Well, here it comes. Last game of the FCDG (Forest City Derby Girls)' Thames Fatales is Saturday. We play the Vicious Dishes of Tri-City (TCRG) from Kitchener-Waterloo ON. Advance tickets are still available (limited) so get them now! Any FCDG rollergirl can help, or visit ticketscene.ca!
I had to notify my team captain today that my hopefulness did not equal fast-healing super powers. I am not playing. My doctor and husband won't give me permission.
I could play injured on this knee, but I'm risking much worse injury. A grade II sprain of an MCL ligament in the knee, probably isn't something I should play on. A little swelling, soreness, overuse type injury and like Fall 2008 I'd be on it all day, let it swell, it'd hurt less and off I'd go. But when the Dr. pulled at my leg and the joint had laxity - I felt it sorta move where it shouldn't have moved, ya know? Well I've weighed that against not playing, and chosen not to play on Saturday. If my team gets mad at me or thinks I am a wuss for it, so be it. Just because I choose to pretend it doesn't hurt (I say - it's only stiff - I am fine as long as I am not moving lateral or pivoting on that foot hahaha), doesn't mean it can take roller derby hits and falls for an hour. Am I doing the right thing?
Regardless, if I am off-roster, my season is already over, and was over before it got started. That makes a late start (April come back after over a year off skate) a no-start for 2009 with this, my second injury since April requiring a doctor's visit. This time, I get physio though! Hooray! Maybe I will finally figure out what I am doing so wrong to my lower limbs!
We may be quiet through the holidays when we take rest and family time, but we're training rookies, recruiting, and adding skills for the 2010 season throughout the winter, so don't despair! I'll still be rolling! See you Saturday at Western Fair!
It will be the last game of London, Ontario's Forest City Derby Girls for the 2009 season. The Thames Fatales (that includes me, Nia Capps, Blocker, #74 on the line up) take on the Tri City Champs from Kitchener-Waterloo 2009 Season, the Vicious Dishes! It's a sort of re-match from the bout this summer when Tri-City Thunder beat the Thames Fatales on the Tri-City home turf, and the Thames look to make it up by returning that favor on Nov 7.
In the meantime, for me, I've spent the last few weeks practicing (except when I was sick), getting my gear situation improved (I am now sporting brand new 187 knee pads (my Old Pro-Tec street ones were just worn out after - 3 years!), and new Pro-tec street elbow and wrist guards. Oh, and don't forget about the Radar Mojo wheels 88A with aluminum hubs I got from Rollergirl.ca - these babies are awesome! I hope they are as good on a good arena floor as they are on our slippy concrete floor. Now it's just about actually performing this time around. There were little expectations for me last game as an alternate, but this time around, I have some shit to prove. I will do my best.
In prep, I'm heading out with some of my teammates to a scrimmage practice with the Smoke City Betties of The ToRD league tonight. Time to practice for real!
Unfortunately, it's a 2-3 hour drive to get to the 2 hour practice, add 2-3 hours home and put that all after a long work day and I'll be wiped out. Add a morning 7:30 departure to go right back to Toronto to a special meeting work day in our Toronto offices, and a nightmarishly over-promised Nia who is A) Making a Halloween Costume B) Baking cookies and cupcakes for a bake sale C) practicing roller derby D) getting a shirt found, bought and given to be lettered for the Nov 7 bout E) going to a doctor appointment and working full time this week - and note: I am doing F) ALL OF THE ABOVE - and what you have is a happy, stressed, tired, over worked, excited, ready to get to Saturday already Nia Capps.
But don't worry, derby luvvers, I'll make time for roller derby stuff too. I was just reading up on the WFTDA apprentice program - wondering if WFTDA is a goal for us in Forest City and if I could help out by being the person to drive it, the NSO and referee WFTDA accreditation requirements, the most recent WFTDA rankings for Canadian leagues (MTL Roller derby is 13th in North EAST, Hammer City (Hamilton) is not yet ranking in North Central), and trying to figure out how I can help FCDG promotion wise, as well as planning off-season web-site updates for Derby Luv and FCDG.
Well, until the weekend, I may be offline, but I wil be checking my email. Message me if you need advance tickets, Thames Fatales 2010 Calendars or merch, or need anything on Derby Luv!
Forest City Derby Girls get their revenge on Rideau Valley
So I didn't do a write-up on the Forest City Derby Girls website on the last two games, because I didn't get any photos from them, but I did post here. So if you're paying attention, you'll remember on July 6 weekend we all took the purple 70s-era party bus to Ottawa and pretty much had our asses handed to us by RVRG, and they trounced us.
We had fun anyway, and we came home and we reviewed, and we trained. We played Tri-City last weekend, and we also got beat. Well, we decided as a team that 1) We do need to work together if we want to win 2) We do need to be aggressive and do better pack control, and 3) It's important to still have fun.
So we did. We put on a good show last night. Let's break it down for you.
Intros:
RVRG - Pace Line, Player intro and wave. FCDG - 5 or 6 in large black afro wigs with green jammer stars on them. Pack skate, player intro - throw a WHIP IT! T-shirt into the crowd and slide into line on knees. Anya Face, captain is last skater called and she hits the line and we all fall down.
Period 1 Don't ask me the score or what jam was which - I was an alternate last night so I was watching and then making sure I wasn't being put in last minute all night. Worse than getting killed is waiting to get killed, you know? Anyway...
Highlights: RVRG star, Soul Rekker, who is a star jammer, had FCDG blockers on her last night like white on rice. We managed to work our line-ups so that our weaker jammer would skate against Soul Rekker, but the blocking line-up would be on her, while our stronger jammer would go out against their weaker ones and rack up points. Mid-way in, I was called up to go in.
I had been nervous all freaking day. Worse than when I played with the Contrabanditas for my first game in Montreal in 2007. Way worse! Why? In Montreal, I was playing with a team I had trained with for a year. I was playing against a team I practiced with all the time, so I knew what they would do. This time, up against RVRG I just knew I'd get owned.
