Roots
After watching the 2015 WFTDA International Championship, I find myself reflective. I watched as the Rose City Wheels of Justice ended the Gotham Girls Roller Derby's incredible winning streak. You see, the last time Gotham lost a game was June 6, 2013. They have since played 35 games and won the WFTDA Hydra 4 times.
Tonight, Rose took that away.
It was incredible to watch.
That caliber of Roller Derby is what I strive for now. I know, realistically, I am not going to ever be D1 Champion Skater Material, but I could be Coach material.
Anyway, the win and the excitement have me thinking about how I got my start with Roller Derby.
I tell the story often.
First, there was the Lyrical Gangstah. She was on the Cosmonaughties with the Boston Derby Dames (now Boston Roller Derby). She and I were friends a while before roller derby came into our lives One day she said to my husband and I, "I started this new thing. It's roller derby... Beth! Come skate with me!" I admit I was fascinated, but I found every excuse to not do it. The biggest was that the practices were just too far away.
Well, this changed when an article appeared in my local paper announcing the forming of the Skate Free or Die! Rollergirls. And, our taxes were about to come in, and i had a job, and insurance... and was out of excuses. It really came down to my social anxiety at this point.
Moving on, I finally went to a meet-night at the local roller rink. After my friends who came to support me forced me into the presence of those who would team me... I was in.
I ordered my skates from Sin City.
I bought the rest of the gear from Eastern Boarder.
And then I broke my wrist!
Yes, I failed at being safe and broke my wrist the night before my first practice.
Well, they were expecting me... so I went anyway.
Dee Stortion was the first to say "Oh! What happened!" I told the story of the night before and said "but I am going to watch. I can learn by watching."
I healed. I eventually took the track (6 weeks later).
That was 2008.
That was my start.
But, I do not want to talk about my start. I want to talk more about the people that kept me going.
Let's go back to Lyrical Gangstah. I never did get to see her skate. She got into a bad car accident that gave her nasty whiplash and it stopped her skating career. That's alright, though! She is still, to this day, the reason I wanted to skate. To this day, I see pictures of her kids, I hear about the good and see the struggles, and I think "There is an inspiring person. There is someone to be like."
Raggity Antics showed me that there was more to a person than their surface. She is, to this day, a beautiful human being. She carries herself with a great poise and grace, and on the track she showed me how to move my ass! She taught me the value of being me and after a horrific road trip, reminded me I could laugh at my mistakes.
BadAss Mama was the first to make me realize that this was a sport and I needed to think of it as a sport, not just a hobby! Dress for it, train for it, and win! Yeah, the punk ideals and fishnets were dominant then, but she never treated the game like a a punk concert on acid. She always had this powerful, momma-bear, presentation of herself. She showed me how to take what happened on the track and leave it there. She reminds me still, not to compare myself to others.
Estrogeena Davis inspires me to be amazing still. She started a league in Finland, she coaches, she is about to be a Mom! It's exciting. I remember watching her at scrimmages and studying her stance, and movements back in 2008 and 2009. She would help me with my crossovers, and my hits at practices. She went to Finland for a while, and I was heartbroken to see her go. Eventually I was able to watch her skate again with Boston when she returned to the states. And then she came home and we skated together. She has this outlook on life I admire. I cannot explain the feeling I get when talking with her and hanging out.
PutUNya Grave showed me how to appreciate myself. She had a knack for knowing when I needed a nudge. She would see me, say something, and I would be focused again because she brought me out of my own head. To this day she fights for what she believes in. She has an amazing family that she supports with all her person.
Empress Explosiva taught me that I could be a success, and speak my mind. She was fearless when she spoke. She helped me with my hits and helped me stay strong when getting hit. On the track and off, I fall down less often. I stand strong and sometimes stubborn. I contribute that to Empress.
Sin D. Lap-Her taught me to smile again. When she joined us I was going through some hard times. She showed me there was a real beauty in the world and that I needed to just look for it. Sadly, we lost her... she could not see the beauty anymore. And in this, she taught me that there is darkness even in the brightest places. I miss her often, and can still hear her laugh and say "Oh Irate!" when I would say or do something ridiculous.
SS Trixie showed me that success comes in all packages. She was a success long before I knew her. Smart, funny, beautiful and a force on the track. She taught me humility in success as well. Never did she rub her own successes in someone's face. Being humble in your successes and embracing them is a hard lesson to learn.
