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 Photography
A 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 Unlucky
My 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!
Sat Oct 25, 2008
Tales from the Meat Locker: Fresh Meat Angie
The reason I play roller derby is for the love of the sport and how it makes me feel. Roller derby requires a lot of physical and emotional strength. It is so liberating to skate your angers away and to just keep skating until you cant skate anymore. I don’t think any other sport could make me feel this good. I have tried dance, softball, and field hockey but those were not the same. There are not too many women’s contact sports, and out of those few sports derby stands out. Derby is a race, it is contact, and all you need are a pair of skates (and some extra padding) to play. It isn’t just the speed that keeps me anticipating every practice it is the women and men that make up the team. DDG doesn’t only consist of the girls that play, you cant forget the reffs, the fans, the other teams, the old players who have left, and the players who haven’t even put of a pair of skates yet. Roller derby is expanding, and I am glad I am able to be part of it. This is why I LOVE ROLLER DERBY!
Sat Oct 18, 2008
Tales from the Meat Locker: Frest Meat Zanna
I didn’t know what derby was until Cristie, Van Hellion, got hired at my work. She showed me her tattoos and said “I’m a derby girl!” and I was in awe. So I came to a bout. I couldn’t believe the way these girls moved on skates! I loved watching them annihilate the other team. I have been an athlete all my life and knew this is a sport I had to get into.
I joined this league right before Commotion by the Ocean. It was a huge event at the Virginia Beach Convention Center and I was blown away that 20 girls, (with full time jobs, college classes, husbands, kids) put it together and executed it!! I knew then that this is a group I had to be a part of. These ladies are chargers. Go getters. They make stuff happen and I love that energy.
I had never skated before in my life and the coaches were patient with me as I coasted around the track like a toddler. I finally started to get the hang of it and now my favorite part is getting whips and pushes! I’m still fresh meat so I haven’t really gotten a taste of bone-crushing derby but so far I am obsessed with skating. I like how I get so sore I have to plop into chairs because it hurts too much to lower myself into them. I like how I can’t bear to wear high heels to work because my fatty blisters will pop. I like wearing fish nets and stench filled pads. I have caught the derby disease, the skating syphilis, and I can’t wait to spread it!!
Love,
Fresh Meat Zanna
Tales from the Fresh Meat Locker | The Ruffian | 
March 4, 2009 6:05 pm | 
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