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November 20, 2009 10:20 am | 
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Derby Tripping: ECE – Pretty Skate Machine
Photo by: Justin Hankins
So it took me three years. And I still didn’t skate, but I finally made it to Philly for ECE. You see, the first year they had it in March – no go for work. Everyone headed north while I sat in front of a computer screen wondering what they were all doing while I was stuck at home. Second go around I was ready and willing! Even if I had to take days without pay I was going to skate in ECE dammit! But alas, this time I laid flat on my stomach, wrapped tight, barely able to breathe due to my broken ribs. Ah, the luck of the draw usually sucks for me. Murphy’s law, I suppose. Here we are at 2009, and YET AGAIN I sit staring into space wanting to be in the hot stinky van with a bunch of overly caffeinated derby girls. But apparently getting knocked up sort of curtails your ability to skate in bouts.I had been sidelined since mid January, looking forward to the reprieve that October will bring with the birth of a derby spawn and the ability to return to skates. Don’t get me wrong; I have been a coach for a few years now, on and off skates. But it’s just not the same as being in the game.
I was up at 7:30 Friday morning. Coffee, coco krispies. . . It’s 8 now. The girls will be in Norfolk packing the vans. 8:30 .. . I can almost hear Ruffian yelling “Lets get a move on ladies! We are running behind!” Followed by the clatter and chatter of half awake derby girls, wondering and asking if they were going to stop for coffee, and if so, when. I steer my gaze away from the morning news to look down at my ever rounding belly and ask the little one inside “You do know that you will hear about this EVERY time you want to do something for at least 18 years right?” I nod off with thoughts of what I would do if I was in Philly and I was skating. .
The phone rings - 10:30. It’s Frankendoll. We already knew T Rex wouldn’t be bench coaching due to travel restrictions during late pregnancy, and Princess America so graciously stepped up in addition to her bouts with Carolina to help call our roster. But now, Hofosho has the flu! “We need a bench coach, Skate, do you think you can get to Philly?” That’s all the push I needed. I told Frankendoll I’d call her back, and immediately got on the phone with the derby widow.
I ask. He knows how badly I want to go, but he’s not real happy with me traveling in my “delicate condition.” Hmm . . . but this is why I married him: 20 minutes into the conversation he says “Book the hotel.” He was getting off at lunch and we were both headed to Philly! A quick check in with Frankendoll, Ruffian, and Thunderlips and my bag was packed. 3pm: Skate Machine is on the road north.
We arrive around 9 and get checked in. Food! I need food and sleep .. Meeting with the captains at 7:30 in the morning, bout at 11.
After cursing the alarm, shower and my one cup of coffee that I’m allowed (boo!) I wander down a floor and find the room the captains will be in. Last minute changes and worries cause a rush of excitement and I spend an hour calming down and figuring out what we need and send the captains off to get ready and be with the team. It all works out and after breakfast with Candy Liver, Frankendoll and Big Fun (spending time with those 3 is an entire blog in itself) we make it to the Sportsplex just in time for me to scramble with some VERY last minute changes and everyone hits the track.
I scream for 2 hours. We didn’t win, but the girls fought hard. I was sweating as much as they were and I was on the sidelines. When it’s all over, they all deserve a break and we go on to watch a few bouts and support our lil sisters, the River City Rollergirls, in a challenge bout. I finish my day with Frankendoll, the Hubby and Dairy Queen. Until the next meeting with the captains at 9pm. This one lasted until around 1am and ended up with a completely different approach to our roster.
The Machine in Action
8am Sunday. Up and at ‘em! Bout at 12:30. Morning routine and meet with captains and team. Maybe this time I can get the rush out BEFORE I get to the ‘Plex. For the most part I did, although we almost ran late due to Frankendoll stopping on the way insisting on helping what we thought was a baby beaver cross the road. Much to our surprise it was a muskrat and after screaming MUSKRAT at it really loud from the car it ran off into the woods. Satisfied that a car wouldn’t squish it, we u-turned and headed back toward the Sportsplex. Apparently there are an unlimited number of times for a GPS to scream at you “RECALCULATING!” But after about 3, Frankendoll threatens to throw it out the window.
The Sunday bout went about the same as Saturday, score wise. Again, not a win for us, but they fought hard and we learned a lot. I still believe we brought back a different group of skaters than we arrived with. And that’s a good thing. We were working with many fresher skaters (some only on their first or second bout) and at least 2 injured veterans. Then Frankendoll took a really hard hit, followed by having her neck rolled over. This ended with a quick trip to the ER and a diagnosis of a mid-grade concussion and whiplash.
