Well derby luv fans, this weeked was pretty awesome. Not as good as playing roller derby and winning, but almost as good. Why, you say? Because I worked as a stats keeper (penalty keeper) for the refs of the bout on Saturday that was my team, the Thames Fatales, of the Forest City Derby Girls vs the GTA Rollergirls' Derby Debutantes.
First off, it was a new experience. Other than the slippy-as-ice surface that almost requires outdoor wheels to prevent body flying across the floor that sugar water barely helps, and the cushion-covered pillars that are within the track safety allowance, the space is huge. I told you about when I wrote up the season ender last year in 2008. This time around, since I was too new to make the roster (after 2008 was on off-skate year, I'm back to fresh meat status.) I was a volunteer. Thanks for my derby experience, and the space-provided beer and snack sellers, I was given a job as a penalty-stats keeper so I got to be in center of the track watching the game between frantic referree penatly calls, and shouts.
It gave me new perspective than I had as a player, or a fan. I got to see how hard it is to catch penalty moves in a frantic pack with a flying jammer, and how fast jams really are, and how much they do for us. Not only do they know the rules sometimes better than the players, and how to interpret them down to the various levels, but they volunteer their time, skate, train to keep up with the jammers on tight corners, and skate injured, just like us, but they seriously want to do a good job too! They travel with us, they setup our tracks and help take it down again. Just in case we don't say it enough, thanks refs! You guys rock, and we couldn't do it without you. Derby luv to all of ya!
Ok, that said, the Thames dominated the game. Penalties were heavily on the Debs, but to be fair, the Thames were playing a few newer players that need to work on blocking rules and elbows. But we've all been there, right? Regardless, I got to see my team win and it was awesome! And Londoners are great, and the kids even come around for autographs - even mine!
I had a couple beers when it was all over and headed home. Today I posted all the photos I took (sorry for the bad photo quality, I didn't notice a bad setting there), and updated the new Forest City Derby Girls website that I am the webmaster for.
Other than that my legs are sore from a lot of walking and crouching last night, walking and gardening today and I hope to have a good practice tomorrow night if they can hold me in my "95". After seeing the game, I have a renewed fervor to train hard and get back, not only on a team roster, but onto the travel team. It will come. If not in 2009, then in 2010 it will be my year.
On a side note, I was sad to hear that La Racaille in Montreal lost to CN Power on Saturday night. But I bet that was a fantastic game of roller derby. Reffrey Dalmer and I had a discussion about the La Racaille awesome power-blocking, and Iron Wrench's jamming before the game got started last night. But wow, CN Power is hitting the track hard these days too, I've seen them fight hard with HCRG and not MTLRD Beast of the East Champs. With MTLRD and Hammer City now WFTDA members, who is next?
May 23 - ROLLERGEDDON London, ON - and more across Canada
I've got only 10 tickets left in advance for this event on May 23rd in London, ON - ROLLERGEDDON is a FCDG home game against the Derby Debutantes of the GTARollergirls, Toronto, ON. Don't think just because FCDG isn't a member of WFTDA yet, or that GTA Rollergirls are still considered a newer team that this won't be a tough game. These teams have trained with the larger leagues out there, have been at Beast of the East with the likes of Montreal Roller Derby and HammerCity (Hamilton, ON), so they can kick it up just as good!
After practice last night, my legs were screaming, so I know FCDG will ROCK! Besides, it's a great location and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere with a great party and beer garden in the same location! What more can you ask for in one night? Get your advance tickets from me, your favorite FCDG Rollergirl, or order online at westernfair.com . They are going fast! ($12 at the door, kids under 10 FREE, Licensed event).
Let's say you just can't get to London, ON on May 23. Okay, I'll hand it to you, it may be too far for some folks east and west of us here in SW Ontario. So what else is going on next weekend? This weekend even?
Start out East/EST:
Montreal's and Beast of the East Champs La Racaille are challenged in Montreal by CN Power, Toronto Roller Derby's powerhouse travel team in Provincial Skatred. Tickets are for sale at brownpapertickets.ca or at MTLRD sponsor locations in Montreal, if you don' t know any of the rollergirls.
Just a note, tonight is CN Power's fundraiser, Quick and Dirty, to help them get to Montreal.
HammerCity is holding a derby Bootcamp on May 20 and starting an 8 week derby 101 course for recruitment. Looks like TORD is also recruiting. Montreal's recruiting is closed, as usual, as the season is under way. FCDG is also recruiting and looking for London women that want to skate hard and hit harder.
Over 130 rollergirls from Toronto, ON to British Columbia's coast are this weekend in Red Deer Alberta for the CWRDA Boot Camp 2009.
I so wanted to go, and I hope more leagues in Canada join the CWRDA and we can begin to gain some Canadian steam in Roller derby as members of WFTDA and CWRDA, opening the door for all women and all types of roller derby to come together.
Well, that's the big derby news this weekend. Head to Red Deer this weekend, or go support TORD's CN Power, grab a bootcamp in Hamilton mid-week on your way to the May 23 ROLLERGEDDON bout in London, ON, and if travelling doesn't work for you, and you're out east, head to Montreal for the Provincial Skatred bout next weekend.
Either way, today is the day you should buy tickets! Head to westerfair.com for FCDG tickets, and to Brownpapertickets.ca for MTL tickets. Support your local rollerderby!
It's so good to be back! Practice 3 with FCDG tonight. Looking forward to having Miss Anya Face push me through my paces tonight. I'll try to get a few more, "Nia, you kick ass!" from the ladies I get partnered up with and I'll keep trying to do better.
In other news, last night I helped promote FCDG by appearing in a derby commercial (live commercial) during a Weezi fashion show last night in London, ON. We only had limited space to skate, but Commiekaze and I were able to hit Dollface Massacre and let her dramatically fall to the floor, and we got to join in with a "We're looking for Fresh Meat for Forest City Derby Girls!" climatic cheer. We flyered every table in the joint, but were not approached for tickets. Hard to get people to fork over cash when they are saving it for their beer that night, I guess. I hope I can sell some tickets this week and help FCDG recruit this season for next year!
In personal news, I can't tell I lost 18 pounds except in my face. I hate how I looked last night in pictures, but my co-worker (who just happens to know some of my FCDG teammates, and was a model in the show last night along with some of the FCDG girls and others, loves this photo of us. (Cropped for fitting and to cut out some things I can't show in public). I look like some crazy psycho trailer trash pale creature.... I don't even recognize me in there. I need a make over apparently.
Oh well. No matter. I thought about how to promote roller derby in London, ON, and while I was perusing, I came across some very cool little videos. In honor of my new commitment to keep Derby Luv content coming from me ALL-Canadian, I won' t mention the fantastic PSA announcements by the Minnesota Rollergirls, (I'll let you find those yourself!) ;)
I did laugh out loud though at the Montreal Roller Derby Promo spots out there now from MTL Roller Derby. My favorite is Coffee Break, but Walk in the Park is a close second. What a great way to have some fun and promote roller derby!
My promotion will be my weight loss, fitness gains, and improvements in my confidence levels, as well as my continued drive to tell everyone I meet about roller derby and try to generate a larger audience, support, and knowledge about the game. I am also going to try to get the FCDG new website up this weekend if I can get league approval and I am going to ask if there are committees I can join to help out.
Support your local roller derby people. The 2009 season is well underway and we need help to keep rolling. Buy and sell tickets, merchandise, play hard and skate harder and promote promote, promote!
OMG! January is over! I can't believe how time is flying. It's been over 4 months since I became a non-smoking rollergirl-to-be-again, and a month since I re-committed myself to training for 2009.
I've lost 2-3 inches from my waistline, and 3 from my hips, and can jog again without shin pain.... so I'm ready to go back to skating if I can find some wood or concrete to put my wheels on under all this ice and snow! I'll know within a week if I get my new apartment in London, ON, and I'm waiting for some news from FCDG on particulars like, What minimum skill levels do I have to pass to play in April? What days are practices? How much are dues? You know, all that kinda need to know, but organizational info about a new league...
