Beatbox Breakdown
Host:
Arch Rival Roller Girls
Time and Place
Start Time:
Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 7:30pm
Location:
All-American Sports Mall
11133 Lindbergh Business Ct.
Saint Louis, MO

A rematch between the M-80's and the Stunt Devils. The Stunt Devils hope to break their losing streak and put one in the win column, while the M-80's want to take their record above .500.
Also:Jeer-off by the ARRG Jeerleaders during the first intermission. Jam skaters during the second intermission. Afterparty at Van Patrick's, just a walk upstairs from the rink at the All-American! Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 day of (Students with valid ID only pay $10 either way!)Children under eight get free admission. You are invited to come early and tailgate!

Event listed on Facebook.com

Labels: bouts, calendar

Roller derby may have saved the soul of thousands of hard hitting chicks worldwide, but for those husbands and boyfriends left by the wayside it can potentially mean more nights of Chef Boyardee, a television remote, and long heart to hearts with the family pet.

Hi. My name is Bill and I'm a roller derby widower.

No, my wife isn't deceased. She's actually very much alive and doing quite well living as a rollergirl, and I've learned that despite her best efforts to convince me of the contrary, I know that roller derby takes precedence over everything else in her life, bar none.

With the recent resurgence of women's roller derby across the world, we, the significant others of the queens of roller derby, are discovering something unique about the women in their lives: they'll ignore us for the sport they love just as much as we'll bypass any quality time with them because the Carolina Panthers are playing the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.

Unlike us men, however, who can be found sitting around with a case of beer, a bucket of hot wings, and a couple of gnarlly fat guys watching the big game on the tube wishing they were the star quarterback, the girls are out actually living their sport and dedicated to making it work. They are more than fans, they're the stars of their sport. They're passionately making the big hits, making the crowds cheer, and living the life of glory.

There was a time when it was her that wanted to spend more quality time together, and she'd have to practically beg just to have you ask about her day. Not anymore. Since she's joined roller derby and bonded with a whole new group of tough, independent minded women hellbent on roller derby domination, you'll be lucky if see her long enough to say hello.

So maybe us men just need to make efforts to do plan the relationship type things with their favorite girl, right? Dream on, because whatever getaway, night out, or nice romantic dinner you have planned (brought on by a likely near fatal overdose of canned ravioli) she'll say, "Can't tomorrow. Got Derby Practice."

Should you suggest postponing to any other night she'll just say, "No good. Derby fund raiser." And should to push it, expect a big helping of, "League meeting. Sorry."

Fine. Okay, so quiet romantic time might be out, but at least when you do get a few spare moments to talk, she still hangs on to your every word about your feats of pseudo modern day, macho, barbarism, right? Like when you'd boast about how you gave the finger to the guy who cut you off in traffic, the dumb ass at work who you got fired for no good reason, or how you almost got into a fight with a homeless guy because he peed on your tires?

Sorry to say, there's no point bringing it up any more.

Men's stories of modern rebellion are dull by comparison (because we are likely exaggerating to the point of making it up), and besides, we wouldn't get a word in edgewise anyway.

You see, the rollergirl in your life will regale you with their true tales of horrific violent feats at the latest bout, the scandalously outrageous things her team captain did to the opposing jammer as the clock winded down, and the number of bottles of hard liquor the team consumed at the after party. She'll have all the scrapes, bruises and broken limbs - all be uploaded to her Facebook page - to prove it.

At least, despite all that, there's always just going out and making yourself feel better by buying something stupid and expensive - a nifty electronic gadget, something kick-ass for the car, something manly - just for yourself, right? Nope. Don't expect that the family savings are there for your whims anymore. You'll learn quickly and in a matter-of-fact kind of way that the money you had earmarked for tickets to the Superbowl, mag wheels for the family SUV, or a ridiculously over-priced HDTV were spent on new roller skates, new indoor wheels, and lettering for her helmet.

I'm afraid to say, fellow derby widowers, that you'll have little choice but to live with the fact that the tables are turned, and, as George Costanza learned on Seinfeld, you don't have "hand" anymore. She's got hand, fist and sometimes a stray elbow to the face.

The good news is that they aren't trying to exclude you. No, your roller wives and girlfriends will eagerly invite you into their roller derby world. In fact, you'll be tapped to attend every bout, every after party & fund raiser, and head out on road trips across the country. They aren't trying to shut you out, they simply found their niche, and they have no intention of giving it up. It's up to you to adapt.

Sure, your guy friends will think you're whipped for getting into the sport in an almost fanatical way (but they won't say it to your face because they know you'd unleash a team of no-holds-barred, roller girls on them) but it's either adapt, or spend countless nights trying to remember what the woman in your life look like.

What choice is left?

Hi. My name is Bill and I'm a roller derby widower... I mean, supportive husband and big time roller derby fan.

Labels: editorial

We all know the first staple of the merch table for a roller derby league comes down to what you can either do DIY style, or what you can afford out of pocket until you sell those tickets and get a good fundraiser turnout. Once you've made it through a successful season or 5, what kind of stuff can you then sell, and what is out there?

