where to begin?
Back in the ’80′s at The Golden Skate?
No – everybody has been to at least one roller skating birthday party in their lifetime. No… it probably begins with my first pair of Roller Blades. I know just how dorky my husband thinks they are, so, we will spare him the embarrassment and skip over the details of me skating my little heart out all over Danville, CA… taking them to college where I would blast my CD-walkman and skate all over campus late at night (not so safe in Fresno, CA, but, I was young and stupid)… bringing them to Tahoe with me, but, not for long. I think Marc stole them in the night, covered them in graham cracker crumbs and left them outside for the bears to rip to shreds.
When we moved to Austin we learned of roller derby in it’s current incarnation – the real, hard core competitive contact-sport for women. I was immediately drawn to it. However, we never made it to a bout.
I have been saying that I want to join roller derby since I learned of its existence, but, in a not-very-serious-I’m-so-not-cool-enough kind of way. And then, about six months ago, I had drinks with my friends Katherine, Kourtney (Finn’s momma), and two other ladies – one of whom was, up until her second pregnancy on the Hell Marys (is that right? Katherine?). Anyway, she was all… You should totally do it! And I was all… No way – I’m so not cool enough. Or tough enough. Or cool enough. And she was all… Well, there is a Rec-League. It’s just for fun. I can’t promise – but, I can say with some certainty that no one there will laugh at you.
That evening at the ridiculously-priced Trio happy hour at the Four Seasons we had lots and lots of yummy food and wine, because of which I forgot about Roller Derby.
Then like every other wannabe-derbygirl, I went to see Whip It with Katherine. A pretty average movie, but, it reignited my desire to skate. The pushing and shoving and name-calling and broken bones and big-fat-black-and-blue bruises were pushed to back of my brain while I focused on the possible opportunity to skate again. And to hang out with really great girls who shared my love of competing and mild disdain for regular organized team sports. So, here we are.
Marc bought me skates for my birthday. These are NOT the same skates from the rink back in the day, no, these are more expensive than ANY PAIR OF SHOES I HAVE EVER OWNED. And I love them.
I signed up for the “primer” (ass-kicking boot camp for rookies). And I plan to sign up for the rec-league season that starts in January. Last Sunday was day-one. We started with the basics. Skating and Falling. Skating was easy except for the completely out-of-shape thing. Falling was tough and the getting up off the ground so many times kicked my butt. Sunday night I fell asleep at 8:30. I could barely walk Monday.
Last night I went to speed skating practice which is like Hell but, meaner and more sweaty.
Thursday is another practice and I’m giddy as a school girl. A plaid-skirt and ripped-fishnet-stocking-wearing school girl.
Listening: Built To Spill (on my list of Derby names = “Built To Spill You” as an inside joke for me and, like, 5 other people)
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you go girl! so jealous!!!
Are you kidding, Whip It was an awesome movie. Mainly because I am right there with you in my desire to be a derby girl. (And because Juliette Lewis cracked me up with her Palm Springs over-tanned-looking self) I’m so jealous and happy for you that you’re doing it! Those skates are rad. I had some when I was a teenager. Why didn’t I keep them?!!! Best of luck with that. I’d love to hear more about it over lunch maybe?
What’s your derby name?
So awesome! I can’t wait to hear about the competitions and see the pictures!
rockzee – Whip It was fun I had issue with the sex scene. And some of the other cheese-ball-ness. But, I really like Ellen Page, thought Juliette Lewis was awesome and LOVED her friend from Arrested Development. Lunch – YES! How exciting – a real, live internet-friend meet-up!
Derby Name… working on it. Want to avoid anything too skanky or mean… have one that’s kicking around but, it might not be tough enough… we’ll see.
It’s not too late to join… if you could make it to the rest of the practices over the next 2 weeks (For the primer we’ve had 2 practices and there are 4 more. They require that you make it to 4 practices to be able to play in January) If you’re interested let me know – practices are the next two Sundays from 9-10:30am then Thursdays from 5:30-7am. You need skates, pads (elbow, knee and wrist), a mouth guard and a helmet. It’s really fun!
Woohoo! We are so tough.
I think Ms. Hades Lady is on the Holy Rollers.