Hey I may already know roller derby, but I'll be a rookie in FCDG, so I'm getting to have a new derby experience this year! My previous rookie year was with MTLRD when we were all rookies together. I am so proud that I was part of the first season of MTLRD and that they are the first Canadian Roller Derby league to officially become a WFTDA league. If other Canadian teams want to join, what's holding them up? I'll see if I can find out!
Well, let's not dwell on me all damn day - you need to get to doing derby stuff, so here's the current Facebook Event listing for you - Yes, I know you are all on Facebook.... But PING.FM is the best for status updates everywhere at once!
Today, January 31 at 6:45pmOttawa's first ROLLER DERBY GAME!!!!!!! Game at 7:30pm EST - The ByTown Blackhearts (Ottawa, ON) vs the Montreal Sexpos (MTLRD's B-Team - Montreal, QC) I would so be going if I had a car! 6 hours drive, who cares?! I like those Ottawa girls, but I have to be all pro-MTLRD for this one, Let's GO Sexpos!
Tomorrow, February 1 at 12:00pmRoller Derby at the Coliseum! Mad Rollin' Dolls in Madison, WI host the Quad Squad vs. Reservoir Dolls and The Chicago Outfit vs. Unholy Rollers The Mad Rollin' Dolls always put on good derby events!
Tomorrow, February 1 at 2:00pmPublic Skate Ottawa Roller Derby is hosting a public skate on inlines or renting out quads to try tomorrow in Ottawa. Sounds like a fun day of skatin' to music.
Out in Western Canada, you can get tickets now to see Oil City versus the LA Derby Dolls in Feb! Visit Oil City for more info. I wish I could see this one!
Have a happy derby weekend, everybody, and please ....check out your local derby events tonight! Later! - Nia
Yep, that's right. WFTDA 2008 Nationals are over, but don't be a stats nerd! There's still roller derby to be had!
This weekend, on Dec 13, you can catch: Merry Rock N' Derby Saturday, December 13th, 10:00pm at Mulligans on the Blue with the Maui Rollergirls in warm, lovely, Hawaii. It's a fundraiser, bring a toy for the kids and try to win a date with a rollergirl. On another note, I just found out (too late, sorry Maui Rollergirls) that Maui was recruiting this past weekend. I have got to tell you that I type this Maui note with jealousy in my heart as I look out my window at the rain-drenched slush of a winter storm that wanted-to-be, and I say, to the goddess of roller derby, I wish derby was a paying sport and Maui needed a big blocker... LOL Anyway, they have tryouts on Jan 17. Good luck to the Maui Rollergirls fresh meat!
Also on Dec 13, for those stuck stateside, you can check out MRD's annual HO HO Bout. From the description on facebook:
On Saturday Dec. 13, members of the Quad Squad, Reservoir Dolls, Unholy Rollers, and Vaudeville Vixens will set aside their grudges and form two holiday-themed teams to compete in MRD's third annual Holiday Bout (or Ho Bout, as the locals call it).
Anyway, oh right, FREEZE RAY. (if you did not see Dr. Horrible's sing-a-long blog, you probably think I've lost my mind right now, right?)
Well, I'll continue. Mad Rollin' Dolls' annual bout is on in Madison on Saturday. What else, what else...
The Killamazoo Derby Darlins are having a holiday party on Dec 20. Facebook event says it's Dec 20 at the Back Alley Saloon in Kalamazoo, MI. I have to tell you. When Hammer City went down to play Kalamazoo, I wanted to go, just to say I've been to Kalamazoo! This is your chance, go check it out! And it's for a good cause...A portion of the proceeds will go to Warm Kids Project, Inc. to help provide Kalamazoo youth with hats, gloves, boots, and jackets in the winter months.
There's more derby out there! Just search your city and other nearby cities with the words roller derby after them, and if it's there, you'll find the local league for sure. See if there's a roller derby event to check out while you take a break from all the sugar highs, hot cocoa, decorating, holiday cheer and holiday stress stuff.
Me? You care? Well, I'm studying for a professional certification exam for my day job on Dec 19, to wrap up just in time to pick up the mother-in-law at the train station just in time to kick off Christmas week by celebrating my derby widow's birthday with chicken wings and a quiet, at home party, stressed out all to sh*t and trying to get off my fat a** for some heavy workouts to battle those Christmas sugar cookies that are asking to replace cigarettes in my available "best-friend"/crutch opening, and being smoke free (75 days tomorrow). I want to skate, but it's snowing. waaaaa.
I'll be online a little less because of that stuff over the next two weeks, but never fear. If I find out anything at all good, I'll pass it on. Twitter me, or facebook me, and I'll be around!
Oh, and I'll leave you with this. Fellow blogger Raven is diggin' this article on one of her favorite jammers: Sadistic Sadie http://www.fracturemag.com/derby/features/sadistic-sadie. And a little birdie told me that Montreal will be hosting Beast of the East II in April. So all you Eastern Canadian and a few of you east coasters, get ready... Who will take on 2008 Beast Champs, the Hamilton Harlots? Who will take home the crazy monster head on a platter? And will Nia get to go back to Montreal for the event and make it through the after party without losing anything or bleeding at any time? You heard it here first... hahaha maybe.... April 2009, the biggest thing north of the 49th. B there or B Square.
I'll try to get you a last minute roller derby Christmas shopping list. I am running behind this year!
New England Regional Skills Clinic presented by GMDD
There are 6 more sleeps until the kick-off of the Green Mountain Derby Dames (GMDD) New England Regional Skills Clinic with Bonnie D. Stroir and Bully Julie of the San Diego Derby Dolls on Nov 22-23 in Burlington, Vermont. (actually the local is in Essex Junction, VT). You can still register for the inexpensive event ($55 registration includes a box lunch both days, and USARS insurance will be available for Canadian and newbie skaters.)
And about the Canadian Roller Derby skaters, there will be a full-fledged invasion of Canada into this event. There are MTLRD (Montreal) , HCRG (Hamilton, ON) and FCDG (London, ON) attendees I know of personally, and I believe there may be some others. I am excited to be heading out Friday for the two day event!!
So get your gear, book your hotel, and get your butt to Vermont next weekend! If you can't make it, just stop by here, Friday for the pre-trip, Saturday night for a day 1 write up, and Monday for full updates from the party, Day 2, and my road trip experiences.
Tri-City Thunder vs Montreal Sexpos - Oct 25 - Little Bout of Horrors
If you are a newer rollergirl, and you haven't yet hopped in a car full of rollergirls to go see a bout of other teams, you need to plan something like that with your friends. You'll learn things like what they do in their day jobs, about their derby widows, pets, and of course, you can all talk roller derby, derby gossip, derby, derby, derby.... and then go see a bout of roller derby!
Last night, it was off to New Hamburg, just 24km outside of the Kitchener-Waterloo area, about 35-40 minutes west of Hamilton. When we got to the arena, just before team intros, I found out Tri-City found an arena that is no longer used, and so it has no ice being put down and rents out cheap, so they have a perfect place to put on a bout.
I waved hello to Tri-City, and hugged a few of my ex-teammates from Montreal as we walked past the lined up skaters to get into the suicide seats. The bout was 2 periods of 30 minutes, and the first half hour showed that Tri-City has been working their asses off. They were fast, had great teamwork but their blockers, and were often able to form a wall at the front of the pack, leaving Montreal blockers behind. Both teams suffered multiple penalties, often for blocking out of play. At the end of the first period, the score was 23-65 for the Sexpos. The Sexpos jammers weren't always lead jammer, but they racked up points and proved to be fast, agile skaters that could block their way through Tri-City when necessary.
Notable shows: Tri-City's Bareleigh Legal took a hit so hard, she flew out of bounds and almost into her team. She tried to make it back to the track so she wouldn't have to sit out for two jams, and she was suspected to have a broken rib... Tri-City has some tough derby girls for sure.