That jam went sour fast. First off, the pack got split up and we were freaking sprawled it seemed like 60 feet, though my teammate Annie Takers was right behind me on my left on the line, and I was in the middle. I wen to hit an RVRG blocker, and she and her teammate sandwiched me. It was okay though, I fell, but two of them were busy taking me down, and VROOM went Anya face as she skirted by. YAY! I made a, what's that, DIVERSION. But then, disaster. Semi-Precious of RVRG but a hard hit into Mirambo, one of our fantastic all around skaters, and Mirambo slammed to the ground into one of the columns in our playing space that we have to pad because they are inside our safety mark. She snapped her collar bone.
Well, as Mirambo was taken out on the stretcher, our team pulled ourselves together and did, "MIRAMBO" chant and went back out to give'er. Score 74-55 for FCDG.
Intermission:
Fruit, water, stretch, talk game plan.
Period 2:
The line ups changed a bit, and the jammer match-ups changed to. We had Anya Face going up against Soul Rekker now, and Soul Rekker would jump in as a blocker to try and stop Killson. Killson made about 800 new fans last night, because she was unstoppable. She skated hard, fast, and skirted by hits like she floated across the floor. Anya Face blocked as a jammer when Soul Rekker was racking up RVRG points. Ak-47 of RVRG was jamming quite a bit last night, but she got sent to the box a couple times, leaving our jammers open to just roll.
FCDG called 2 timeouts and challenged a call, and also noticed some points missing. Once corrected, the score was 88-70 in Period 2. The only game issue was that during the timeouts, the crowds get a little "WTF is going on?"and get out of the action. I'll speak to that in a minute. Other issues, was reffing. There were two pretty confusing instances where first jam, we had a jammerless jam with both jammers called on majors. In Period 2, Killson took a turn in the box, came out, did one lap and was sent back out again. It was just weird. RVRG also was disappointed in the reffing.
Here's that complaint again. Bad reffing. We've had it in games we play, like this weekend, as we all have, I think. Referees in derby are inexperienced (most don't play derby themselves), unpaid volunteers, that only can practice their craft if we play. So here's my personal theory. Setup one scrimmage practice per week and ask the refs to come out. Scrimmage in a "dress rehearsal" fashion with the clocks running, penalty calls, the whole shebang. It will be good practice for the refs - because you can stop after a bad call and review right away. And it would be invaluable in a secure environment with their teammates for new skaters and rookies to get a feel for the pace of a bout. But, if your space doesn't allow for full bouting hits and play, that might be hard. So I guess GTAR had it right this year. If you don't have space to practice all the time, just play a lot. Play a game as often as you can. But the end of a season, you'll be better just from learning on the fly. Refs should ref at all nearby derby games, to get more experience, and everyone, remember, it's Roller Derby and we aren't even at risk of losing endorsement contracts.
But I digress. Here's another point for you, we all get bad reffing sometimes, and we deal with it. Win or lose, Jammer's game, blocking game, good calls and missed calls. Challenge and review when you think you need it, and watch your points. Other than that, play derby and have fun! If it's not fun, you don't want to do it!
So as the period went on, I got to play a few more times. I mainly held the inside line when asked to, I didn't get any superstar hits in, or do any hail mary plays, but I had no intention of trying anything like that last night. I was just getting my bout legs back. I took some hits, made some holes for my jammers, held a position or two, took a skate to the chin in a pileup and was on the ground at least once in all my jams.
We ended on a fight note, unfortunately. Semi-Precious nailed another player and Elle Boes jumped on her back and ended up putting Semi-Precious into a headlock. It was bad, and Elle Boes did get ejected and did apologize. Tempers flared and it was over. You won't get the humor in what happened until you see Elle Boes. She's about 5 foot something and weighs about 100 pounds. Semi-Precious is a strong blocker. It was like a Wildcat and a lion. Elle was ejected for fighting, for the last part of the period - and we won! It was sad for it to be on a bad note for Semi-Precious. She's a tough competitor and tempers should be in check out there. But, all in all, what happens on the track stays on the track. Victory lap (my first ever) was awesome, and then we got RVRG to take their lap too. We did a big team photo op, and then had RVRG join us. I hope we actually get some of the photos that get taken - I want to see them! (btw, I found photos and the two teams are AWESOME!
Now, it's time to review, process, and train. Our final game of the 2009 season is on November 7th, and it's another re-match, this time versus the Championship winning team from Tri-City Roller Girls, (TCRG), either the Vicious Dishes or the Venus Flytramps. I saw Anita Martini, Bareleigh Legal, and some of the TCRG crew in the suicides last night, scoping us out. I hope for the next bout I can show my stuff like I do in practice. I'll be less nervous, I hope, and if not, I'll keep people busy hitting me. TCRG teams are fast though, so I will be ordering some new bearings (I am on Abec 5s right now, cause my REDS rusted) and will be working on speed and hitting this month.
Je Thames, Thames Fatales, for working so hard, having so much fun and for bringing me on that ride. I just had my first win ever. I really felt like I helped, even though I only played 7 jams and fell a lot - I thought - and I kept up, surprising since I can't keep up with the team at practice most of the time (speed wise, not skating wise I mean). I feel like next time I can help more. I heart every sore muscle, broken nail, bruise and bump I have today and I heart Je Thames Fatales, and I heart roller derby. A good day.
Thanks RVRG! You guys rock out on the track and are awesome. We learned alot from you. Soul Rekker, you are unstoppable, lady. And I am feeling the sandwiched two-blocker hit I took in period 1, and the skate to the chin I took in period 2, so thanks! The pain is what tells me I played! You ladies rock, and we're 1-1 for 2009 - see you in 2010 I hope, and I look forward to a better after-party where we can all hang!
If I wasn't already into roller derby, I would be now!
