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.

See you tomorrow RVRG and Je Thames!

Labels: bouts, FCDG, whip it

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! 

Enjoy the movie, derby luvvers! 

Labels: bouts, FCDG, whip it

I am probably the last person in roller derby world that should always talk about roller derby. I'm the first one to say I suck, first one to say I'm too old, too big, too slow... the first person around me to say, I don' t know if I should be playing roller derby. I don't track stats on teams, and I love new teams as much as I adore the top seeds in the WFTDA annual championships. I've never gone to B&T or RollerCon personally, and I have never skated on an All-Star or travel team. I've never tried banked track, and have not one image of me playing roller derby where I am jumping wildly in the air, and never got slammed into the penalty box. (Clean player to a fault as a rookie). I've lost my temper but never been ejected for fighting, and was never the last one standing at an after party. But, I want to promote roller derby to the masses. I love it. And I flip flop all the time and think I should just become a ref or give it up.

Why am I like that? Years of finding small things I loved and wanted to do - from drawing, to singing, to playing piano, then clarinet, and wanting to play drums - from my Southern US conservative Baptist, but non-religious family, I was always met with more force that told me it was nice, but useless, that it was more important that I was getting a full educational opportunity, that I could do anything, and should be sure I was able to support myself.

That's to be expected from my grandmother, who survived the depression by quitting school and working her way up from the old-time textile mill factory, into the business office, and to end up owning and operating a family florist business that even trucked fake flower arrangements to K-Mart and Roses of the time until her business burned down to the ground when I was 5, and she became a live flower florist for the rest of her years, as well as teaching a floral design course for our local college. Her only desire being my graduation for high school and university as the first woman in our family to do so.

And it was even a bit understandable from my mother, who was taught the same from my grandmother, became a nurse out of nursing school right out of high school in the 60's and was left by a cheating and terrible man that was my real father when I was little in the 80's so that she had to care for her two daughers on her own.

So I get it. But thereby goes the explanation of the little voice that I have that tells me there is no way I am good enough at anything I do that I find fun (roller derby, singing, dancing, cycling, drawing) that I should just quit. That I am wasting my time because I will gain nothing, no financial security, no education, no useful skills, and nothing that will help me support myself and my yet unborn children should tragendy strike my family someday and leave me to do so, that it's not worth it. The costs are outweighing the benefits. I am spending money and time and effort and pain for nothing. I also have the voice of that nurse that tells me the damage I am doing to my knees and ankles with the injuries I've incurred will gain strength and impede my functional health as a senior someday. Well, that's not a small thing is it?

Roller Derby came into my life at a time when I was just feeling like I deserved to be able to do something I would love to do again - skate - , and I lost my fear of my physical inadequacies, being 32 at that time and moving into the physical and sexual confidence that comes to a woman in her 30s, that gave me just enough fire to say, "I am not going to miss out on what I want because of my body not being model-sized, or because of my age, and I can do anything I want!" and was somewhere between, "this is tough!" and "Yay, I already know how to do that!" and somewhere between, "Get that camera away from me" and "I look pretty cute in that short derby skirt"

Because of what roller derby is, a massive sisterhood of women who usually don't like other women unless they love them, a team of non-team players, a grass-roots, skater-owned, all female, team-spirited, all encompassing and empowering sport of blood, sweat and tears... it owned me. My husband became a derby widow that still says sometimes it's tiring that all I talk about is roller derby, training for roller derby, how I am doing in roller derby, the website and roller derby.

Meanwhile, I feel like the season I got to play in Montreal was so long ago already. Months of being off-skate and not playing feels like years, the pain of injuries and bruises and scrapes just telling me that because of roller derby I no longer need to add piercings, tattoos or more scars to my body. The fact that I keep being willing to try again, to keep going, means that I'm doing something I care about.

I haven't gained a ton of what my family would call useful. I've spent more on gear, clothes, derbyluv.com, and training and transportation to training and bouts than I ever have or can hope to make from a few google ads on my blog and comic site. And I know 100% that most rollergirls I know have done more of that than a homebody like me can imagine. I haven't gained a physically impressive body, because genetically I am cursed with a body that will stay at it's happy fat, curvy size no matter how hard I push it. I haven't gotten money, fame, fortune, or even a new job because of roller derby. I'm not a travelling roller derby boot camp trainer, I wasn't on Rollergirls, I haven't played in any championship game of anything.