L'il Homewrecker, of Montreal, who was injured for the Montreal regular season, was in fine form last night, and No Holds Bard #2X4 and Heartless Bitch #33 1/3 are great jammer additions for the Montreal league.
For the second half, Montreal continued to dominate in scoring, and the hits got harder, the crowd cheered louder for the Tri-City Thunder jammers as they got lead jammer status and kept fighting throughout the period. The final score was 112-50 for the Montreal Sexpos.
Wanna see a video of one of the jams?
Notable Trivia: ** Tri-City Roller girls have been assisted with training by Anita Martini, who played her last game as a Thames Fatales in London's Skate of the Dead last week. She is a Kitchener, and I hear she's joining Tri-City for her next season.
** 5 players for the Sexpos are fresh meat for Montreal, that aren't drafted to final teams yet, and had never played in a public bout.
** Stone Mason, was the announcer, a great one, by the way, and HCRG refs and players volunteered to help out in the penalty box as well as reffing.
** HCRG is playing against Coal City Rollers today, so the folks that were in Tri-City last night and at that after party, were all travelling today to Pennsylvania.
Oh, and the after party? Wow, for a place that's a good 25-30km from the arena, the turnout at the after party was awesome. I hear KW is a "University" town, but here's a thought... aren't they all? Roller derby just rocks, and of course people turn out when they are turned on to it, right?
Ok, and final thought for today: While talking with Autumn Von Rotten of the London Thrashers last night, I told her this:
Roller derby is the best sport ever, and everyone should play it. If they can't play it, they should ref it or volunteer for it. If they can't do that, they should be fans of it, and everyone should buy merch to support it. And I believe two things: It's better to lose than not play, and better to fall down than not skate.
So tomorrow, I'm doing two things. I'm shopping and creating Halloween craft madness for a decorating contest at my office, and then I'm changing from Martha Stewart on punk rock into Nia Capps, of Derbyluv.com to head out to the TCRG (That's Tri-City Roller Girls in Ontario, not to be confused with Terminal City Roller Girls in Vancouver) Thunder vs Montreal Sexpos bout in Kitchener, ON. Ok, actually, it's Hamburg. And Kitchener and Waterloo are tight. ;)
New Hamburg Arena 251 Jacob St. New Hamburg ON Doors at 6pm, first whistle at 7pm
Tickets:Adv. $10 Door $12
Advanced Tickets available at the following locations: Delerium Clothing - WaterlooOrange Monkey - WaterlooDNA Screening - KichenerWordsworth Books - WaterlooUppercase Books - New Hamburg and from any derby girl.
After party at the Kent room at the Huether Hotel in Waterloo.
Ok, besides that, here's the scoop.
This is the debut bout of the TCRG newly-formed travel team, the TCRG Thunder. TCRG is a somewhat new league (The Tri City Roller Girls held their first official public intra-league bout on August 30) and I admire these girls because I heard about them starting up and within 7 months girls went from holding on to contact play, and now they are ready to start playing away and have their travel team formed. That's fantastic! And of course, as a former MTLRD rollergirl from Les Contrabanditas, I was all crazy to find out who was coming out for the Montreal Sexpos, MTLRD's new B-Team Travel team.
Lo and behold, someone I've mentioned on here before from a fond memory - El Kaboom, MTLRD, Contrabanditas, is the team captain, and L'il Homewrecker, formerly of NSOTB and also a Contrabandita, who I called to on the Krpytonic wheels post when I hooked up with Rollergirl for the no smoking challenge, is on that roster too. Along with Charlotte Bruise-a-lot, and a host of other MTLRD players - some of which I know and love, and some of which I never got the chance to play with. They are all headed west to go up against the Thunder!
I met some of the TCRG ladies at the London game last weekend, and although they are a tiny bit nervous for their debut as the TCRG travel team, they are ready to roll! I think this is going to be fun! Oh and my friend Trash N Smash, NSOTB and a Contrabandita, is workin' the merch table, so you'll find me there at least once or twice. Hello after party!
And then sleep and more Halloween work and normal errands for the weekend.
I may have to skip practice with HCRG on Sunday this week, due to a groin muscle I pulled at the gym today when I increased my weight amounts I was lifting and over stepped a little too far on a lunge.... OW! But I'll see!
I hear Raven is headed to Redding, CA and will be a guest announcer at a bout out there. Good Luck to her. Georgia W Tush is still a travellin' lady. I think the last I saw of her, she was in Nashville TN, and was finding it weird down South. I wish I coulda talked to her, I think I coulda helped her out. Anyway, she's still roaming, so if you see her, show her some luv!
Derby in Dairyland, the WFTDA Easter Regionals Tournament is on this weekend, Oct 10-12. There are several things to take note of for this event. 1) The Charitable events by the Mad Rollin' Dolls and the party schedule 2) The Bout schedule, of course, and the top seeds - DNN is travelling but watch out as we get closer to the day. 3) Texas won over Bay Area 135-59 final at the Battle Royale Western Regionals last weekend. If you weren't watching the stream and games on DNN last week, where were you?! Oh and Rice Rocket of TXRD... I'd like to see her and Iron Wrench of Montreal jamming it out. My god what a bout that would be! New Skidz, please, saddle up and get it on with TXRD in 09!
LA Derby Dolls introduced their new team, the Varsity Brawlers on the 4th. But, sadly, I don't see an update on the LA Dolls website yet to link to. I'll keep my eyes open. I'm on a blackberry now, so if you send events to me on Facebook, I'll be able to see them and post them on the run.
Rein Valley Vixens Need Skaters: The Rein Valley Vixens, of the Lower Mainland Roller Derby out in B.C. are doing some fundraising and are in recruitment to add skaters to their league for the next season. Check that out! New leagues, I adore!
Derby Team Splits in Two! Albany, NY is the scene of a split in a league where the dispute stemmed over the "MORE FIGHTS" "LESS SHOW", "MORE WORK""MORE PLAY" doctrines of roller derby. I've seen this before. Some people love the aspects of roller derby that includes the characterization, attitude, showiness, dressup, and battles/fights/show-off moves, while others are athletic and want the uniforms to reflect sports uniforms more, and want the organization of a true athletic commitment with more discipline, work, and competitiveness.
The good thing about roller derby is that you can have both, but I see this becoming more and more common as those that got into roller derby for the attitude and fun, are slowly separated from the more competitive and serious skaters that want to rank in WFTDA and be #1 at all costs. And don't forget the teams that are also split because they prefer OSDA rules, or have co-ed teams. Roller Derby is awesome in all it's flavors, so just remember, there's different kinds of roller derby, and all of it is a good time!
Of course, if there's news on "Whip It", I'm watching!: An Ari Graynor Quote on Whip it! is in a recent interview she did for her upcoming movie projects. (You may need to scroll down a bit, it's near the end). I'd like to send a Derby Luv T-Shirt to Drew Barrymore, so I need to find out how to do that.....
And well, Derby Luv, let's see - well, paper dolls, roller derby events, training and skating aside, Derby Luv is trucking along. If there's anything you want to see or want more of at Derby Luv, just drop me a line at info (at) derbyluv.com. - Derby luv to ya, Nia Capps #74
And I'd have to say that your best parties choice of the Mad Rollin' Dolls MIGHT have a runner up in Montreal - but I'd have to party in Dairyland to test that theory - but I hear my alma mater roller derby league is getting the rep for being quite the party league. I'm serious, you should get passports and work out something with Georgia W Tush, cause I bet the party would be fabulous! I'd even take a trip back to Montreal to see that! Country cover songs of "Baby Got Back", you say?
The Big news over at the Derby News Network and in WFTDA realm, of course, is the Fall Brawl tomorrow down in Ft Wayne. Hammer City is on the Non-WFTDA line-up. I hope to get word on how they do after.