Tank’d Girl taught me how to have fun, even if other people were being super shitty. During a particularly terrible point in my life, she reminded me who I was and who I wanted to be. To this day, I think about the ways she made me laugh on and off the track, and how she forced me to look at things. On the track she helped with strategy, and taught me to think fast while playing smart. She was, and is still, always fast to cheer me (you) on and tell me (or you) how amazing I (you) have done. She is always a ray of sunshine to me.
(I almost took this one out, but an important lesson was learned) ABH/P helped me realize I didn't need to be anyone's punching bag and could be great even if/after someone only told me how bad I was. We were close for a while. We had great times on road trips and bowling with Tank'd. Beers and shots at after parties or fundraisers. I missed her when she transferred, and was happy when she came back. Thing happen though, people change, and I take away from our time that not everyone will fit with who I have become and who I will be tomorrow. I also never will let someone make me feel like less of a person, not ever again.
Hazel Smut Crunch/Jennaratah taught me how to stay classy under pressure and that I could come out okay after a terrible day. She always had a way to make everyone feel comfortable in meetings. With my social anxiety, she helped me stay calm and focused when meeting new people. She also helped me get through my initial assessments. We trained up together, and I cannot even express how much that meant to have someone go through everything with me. Now she is reminding me of my spiritual self.
Bettie OffDead always encouraged me to do different things. Never one to let the 'expected' define her, she also reminded me to be spontaneous now and again. She taught me the lessons of quick wit and sarcasm, as well as the value of a drink and a night at "the beach". She also continues to inspire me to broaden myself.
The Makeout Bandit, my first derby wife. My Bulgarian Princess! She is bound for greatness and success even as we speak. Her dedication to her education inspired me to pursue a degree I had wanted for a long time. She cheered me on when I struggled to get my homework finished and still make practices. Her smile lit the track. I dream often of a day when she may rejoin me on the track. First though, I want her to succeed, become the greatest lawyer ever, and shine brightly.
Dee Stortion, my number one DerbyMomma. She is a starter of many things. An artist, a successful business owner, and one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She is quick with a compliment and faster still to cheer your successes, as well as offer sage advice when it is needed. I was sad when she left NHRD for Boston, but I knew why and accepted it. She continues to help derby players all over the world realize their dreams through her skate shops and kind words. She is someone I try to channel when I need calm and focus, or when I just need to see a project through.
From March of 2008 to now, I have learned from so many people I could write the longest blog post ever written. I could write about every skater I have seen come in and leave NH Roller Derby. I have learned from each person. These guys, they are just the select few that taught me the most and the hard lessons I needed to learn. To this day, on and off the track, I am better for having them in my life.
Thank you.
Tonight, Rose took that away.
It was incredible to watch.
That caliber of Roller Derby is what I strive for now. I know, realistically, I am not going to ever be D1 Champion Skater Material, but I could be Coach material.
Anyway, the win and the excitement have me thinking about how I got my start with Roller Derby.
I tell the story often.
First, there was the Lyrical Gangstah. She was on the Cosmonaughties with the Boston Derby Dames (now Boston Roller Derby). She and I were friends a while before roller derby came into our lives One day she said to my husband and I, "I started this new thing. It's roller derby... Beth! Come skate with me!" I admit I was fascinated, but I found every excuse to not do it. The biggest was that the practices were just too far away.
Well, this changed when an article appeared in my local paper announcing the forming of the Skate Free or Die! Rollergirls. And, our taxes were about to come in, and i had a job, and insurance... and was out of excuses. It really came down to my social anxiety at this point.
Moving on, I finally went to a meet-night at the local roller rink. After my friends who came to support me forced me into the presence of those who would team me... I was in.
I ordered my skates from Sin City.
I bought the rest of the gear from Eastern Boarder.
And then I broke my wrist!
Yes, I failed at being safe and broke my wrist the night before my first practice.
Well, they were expecting me... so I went anyway.
Dee Stortion was the first to say "Oh! What happened!" I told the story of the night before and said "but I am going to watch. I can learn by watching."
I healed. I eventually took the track (6 weeks later).
That was 2008.
That was my start.
But, I do not want to talk about my start. I want to talk more about the people that kept me going.
Let's go back to Lyrical Gangstah. I never did get to see her skate. She got into a bad car accident that gave her nasty whiplash and it stopped her skating career. That's alright, though! She is still, to this day, the reason I wanted to skate. To this day, I see pictures of her kids, I hear about the good and see the struggles, and I think "There is an inspiring person. There is someone to be like."
Raggity Antics showed me that there was more to a person than their surface. She is, to this day, a beautiful human being. She carries herself with a great poise and grace, and on the track she showed me how to move my ass! She taught me the value of being me and after a horrific road trip, reminded me I could laugh at my mistakes.