Well, almost every league I have come across so far has the standard team and league T-shirts. There are variations, tank tops, long sleeved long style tops, but it's shirts. Some at games make water bottle noise makers. There's pins, tiny and large galore. Stickers and more stickers. (I LOVE STICKERS and magnets by the way) There's CafePress for ship per order stuff, and then there's the leagues with some sponsors or cash that have a stockpile of merch. Below are a few new or interesting things I found.

Rat City Rollergirls in Seattle are releasing their own trading cards July 29th. They also have a Roller Derby Music compilation CD for sale. I am impressed with this league. Did you know about Fast Girl Skates out in Seattle? I contacted them for some info and an interview, but I guess I did it wrong, but it's awesome that there is a roller derby retail store, owned by and there for rollergirls. Hopefully they will get in touch sometime.

The Sin City Rollergirls in my favorite vacation destination, Las Vegas, NV sell prints of their bout posters.

The Texas Rollergirls have shot glasses and beer koozies along the trucker hats.

There are pin-up and roller derby calendars, embroidered patches, and the like.
After scrolling through 25 or so leagues at random from the list of leagues on Wikipedia, I have to offer up this:

If there's a league out there still only using myspace that needs some website design done, give me a shout and I'll cut you a good deal with a good designer to get you started if you haven't yet recruited a webgeek like me onto your league. Myspace is cool for networking, but man... the designs make my head hurt *hahaha* Just Kidding, Myspace.

Support your local roller derby and buy stuff!

Labels: merchandise

hell yeah! team world at roller con! watch out for these bitches...
we'll be playing in one of the challenge bouts on the friday of roller con against an american team
and add the RC team world to your myspace
http://www.myspace.com/rollercon_team_world

2007 Team Roster:

Bette Noir - London Rollergirls, UK (Team Captain)
Helen Fury - Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames, UK
Iva Issues - Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames, UK
Cherry Rockette - Victorian Roller Derby League, Aus
Pieces of Hate - Pirate City Rollers, NZ
Wonton Destruction - Pirate City Rollers, NZ
Jenny Rocket - Calgary Roller Derby, Canada
Georgia W Tush - Montreal Rollerderby, Canada
Miss Carriage - Hammer City Roller Girls, Canada
Japanna - Toronto Roller Derby League, Canada
Mia Culprit - Toronto Roller Derby League, Canada
Hoochie Mama - Oil City Derby Girls, Canada

Team Manager:
Slice Andice - London Rollergirls, UK

thank baby jesus for intl derby!

go world!

xo
georgia w tush

Labels: international derby, Rollercon 2007

Ok, one more thing, I found this on YouTube as well.. it's footage from the first European Roller Derby bout. Check it out!

Labels: video

Hey derby luvvers... hey, I know it's not that, Thursday/Friday/Saturday -what am I gonna do this weekend? - where are the derby bouts? - kind of day, but I've been kinda slow updating lately with that kind of thing. My apologies. My dayjob is busy, I've been skating and exercising a lot, and this week I've been kinda down with a wisdom tooth flare up causing me headaches and just owies.... no excuses, I've still been paying attention!

First off, I'll tell you that I have completely changed my diet the last month. I eat meat only twice a week now, 3 times only if it's tuna during the week because I don't eat fish at all except that. I ave to give a shout out to SparkPeople.com I joined that site a long time ago. I have to say following the diet plan hasn't really helped me lose weight, but I'm naturally a big girl but the tools are fantastic for tracking nutrition and exercise, calories burned, goal setting, and I administer a Sparkteam called Roller Dery Queens on there that is doing great. A lot of rollergirls, big and small are working on getting and staying fit. Come on and join, if you like!

I've also given up cable TV. Surprisingly easier to do than I thought it would be, I get less marketing, less celebrity crap in my face, and get to choose what I watch and when by moving to DVD. Love it!

Ok, on to ROLLER DERBY news:
Thursday night you can party with the Toronto Rollergirls
The Switchblade Sisters @ Neu+ral
Dj's Miss Hell & Misty Rock n' Roll take over Thursday nights
Time and Place
Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 10:00pm
Location:
Neutral 349 College St. (entrance on Augusta) Toronto, ON

And speaking of the Toronto Rollergirls, Misty also let me know via facebook that the TO girls are featured in this new music video from The Used. I've had trouble (even though I've seen them before) picking them out of the video footage and finding skates, but see if you can find them! It's on YouTube.

July 28th - That's Saturday - you can check out the Terminal City Rollergirls in Vancouver.
The Red Rollers vs the Black-Eyed Betties
Saturday, July 28, 2007
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Minarou Arena (98 B line takes you right there) in Richmond, BC

Ok, that's enough for now. I have some stuff cooking, but you know as always that if you play roller derby, love roller derby, ref or volunteer of your local roller derby league, and there's an event to promote or a story you want to see me do, a Rollergirl or guy to interview or a product you want me to try and review, just send me the info at info at derbyluv.com!