In other derby news, The Sault rollergirls in Northern Ontario are looking for new practice space - icing down all the arenas for hockey is a Canadian rite of passage as the cold bite of fall hits the wind, but for derby leagues all over Canada and the northern US, it means a hunt for an indoor place to practice in the winter. How can you come out swinging in the spring for your season, if you can't skate for 7 months of the year? Good luck to them, and if you're in that area and know of a place, Please contact Elora Nelson at (705) 253-2044 or email purple__mascara@hotmail.com check the website: http://www.saultrollergirls.com/
Next week, MTLRD New Skidz on the Block will be taking on the Brooklyn Bombshells down in Gotham City. If you're on Facebook, Here is the event page. If not, brownpapertickets has tickets, or check out the Gotham Girls site. I haven't heard from Georgia W Tush since she went out on tour with the band, but I hope she's playing and let's us know how that one goes.
Way out in October, watch for a Skate of the Dead, hosted by the Forest City Roller Girls in London, ON. The facebook event says it's October 18. The Forest City Roller Girls website is under construction, so I'm looking out for this league, as they have been playing hard for their first season in 2008. Next year should rock in Ontario and Canada with all the leagues coming up.
In Nia Capps news, I'm in the gym 5 days, count that again, 5 days per week for a 45 minute workout every lunch hour, and I'm skating on the weekends (or if rainy, hiking). I am on an 8 month journey to hit the GTA Rollergirls in April when I get ready to slide a little back east into Mississauga and Toronto area, ready to kick ass. Hopefully, I'll still get to a couple of practices with HCRG in the interim, or with GTA. Slapallonia may hook me up.
Everything is going great. Ok ok, so I had a bad reaction to some Novocaine after a dentist visit yesterday and today I am resting because my face is numb and tingly and I'm nauseated. But shut up, I am doing AWESOME!
In Derby Luv news, I have a new short sleeved Derby Luv T-shirt, along with a long-sleeved Derby Luv T-Shirt on their way to keep me Derby Luv style for my around towns, and a big shout out and thanks to everyone that has decided to wear their Derby Luv this year!
On my project list I have a product review for some derby-inspired toys, and I'm waiting to see if I can get an interview with the derby girl that won $35k on a game show. Do you know what I am talking about? Hmmm, a derby trivia quiz for your weekend!
Oh yeah, and a fellow Southern Belle, an Atlanta Rollergirl was chosen as a skater for "Whip It!" - a body double stunt woman skater I should say, as a body double for Eve. That is awesome! I wonder who I could body double for... hmmmm Wynona Judd? Screw that, by April it'll be for Xena. ;)
New Skidz on the Block (MTLRD) win over HCRG - Awesome Game!
Hey hey derby-luvvers!
Sorry it took a couple of recovery days for the news, but my weekend travels to Montreal for the MTLRD vs HCRG game on Saturday night was crazy fun!
As usual, to a good loud crowd and 2 for $5 cold PBR cans of beer, MTLRD put on their usual good show. This season MTLRD is playing 2 periods of 30 minutes. At first I was concerned, when I saw the end of the first period with players hot and tired, but as a fan, the two periods and the one break in the middle gave me more game time, and kept me watching with more glee. And MTLRD introduced their New Skidz cheerleaders this weekend. They need megaphones due to the bad arena acoustics, but the crowd loved them anyway, and they did a great job!
(above: me and Georgia after the game. And who said we were never together?)
The crowd murmured over Iron Wrench and gasped over L'il Momma, cheered for Cat Attack and Wrath Poutine, and loved Georgia W Tush as always. HCRG were out in full HCRG style with Cheesegrater, Karla Koma, BitchSlap Barbie, Sheer Hell, Ivy Rupted.... well don't have my program on-hand right now, but it was a great game! At the end of the first period, MTLRD led with 33-10 as the score. But by the middle of the second period, HCRG had come back and the score was 41-38.
After a timeout, the New Skidz showed their grit and hung on and gained to win it 58-48. I cheered for both teams, but was so proud of the New Skidz, and my previous team and league-mates that I was happy even though shocked that I saw HCRG lose... I've never seen them lose before - it was creepy! (just kidding! I was amazed though!)
The after party started out at KGB and we migrated to a Bar across the street for various shenanigans, and I even found time to hang out with my friend, Seth, who is a part-time DJ for MTLRD. God, I blended in just like I never left, and I miss my Montreal friends a lot! But Life is good here in Ontario too. And I will figure out how to stay in roller derby. Have no Fear!
MTLRD New Skidz vs Hammer City Eh! Team Saturday July 12
So you've missed me? Or maybe you haven't Most of you haven't met me... oh well, I luv you anyway and we all luv roller derby, so what the hell? I'm travelling back to Montreal this weekend and I will be going to the MTLRD New Skidz on teh Block vs HCRG's Eh! Travel team on Saturday night.
Doors are at 7 PM - info is here! (Sorry I couldn't post the flyer, the image server is down at the moment) $10 in advance, $12 at the door!
I wonder where the after party is... oh I hope Syndrome! So even though I haven't been training recently, I might get to hang with the HCRG girls that I already like, and my old friends from MTLRD - if any of them have 5 minutes to hang that is.
Other than that, things are rollin as always... work, roller derby vicariously through Georgia W Tush and every league I can find online, plans to get a car and become a fresh meat rookie in the fall for HCRG, or maybe - well you never know where I'll end up.
Have a great derby weekend, check out your local roller derby this weekend and let me know how the game goes! You can be on Derby Luv too!
Wow, I am ex-haus-ted! Sorry I have not been writing about my shananigans these days, but I have been sooo freakin' tired, on the go, and spare time challenged. With all of my other commitments, I have not been able to find the energy to write in here.
So I guess that brings me to my first thing to write about. Please, any of you who are involved with roller derby on any level, learn the art of delegation. For instance, I am currently the founder of Montreal Roller Derby aka interleague schmoozer. To add to that, I am the league president, part of the travel team, captain for my league team, training committee, and promotion committee. Please, do not attempt all of this at the same time, for the sake of you and your loved one's sanity.
However, during this time of never ending emails, drama, and questions, I have had the chance to travel. And boy, have I ever travelled! June was my main traveling month that began with a trip to good ol' California to play the San Diego Derby Dolls. If I've ever come across great hosts, those ladies are at the top of my list. Not only did we win our game against SDDD's Hard Corps, but we also won the after party!
Of course, this trip turned into somewhat of a vacation for our team that game all the way from the frosty North. And here my friends, is where my league invented the intense steamrolling derby competition.
I assume that you are all familiar with the game steam roller where you roll over your friends preferably on a bed-like environment. Well folks, we first made it into a competition. First we pushed the two beds together in the hotel, and let the games begin! One person starts face down and arms at the side on each side of the bed, someone yells, go, and whomever rolls over the other player legally is the champion. Being the competitive natured girls that we are, we decided to make this game a tournament. And to further advance the sport of steam rolling, we turned the game into doubles. One jammer, and one blocker on each team. So both teams start at their respective sides of the bed, and on the "GO" the blocker attempts to block the other jammer and blocker, while getting their jammer over. And yes, launching is perfectly legal. We passed this game onto our sister league Hammercity RG's at our afterparty, who passed it along to Toronto Roller Derby. Word on the street is that HCRG's Dicey ended up with a black eye during one of the bouts. Here is a little preview of the amazing game of steamrolling, Screw roller derby, steam roller is the future!!! PJ's optional.
I also had the chance to check out Philly's East Coast Extravaganza! Which was freakin' AMAZING! First of all, it was organized sooo well. I got to skate in the Veggies vs Steak N Eggs challenge, in which the veggies rightfully won. The skill level from the teams and skaters was fantastic. The two most exciting games I watched were the Gotham Girls vs TXRG game, and Carolina vs Windy City. I think Beyonslay's Slayride was the greatest moment of my life, and the fact that Rice Rocket got up the moment she hit the ground upside down was the second greatest moment of my life. Another proud moment of the weekend was when I got to be the Tea Bag mascot for the Boston B Party! We were honored to host them and Charm City back in the end of May. We showed 'em a good time! The last rad moment I will mention was when Charles the shuttle bus driver allowed us to pack 24 people in his van. We chanted awesome things the whole ride there, including "Charles in charge!"
