying to avoid booking ahead was because of this very thing - I keep
forgetting, and hurting people's feelings (and feeling ashamed when it
happened - though not usually so publicly).
Although the community reason to not book ahead is more powerful in my
opinion, personally, my memory is the strongest motivator. I'm sure that
minor hypocrisy is worthy of some soul searching.
I've been told to not call people out from onstage. I personally think
callers (at that moment dancing) are exempt from rule. Callers are subject
to much worse from dancers who speak their minds; callers need to have the
ego to withstand criticism - especially when they are caught not modeling
good behavior!
Anyway, Lisa, I cherish the memory fondly, and have used it a catalyst to
change my behavior.