Whip It! was awesome. Ok, so I am a little too damn old and fat to identify with a 17 year old skinny girl, or even such a thin Drew, or even such a skinny and tough broad looking Juliette Lewis.
I am too jaded for the sappy moments, and never had any "My mom didn't accept me moments" to identify with, but WHIP IT! was great anyway.
Why? Bliss' reaction to roller derby was like mine - WOW, I wanna do that! - the roller derby was awesome, if not realistic at all times - I do want a playbook now! - and it made a lot of the movie-going crowd want to see a roller derby game, since we were there to tell them we are live in town. Mission accomplished! It made me laugh a few times, cheer a couple times, and reminded me why I love roller derby too. It made me want to have a food fight with my teammates next time we have cake, and it made me want to have more time to train, and to do better.
Watching it was the perfect way to prepare for a game.
Now, just to put on a good showing at the game tomorrow. I know I am not on a "permanent" line up and I did ask to only be played as filler, so I kinda hope I don't have to play much - I'm nervous that I am not ready - but I do want to go back to playing, so I'm torn. I am as nervous as my first game, almost scared again....
wow... ok breathe...
tomorrow - Sleep in, Fix up the new Mouth guard, Get your uniform set up, Clean your skates - check bearings, maybe oil them - have a nice Pasta lunch, light snacks after, hydrate, rest, ice, brace and breathe. Go to the Canada Building at about 5 and try the floor early. Then relax. Hydrate, snack, get ready with the team. Breathe. Then don't fall until you're knocked down with a hard hit, get through the intros, and then wait to be called up onto the line.
BREATHE. Be nervous, but make eye contact with the lineup, dance and smile, loosen up. BREATHE. Now skate. BREATHE, skate harder and HIT HARD. Skate hard and hit hard and BREATHE. Then relax. The worst is over. Even if it's in the penalty box. Play a good game. Party.
Leagues across North America are getting their skates on, teams together, and are promoting WHIP IT! and roller derby to the masses.
I envision larger recruitment pools, even for small-market leagues, and the possibility of more junior derby if the leagues out there have folks willing to teach the younger girls that will be attracted to the teeanage-push of the movie, with Ellen Page escaping her Beauty Queen, mother's footsteps, small town existence to become a roller derby star. And I am excited for it. Drew Barrymore just made friends with all of us, even if the movie turns out to be not a classic, it is the best thing that has happened for Roller Derby, with all of Drew's tireless promotion, to generate public knowledge that we're here, staying, and that that the sport is getting more popular - if they are living in some non-derby news vortex and have missed the bout for the whole of the new millenia to date.
As many of the other leagues are doing, my league is doing too. ;) We'll be at the SilverCity Cinemas at Masonville Mall here in London, ON tonight starting for the evening shows at 6 PM to intro the movie, promote roller derby, sell tickets to our bout tomorrow (Bounce This! Western Fair Canada Building, Doors 7 PM, Wheels Roll 8 PM (EST), $12 advance, $15 at the door, licensed event, after party on premises)
Personally, I was so stoked to make the roster, that I'm almost crying today with a very sore knee after a fall last night at practice, but intend to just stay off skate, iced and rested today and I am going to skate anyway tomorrow. I am not in full line-up anyway, I am a bench alternate for my first game with the team. We'll be in full gear tonight, some of us skating outside, and some inside, and I hope to get a good crowd. I'm buying tickets this morning to insure I get in!
Guess what, guess what! I found out tonight that my offer to help the FCDG Thames Fatales at the BOUNCE THIS! bout on Saturday Oct 3 here in London, versus the Ottawa Rideau Valley Rollergirls (who beat us in July) was accepted!
I am on the roster!
Back in Black baby! WEEEEIAHHHWWWEEEEEEEESQUEEEEEE (note: spelling was made up by Switch hit Her, Vansterdamn, (night)Mare and Ashley in the car on the way home from practice - the I and AH is for you Switchy! (our home colors are Black and Green, hence my Back in Black theme (My Les Contrabanditas uniform was black and red)
So this is how it happened. The always tough-sounding but small-bodied president of our league, Sufferjet goes, "So Hey Nia, how do you feel about maybe playing for us on Saturday?" with a mischievious smile, and I say, "That's what I talked to Anya about last night, like you could put me in as a bench-warmer alternate, use me when someone needs a break, of if someone is injured or to fill holes when you need to change a line up.", I nervously just cover myself. And Suffer goes, "So, how do you feel about it?", a little louder this time. And I say, "I'd do it, if you asked!" and she said, "I put you on the roster already." I went, SWEET! OMG! Is this for real?
OMG! Then I was all, oh god, I don't have a uniform yet, or a numbered/lettered shirt, and though Suffer said I could drop a shirt at her house tomorrow and she'd do it for me, I have to go to Toronto for work tomorrow - but I did find a shirt at least. I'll use my Thames shirt for this first debut game, it's a little tight, but whatever. I'll wear a couple layers of hose as tights (found no leggings yet) and my black, white striped short shorts, that though will make me look HUGE, will not get in my way skating - because I am never going back to wearing a skirt again unless I have to. And my green laces and green-striped black knee socks will finish the uniform. Now wheels... the floor there is really slippy. We have to sugar coat it to try to make it sticky, but I am afraid I am going to slide out all night. Is there anything I can do in the way I skate, or to my existing wheels to make sure they can hold on? I know, MOVE YOUR FEET!
I am so nervous! What if I can't keep up? What if I have one shot, and I fuck up? All I can hear is Back Alley Sally screaming, "Nia, inside!" and then "FUUCKK!", as though my missed opportunity to nail a jammer onto her ass is just bout-ending crap. But I know she doesn't mean it, and that's just track frustration. Since it was in practice, I mean.