After the Sunday bout, the worser half was waiting outside in the car to head home. With work in the morning and both the Hubby and I being exhausted, we needed to get home. I won’t even go into the delirium that ensued right around the Maryland border but I was laughing so hard I was in tears and almost had to pull over. We still have no idea why. I don’t think he even remembers work Monday. Zombie state took over. And my voice just has begun to return.
All in all, despite the stress, it was a wonderful trip. Everyone played there hardest and everyone got home safe. I’m proud of us. And hopefully next year I can go again.
ON SKATES.
Tags: Derby Tripping
Derby Tripping | The Ruffian | October 21, 2009 11:14 am | Comments (2)
WFTDA T-Shirt Design Contest
Calling all artists and designers!
With the 2009 tournament season fast approaching us, the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) merchandise committee is looking for a new t-shirt design to hit the merch booth!
Details as follows:
- Doesn’t necessarily have to have WFTDA written in the design
- The WFTDA logo will be placed in the upper middle of the back with Est.2004 underneath
- No more than 2 color
- All submissions should be turned in by July 17th.
- WFTDA member leagues will select the winner
- Send all submissions to: tonya.vojtkofsky@yahoo.com
- Format: tif, jpg,
The winner will receive clothing items with the logo on it, credit on the WFTDA website and the undying love of millions of derby girls world wide.
Visit www.wftda.com for more information on the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association!
Uncategorized | The Ruffian | June 10, 2009 9:00 am | Comments (0)
Tales From the Fresh Meat Locker: Peggy
Being possibly a few weeks from my evals, it’s hard NOT to look back at the past few months. Thinking back to where it all started, I’d have to say that the Navy was overall responsible for my derby obsession. Being in the military is hard enough, but being a nuclear trained mechanic is enough to make a person lose their mind (and I know this from having personally seen quite a few friends and colleagues be discharged for emotional instability). Not terribly long ago, I’d been regularly seeing our Psych, trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Without getting all personal and crazy, he basically said that I NEEDED to find something for ME. Something that I’ll love to do, that can be mine, and that I didn’t copy or take from someone else. Something that can help me escape from my nerves/anxiety/emotions and relieve my stress. As if the angels heard his words, the NEXT DAY Zanna messaged me on Myspace. “Derby?” I’m thinking. “This stuff is for real?” If you’ve ever had a “feeling” about something, you know what was sitting in the pit of my stomach, BEGGING me to check it out.
photo: Nieto PhotographyA few days later, I dragged my sister out of her apartment and made her come with me to watch. It felt as if I’d been waiting my whole life for that moment. I was giddy, excited and immediately enthralled. I was determined to find out more. I talked to Hofosho, T.Rex Ya Face, and Frankendoll for a little while that first night and their sincerity, excitement and dedication were contagious. From there, it was scraping finances and digging through ebay/craigslist ads to find a means and way for gear. I sat on the floor at too many practices, becoming more and more impatient, talking poor T.Rex’s ear off. I wanted to be everything these girls were, namely committing to memory every move that Turbo made. Her speed and agility on the track were like a goal that I knew some day I had to reach.
When I finally had my skates and gear, and more-over when I got to do my first hitting drill, I knew I’d found my outlet. Feeling like I was flying around the rink and throwing each ounce of stress into hitting was exactly what I’d been missing from my life. I’ve gone through BMX, rock climbing, and paintball. I’ve tried bartending and bass playing. Nothing compares to the happiness and relief I get from just TRAINING to play this game. Once I started body blocking and eventually skating at advanced Thursdays, I knew that nothing else was going to compare to this; that days and nights of plans would be canceled and rearranged; that good nights of sleep were going to be sacrificed in order to keep this drugless high. My obsession was concrete.
photo: Media UnluckyMy friends and family are probably sick to death of me, because ever since that first day in December, roller derby seems to be all I can think or talk about. If you’re thinking of checking out or even trying roller derby, especially if you need some sort of hobby and/or stress relief, I’m telling you that this is the way to go. There’s no certain type of woman who’s better than the other. There’s no genre that fits more into the group than the other. This is a diverse group of amazing woman, sharing a past time that strengthens them both physically and mentally. Not only that, but you’ll find out that no amount of psychologist/therapist trips can compare to body checking a dame a few times a week!
