I am fully and totally in Derby with drawl even though I can still watch games and help out my league its not the same as being a skating sweating functioning member of a team. I miss skating laps and even miss my not so fave coach. Worst of all I'm only 4 months pregnant which means I have on the best side at least 9 months before I will be back skating (this is a conservative estimate). Why so long? Well this is baby number 3, Yes 3! And I know that even thou I would like to imagine myself strapping on skates with baby 3 attached to my boob, I know this is unlikely. In reality I will be half dressed un showered smelling of puke. poop, sweat, and tears. Isn't it a nice picture? Hey don't judge I know what you derby girls smell like on your best day.
So all in all I miss Derby and I'm proud to say I do, it gives me comfort in knowing that it isn't some passing fad, Derby for Life.
HAHA and if you thought you were rid of me your not, tooo bad for you.
Monday 12 November 2012
Sunday 26 August 2012
I worte about Derby!!
Wednesday 1 August 2012
Roses
My step daughters school does this thing its called a micro society every person has a job a place just like the real world but is run on things other then money they trade volunteer earn credits. This exists in the derby world as well, its own micro society. The problem with this is in the micro as each and every decision almost always always has a large ripple or wave extending to teams and leagues onto neighbouring leagues and so on.
When I started derby I had rose colored glasses everything was a perfectly bright shade of happy. Slowly or quickly sometimes the tint of the glass get scuffed and scratched and flakes. Leaving a your eyes bouncing between colorless and cheery.
I took on too much and gave too little. And that's what happens in life you get what you give and the same goes for derby. As much as its nice to be part of a micro society it is still governed by the laws of life.
So all in all I have learnt that to be better I have to give better and sometime that means letting go.
When I started derby I had rose colored glasses everything was a perfectly bright shade of happy. Slowly or quickly sometimes the tint of the glass get scuffed and scratched and flakes. Leaving a your eyes bouncing between colorless and cheery.
I took on too much and gave too little. And that's what happens in life you get what you give and the same goes for derby. As much as its nice to be part of a micro society it is still governed by the laws of life.
So all in all I have learnt that to be better I have to give better and sometime that means letting go.
Friday 27 July 2012
Hitting a plateau
After benchmarks and scrimmages a couple games. Ive plateaued where do you go from there still being a rookie but not satisfied with where I am and intimidated by the only next step my league has to offer Ive found my self in blah.
What do I do? Put my big girl panties on and suck it the F up. So here I go Monday's Bells practice.
After benchmarks and scrimmages a couple games. Ive plateaued where do you go from there still being a rookie but not satisfied with where I am and intimidated by the only next step my league has to offer Ive found my self in blah.
What do I do? Put my big girl panties on and suck it the F up. So here I go Monday's Bells practice.
Wednesday 18 April 2012
LOA
I know I have not posted in forever but I have recently become captain of the Nightshades among other things and have had next to no time to do anything else. I have much to write as great things have and are happening in my derby world right now and I will soon be making a few posts so keep an eye out.
Wednesday 14 March 2012
Growing Pains
Fresh Rookie!
I'm a rookie but some how I don't find that properly describes the newness of my skills and experience in derby, some how stuck in limbo between fresh meat and rookies, Fresh Rookie. I don't have the best skills I need lots of practice on everything. I try my best to know my faults, I slow down your line, my arms flail and hit one of the best players in the face, I'm not speedy yet, I cant stop on a dime, I get confused in a pack and sometimes I let thru the wrong jammer but hey I'm learning.
The problem is that not everyone is accepting of my newness as I am and I can see that I am more a hazard to them then to others. I can see the frustration in their faces when they are asked to partner with me instead of their friend. Hey I don't necessarily want to partner with you but how will I learn other wise. I have a lot to learn trust me I know this and maybe you figure that I should be better then I am but you know what I'm trying. Up until yesterday I had never left a practise (not derby related) never sat out never gave up 95% of the time I am giving all of me learning to be a better player. I don't enjoy being the slowest or the clumsiest, I don't mean to cramp your style but we all have to start somewhere.
So this is what I ask let me try, teach me, be honest but be kind. Know that if you never let me make mistakes or try new things because your too concerned with winning this practice then I will never learn because like it or not losing and making mistakes is part of how people learn. Give me a break or actually don't give me a break because I want to try everything, I may fail and need more time before I try again but I cant know unless you give me a chance. And maybe if you take a moment you might learn something from me I'm not sure what but you might.
Just so you know I go to practice to improve my skills not to prove them. I will continue to try, to learn, to get better and like it or not one day you will be playing beside me and you can either be part of getting me there or not, either way I will get there! But for now I'm going to suck and I'm going to suck for a long while, I'm going to be a pain in the ass I'm going to ask lots of questions and will need things explained over and over and over, so get used to it because I'm not going anywhere.