Labels: calendar, Derby Luv, training, video

Fellow derby luvers,

A few weeks ago Trash 'N Smash and I ventured over to Ontario to check out the Hammer City Rollergirls' "Tri-City Rumble" in Hamilton. The bout was off to a great start, I was full of booze and equipped with hilarious props from the dollar store. The first bout was between HCRG's Steeltown Tank Girls and a collaborative team made up of Queen City Rollergirls (Buffalo, NY). After the first two periods, the Tank Girls were in the lead with a hefty amount of points over their QC opponents. During the last intermission, QC did not want to play the final round. They did not agree with the reffing, and said it was unfair and unsafe.

The main complaints about the reffing were in regard to lead jammer calls. I noticed the odd call being missed for both teams, but nothing making it an unsafe environment. This however is coming from a spectator (who drank her fair share of beer), and not somebody that was playing the bout. Although my team recently played the Tanks, and no major problems arose throughout the bout.

Nonetheless, issues like this can happen when teams from different leagues play each other. Leagues are used to certain rules, pack speeds, blocking strategies, and refs. I found that when my league has played other leagues we've always had some differences between our game style.

We (all this goes for all of us!) have such high expectations of our refs for such a new (yet old) sport. I think we have to remember that the refs are volunteering their time and are in the learning process just like the rest of us. A lot of calls will be missed, we just have to hope that they will improve every game they are in, just like all the roller derby gals.

QCRG toughed it out and played the last period minus a few players. I was glad they decided to stay, but disappointed in the last period. That exciting derby energy was lacking from both teams in the end. It's not as fun when the players aren't having fun.

How can we prevent something like this from happening again? I suggest always having at least one ref represent your league when traveling. Also, maybe more communication between leagues about how your league tends to play, strengths and weaknesses when it comes to penalties, and knowing policies on fighting.

I cannot speak for either team, but all I can say is that we can't have events like this happen again! Overall, I had a great time, and I love the Hamilton gals and met some great gals from Buffalo.

Cheers to never ending beers!!!
Georgia W Tush

P.S.
All I have to say is props to Forest City Derby Girls from London, Ontario in their first bout EVER who got their butts whooped by the experienced Hamilton Harlots, but were all smiles at the end of the bout! You girls ROCK and played hard!!! By the way, I lost my FCDG pin and I want a new one!

P.P.S. I posted a link of a fight between Tori Nado (HCRG) and Sweets (QCRG). I do not think fights have to be a part of roller derby, but sometimes they just need to break out! Notice the intense moment right before the first push....gold!!!!

Labels: bouts, refs

Updates have been scarce this last week (sorry about that, I've been spending much of my free time roller skating like a mad woman on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve), but that is all being rectified as of this very moment as I've posted the latest roller derby Q&A interview with men's roller derby player, roller guy Bobbie Carnage of the Hell City Hooligans.

Of course, I couldn't very well list Bobbie on the roller girls page, so a new page was created for future interviews with rollerguys.

Labels: Derby Luv, interview, roller guy

Labels: Derby Luv, merchandise

Check out the newest Rollergirl, and blogger for Derby Luv, Georgia W. Tush!

Labels: Derby Luv, rollergirls

So just to insure that our Derby Luv store merchandise was worthy to provide for our posters and readers and such, I ordered a T shirt, a ceramic coaster for my desk and a button. I was happy with the results, the merchandise is beautiful and the logo looks awesome on black.

Labels: Derby Luv, merchandise, training

wow! i am so excited that MTLRD's first season has been so amazing. while running on a small budget, very limited time to accomplish anything, lack of promo, etc. MTLRD managed to have four amazing home games with a +600 crowd everytime, and fun was had by all.

i wonder if it's just a montreal thing, but MTL fans seems to get..crazy, extremely drunk, or perhaps over-stimulated at any event and are always a party and a half. i'm not sure if other cities deal with this insanity, but i know that i wouldn't want it any other way!

some crowd highlights!

-pabst beer can pyramid competitions in the suicide seat section
-sold out crowds even when we could have done better promo
-getting boo'ed in your own city..haha. i think i was boo'ed less in ontario!!!
-our interactive mexicain wrestlers

please share and post some of your league's crowd highlights! prove me wrong that montreal isn't the sweetest city ever.

some of my own personal highlights of the season

-playing with amazing ladies from Toronto, Hamilton, Pennsylvania +New Jersey, and Montreal!
-our ridiculous after parties
-knowing that i can visit any derby city and feel like it's my own home

see you bitches at rollercon! oops...i still need to buy my ticket, hopefully i still can. donations accepted.

xoxo,
georgia w tush


p.s. check out www.retrokitten.com bc i'm the featured rollergirl! more rollergals should check out that site, it's a great way to network.

Labels: bouts, MTLRD

Labels: bouts, MTLRD, wound diary