Tags: Tales from the Fresh Meat Locker
Tales from the Fresh Meat Locker | The Ruffian | March 4, 2009 6:05 pm | Comments (0)
League Member & Fresh Meat of the Month – March 2009
League Member of the Month – Thunder Lips
Thunder Lips is an amazing Chair lady. Our meetings are flawless, her tasks are always done, and she is an awesome coach to boot. She’s caring and understands hardship and always has good advice with whatever the issue is, whether helping someone in the league personally or the fact you can’t get t-stops she’s got you covered. We’re lucky to have her in our league!
I nominate Lips for pushing us fresh meat so hard! She is always helping us get better by encouraging us every day to go faster, hit harder, skate lower, and push farther!
I think I’ve received instruction on how to do crossovers from every member of the DDG, but lips was the first to take the time to skate with me, and really figure out what I was doing wrong. If it weren’t for her, I don’t think it ever would have clicked!
photo: Glen McClure
I nominate Thunder Lips! She is always positive, encouraging, and hard working. She has the leagues best interests at heart and has always given her all; be it in her coaching, her “captainship”, and her dedication to the game, Thunder Lips is a derby girl that we all can look up to. It has been a true joy skating with her for the past two years. I would also like to add that Ms. Thunder Lips is a versatile player who will try her hand at blocking, pivoting, and jamming without complaint or apprehension, she gets the job done. She is a true team player and motivator.
Fresh Meat of the Month – Donna
For FMOM I nominate Donna because she has come so far, and she works really hard every practice and can put a smile on anyone’s face! Also she is one of our sponsors! Plus, she ran into a wall twice in 5 minutes and was able to get up! That alone deserves fresh meat of the month.
She’s progressed so far so fast! she gives her all at practice and does it with a smile on her face!
Tags: Member of the Month
Member of the Month | The Ruffian | March 1, 2009 5:46 pm | Comments (0)
League Member & Fresh Meat of the Month – February 2009
League Member of the Month – Frankendoll
Here’s what Frank’s leguemates had to say about her:
“Frankendoll has exercised strong leadership and guidance as the league’s 2008 coaching director. She encourages us to do our best and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Frankendoll and the rest of our fabulous coaches have developed a great training program which has been beneficial to freshmeat and veterans, alike. Also, she has always held a high regard for the safety and well-being of all skaters.”
“Frankendoll has exercised strong leadership and guidance as the league’s 2008 coaching director. She encourages us to do our best and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Frankendoll and the rest of our fabulous coaches have developed a great training program which has been beneficial to freshmeat and veterans, alike. Also, she has always held a high regard for the safety and well-being of all skaters.”
“She took over Director of Training with no notice and being new to the coaching committee and did a stellar job. I have leaned from Frank on and off the track and she always makes herself available. She understands that no two skaters are alike in skills, personalities or personally and she respects everyone for what they have to do to be in this league. On top of all this she has the best blocker three ass – one that I look for when jamming and look forward to working with to block in the pack. I want to nominate Frank as a token of my “Thanks” for all she’s done to help me…us through a tough year.”
photo: Glen McClure
“She has a positive attitude and dedication that is bar none, even when she had to deal with her personal illness, she gave 100%. Not to mention, she is one helluva a power blocker and team player. I am honored to have played alongside her for the past 2+ years.”
Fresh Meat of the Month – Holly
“Holly has been dedicated to the DDG on and off the track in her short time with the league. She’s jumped in and taken on committee leadership within weeks of joining the league, which is such a big help. All in all she has helped breathe new life into the DDG!
Tags: Member of the Month
Member of the Month | The Ruffian | February 1, 2009 5:35 pm | Comments (0)
League Member of the Month – January 2009
THE VOTE WAS A DRAW! WE HAVE A TIE FOR DDG’S FIRST LEAGUE MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Bam Bam Mc Cha Cha
Bam had demonstrated from the beginning what it takes to be a derby girl. There had never been one day she has whined or complained about having to do something. She is one of the hands down toughest girls we have in our league. Black eyes, busted lips, or liquid filled knees have never slowed her down or changed her winning attitude. All of the skaters in our league have taken notice of her hard work and dedication and strive to be like her. Bam really and truly is a role model for derby girls.
photo: Glen McClure
T.Rex Ya Face
T.Rex has been in the league chugging along since 2006. She is an outstanding coach and offers help and input in all aspects of league activity. Not to mention she is a beast on skates. She is extremely committed to the sport of Roller Derby and will continue to be during her skating hiatus for the 2009 season. She has been newly elected to the Head Coach position so be looking for her on the sidelines cheering her ladies on.
photo: Glen McClure
Tags: Member of the Month
Member of the Month | The Ruffian | January 1, 2009 5:23 pm | Comments (0)
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