After about six weeks of skating once or twice a week my friends and I decided we were ready for some sort of instruction. After all, I had all my gear, I no longer felt like I was going to fall on my ass every time I stood up, and I could do crossovers while skating counter-clockwise. I wasn't exactly sure what was supposed to happen next.
In March 2007, my Grandmother died. Before she did, I spent two nights sitting cross-legged on the dirty hospital floor outside her Intensive Care Unit room, staring through the window at the reflection of the machinery that she was attached to. If I bent my head down at just the right angle, I could see part of her face. The nurses who worked at the station nearby initially asked me to wait in the designated waiting room down the hall but they quickly saw that I had no intention of listening to such an asinine request. They settled for me keeping out of the walkway. So there I sat.
It is not one of the destinations on my "Top Ten Weekend Vacations" list, but when the derby monster calls, you pick up the phone. So early on a recent Saturday, it was into the rental car with two fellow derby-ites and off to scenic Baltimore.
It happened again to me last night. I looked square in the face of that laughable question that we’ve all been asked at least once by our normal friends once we return from a derby weekend: “How much did you get paid?”
I've grown accustomed to this question, and used to answer it with, “Nothing, we do it for free” (insert beaming, prideful smile); this time was different.
It's Friday night and I just sent some comps of web banners over to Jules Doyle for his new book, No Mercy: Life on the Roller Derby Track. I've gotten to look through the book (digitally) and Jules threw me a bunch of images for these banners. The overall collection of photos and the compositions in the book are hella impressive. I'm sure anyone reading this knows how phenomenal a photographer Axle Adams is but seeing so many of his images together may cause your retinas to orgasm.
This column is a play-by-play on my foray into roller derby – the results of which remain to be seen. Will there be success, glory, and tough glamor or just a whole lot of angst and bruises?
Q: What is the best way to avoid getting the 6th toe?
NameLes, Gotham Girls Roller Derby
A: A bunion is a hard bony bump that forms on the side of the great toe. The causes are: abnormal foot shape where the great toe points toward the little toe (this can be present from birth or develop from injury), wearing high-heel shoes, wearing footwear that has a pointed toe or that is too tight, and damage from arthritis.
This column provides a general overview of Roller Derby medical problems and their initial treatment, and it is not intended for advice for an individual. Therefore, you must consult appropriate medical professionals for advice in treating any injury or medical problem that you specifically have. This manual is not intended to be a complete or final guide to medical treatment of anyone's individual medical injury or problem.
By: Switchblade Siouxsie, Atlanta Rollergirls skater
Team USA effed up. Why, you ask? Because they didn’t pick me, and I’m a sore loser. Of course, if you look at the roster, anyone and everyone can say that they definitely did not go wrong. So, I have to muster up the strength to train hard this year, and maybe next year will be my shot.
America, fuck yeah! Yes, you’re going to hear that a lot in the next few month as Team USA gears up for the World Cup. So what does it mean to represent your country? This is a historical event for our sport. (Note to World: I REALLY hope there’s an actual cup. I want to drink out of that thing, BADLY.) I found myself walking through the airport the other day looking at people and thinking, “I represent you and you and you and you!