Instead, I am trying to push that out and hear Vansterdamn and Switch Hit Her, "Nia, you're big, but you're agile. You can totally skate. You'll do great!" and Anya Face saying in reply to my cautious, "I'm offering, not begging, so don't worry if you want me to wait til November." when she said, "Nia, you don't have to beg. I was begging you when you got hurt!". I am holding onto Sufferjet's, "Wow, way to be a wall Nia!" and "Good Job, Nia" I've heard lately.
I am proud to be asked/allowed to play this soon at my level with this great bunch of fun and welcoming rollergirls and fantastic women, I am hopeful that I'll make some good moves and blocks amidst the chaos, and I am determined to try my hardest to play smart, and to be effective.
I am a 'Dita for life, MTLRD, but I have been drowned in the Thames River, and I have risen from the muck and the mud, clawing my way out up onto the banks and onto London soil, and out into the world and onto my skates again, and I am now, a Thames Fatale.
Let me know if you want advance tickets to the bout, $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Saturday Oct 3, 2008, Doors at 7, wheels at 8 , children under 10 get in free. Derby luv to you all!
Freakshow at Tri-City Thunder for FCDG Thames Fatales
On Saturday, I headed out on a mini-road trip with my derby teammates Vansterdamn, Switch Hit Her, and NightMare (her name she wants, but not sure yet, Mare)
The ride consisted of tons of L7 and Peaches tunes, with Vansterdamn and I serenading the car with "Boys wanna be her, Girls wanna be her, Boys wanna be her" and cheers I am working on for the Fatales, like,
" 2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate?
Not the crying Cri-City Girls
But the Thames that made them hurl!
Go FATALES!"
And Vansterdamn sponsored green and black, car ride manicures. What a good car ride.
At the event, Tri-City gave us a warm welcome, and our girls which were a team of only 10 playing were getting ready to play against the 14 team roster of Tri-City, which included Anita Martini, formerly of Forest City, teacher of several Thames blockers, powerhouse mother-hen style blocker, and some good fast skaters that already faced MTLRD Sexpos last year.
Anya Face sported new pink hair, SufferJet, (still recovering from a knee injury) would manage from the bench with husband Bad Pitt, both of whom styled some wicked cool headbands. Mirambo in I'm Famous panties, and several showings of our new Bounce This! and Stay Down! line of underpants to wear were on display.
The Tri-City girls have their own bagpiper to lead them in, but I thought our domino fall-over entrance was pretty fun as I watched from the merch table. The bout started off harsh and it stayed harsh. The spread was doubled by the 15 minute mark, and tripled by half time, and though the skating of both teams was well-matched, Tri-City dominated the pack, often taking lead jammer, and holding up some tough-to-break walls. Moments of FCDG triumph included a powerful jam by Elle Boes (#666) sporting some new Mojo wheels she's testing for Derby Luv and Rollergirl.ca, some big hits by Jemecide who played her first game as a blocker (she was always a jammer), and barrel rolls, and big hits my Mirambo #69). Tri-City, though, had several severely hard hitters, good jamming, and like I said, could dominate the pack.
But it was a great game to watch, even though from the final 124-45 score it seems one-sided, the action was exciting for the home crowd. Reffing had some questionable moments, with FCDG points being questioned (missed) and Bad Pitt being ejected after a heated exchange with the refs over the missed points not given to FCDG, so we love him for fighting for us.
But it has taken my mind to think about how to improve the reffing of roller derby. Why are there always so many complaints about missed calls, missed points, and misunderstandings? Is it because our refs are un-paid volunteers? Do they not go to enough scrimmage practices to practice themselves? How's the reffing in the WFTDA ranks going? Maybe I'll have to ask some folks out there to weigh in.
Oh, on the way home, the girls were hungry and we stopped through a drive-thru (only thing open) and got McDonald's. First time in two years a fry passed my lips (i had 8 fries) and it was like candy! So no more of those! Gave'em up when I saw SuperSize Me, so no more! Oh yeah, and I am so sore from my Friday Extreme Edge class at Punch Like A Girl my quads are crying. My trainer friend said I'd hate it, but lunges and squats were the way to go. How can something this painful be good for me?
Check me out on Sparkpeople.com for more info on training plan, fall workout schedule and diet. I'm always trying something new. Two weeks on diet supplied by my husband intended to fit into my Sparkpeople ranges, see what I lose. Today was Day 1.
Thanks to Cat, who commented on my last post, I don't have time to travel and plan, but will spend my Canadian holiday weekend, not only pining for Rollercon but wishing I had this consolation trip available:
NHRD is having a Rollerconsolation tourney in Manchester, NH this weekend if you need consoling. Tank'd Girl & Hazel are the leads on that. For more information: visit NH Roller Derby at: http://www.nhrollerderby.com/ The teams represented are:
But looks like the sheer size of my ankle means I'll be drinking a few beers while I work on repairing a set of old skates for a new recruit to FCDG tonight, doing London, ON's Ribfest on Saturday, rehab on Sunday in the rain and spending my Holiday Monday at a beach with a friend instead of doing derby.
Lots of party news and training coming in August, I better enjoy one last weekend of not being hardcore... take it easy and have a great long weekend, Canadian Derbyluvvers!
FCDG Thames Fatales at RVRG Slaughter Daughters Jul 11, 2009 - the last road trip
It's a good thing I decided to jump on the bus with the Thames Fatales this weekend for the trip to Ottawa, it's their last bus-required, long road trip of the 2009 season that is currently booked. My first derby trip on a bus full of my teammates, where last year, my first road trip to a training camp was to GMDD Vermont Training Camp with Big Tickets of HCRG.
We pulled out a little after 7 with our team and support staff (like me, with my wrapped ankle and purple calf muscle) and even an angelic-faced baby rollergirl-to-be in tow. A big purple bus with a retired OPP Canine Unit officer, a friendly man named Kurt at the wheel to safely drive us all across Ontario for 7 hours.
The road trip there included the reading of applications for the receipt of a green and white Trucker hat to wear for victory laps and post-game hair coverage, which ranged from team spirited to scandalous and hilarious. Of course there was sleeping and occasional hilarity, but the terribly rainy and stormy weather kept the skies interesting.