Finally, my month of June ended with taking a trip a bit West and stopping in Winnipeg, Manitoba to train the new roller derby league there. It is so fun to see a group of people at that stage again. Although I am still glad that we are finally wayyy passed that point. So much work ahead of them, but they're going to be awesome!
So that's it for now, June was great and hopefully July will be even better! VEGAS BABY!!!!!!
Cheers for never ending beers,
Georgia W Tush
p.s. I have given up on wearing real pants, and haven't worn jeans in over a month!!!
So I am all settled into Hammer City (Hamilton) Ontario. I finally bumped into Staplehead, Hammer City Rollergirls' League President yesterday, and I may get to finally strap my skates back on for the first time since straining a calf muscle in late March or so. (Sunday for a 4 hour practice) - Yay! Skates! But I'm nervous a bit. I know two months is a long time off-skate, maybe I will suck and make a bad first impression... or maybe I'll be fine and then may feel bad if I can't work out a schedule to make the weekday practices... either way, I may be down trodden. I'll keep you posted as I try to revive my roller derby career now that my relocation is done.
In the meantime, I have not given up on roller derby at all, and I hope you haven't given up on Derby Luv. I have been perusing news, like this article that revisits "Hell On Wheels" at austin360.com and did you hear that The Death Row Dames in Hamilton won over Ottawa Roller Derby on May 24th? That's what I heard! And Saskatoon got it's first taste of roller derby when The Hell's Belles and Bridge City Bombshells played to a sold out crowd this past weekend.
I've talked to Hammer City folks, and hear there is a game coming up with the Steel Town Tank Girls vs The London Thrashers next week (jun 7). (more details when I have them). In Toronto, the TORD is playing on the same date, The Death Track Dolls take on the Bay Street Bruisers.
And there is "Skate Through This" a double header in Montreal on June 14th. Les Filles du Roi will be going up against Boston B-Party and La Racaille against the Charm City B-Team. Also on the 14th: Calgary's CRDA Hellion Rebellion Travel Team vs. Victoria's Eves of Destruction, in Victoria, BC.
Lots of summer derby fun for everyone! Stay tuned, I'm back and ready to bring you some more roller derby news!
First off, kudos to MTLRD for pulling this event together and setting up this tournament. What a derby crash course for those that aren't familiar with it, what a challenge for the newer teams, and what a chance to show off for the established teams.
Here's a breakdown - well as much as I caught(I was stuck working the bar longer than my planned shift), but I will try to get the proper results and scores from our Head Ref later...
Steel Town Tank Girls (W) vs Smoke City Betties (L) La Racaille (W) vs The Bytown Blackhearts (L) Death Row Dames (L) vs Devil Dollies (W) Steel Town Tank Girls (L) vs La Racaille (W) ToRD D-VAS (L) vs MTLRD Les Contrabanditas (W) Semi-Final 1: Les Contrabanditas (L) vs La Racaille (W)
ToRD Gore Gore Rollergirls (L) vs Hamilton Harlots (W) Bay Street Brusies (W) vs Thames Fatales (L) London Thrashers (L) vs ToRD Chicks Ahoy (W) Death Track Dolls (L) vs Les Filles du Roi (W) Chicks Ahoy (L) vs Les Filles du Roi (W) Hamilton Harlots (W) vs Bay Street Bruisers (L) Semi-Final 2: Hamilton Harlots (W) vs Les Filles du Roi (L)
Beast of the East: Hamilton Harlots
Special nods go out to the London Thrashers, Death Row Dames, and the Thames Fatales. This was one of the first games for some of these teams, and kudos to them for working hard and doing ther best. London played with 7 players against a full bench of Chicks Ahoy, and that was awesome.
Other special notes, the teams to beat will obviously be the Hamilton Harlots, Les Filles du Roi, and a runaway win in their second appearance in MTL La Racaille. Iron Wrench, jammer and captain of La Racaille created a buzz amongst the crowd with her speed and natural agility. Hamilton Harlots, though, deserved the Beast of the East title, they skated tight, fast, and smart. Since I'm moving to Hamilton in a couple of weeks, my response was, " I wanna grow up to be a Harlot someday."
Okay then, it was a long day and a crazy after party, so I will see about getting those scores. In the meantime, you can check out all these teams online for news on their season openers. Derby Luv to ya!
Last night, I entered Les Saints on St-Catherine St in Montreal after meeting some of the London Thrashers outside. Those rollergirls made the almost 8 hour trek to Montreal and were tired but excited to be here.
Inside I found a couple of my Contrabanditas teammates working the door, and got a look at the team reception gift tote bags that are filled with merch and tournament goodies, and I only wish I had a camera for those of you that are not here to see them, because the tote bags made by Outlaw Productions (owned by Jess Bandit of Les Filles du Roi) were awesome!
As teams arrived, we noticed ToRD was running late with their travel and hoped they would arrive soon, and Hammer City arrived in full force, all at once, with cheers of hellos.
I spent some time at the bar with Myna Misshap and Blammo, the only ToRD girls that were already checked in and talked about Toronto and Montreal.
MUFF (Montreal Underground Film Festival) opened the event with prize raffles of T-Shirts and tickets to the next night's Lesbians on Exctasy show. Then it was time for "Hell on Wheels". I am sad to report, if you haven't seen it yet, that the review were right. Not enough skating or details about league starting, too much talking. But the movie does really show off how attached to a new league founders can become. The 4 team captains of the original BGGW were so afraid to give up control, they almost lost their league. Happily, for all of us, we all know that Roller Derby spawned from the Austin beginning and thanks to those Texas ladies, we all get to play now!
At the end of the movie, we got a preview of the Beast of the East trophy. Created by Tommy Toxic, a MTLRD ref, it's a trophy that is at least 4 1/2 feet high, a golden pedestal marked with The Beast, and Le Bete (en francais) holds a man hole cover tilted like the serving dish in the MTLRD logo, with a beast head left bleeding being served up. MTLRD plans for it stay in Montreal, but I heard stirrings of the Hammer City plans to take it home to Hamilton. Games start in 45 minutes, and 12 hours from now, the Beast of the East champions for 2008 will be decided... and someone is going home with The Beast!
Beast of the East Weekend Commencing in ... 5... 4... 3...
Yes, I blog from work occasionally when I am on break - though I know they'd hate it. I can't help it today, as I am coungting down until the Beast of East tournament kicks off here in Montreal. Even though I am off roster and can't play in the tournament itself, here's what my weekend schedule looks like:
Friday 5 PM work day is over (WOOHOO!) 5 a 7 (that's sank ah set if pronounced by me) with work with 2 for 1 mixed drinks or beer... on a beautiful spring day... Slam back 2, party party... go home - go shop (I really need some clothes) - change into Nia Capps and head to the registration party, and "Hell on Wheels" Screening to kick off the Beast weekend. Add drinks, meeting those that will become my Hamilton, ON roller derby family and crying over it being my last Montreal HOO-RAH, more beers, movie at 10 PM -..... who knows?
Saturday 9 AM - get up and get moving... cat to the vet, pills to make her sleep on moving day, shop (I am sure I won't find anything tonight, I hate shopping for work clothes), then get to the Beast tournament late at about 2 PM (hopefully by 1 PM in time to catch my friend Seth on a DJ Set for the morning semi final game.
At some point, I'll be working a volunteer few hours shift doing something (don't know yet) and then cheer my lungs out for some more time, with beer. Then 10 PM off to bar Syndrome for the after party... I can't imagine the debauchery that will go on there. Oh, and it's MTLRD's 2nd birthday so there may be surprises! Cab it home, drunk and disorderly...