BadAss Mama was the first to make me realize that this was a sport and I needed to think of it as a sport, not just a hobby! Dress for it, train for it, and win! Yeah, the punk ideals and fishnets were dominant then, but she never treated the game like a a punk concert on acid. She always had this powerful, momma-bear, presentation of herself. She showed me how to take what happened on the track and leave it there. She reminds me still, not to compare myself to others.
Estrogeena Davis inspires me to be amazing still. She started a league in Finland, she coaches, she is about to be a Mom! It's exciting. I remember watching her at scrimmages and studying her stance, and movements back in 2008 and 2009. She would help me with my crossovers, and my hits at practices. She went to Finland for a while, and I was heartbroken to see her go. Eventually I was able to watch her skate again with Boston when she returned to the states. And then she came home and we skated together. She has this outlook on life I admire. I cannot explain the feeling I get when talking with her and hanging out.
PutUNya Grave showed me how to appreciate myself. She had a knack for knowing when I needed a nudge. She would see me, say something, and I would be focused again because she brought me out of my own head. To this day she fights for what she believes in. She has an amazing family that she supports with all her person.
Empress Explosiva taught me that I could be a success, and speak my mind. She was fearless when she spoke. She helped me with my hits and helped me stay strong when getting hit. On the track and off, I fall down less often. I stand strong and sometimes stubborn. I contribute that to Empress.
Sin D. Lap-Her taught me to smile again. When she joined us I was going through some hard times. She showed me there was a real beauty in the world and that I needed to just look for it. Sadly, we lost her... she could not see the beauty anymore. And in this, she taught me that there is darkness even in the brightest places. I miss her often, and can still hear her laugh and say "Oh Irate!" when I would say or do something ridiculous.
SS Trixie showed me that success comes in all packages. She was a success long before I knew her. Smart, funny, beautiful and a force on the track. She taught me humility in success as well. Never did she rub her own successes in someone's face. Being humble in your successes and embracing them is a hard lesson to learn.
Tank’d Girl taught me how to have fun, even if other people were being super shitty. During a particularly terrible point in my life, she reminded me who I was and who I wanted to be. To this day, I think about the ways she made me laugh on and off the track, and how she forced me to look at things. On the track she helped with strategy, and taught me to think fast while playing smart. She was, and is still, always fast to cheer me (you) on and tell me (or you) how amazing I (you) have done. She is always a ray of sunshine to me.
(I almost took this one out, but an important lesson was learned) ABH/P helped me realize I didn't need to be anyone's punching bag and could be great even if/after someone only told me how bad I was. We were close for a while. We had great times on road trips and bowling with Tank'd. Beers and shots at after parties or fundraisers. I missed her when she transferred, and was happy when she came back. Thing happen though, people change, and I take away from our time that not everyone will fit with who I have become and who I will be tomorrow. I also never will let someone make me feel like less of a person, not ever again.
Hazel Smut Crunch/Jennaratah taught me how to stay classy under pressure and that I could come out okay after a terrible day. She always had a way to make everyone feel comfortable in meetings. With my social anxiety, she helped me stay calm and focused when meeting new people. She also helped me get through my initial assessments. We trained up together, and I cannot even express how much that meant to have someone go through everything with me. Now she is reminding me of my spiritual self.
Bettie OffDead always encouraged me to do different things. Never one to let the 'expected' define her, she also reminded me to be spontaneous now and again. She taught me the lessons of quick wit and sarcasm, as well as the value of a drink and a night at "the beach". She also continues to inspire me to broaden myself.
The Makeout Bandit, my first derby wife. My Bulgarian Princess! She is bound for greatness and success even as we speak. Her dedication to her education inspired me to pursue a degree I had wanted for a long time. She cheered me on when I struggled to get my homework finished and still make practices. Her smile lit the track. I dream often of a day when she may rejoin me on the track. First though, I want her to succeed, become the greatest lawyer ever, and shine brightly.
Dee Stortion, my number one DerbyMomma. She is a starter of many things. An artist, a successful business owner, and one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She is quick with a compliment and faster still to cheer your successes, as well as offer sage advice when it is needed. I was sad when she left NHRD for Boston, but I knew why and accepted it. She continues to help derby players all over the world realize their dreams through her skate shops and kind words. She is someone I try to channel when I need calm and focus, or when I just need to see a project through.
From March of 2008 to now, I have learned from so many people I could write the longest blog post ever written. I could write about every skater I have seen come in and leave NH Roller Derby. I have learned from each person. These guys, they are just the select few that taught me the most and the hard lessons I needed to learn. To this day, on and off the track, I am better for having them in my life.
Thank you.
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