We checked into our rooms and went to eat at a place called Al's near our hotel on Carling Ave in Ottawa, Ontario and though closing, they stayed open and the cooks there churning out quick eats for us all in record time with awesome pizza, and other quick eats for the girls to get some fuel for the game. A quick rest and dress to dry off, and we went to the game. My job was to setup the Merch table and sell merch for the first period and between periods, and post game pack up. In between I could watch the game.
Unfortunately, the Thames Fatales were defeated by the tough-as-nails blocker line-ups and quick jammers on the line-ups for RVRG's Slaughter Daughters that night, but showed their own toughness by taking and giving some big hits, and not giving up; continuing to fight, even with the point spread was at its' largest. The final score was 150-77 for the RVRG Slaughter Daughters. The Thames will get a chance to reverse that outcome in a re-match this fall in London.
For me, I found out the day I was injured at the gym, our team captain was contacting me to invite me to join the roster and play at this game, which was a crushing moment, but I was able to help the team with merch sales, so it's all good. I've got lots of time to recover, and improve even more, before the September date of the next game vs TriCity. The after party was a blast, though we had to wait to get in the location due to a busy BluesFest in Ottawa, but A poutine at 2 AM on a street, a fight, crazy pictures were AWESOME and Sunday morning hangovers were in effect and helped a few of us bond.
The ride home was a long one, with sore muscles, bruises, welts, exhaustion, hang overs and painful injuries in knees and (my ankle) bruises from bumpy road vibrations being the main complaints, but a happy junk food day of rest area stops and Tim Horton's coffee. Sleeping, trashy magazines, and fun with tea bags and waking sleeping teammates was an afternoon past time (see my facebook for photos) and the defeated but tough and optimistic FCDG arrived back in London ready to get to practice this week, get the game video and start working on how to reverse that score when they meet the Slaughter Daughters in the Fall.
For me, I'm walking and will start Yoga this week and try to rehab for a first day back to skating at a rookie practice next week.
FCDG is recruiting! If you're in London, or know someone who is, that's female, 18+ and wants to give roller derby a try, tell them to let us know or visit the FCDG website! We would like to see a dozen more rookies to come into training for the 2010 season. 2009 is time to learn!
Video from the bout is coming and will be here later tonight!
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?
The Lost Girls verses the Beach Flat Betties game is this weekend at the Santa Cruz Civic (buy tickets now!) - Last year when we played the home teams it was one of the funnest games of the season for me and I did not even get to play as a Lost Girl. At the last minute I was drafted onto the Betties and proudly wore black and pink for the night.
For some reason, until today, I have been dreading the upcoming game - I am mentally having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I have to skate against some of my teammates from the All-Star team. I'm not afraid of them - it just feels unnatural to play against them.
Maybe saying "dreading" is too a strong a word. Bouts can get kinda intense. I'm usually pretty good about keeping my competitive drive on the track and keeping my emotions out of it - usually. It just kinda sucks to go toe-stop to toe-stop with two of my best friends - Roxy and Storm. Rest assured I will skate my ass off and land every hit like it's my last - but I may feel a twinge of guilt (I was raised Jewish so most of my emotions revolve around guilt) as I skate off.
It occurred to me this morning that I get to skate as a Vampire on Saturday (the Lost Girls . . . get it?) and it was this shallow thought that finally got me excited about the game. Any excuse to dress up like the undead and I'm there! I know I'm a weirdo . . . but aren't most derby girls?
It should be a fun game for us and the crowd - I'm looking forward to seeing some of the up-and-coming skaters take the track at the civic for the first time. It's hard to believe that it was only a year ago I played my first game at the civic - it's been a crazy and beautiful ride that I hope extends for another five years.
The All-Stars came out strong and carried a steady lead into the second half. From a player prospective this was the best game we have ever played as a team. It was fun, clean and challenging - all of my favorite qualities in a game. The LA Girls were amazing athletes and fun girls to hang with at the after party. OH YES that was one crazy after party! Those details stay off line ;)
One the best things to happen during the game was seeing our plays and strategies come alive. We have really been working hard as a team to understand the game of derby and play smarter. One thing I have definitely realized was that we are all great individual skaters, but more importantly WE are an amazing team.
A special thanks to the city of Santa Cruz, all of our fans, sponsors and die-hard supporters! Without you none of this would be possible.
Hugs and bruises,
Raven
Looks can be deceiving - I definitely need some work on my jamming but a good shot none-the-less.
Goofing around with the LA Derby Dolls after the Bout.
So our bout against LADD is on Saturday. I've been having my typical anxiety dreams about parasites and vermin. The weird thing is that I usually only get those before or during a stressful work-orientated thing.
I have some butterflies about this game - I'm not sure if it's just because it's the first game of the season or if the LADD name is swishing around in my head - They are kinda a big deal. SCRG All-Stars are been spending time really picking the game of derby apart. I feel more confident in our knowledge of strategic game play this season - We're playing smarter, not just hitting harder this year.
We also have the benefit of strong team unity and instinct - We have been playing together for a year now and know each others every move on the track.
I feel like my physical game is strong right now but my mind is just starting to grasp I have a game in four days - Last year I spent a lot of time visualizing (a LOT of time). This week has already been nuts with pre-bout production - I gotta take some time out and start getting myself into rock star mode.
Repeat after me: I am a machine. I am a super hero. I rock and they know it.
I just need to say that about 800 more times before Saturday.
The economy also has me a little worried - I'm hoping the SC local community still has the funds to come out and support us. Unemployment is up to 12% in SC County - YIKES.
I was checking on my mostly dormant myspace account today and got the news on the tickets for the NW knockdown!