I'm a rookie but some how I don't find that properly describes the newness of my skills and experience in derby, some how stuck in limbo between fresh meat and rookies, Fresh Rookie. I don't have the best skills I need lots of practice on everything. I try my best to know my faults, I slow down your line, my arms flail and hit one of the best players in the face, I'm not speedy yet, I cant stop on a dime, I get confused in a pack and sometimes I let thru the wrong jammer but hey I'm learning.
The problem is that not everyone is accepting of my newness as I am and I can see that I am more a hazard to them then to others. I can see the frustration in their faces when they are asked to partner with me instead of their friend. Hey I don't necessarily want to partner with you but how will I learn other wise. I have a lot to learn trust me I know this and maybe you figure that I should be better then I am but you know what I'm trying. Up until yesterday I had never left a practise (not derby related) never sat out never gave up 95% of the time I am giving all of me learning to be a better player. I don't enjoy being the slowest or the clumsiest, I don't mean to cramp your style but we all have to start somewhere.
So this is what I ask let me try, teach me, be honest but be kind. Know that if you never let me make mistakes or try new things because your too concerned with winning this practice then I will never learn because like it or not losing and making mistakes is part of how people learn. Give me a break or actually don't give me a break because I want to try everything, I may fail and need more time before I try again but I cant know unless you give me a chance. And maybe if you take a moment you might learn something from me I'm not sure what but you might.
Just so you know I go to practice to improve my skills not to prove them. I will continue to try, to learn, to get better and like it or not one day you will be playing beside me and you can either be part of getting me there or not, either way I will get there! But for now I'm going to suck and I'm going to suck for a long while, I'm going to be a pain in the ass I'm going to ask lots of questions and will need things explained over and over and over, so get used to it because I'm not going anywhere.
Tuesday 6 March 2012
Action Shots
First derby action shots are a treat. at first look all you see is vain, how your body looks what size it seems, and what exactly was your face doing.
At the second, third, and proceeding looks you see deeper looking into the picture not at it. Strategies come to life, faces turn into expressions of determination, and oh shit eyes. You see more then a rookie that just got knocked the fuck out you see them jumping up to catch the pack.
I have read more then one blog about the greatness of derby action shots and before seeing my own I cringed at the thought of being captured in my shitting in the woods pose. Then after many long hard looks I grew proud of my actions shots they no longer looked as if I was shitting in the woods, but a great derby stance.
So if you ever find your self looking at action shots and cringing try looking past the surface see into the picture and feel the moment, the adrenaline, the awesomeness of everything captured in that 4x6 freeze frame. Be grateful and say thank you to the people who are gracious enough to give you frozen moments in time whether they be good or bad be grateful, look back and learn from these.
Pictures Thanx to Richard Lowes I am forever grateful
At the second, third, and proceeding looks you see deeper looking into the picture not at it. Strategies come to life, faces turn into expressions of determination, and oh shit eyes. You see more then a rookie that just got knocked the fuck out you see them jumping up to catch the pack.
I have read more then one blog about the greatness of derby action shots and before seeing my own I cringed at the thought of being captured in my shitting in the woods pose. Then after many long hard looks I grew proud of my actions shots they no longer looked as if I was shitting in the woods, but a great derby stance.
So if you ever find your self looking at action shots and cringing try looking past the surface see into the picture and feel the moment, the adrenaline, the awesomeness of everything captured in that 4x6 freeze frame. Be grateful and say thank you to the people who are gracious enough to give you frozen moments in time whether they be good or bad be grateful, look back and learn from these.
Minty Fresh Scrimage
First scrimmage was in one word AWESOME.
Now it didn't start awesome, I was shaky, nervous it took me a few jams to get into it but once I did it was awesome. I knew stuff, I started to understand the plays and flow of the game. For the first time since I started in fresh meat I felt confident all the advice from days past had sunk in. My skills not the best were good enough that I could focus on strategy instead of where my skates where I had great teachers who had given me a solid base of skills.
Scrimmaging in my opinion is the best learning experience, not that what I learned in fresh meat wasn't useful it gave me everything, the skills to be able to skate some what steady hit accurately, stop, transition, and all that stuff but scrimmage gave me the chance to try out all my skills together in a more fluid motion using them all together, and in different combinations (or not so fluid motion lol).
Scrimmaging also gives you a chance to try new things or new positions. I played every position blocker, pivot, jammer, and was surprised to find strengths is places I didn't know were there. I jammed and I admit I am not fast off the start but I can catch up pretty fast. I never imagined being a successful jammer but now I see with some work on starts, and laterals I could possibly jam to some success. I found my grove as pivot, leading the pack is comfortable, having no problem telling people what to do and having what I think is pretty good track awareness I feel pivot will always be my go to position.