Sunday 8 AM Get up and get going, in sunglasses with aspirin and a bottle of OJ and Water - chicken soup broth.... ugggggggBRUNCH - say good bye and see you next week to all my Hammer City friends to be, cheer MTLRD for a successful completion of the first annual Beast of the East - hug all of my Ditas.... and saunter off to sleep for 12 hours.
I wish I had a camera so bad... I'll have to hope Georgia fishes some photos from people and comes through for you, I know it's going to be a blast!
GO HABS GO! I mean, GO DITAS GO! I mean... BLACK MARKET DERBY! ummmm you know...
So everyone knows now, so I can publicize it... The Beast of the East Tournament in Montreal on April 18-20 is my last hoorah with MTL Roller Derby. No, I didn't kill anyone, drunk drive a truck into our practice building, or get kicked out for being injured (Grade 2 calf muscle strain/pull 2 weeks ago), I'm leaving Montreal for greener, more English, pastures (if not as awesome) and will be moving on down to the Hammer. That's Hamilton, Ontario, for those that are not familiar. Home of the Hammer City Rollergirls, the Hamilton Harlots, Steel Town Tank Girls, and Death Row Dames.
I have to say, I was happy to hear Hammer City might have some spots open for recruitment this year, so maybe my derby career can continue. I hope I can work my new life schedule around their practice times and just fit right in.... secretly, as a Contrabandita in Montreal, I want to be a Harlot if I have to move. Why? They are the only team I saw that amazed me and beat Les Filles du Roi when we all played last year, and beacuse everything I own is Dita red and black, so my wardrobe already matches.... hahaha
But would I jump to play a Death Row Dame or a Steel Town Tank Girl? Hells yeah! If I go to Death Row Dames, Nia Capps fits (as in I broke a girl's knee caps) If I go to Steel Town, it works, as in (I got a new set of steel knee caps) but if I become a Harlot, Nia Capps takes on whole other meanings hahaha. I think I'll change my name to RiaPurr instead ;)
With packing, Beast of the East, the move, and time to sleep, my posts may be VERY sporadic over the next few weeks, hopefully Georgia W Tush and our other bloggers won't totally abandon you! I'll get here when I can, and will blog about Beast of the East as much as I can this weekend! Get ready!
MESQUITE , TX . (March 13, 2008) - It's Time to Bring Conspiracy Back to the Track!
Trigger Mortis has alerted me that ACRD is starting their 2008 season on March 29, the same day MTL Roller Derby kicks of their season with their travel team, The New Skidz on the Block, taking on the Dutchland Rollers in Lancaster, PA.
ACRD says: The spunky skaters of Assassination City Roller Derby will roll out their first bout of 2008 with the season opener on Saturday, March 29.
The girls will host their neighbors to the north, the Victory Dolls of Oklahoma, in the first game of the night, aptly named "Victory or Death." In this competition, which kicks off at 7 p.m., seasoned skaters of both leagues’ interleague travel teams will duke it out.
The second game of the night, "Battle to the Death," will feature skaters from Assassination City , the Oklahoma Victory Dolls and two Texas leagues, Piney Woods Roller Derby and the East Texas Bombers.
The event promises all the wickedness on wheels you remember from last year, complete with beatings, bloody noses, beer-can pyramids and bands. It also brings a lineup of new faces – check out rising stars Mona Bruiser and Olive Illegal – as well as a new season schedule and a new venue.
Assassination City events will be held every third Saturday night through September at Dad’s Broadway Skateland, 3022 Moon Dr., in Mesquite. Find a complete schedule online at http://www.acderby.com. Events are BYOB, no glass.
Tickets for each bout are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Kids under 10 get in free. Buy tickets in advance from the league’s web site or at the following locations: CD World, Dad’s Broadway Skateland, Doublewide Bar, Pluckers, Absinthe Lounge, and Skatebus Skateshop.
And don't forget our Day of the Dead themed prebout party March 22 at the Doublewide Bar, 3510 Commerce in Dallas, and our killer after-bout parties are always held at Lee Harvey's, 1807 Gould in Dallas, where you can hang with all the derby girls!
Women's Roller derby, the nation’s fastest-growing sport, combines speed, action, aggression and feminine grace. Assassination City went from a dream to a Dallas destination in 2005. The member-owned league is part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.
Thanks, Trigger! It is nice to know Roller derby is gearing up and rolling for another year. MTLRD will be hosting the Beast of the East Tournament, the First Eastern Canadian Roller Derby Tournament with 16 teams from across eastern Canada and the US, and we're all in a flurry of roller derby right now. I hope I can make it to Rollercon this year to meet everyone!
What's wet, red, black and white, and makes people cheer?
The answer: A 6 foot paper mache rollerskate on the back of a truck with a MTL Roller Derby color scheme and a little snow falling on it.
Optional correct answer, Georgia W Tush in red lame pants and black undies that say TUSH in white that is skating like the roller derby hero she is along with a bunch of our other roller girls in Montreal's 184th St Patrick's Day parade.
Ellen Page will star in Whip It! too! And it's noted she has to undergo some serious physical training for her role in this, and a horror movie. She'll play a roller derby queen it says. I say find some real rollergirls, please! I love Ellen page and Drew Barrymore and all that, but rollergirls are awesome!
Oh, and what has coat hangers, chicken wire and today's news? A 5 foot paper mache roller skate! MTLRDL's Creative Committee is madly trying to finish off some truck decorations for Montreal's St. Patricks Day parade event in a couple weeks, and we ended up with a bigger production than we thought. Do you have any idea how to make 13 in- 14 in diameter wheels that will support a 5 foot by 5 foot paper mache skate? Hmmm we're on it an you will see the results when it's done....
PS - Derby Luv is going to remain as bland as I have been lately, because my digital camera broke a couple months ago. (The on/off button no longer turns it on or off). I am totally at a loss for pictures and video now. IF you can shop at the derby luv skate shop, are willing to donate to Derby Luv, or have an old digital camera you are getting rid of to get me through until I can buy another, please let me know.
Oh boy, so much to write, but so very, very, very lazy!
So two weeks ago, I had the chance to make it down to the fabulous town of Mount Laurel, New Jersey. I personally recommend the dollar store that is going out of business near the rink, and the restaurant Friendly's with their outrageous portions of salad dressing for a side salad. The REAL reason I was in the big ML however, was to check out the Penn Jersey She Devil's vs our gals the Hammer City Rollergirls for the Roller Derby Hall of Fame weekend on Oct 27th. HCRG were playing OSDA rules for their first time. After many squeaky butt cheeks on that newly polished floor, the PJ's came out on top with a score of 85 to 57. HCRG's Dangermouse even sacrificed a healthy leg for her girls, but unfortunately it was not enough. Send her your love, and maybe an unbroken leg!
That was the first time I have ever seen an OSDA bout, and it was quite the experience! It took me a while to finally catch on due to my lack of being able to follow instructions, pay attention, and read clear explanations in the program. Although once I figured it out, it was a very exciting game! One rule that I found interesting was how the lead jammer could change numerous times throughout the jam, and if the second jammer was stuck at the back of the pack their pivot could instantly take over as jammer. That keeps a pivot on her toes! One rule that I wasn't a fan of was that if a jammer went out of bounds while she was going through the pack, she;s have to go to the back of the pack. That rule would literally KILL me as a jammer, I think I'd be banned to the back. Plus, I found that there were too many elbows for my liking. Maybe I'm a wuss?
It was also cool to see some of the former Old School players getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. I was disappointed with the turn out of the night. Perhaps there were more people at the other events that weekend, but I found attendance quite low at the bout. Especially since there's a high concentration of derby leagues in that area, it was an international bout, and it was H.O.F. weekend. C'man people, where is the "Derby Luv"? Hahaha...ok I'm not funny.
Anyway, the Penn Jersey gals were great, and the after party was a blast. Karaoke, weird old men asking if we there were a lot of lesbians, and me getting kicked out of the bar for an attempt at stealing an inflatable parrot off the wall with Tequila Sunrise. Bastards.