The top 8 teams in the US are battling for the #1 position after clawing their way into Nationals from the East and West Coast Regional Tournaments in early October. (Battle Royale and Derby in Dairyland Regionals events)
You can find more info on the NW Knockdown official website. As a NC girl that is now in Canada, in lieu of no Canadian entries, I have to say I'm hopeful the Carolina Rollergirls can take this, but my feeling is we are looking at a bang up year for Gotham, and Texas is the team to beat. Course, the top 4 East and West are so good, I can't call this one at all.
Are you going to be there? Wanna put your two cents into the event, what happened, how it turns out, and share with others the low-down on the 2008 WFTDA Nationals? Contact me at info @ derbyluv.com and you can blog it on Derby Luv.
Rollergirl.ca and Derby Luv Stop Smoking Challenge Update: Nia Capps has made it 41 days into her 90 day challenge and had not smoked. After parties, a death in the family, a chain-smoking sister... nothing compares to the draw of roller derby and roller skating on these new Kryptonic Route 65 wheels when it's nice out.....
Raven Von Kaos was inspired and is on her own stop smoking journey. If she makes it, she gets some gifts from Derby Luv. If she fails, she owes us money. Hey, if you are a rollergirl and want a stop smoking challenge, contact info @ derbyluv.com
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!
Welcome to London, Ontario, also know as The Forest City, home of the Forest City Derby Girls.
Back in the days, we first saw the London Thrashers, and then les Thames Fatales were born as the second team for FCDG. I first saw FCDG at The Beast of the East in Montreal back in April, and I was excited to see how they had progressed since the first of the season, because I hadn't been fortunate enough to be in contact with SufferJet (the league president) or any of the London derby girls, since the Beast, so I wasn't sure what their season had been like.
So with complete joy, I popped into the Fairgrounds events parking lot, and was quite pleased with the location. Large parking areas, foot traffic, crowded area... very nice.
Then, I walked in, grabbed a program and the first thing I noticed was that there was a large beer "garden" to my right, a stage setup behind that, a court with team locations on the far wall, and bleacher stands to the right of me, and suicides at the far end of the track. Not bad. A slippery concrete floor concerned me, and pillars that were a foot outside the 10 foot safety mark concerned me more. Seemed scary and a little dangerous.
But, the smart hockey town, has a mini-zamboni on hand, and had coated the track in sugar water to make it more sticky, so it turned out not bad...
Ok, so to the important stuff, the bout. First off, London is not a very large league, and they have had to play with short teams (less than 10 players) and due to that hindrance, they have had to shorten their bouts to 3 X 15 minute periods. It made for a noticably shorter period, and added a bit of a challenge, as the teams had much less time to catch up with time for 2-3 less jams in each period.
The crowd had filled in nicely, and Stone Mason, the main announcer, introduced the refs that were made up of refs from FCDG and included visiting volunteer refs from ToRD, HCRG, and I think the other was Kitchener. (Tri-City). I had met some Tri-City girls in the parking lot before the game, and they are gearing up and preparing for their game against the Montreal B-Team (The Montreal Sexpos) next week. Nervous but looking like they can handle it.... I look forward to seeing what they got next week.
Anyway, the bout started out and from what I could see at first, The London Thrashers and Thames Fatales are pretty equally matched. Both list quite a few girls as jammers, pivots, and blockers so they all have a lot of well-rounded skaters. The first period seemed to be a bit of a challenge, with the slippery floor causing some slowness to the pack, and falls that left a couple of players catching their breath. But what became evident is that it took that first period for the teams to kick in strategic thinking. It was 21-19 score in favor of the Thrashers at the end of the first period.
For period two, the speeds improved, I saw better blocking in the pack, and jammer strategies began to emerge, with jams called off strategically and some walls forming in the packs by the blockers. By the third period, Thames Fatales had pulled into the lead and were headed for the win.
The turning point was a jam in the late second period (I think it was late 2nd anyway), when 3 of the Thrashers blockers were piled into the penalty box all at once, leaving the Thames' jammer to skate through an almost empty pack and pile on 8 -12 points. During the third period, the Thrashers kicked it up a notch, and I saw one massive wall formed at the head of the pack that was only broken up by Thames' Anita Martini (I earlier wrote this as Anita Margarita, but I think Anita forgave me) , too late, as the jam ended just after. There was some hard blocking by the Thames' Annie Takers #5678 in period 1 (Thanks for getting me Annie's name, Anita!) The Thames Fatales' MVP had to be SufferJet with some very impressive jams under her belt.
The Thames Fatales took the championship in front of the large hometown crowd in London, and that will end the season for FCDG until next year. Next week, its Tri-City vs Montreal Sexpos.... another derby weekend on the way!
Not too long ago, I mentioned Albany NY's Albany All-Stars splitting into two over the show versus sport competition conundrum.
In Reno, NV, there are already two leagues, one that's fun, inclusive of all skater types, and still derby, with lots of the fun and style of roller derby past, and there's another, that's WFTDA, all g0, kick ass, we want to compete and win athletics; where only the best skaters play on the travel team circuit, at home and away, and their less superstar skaters run the events. Most of the leagues I know have a blend of this. They have the A-Team, Travel team All stars that go compete and represent the league for WFTDA purposes (Canadian teams are all waiting to get in!) and at home, though there is less show at the bouts than ever, there is still a bit of character-building and clothing theatrics.
Well, I tell ya, I'm on my way to the Skate of the Dead game this weekend in London, Ontario to see a bout between the Forest City Derby Girls teams - the London Thrashers and the Thames Fatales, and I bet I'll see some kick ass roller derby, and I bet I'll have a great time - and with this on my mind, I'll be looking for signs of ALL SHOW or ALL GO, but let me know what you think. Are we ready to play under our real names, lose the fishnets and pantie-wearing, and be hardcore athletes? Can both kinds of roller derby survive and grow? What do you think?
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
I always find the week after a bout to be difficult.
I'm tired, sore and what's more erking is that the real world just expects me to go about my business like nothing extraordinary happened over the weekend. I walk amongst the mere non-derby mortals that know me by my real-life alias, and unless they were at the game, have no idea and could care less about the feat of strength and bravery I displayed over the weekend.