After the clock ran out and all was said and done my team lost by I think about 30 points but we won in learning after playing against a team stacked with heavy hitters and skilled jammers, and also being much larger then us we held our own, and gained skills that can only be learned by getting the shit knocked out of you. I am proud to say I am now a rookie, and I love scrimmages.
Now league scrimmage is a whole other story.
Now it didn't start awesome, I was shaky, nervous it took me a few jams to get into it but once I did it was awesome. I knew stuff, I started to understand the plays and flow of the game. For the first time since I started in fresh meat I felt confident all the advice from days past had sunk in. My skills not the best were good enough that I could focus on strategy instead of where my skates where I had great teachers who had given me a solid base of skills.
Scrimmaging in my opinion is the best learning experience, not that what I learned in fresh meat wasn't useful it gave me everything, the skills to be able to skate some what steady hit accurately, stop, transition, and all that stuff but scrimmage gave me the chance to try out all my skills together in a more fluid motion using them all together, and in different combinations (or not so fluid motion lol).
Scrimmaging also gives you a chance to try new things or new positions. I played every position blocker, pivot, jammer, and was surprised to find strengths is places I didn't know were there. I jammed and I admit I am not fast off the start but I can catch up pretty fast. I never imagined being a successful jammer but now I see with some work on starts, and laterals I could possibly jam to some success. I found my grove as pivot, leading the pack is comfortable, having no problem telling people what to do and having what I think is pretty good track awareness I feel pivot will always be my go to position.
After the clock ran out and all was said and done my team lost by I think about 30 points but we won in learning after playing against a team stacked with heavy hitters and skilled jammers, and also being much larger then us we held our own, and gained skills that can only be learned by getting the shit knocked out of you. I am proud to say I am now a rookie, and I love scrimmages.
Now league scrimmage is a whole other story.
Saturday 18 February 2012
If there was a postion it would be FIRST!!!
Recently it was questioned if I was putting roller derby before my kids. This question is absurd, of course I'm not putting derby before my kids. I am insulted at the fact that someone would even question or rate the position of which I hold my kids.
I love roller derby it makes me happy for many reasons I get to hit people and its allowed hell it's encouraged perfect for a sometime rage-aholic like me, I also get some exercise, adult conversation, and time away from my kids! That's right I said it I enjoy something partly because it doesn't involve my kids and I'm not ashamed to admit it!!!
All the Reasons derby makes me a better mom:
1. I get to release pent up energy, anger, profanity
2. Time away makes going home so much more enjoyable
3. Even if I was to go to every practise it would still only take up 8-10 hours a week
4. Increased energy, motivation, and satisfaction in everything
All the reasons derby makes my kids better kids:
1. They learn that sports are healthy part of life
2. They learn Independence from mom
3. They have gained valuable bonds with family
4. They have a greater appreciation for moms crazy dancing and strange bedtime stories
All in all this is how I feel after a combined time of 16 1/2 months of pregnancy 74 1/2 hours of
labour 18 months breastfeeding and 3+ years of almost complete devotion and mostly good decisions I am entitled to a little time to my self and in that time I am going to do derby.
Further more its delusional of any person to even think that my children can be placed on any type of scale there is no corresponding number, letter or symbol to place in conjunction with my kids. My love has no beginning, my love has no end, no top or bottom, my love won't end.
http://youtu.be/BQYAIeq5_FY
And just one more rant. When you spend hours pushing my kids out your vagina feel free to make decisions on how, and who with their time is best spent.
I love roller derby it makes me happy for many reasons I get to hit people and its allowed hell it's encouraged perfect for a sometime rage-aholic like me, I also get some exercise, adult conversation, and time away from my kids! That's right I said it I enjoy something partly because it doesn't involve my kids and I'm not ashamed to admit it!!!
All the Reasons derby makes me a better mom:
1. I get to release pent up energy, anger, profanity
2. Time away makes going home so much more enjoyable
3. Even if I was to go to every practise it would still only take up 8-10 hours a week
4. Increased energy, motivation, and satisfaction in everything
All the reasons derby makes my kids better kids:
1. They learn that sports are healthy part of life
2. They learn Independence from mom
3. They have gained valuable bonds with family
4. They have a greater appreciation for moms crazy dancing and strange bedtime stories
All in all this is how I feel after a combined time of 16 1/2 months of pregnancy 74 1/2 hours of
labour 18 months breastfeeding and 3+ years of almost complete devotion and mostly good decisions I am entitled to a little time to my self and in that time I am going to do derby.
Further more its delusional of any person to even think that my children can be placed on any type of scale there is no corresponding number, letter or symbol to place in conjunction with my kids. My love has no beginning, my love has no end, no top or bottom, my love won't end.
http://youtu.be/BQYAIeq5_FY
And just one more rant. When you spend hours pushing my kids out your vagina feel free to make decisions on how, and who with their time is best spent.