NEXT DAY: Oct 28
Trip to Hyde Park, New York, to play the Hudson Valley Horrors. Best part of the whole trip? The fact that the inside the RollerMagic Roller Rink matched the New Skids (MTLRD allstar) team's neon uniforms. Hell yes!
The bout was tons o' fun, and it was a great game. Considering we're two leagues that are quite new to the derby scene, there were a lot of hard hits, fast skaters, and effective blocking. Guest skater Captain Morgan from the Long Island Roller Rebels knocked me on my ass numerous times. Perhaps a few too many! But don't worry, she'll get hers..by playing two more bouts each week following that game! haha sucker
The final score was 89:HVH 116:MTLRD (i think!). Hudson Valley was awesome, thanks ladies! And a tidbit of information, Hyde Park, NY, is the home of FDR. He had a very large house, and I saw it!
Some shout outs go to... Hudson Valley Horrors Hammer City Roller Girls Penn Jersey She Devils Mr. Rawk (Head Ref from Gotham Girls and temp announcer on OCT 28) Long Island Roller Girls Pioneer Valley RG's for comin' to the game!
So our usual Sunday practices were cancelled yesterday as we had our next to last Boot Camp for MTLRD for newbies and recruitment in the morning, and then the Ottawa Roller Derby girls came out and for "practice" we did some mini-scrimmages.
MTLRD ALL-Stars are hard into practice for the game on Oct 28th The Frankenskate!
Hey, those Ottawa girls got a good dose of what they need to do with the All-Stars and award winning jammers, Georgia W Tush, Iron Wrench and Cat Attack burning up the track... what a great training experience! And it helps remind you how far you've come to help out and cheer on a new team that's starting out.
Thanks, Ottawa! You're own your way and looking good! Thanks for the practice!
And note to self: Remember for the Christmas list - an old bike tire to make new toe protectors out of (cause it just looks cooler and it's cheaper than buying new ones every few months) , some new wheels - my Blue Demons for games on concrete and outdoors - but I need something for wood floors.
If you win the lottery of find a long lost unknown rich relatives inheritances, some Riedell 265s would be good because the 1000s are a bit tight on my toes! And a Derby Luv T-Shirt and some gifts for friends! - geez get with it, Nia!
Hey derby luvvers! I lost my glasses a few weeks ago so extra hours on a computer have been a little tough lately, but I'm replacing them this week, so I should be able to get back into the swing of things.
In the news: Check Georgia W Tush's post about the MTL All Stars team playing down in NY at the end of the month.
A roller derby girl and female football player was on "Deal or No Deal" last night. I am hunting for her name and contact info.
And Ken Sikes, Founder of the OSDA has been invited formally to blog with Derby Luv about OSDA news. I hope to see him join us soon, and that you enjoy an old-school view of roller derby!
A new season of MTLRD has begun, and I can smell the sweetness of victory ahead! But seriously folks, we've started up again, and I've noticed a new intensity and excitement from our players, practices, and league as a whole.
Life feels good once you get out of that first season. The awkward stage! Y'know, kinda like puberty. More skates and beer, but just as much crying and stress about nothing. Finding your derby name is like finding yourself. I hope I never find the papers with my potential alter ego's scribbled down. How embarrassing! I remember endlessly trying to find ways how to incorporate gore and rock and roll into one name. Clearly, that got me nowhere. In fact, I think the majority of names I came up with were names that I had already read on the roster, but then forgot, and thought I was witty. Or even your first "derby outfit" to that first event or fundraiser you have. Ugh.
But now we're coming to the the dawning of a new era. An era where we now know to hire real security guards (preferably of the lesser douchebag quality), we will be able to have our season booked more than 1 month before our first bout, and have enough change in the float to get us past 15 mins of ticket sales at the door. It's just common sense people! However that common sense is always MIA when you have no idea what to do, where to start, and try to plan a whole first season at the last minute. Time for a fresh start!
Dear MTLRD Season #1,
We've had some good times since April 2006, but now I think it's time for me to move on. I have found a new season that is more experienced, will take me to far away places like America, and will be a heck of a lot more organized then you ever were. I'll never forget you, but it's time to start something new.
Love always,
Your President, Georgia W Tush
****
Our league is also looking to travel and bout other leagues this season, because of our limited rink space. Damn you hockey season that seems to last almost all year long in these parts.
I have my eyes on Washington DC! I need to play there, and at least before the next election or any type of impeachment.
GO TO THIS! I'm not exactly sure where this place is yet, but if googlemaps doesn't fail me, everything will be a-ok. Viva Kingston/Hyde Park, New York! You girls will be blinded by our travel team's neon green uniforms.
It came to my attention recently that during an update sometime in the past, my contact form got busted and wasn't working. Thanks to Iva Issues from the Blitz Dames for letting us know! It's been fixed, so if you were trying to contact us, please resend your information. We're still looking for more bloggers to represent their teams and leagues with news, events, updates. I'm also open to interview and story ideas, and for bloggers for RollerCon 2007.
In other news, I took some time last night to finally start building our links page. I've added links to all the teams/leagues I've recently posted news for, as well as a few resource sites for skate maintenance, skate purchases, and derby information. Enjoy! If you are roller derby related, or interested in sponsoring a roller derby league in your area, let me know and we can trade links.
In personal news, I am excited to be working with MTLRD's newest Recruitment Manager, Trash N Smash for the soon re-opening of MTLRD league recruitment. Roller Derby is kicking back off for me and I am so happy about it. We get ready for that, go see the last bout of Hammer City on August 25th, celebrate my birthday while I am there, and then in September, it's back to training. Good thing I've been skating a lot this summer. I'm ready! (But I never did learn to jump that high, and haven't gotten my webstoppers to improve my toe run starts.) Hey, my birthday is coming up, maybe I can get an early present and nail that down pre-training season. There's still hope!
Later, derby luvvers.. I'm off to see the first NASCAR Busch Series race in Montreal - at least for a beer and some pictures of guys with mullets for my friend Liz On Ya - and to see a race where I usually skate.
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.
I worked the bar at this game, so I didn't see as much as I usually do, but I can tell you to watch out for Iron Wench and Sara Tops from the La Racaille in MTLRD. We haven't seen them play too much, but they are fierce competition for opposing teams.
I'm sad my season is over, but I am hard hitting on the diet and training for next year already, and I'm prepared to help coach and train our newbies for a fourth team for next year.
Video from MTLRD's Championship Bout - June 16, 2007
Not a cool highlight reel, but a few jams were caught on video from a fan at the bout last night. If you compare to videos of MTLRD from early this year, you can really see how much of an improvement in speed, endurance and skating everyone has had. What a season for these girls! Even the girls that didn't make the all-stars team are playing hard!
Check the MTLRD Roller Contrabanditas and Les Filles du Roi showing off on youtube!
Jam 1 - Beater Pan-Tease is lead jammer - FDR wins jam
Jam 2 - No Lead Jammer - 2 minutes of hell - 'ditas win jam
Jam 3 - L'il Momma gets lead jammer status - FDR wins jam
Jam 4 - last jam of the game - Injun #09 lead jammer - FDR wins
Last night's 2007 Season Championship of the MTLRD was the best game of the entire MTLRD history! The Contrabanditas played better than ever before, harder than ever before, and kept almost all Les Filles du Roi (FDR) from standing out as superstars...
FDR started well wih a 3-0 first jam, The Contrabanditas rallied back a few times during the game and were ahead twice. At the end of the first period, the score was 37-33 for FDR. early in the game, Contrabanditas' jammer, Cat Attack, had left the game after being pushed from behind and face planting into the concrete floor, hitting her mouth and busting her lip. We hope she is okay, but I'm waiting to hear about her. The score at the end of the second period was somewhere around 68-49 (to be confirmed) for FDR. The Contranbanditas rallied back a few times during the game and were ahead twice.