But you know what I gained as just a roller derby player? One of hundreds that goes with her derby fame being her name and photo in her local teams program and a facebook or myspace page? I gained a world of people that love something as much as I do. I got more Physical Activity to improve my health. I made a few Friends. I got Self-Confidence (maybe it's still low, but I have some!) Fitness (I may be big but I can do it!) Excitement. Derby Luv! And even got to express myself when I was on a creative and promotion committee.

Worth it?
Abso-freakin-lutely. I wouldn't change anything, other than my physical qualities that impede me and athletic capabilities if that were possible.

And with that said, I am going to keep training to try and be ready to play, though my ankle injury and calf pains are still present in my world, in the next home bout for FCDG, BOUNCE THIS! And let me know if you are interested in advance tickets to that bout here in London, ON on Oct 3, or in 2010 Thames Fatales Calendars that are hot off the presses for only $20, full of some of our loveliest and toughest Thames Fatales skaters, and your very own Nia Capps allowed to be in the team photo - though I was ankle wrapped and hobbling into the group shot.
More details, images and FCDG website updates coming soon!

And are you ready after all the TIFF buzz and CTV talk with Drew Barrymore for the WHIP IT! release? Oct 2, roller derby fans and players. Our perfect chance to get the rest of world into roller derby! Thanks, Drew!

Labels: roller skating, training, whip it

Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, and a cast of lots of well-known actors and skaters are gonna be known as roller girls as of  - drun roll please - Oct 2. 

Oct 2, 2009 is the newest release date of Whip It! says get the big picture, roller girls and guys. Mark your calendars and start to get your derby wives, derby widows, derby sisters, friends, and entire leagues ready for a Friday night movie night or weekend or repeatable movie nights after Oct 2 to see Whip It! until you can repeat it without watching it, so we can drive Hollywood and others to make us more derby movies. LOL Drum up fans of roller derby so we can become the next Olympic sport! 

Well ok, so I won't be at any rally, I'll be at the movies, but my heart is in the right plac

Labels: whip it

Released today and available on YouTube.com, check it out! Looks fun, derby-ish, inspiring for rollergirls and promoting for roller derby. Looks like a good time! Hope it's awesome and can't wait to see it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cA2ngjW0YQ

Labels: whip it

Hey Derby-luvvers. For anyone watching, I'm on the mend from that FUBAR-level chain of unfortunate events that led to my injuries this week. I'm walking again, albeit slowly, with a limp and with some pain management. But good news, I am good enough to get around so I'm packing up myself and crutches and joining the bus of Thames' that are headed to Ottawa to play Rideau Valley Rollergirls' Slaughter Daughters in "Slaughter in the City".

Labels: CWRDA, FCDG, injuries, RVRG, TCRG, whip it, wrapup

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.....

Winnipeg Roller Derby is looking for prizes and such from businesses and others for their fundraiser this Saturday. If you can help them, email info@winnipegrollerderbyleague.com
On another note, their social is said to be a way to tell the Conservatives to go... well you know

If you're down under, the Sun State Roller Girls have about in Brisbane on the 11th of October. Hmm plenty of roller derby on the other side of the planet in our winter if we hed to Aussie. There's an idea!

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

Labels: Bay Area Derby Girls, bouts, calendar, MTLRD, TXRD, WFTDA, whip it, wrapup

Well, I hope Raven's nerves calm and her arm is healing up for tomorrow's game for the Santa Cruz Rollergirls last game of the season vs the Bay Area Derby Girls.

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. ;)

Happy Friday, Derby Luvvers. Saturday always bring Roller Derby!

Labels: bouts, calendar, Gotham Girls, GTA Rollergirls, Hammer City, MTLRD, roller derby, Santa Cruz Rollergirls, WFTDA, whip it, wrapup

Hey all you derby luvvers! I just signed this petition at the request of a Derby Luvver that forwarded it to me, and I think we should all jump on board. Remember when DerbyLuv interviewed Uncle Leon and the Alibis? Well if you don't, I just linked to it.... ha ha

Well anyway, the petition is to alert Ms Drew Barrymore, the great mind behind "Whip It" the movie in progress, to use "Roller Derby Saved My Soul" in the soundtrack. Now, admit it... you may not be a 100% diehard fan of Uncle Leon and the Alibis (though I think I could be if we can get them to tour Canada) but if you are a rollergirl, a rollerguy, or involved in roller derby, you've heard it and like it. It describes what men love about it, and as a woman it still applies to how I feel about roller derby too. Plus, it's catchy, with a good beat and tune.