This is derby come down, or as I like to call the Clark Kent Syndrome.
If you think about it Super Man must have gotten pissed at some point. He would return to the Daily Planet after saving the actual planet, only to find that no one gave a crap what he had just done because he was only Clark to them. Then he would have to go about his human business of writing news stories and keeping to himself.
The thing about Super Man (besides the fact that he is a fictional character) is that he really was a super man. He had a great attitude and probably enjoyed being humbled by his human clothing and glasses.
I think I still need to work on that. It's the continuous balancing act of derby and life. There has to be a balance or else Clark Kent would just be Super Man all the time, and I think he liked being Clark for the most part. It's that balance. You can't be a super hero to the world all the time . . . how would you pay your bills?
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. ;)
I'm not sure if jitters is the right word to use. I have never been a prisoner of nervousness days before a game. I only really got nervous my very first game, and it was not until the whistle blew. I'll never forget the feeling of uncontrollable shaking from every bone in my body. It was like an adrenaline overdose.
I have such mixed feelings about the game coming up on Saturday. My immediate reaction is to cry because it's the last one, and then I feel a sense of relief because it is the last game in what has been a long season, and I know this girl could use some time off.
My brain's wheels have been churning the last few days with of all the things that I want to concentrate on during the game. It sorta becomes a looping mantra in my head that starts off quite on the Monday before a game and gradually becomes louder and louder, that by Saturday it gyrates through my blood and forces me into action.
I am so excited to be playing the Bay Area Derby Girls Plan B team. I just feel that my concentration is all over the map right now. I'm more concentrated in the politics of derby then actually playing derby. Smacking-sense into myself as I type.
Que the Rocky theme! Here I come Santa Cruz!
Must visualize: I am a force. I am a super hero. I am a derby girl.
Jitters, you can go to hell. Raven is ready to ROCK.
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!
HCRG Travel team vs CN Power, TORD Travel Team with WFTDA rules v 3.0
Let me tell ya, derby luvvers and rollergirls alike, I saw the most frustrating, surprising, longest derby game I have seen so far on Saturday night when I travelled from Hamilton ON to Toronto to see the HCRG travel team taking on the ToRD .
First off, everyone that's not been up to date on roller derby WFTDA news, or that has not yet switched their leagues over to the new (released in May 2008) 3.0 WFTDA rules and regs for flat track roller derby, get ready!
So let me tell you about the game. ToRD's CN Power surprised me. I've seen a few of the Toronto roller derby teams play, the Gore Gore Rollergirls played the Contrabanditas in Montreal in our first-ever exhibition game when we were newbs and the 'ditas won, but it was close.
The ToRD teams played at Beast of the East and were beaten by their opponents in the tournament 20 minute periods. But ToRd surprised everyone and had really gotten some of the best players from their 6 teams that did a great job, skated well, and traded some great hits. (I'll have some videos up on You Tube soon if there aren't any yet). For those that thought Toronto was a show league and not tough, just learned that it's not necessarily true.
As for the always hard-core, always top-notch skating HCRG, out of 14 players on their travel team, a note of inspiration here, 5 of them are Death Row Dames players, which is HCRG's newest team, and those players are all fresh meat rookies or have played less than one year. That is awesome!
Now, here's where it gets problematic. HCRG was playing under 2.1.1 rules, and found out that ToRD has already been into 3.0 rules as of the start of this season for them a week before the bout. Advantage ToRD. HCRG agreed to play under the new rules, but had only 2 refs in attendance (one being placed as an outside stats ref the whole game) and one good ref as bench manager/coach for the game.
You can chalk up some of the penalties to the rules, some to the hard-hitting playing, but the reffing at this game was super-tight. I saw calls that made it seem like we were turning roller derby into a non-contact sport. There were more jams with only 1 jammer (cause one was in the penalty box) than I've ever seen, and about three times, the packs were there, with NO jammers on the floor at all.
And per v 3.0 rules:
6.4.5 JAMMERLESS JAM If both Jammers are in the penalty box at the start of a jam or are pulled mid-jam, the jam will end immediately. Both Jammers will turn over their helmet covers to alternate teammates on the track who will act as Jammers, and a new jam will start. The penalized Jammers in the box will re-enter play as Blockers once their penalties have been served.
Another jam had HCRG skating with a pivot and one blocker only, against a full CN Power pack. HCRG may have been disappointed, but even the CN Power team noticed the strict reffing. I have full respect for those that put on the stripes and ref us crazy derby girls voluntarily, but this was just crazy. One of the HCRG players fell, a CN Power skater tripped over her, and the HCRG took a penalty on that. I saw it, no intent to trip was made so what was the penalty for? I don't know, and at times, neither the audience nor the players knew what the penalties were called for or who on. Tough game for both leagues.
HCRG had players so clean they get through with NO penalties taking the penalty box and 3 player period expulsions (foul outs) through the game, including Carla Coma and Dicey, and I think it was Vicadoom but I was working merch with StapleHead for HCRG at one point and couldn't hear the announcer very well.
But not to cry, you live under the rules that are set, the refs that enforce them and skate your ass off, right? Well these team battled it out, for sure.
The score was tied several times, and the lead switched back and forth as HCRG would get ahead, and CN Power would catch up and surpass and at the end of the second period, the score was 61-61.
So it was close, vicious, and by the end of the third period, the HCRG Eh! team came through and had a 30 point advantage. CN Power did not give up, the refs relaxed and called a little less, and it was a good third period leaving the HCRG with only a 13 point lead, winning with 105-92.
Now what made the game long.... maybe I am spoiled from Montreal where beer goes with sports like coffee goes with the morning commute, but what is it in Ontario with the beer rooms? I first saw it in Hamilton's arena when I and the 'Ditas took on the Steel Town Tank Girls in a double header event, but the beer sales/drinking was in a room with windows above the arena so you could see the game.