By the third period, penalties had started wracking up for both teams, but FDR didn't falter. My 'ditas weren't able to wrack up enough points enough to come back. L'il Homewrecker suffered a ligament injury in the third. The Contrabanditas played hard to the end, but we were beaten 98-71 making FDR the MTLRD 2007 Champions. Congrats to the FDR!
Speaking of Cat Attack's injury, I have to say, intentional, opposing blocker, two-handed shoving from behind into someone's back should be more than a minor penalty. Look in the NHL, look at the case of Bertuzzi, checking from behind can really hurt someone if it goes wrong. It's reckless and dangerous. The player that hit Cat was probably 3 times her size and weight. Had that gone wrong with Cat's face on the floor and someone that size falling atop her... well come on, I know it's roller derby, injuries are a when, not an if, blah blah, but it was just damn dangerous. Ok, soapbox is being put away now. Thanks for listening.. ;)
Well folks, it's back to business after my trip to Hamilton, Ontario this weeknd for the Roll In Rage double header featuring the MTLRD Contrabanditas and Les Filles du Roi v the Hamilton Harlots and the Steel Town Tank Girls where we lost with a good clean fight, and lost a player from the 'ditas due to a broken and fractured ankle. (poor Scarlette Impailya, aka Fox, we hope she is recovering well after surgery).
The latest and last of that special 5-girl series from the ACRD is up. Pyro Maim Ya with her fiery red hair is our newest rollergirl to befriend. So check her out!
Oh, and while I was away, Hurt Reynolds of Have Derby Will Travel found the Aleve commercial featuring the Rat City Rollergirls on Youtube, and I've posted it on the latest video on the right sidebar... it's cool!
Apocolypse Pow Q&A Interview is up and other stuff
So Apocolypse Pow is the second in the line of 5 of the ACRD (Assassination City Roller Derby) girls that all volunteered to be Derby Luv Rollergirls. Another derby queen on the books, and things are shaping up around here!
In other news, I have spent a few hours mapping my way from Montreal to Hamilton Ontario for the Roll In Rage bout with me and the MTLRD against the Hammer City Roller Girls on Saturday, June 9th. Les Contrabanditas (my team) go up against the Steel Town Tank Girls and the Les Filles du Roi fight it out with the Hamilton Harlots. By all reports Hamilton is tough to beat and a great derby league, so we'll see what comes of it. For more info, visit mtlrollerderby.com.
Tickets are on sale at the MTLRD website for our Championship Bout in Montreal on June 16th.
Thanks to everyone that's been interested in Derby Luv lately, and for all the suggestions, comments and luv sent derby luv's way. Remember, if you want to read about it, I'll write about it!
You will notice the new layouts and colors on the site. the pages within are slowing being migrated to the new design. I hate to sound like a 1996 webpage, but "please pardon the mess while we are under construction"
In big news, there are new rollergirls for you to get to know. Sour Cherry was interviewed weeks ago, but did you see her yet? Man, she will put fear into the heart of any rollergirl, and make men cry... love it!
And the first of five of the ACRD (Assassination City Roller Derby) players, Trigger Mortis, is live. FINALLY! I hope they all forgive my tardiness. Here's another girl after my derby luv. Next time I travel to Dallas, I think I may be able to go skate with Trigger and friends... I am SO psyched! And she doesn't know yet, but I've hung out at the DoubleWide in Dallas before. I have photos to prove it - very funny place. Check her out!
In Nia Capps news, I am all booked in my hotel for my first ever away game with MTL Roller Derby. A big double header match in Hamilton Ontario on Saturday will put me and my "'ditas" up against the Steel Town Tank Girls, and our league sisters and rivals, Les Filles du Roi against the Hamilton Harlots. Doors open at 3 PM I think - I am confirming where I'll be and I'll let you know!
OH, and a week later, we're playing our championship bout of this mini-first season for MTL Roller Derby, us ditas against the Les Filles, once again. Tickets will be on sale tomorrow from the website.
June 30th, you can see me at the MTL Roller Derby all-stars game as a Cheerleader. That's right - you may remember me from when I was 12 in the burgundy and white uniform from Oakland Elementary's Baseball Cheerleading squad if you were in Asheville, NC in about 1986-87 or so. I was the curvy one that you threw pennies at one Saturday. I threw those back hard, eh? But I kept your quarters mwa ha ha ha
Should be fun.. I'll be crushed when my little drunk squad mates all fall off the pyramid I'll be at the bottom of, but at least I'll have beer hahaha
Hell on wheels - Montreal Gazette reports on MTL Roller Derby's first interleague bout in Montreal on May 5th.
As the bout began, all hell broke loose. It was mayhem, a melee of rollergirls flying, crashing and tumbling.
Yeah, I can attest to that - my arms and shoulders are still fading the bruises from my opponents' boney shoulders and the helmet head butt I took to the face at the end of the last period left me with a fat abd bruised lip for a few days. I was surprised that I made it through my first bout with no retarded falls for no reason, and I know what I need to work on to be a better player, but when I took out an opposing blocker with a roll as seen here, then caught up to the pack in time to try to block the Les Filles jammer on the far side of the track, I was pleased. And a sold out crowd was an outstanding feat of our league, with only 3 weeks of promotion.
Thanks to everyone that came out, and everyone that is currently creating a buzz about Roller Derby in Montreal!
MTL Roller Derby next bout: Triple Threat Battle )Les Contrabanditas vs Les Filles du Roi, vs our Rookies (La Racailles (correct my spelling of this name if you can!) , May 19th, Arena Saint-Louis, 5633 Saint-Domnique, Montreal, QC.
Nia Capps, that's me, and the MTLRD are kicking off their condensed mini-season for their inaugural year of roller derby on Saturday May 5th.
I was injured with a sprained back muscle for our exhibition bout in February against the Gore Gore Rollergirls of Toronto, Ontario, (Final Score: 'Ditas 91- GGRG 89) so this will be my first full bout. I'll try to make sure I get a photo or two for you.
I'm nervous, hoping I don't totally make a fool of myself or let my team down, but I'm excited too. I want to see if all this training, and all my dreaming will translate into some kickass roller derby play or if I'll just lose my temper and wind up ejected from the game. It could happen, ya know. Win or lose, it's better to lose a game of roller derby than not to play at all, so I'm all in!
You can still get advance ticket prices up until Friday at $10 each adult, $5 each child 12 and under and $5 for children under 5 by visiting the MTLRD website, or myspace, or if you're in Montreal, find a rollergirl! The doors open at 7, fun starts at 7:30, tickets at the door are $12 each for adults. We'll be at Arena Saint Louis at 5633 Saint-Dominique in Montreal's Mile End/Plateau district.
I'm trying to form the words it will take to tell you how nervous, excited, and freaked out I am over being in the first game of this season, but all I really care about is a fantastic show and game for our audience, and a good turn out for my league to match our American derby sisters.
If you are in or can be in Montreal Quebec on May 5th, First Blood between Les Contrabanditas and Les Filles du Roi is the place to be!
Hey, people in Montreal have been dying for MTLRD to get a real game on, and it's finally here. Venue is booked, Les Contrabanditas vs Les Filles du Roi on Saturday May 5th. More details are coming, but get your contraband, booze, smokes and sombreros for the 'ditas, or your crowns, scepters and robes for the King's girls - and get ready for a battle.
Hey, if you are a friend over on myspace of myself, derbyluv or MTL Roller Derby, you already know the story. We can't find anywhere to hold our season opener this month, or anywhere to play our season.
All we need is a flat floor and some kind of bleachers or seating, we can do the rest ourselves, we'll set up and clean up after, we are assuring arena owners in Montreal that our crowds are no worse than hockey fans, our violence no worse than that in hockey, we'll have security, medical, and insurance... but they're not convinced. MTL Roller Derby is pleading, if anyone has or knows of any appropriate bout space in Montreal area, 8500 sq feet and up, please let them know. You can tell me and I can pass it on - this is my league, and I so want to get this show on the road, so to speak!
The MTLRD All Stars team won their final at home season bout on Saturday, 78-69.