Leon is a great guy by the way. So get just sign your name, email and comment here ( http://www.petitiononline.com/heydrew/) and see if we can't get her attention, and get this to all your friends too. Good luck, Uncle Leon and the Alibis! The petition is also linked from their site! ;)

Labels: roller derby music, whip it

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b147833_distraught_justin_withdraws_from_drews.html
Well, I have to say, I don' t blame him. If he was in love with Drew, and they split and he's heartbroken, maybe he can't work so closely with her as Whip It! is rolling along.

But, I wonder who will replace him. I so wish I had the riches and lifestyle to sign up as an extra for Whip It! shooting, but my real life prevents it. i wonder if Georgia W Tush has yet sent in her sign up? How many derby stars have gotten into the cast? If you are one, or know anyone, and want to promote your performance, let me know and you can blog it here! info@derbyluv.com

Later derby luvvers! I hope you're all taking in a game of your local roller derby this weekend!

Labels: whip it

holy shit, check this shizz out. juliette lewis is going to be in whip it. this just may be my favourite movie ever...so far it seems very promising. ellen page, zoe bell, juliette lewis!

http://perezhilton.com/tv/?videoid=c257e426f0f21

i think they should let me be in the film..even though i'm not sure if i could act and don't play on a banked track..however i have skated on one numerous times! i tried emailing the cast director but i never heard back from him.


laaaaame

but i'm excited that this movie actually sounds pretty rad!!!

Labels: whip it

"Whip It" is being anxiously awaited by roller derby luvvers. I read this AM that cast is being added, http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Cast-Added-to-Barrymore-s-Roller-Derby-Opus-9348.html and one cast member is Zoe Bell, who was Uma Thurman's stunt double in "Kill Bill".

"Am I the only one looking forward to Juno getting taken out by “The Bride”
on wheels?"

- Haven McCord

No Haven, you are not.


Perusing roller derby news is always a treat for me. There are new leagues still popping up in cities across the globe, and media catches on to startup leagues in their areas, the stories are always similiar, but different. Each league has a different challenge... space to train and play is the biggest, enough players, refs and support, and sponsors probably ranks second. What I noticed with my searches this week is that there are leagues operating almost everywhere now.
But not here in Mississauga - but that may change. There are the new GTARDS (Greater Toronto Area Roller Derby). I've met the founder of this new league recently at the HCRG Eh! vs ToRD CN Power game, and their logo kicks... I'll try to grab it off Facebook for you.

Anyway, I heard tell of a tournament GTARD is putting on in August for the fresh meat rookie teams cranked up and ready to go. I'll have more info available soon I hope.

I need to find some time to see what else is up in roller derby this week, so if anyone has anything they want me to go ferret up info on, just let me know!

Labels: news, roller derby, whip it

Evil E of the LA Derby Dolls helped me out... thanks, Evil!

Drew Barrymore with the Tough Cookies


Cameron Diaz photo caught by Tarek Chatila



They are in the crowd in here I am told... the photographer knew! Thanks to Evil E for sharing this from Doria Anselmo:




Thanks, Evil E! Maybe we'll run into each other someday, but if not, keep in touch with me at Derby Luv with any intersting LA news!

Labels: whip it

How fun... I want photos, proof!

http://www.actressarchives.com/news.php?id=9877

Labels: whip it

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!

Read More


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.

Later!

Labels: Derby Luv, MTLRD, whip it

i`ve heard that joel madden from good charlotte and that dude from falloutboy are competing for a role in whip it.

if so, it`ll def appeal to lotsa cheesy emo kids!


i wanna be in the film! but how? somebody hook a sister up, my job is terminated at the end of march.

Labels: whip it

Drew Barrymore is going to be directing a film about roller derby! According to Productioncharts.com the film is about, "a Midwestern, small-town, teenage girl discovers the high-energy world of roller derby and must decide if she’s willing to go against her parents and friends in order to pursue the sport she loves".

They better be filming this in Montreal! I think everyone could go for a GWT cameo. Everyone, aka my mom.

I also have some exciting announcements to make in the near future. Stay tuned!

This photo is for all of you that live in hot weather! This is a photo from my window looking down onto the street after a two-day long blizzard. Think of all of us here freezing our tushies off.

gw tush



P.S. I have a lot of exciting travel plans for 2008! San Diego x 2, Los Angeles, NYC, Philly, Minneapolis/St Paul..and more to come! See ya'll in '08!

P.P.S. Who's going to the Blood and Thunder Training camp?? I am sooo excited!

Labels: blood and thunder, Travel, whip it