In Toronto, the room they can serve beer in has been turned into a albeit cutely decorated beer tavern with a video feed (no sound) of the game on a TV screen, but is so far from the arena floor that the ToRD is forced to add in 20 minute intermissions for fans to go get drinks between the periods (and there was sometimes a line up to get in, because the room has a capacity). For those of us that didn' t have time to play around ended up chugging what we could get our hands on, and going thirsty when there was no time to wait to go into the room. The crowd, compared to even lighter crowds in Montreal, wasn't quite as rowdy either. The arena is bigger though, so it could have been an optical illusion - I would love to hear some attendance numbers from the ToRD.
All in all, a successful event, a good game and a win for HCRG. Not a bad re-entry into roller derby after my relocation. I am excited to get back rollin'. ... Sunday I went to my first practice with HCRG, and after 3 months off skate (injury and then the move) I have a lot of little muscles I forgot about that are screaming today. I look forward to working more with the great Hamilton skaters and their great and nice coach to take my skills up the 4 notches I need to be a good HCRG player.... I'll get to watch them take on MTLRD July 12th, so I'll see my old league and my new league and will not know who to cheer for... LOL
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!
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!
Oklahoma City, OK, February 17, 2008 – With helmets fastened and mouth guards secure, Tornado Alley Roller Girls (TARG) earned their skate legs this past weekend at the OKC Farmer’s Market. To a crowd packed with returning fans and first timers, OKC’s hometown rollergirls skated up a storm. But these hard-hitting gals don’t have time to wait for the dust to settle before they lace their skates back up again. The Valkyrie Vixens struggled for a victory over Cell Block 9 on Sunday with a final score of 93 to 72. The two teams will face-off again during exhibition bouts this weekend at the Eleventh Annual Oklahoma Motorcycle Show. The bouts will be held on Saturday February, 23 at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm at the State Fair Park in the Modern Living Building.
This weekend will be another great opportunity for new fans to embrace the fast paced sport of roller derby. “I’ve seen derby on TV but seeing the real thing is pretty impressive. My brother and I have made plans to go to the skating rink and practice. There are some really athletic girls skating out there and I would love to be able to skate like them,” says Courtney Bales after seeing TARG in action for the first time on Sunday.
The Oklahoma City Motorcycle Show is held at The State Fair Park, in Oklahoma City. The park is located at 500 Land Rush Drive, near the intersection of 10th Street and I-44, in downtown Oklahoma City. The Show is held indoors in a heated and air conditioned building. There is a snack bar with beer sales in the building. General admission is $10.00 per person for a single day pass, and $15.00 per person for a two day pass. The event is open to the public from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday, and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday. The event is held regardless of weather. For a schedule of events please visit www.jwswapmeet.com For additional information about Tornado Alley Roller Girls and the 2008 season visit www.tornadoalleyrollergirls.org
Tornado Alley Rollergirls (TARG) was formed in April of 2006 under the direction of 8innovative Oklahoma women. The first bout, christened the Derbytaunt Brawl, was held in January of 2007, where an audience of over 1400 curious and enthusiastic fans was introduced to the stimulating sport of women’s flat track roller derby. Momentum has propelled TARG into a second season with heightened excitement and a growing number of bloodthirsty fans. With 300 leagues worldwide, roller derby is making a tremendous comeback. TARG is thrilled to represent Oklahoma City in the global resurgence of this time-honored sport.
Thanks to Sarah, the Public Relations Representative for the Tornado Alley Rollergirls for this posting. To contact her, you can reach her at: tornadoalleyrollergirls.org
...the Seattle Rust Riot roller derby tournament at Magnuson Park in Seattle. The all-day, single-elimination event featured the Rat City Rollergirls' Rain of Terror from Seattle, the Jet City Rollergirls from Everett, the Lava City Roller Dolls from Bend, Ore., the Lilac City Rollergirls from Spokane, the Oly Rollers from Olympia, the Rose City Rollers from Portland, the Slaughter County Roller Vixens from Bremerton and the Treasure Valley Rollergirls from Boise, Idaho. (February 02, 2008)
Alright, so perhaps one of my new year's resolutions will be to write more derbyluv posts. Honestly though, I have been sitting on my tush for the last month. Thus leading to my next resolution, to get back into shape. Mostly, so I don't feel like I'm going to die after 20 laps. There was far too much snacking that took place over the holidays, and not enough derby.
On to much more important things...Roller Con '08 dates have been announced! July 30th to Aug 3rd! So book your seasons around it ladies, because ya better be going!!! And please reserve a spot for me on your hotel floor, because my travel expenses this year seem to be far greater than my income.
Since we already have our calenders out, these other exciting dates should also be reserved. I swiped them off the WFTDA site.
East Coast Extravaganza hosted by the Philly Rollergirls in Philadelphia, PA June 21 to 22, 2008
WFTDA Western Regional Tournament hosted by the Houston Roller Derby in Houston, TX October 3 to 5, 2008
WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament hosted by the Mad Rollin’ Dolls in Madison, WI October 10 to 12, 2008
WFTDA Championship Tournament hosted by the Rose City Rollergirls and Rat City Rollergirls in Portland, OR November 14 to 16, 2008
Anyway, the bout started out and from what I could see at first, The London Thrashers and Thames Fatales are pretty equally matched. Both list quite a few girls as jammers, pivots, and blockers so they all have a lot of well-rounded skaters. The first period seemed to be a bit of a challenge, with the slippery floor causing some slowness to the pack, and falls that left a couple of players catching their breath. But what became evident is that it took that first period for the teams to kick in strategic thinking. It was 21-19 score in favor of the Thrashers at the end of the first period. 
For period two, the speeds improved, I saw better blocking in the pack, and jammer strategies began to emerge, with jams called off strategically and some walls forming in the packs by the blockers. By the third period, Thames Fatales had pulled into the lead and were headed for the win.