Friday 17 February 2012
Lets try this again.
I am now a Benchmarked Skater. What that means is that I have passed a series of skill tests which assess whether I posses enough knowledge and control to not be a danger to myself and mostly to others. It also means I am now allowed to attend league practises along with all team practises if I wish.
Before attending my first league practise I said (after freshly benchmarking) that "I would really test myself and attend all practises in hopes of having a better chance of playing a game in the near future." HA. I retracted that statement. I am NOT ready to attend any team practises and surely not a bout, I am a DANGER!!! To myself, to others I grab peoples clothes, in the pack I can not stop in any less then 1/4 of the track length leading to stopping via. buster butt in the face, I am admittedly very elbows. I need practise lots of it!!
Like an elbow to the nose I am shocked into the facts that I am not ready for much. I need work, work on everything. I feel slightly un prepared for my new position as rookie. Now don't get me wrong I have learned lots in my days as fresh meat and the people who have helped me get this far I am truly grateful for but the fact of the matter is I still have lots to learn and the people that I thought I would now skate beside will still be skating in front or behind me yelling at me correcting my freshly learned skills.
I am a Rookie and that's Okay as long as I'm still something. I do miss having someone sign my attendance.
Before attending my first league practise I said (after freshly benchmarking) that "I would really test myself and attend all practises in hopes of having a better chance of playing a game in the near future." HA. I retracted that statement. I am NOT ready to attend any team practises and surely not a bout, I am a DANGER!!! To myself, to others I grab peoples clothes, in the pack I can not stop in any less then 1/4 of the track length leading to stopping via. buster butt in the face, I am admittedly very elbows. I need practise lots of it!!
Like an elbow to the nose I am shocked into the facts that I am not ready for much. I need work, work on everything. I feel slightly un prepared for my new position as rookie. Now don't get me wrong I have learned lots in my days as fresh meat and the people who have helped me get this far I am truly grateful for but the fact of the matter is I still have lots to learn and the people that I thought I would now skate beside will still be skating in front or behind me yelling at me correcting my freshly learned skills.
I am a Rookie and that's Okay as long as I'm still something. I do miss having someone sign my attendance.
Saturday 4 February 2012
For All The Sparkle
Sometimes things seem to lose their sparkle. Then you start hitting and realise that the sparkle wasn't gone it had just settled, there all along just waiting to be stirred up by a little smashy smashy.
I haven't been keeping with this blog for a multitude of reasons but the ones related to derby are the fact that I had gotten a bit lost forgotten maybe what first brought me in the doors of the roller dome I couldn't remember why I wanted to skate in circles knee dropping and T-stopping 3 different ways in hope of satisfying the coaches concerns of me doing it correctly in order to benchmark. Why did I want to push my body and brain to do these things?
And then it happened Hitting! And mini Jamming! And practise Scrimmaging! Like a swift skate to the face the glitter of it all came back I WANT TO HIT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HIT ME and then SMILE.
So I'm back , and like Ginger told me Zero to Fabulous at the speed of Glitter
I haven't been keeping with this blog for a multitude of reasons but the ones related to derby are the fact that I had gotten a bit lost forgotten maybe what first brought me in the doors of the roller dome I couldn't remember why I wanted to skate in circles knee dropping and T-stopping 3 different ways in hope of satisfying the coaches concerns of me doing it correctly in order to benchmark. Why did I want to push my body and brain to do these things?
And then it happened Hitting! And mini Jamming! And practise Scrimmaging! Like a swift skate to the face the glitter of it all came back I WANT TO HIT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HIT ME and then SMILE.
So I'm back , and like Ginger told me Zero to Fabulous at the speed of Glitter
Wednesday 4 January 2012
Fresh Meat Hero
Today is about giving credit where its due. This is about Malady she is for those who don't know the fresh meat coordinator. And I am so grateful for her today and many days since I joined roller derby but it wasn't until recently that I really understood and appreciated all the time and effort she has put into making me a successful skater and league member. Malady has a million plus things she has committed to from having a family, home business, being a Nightshades member, board member among others and, yet some how she finds the drive to coordinate guest coaches, create lesson plans, rally senior skaters as helpers, all in order to help a group of people become awesome roller derbyers.
So I would just like to thank Malady for all that you have done and do still. All your effort and time is not un noticed i am so grateful to have this opportunity to be apart of Roller Derby it really has been a awesome experience, and without you I'm not sure if I would have stuck it out long enough to love it. You truly are what it means to BE derby.
So I would just like to thank Malady for all that you have done and do still. All your effort and time is not un noticed i am so grateful to have this opportunity to be apart of Roller Derby it really has been a awesome experience, and without you I'm not sure if I would have stuck it out long enough to love it. You truly are what it means to BE derby.
picture thanx to theft from FB just one of the benifits of being my friend lol
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