Tales from the track | Rollers and Revellers

Tales from the track | Rollers and Revellers.

Game On…

Game On….

Anarchy for the UK…

Game On…

This was a fun game

Fans!!!

Love & Humbled

Diablo’s Spill

       by Diablo 54-46

I’ve always enjoyed physical sports.  I had a brother that’s 2 years older than me and I was determined to do what he did.  An example, was me refusing to play softball as a child.  My brother played ‘baseball’, which had smaller, harder, balls pitched overhand, at faster paces and if he played it, I played it!  My dad coached my brother’s little league team so I got to “practice”(practice or pick clovers, it’s all the same) with ‘em.  In my “expert” experience, any other way, was not only a waste of time but an insult, so I never played with the girls, just “practiced” with the boys. I grew up drawing blood from my brother, following him around, annoying him and his friends, tattling if threats didn’t work but mostly just idolizing him.  I have two older sisters but they were farther in age and weren’t into cool things like hunting for pack rats in the pastors behind our home. Trading punches was and still is, one of my favorite games.  I love pushing limits, testing my pain thresholds and manipulating my friends into doing the same.  For me, injuries are usually just a nuisance that sometimes come with the fun.  I wouldn’t say I’m unafraid of getting hurt, more that I accept it being a possibility and know that it’s only temporary.  Soccer was a huge part of my life and I still play recreationally on a women’s league.  The rougher the game, the more enticing.  I play fair but play hard.  Walking away without a war wound was a disappointment and I feel the same now, after bouts.  If you’re gonna do something do it right or don’t do it at all….that’s how I view sports.  If I don’t put myself in the line of fire or take a bullet, so to speak, then I didn’t utilize my potential and my team deserves better than that.  This is my 6th year with TXRD and I went after it cause it looked liked my kind of crowd.  Ladies, who were physical, brutal, didn’t mind getting bruised and sure as hell didn’t mind giving ’em…I wanted that!…to get and give.  And I knew I could. A little more insight that might help to grasp my psyche….the first time I ever met my husband, I punched him in the face (and it wasn’t a love pat).  Not too long after we were dating, we were wrestling around and had each other by the hands.  I wrapped my fingers around his pinky and mimicked a poker stare producing him to mockingly ask, “what are you gonna do Suzanne, huh?  What are you gonna do?”.   In a split second, I snapped his pinky back and broke it!  I didn’t feel bad ‘cause he called me out and…it was either be an honest threat or an empty one and I generally don’t throw something out there, that I’m not willing to back up.  So, this March we celebrated being together for 18 years.  We’re totally what each other needs and wants.  He’s tougher than me and more honorable because, he lets me believe it’s the other way around.  And he likes that I’m low maintenance and hold my own.  As for me, I still get giddy every time I see him.  He’s supportive of derby and self sacrificing.  I do my best to remember to return such a treasure (work in progress).  I love! love! love! derby, but without a doubt, my family comes first.  Fortunately, like many things derby, it just works. Perhaps because it (derby) requires a lot but returns ten fold. I’d feel like a poser saying derby saved my life, when there’s so many that truly, without a doubt, had their futures salvaged by roller derby.  With that being said, I absolutely don’t wanna undermine or give the impression that derby didn’t completely unearth my whole being and polish the “turd” I was.  I got the full on ‘spit shine’, a humbling kick in the ass and then given a platform to succeed.  Of course, I have the scars and scrapes to show for the many, I mean umm just the one time 😉 I did a face plant.  An amazing thing though, is, after all the girls and guys laugh WITH you, they then, help you watch your step.  It’s not all hugs, kisses and sugar shock ‘cause that’s just gross (I personally wouldn’t want to have to carry around a barf bag)!  But it’s always a sure giggle when a friend, sister and league mate eats shit, and it’s always unique! The family in derby is un-chartered.  It’s not common for so many strong personalities to rely on each other.  Every single member’s a vital part of who we are.  Even if they screw up more than your average Joe, their mishaps, are needed as a reminder that most of us came from the land of misfits and we’ve survived so long because of our ability to relate.  Flaws add character, as well as create room to improve by learning and then teaching in return. Roller derby has given me pride but it also allows me not to be so proud that I won’t introduce myself as flawed. I’ve been given so many gifts from my league, such as confidence, bulging boundaries, friends I’d throw myself in front of a bus for then turn around and cut a bitch for putting that friend in the buses path, athletic knowledge, health, self awareness, awareness of others, honor, learning things generally work themselves out but when you interfere…shit gets broke, humor and, my most treasured gift, logic.  Think before you react (thank you Muerta). “Cut throat competitiveness” is put in back pockets till next bout, while un-harnessed fun, respect, concern, good natured teasing and fondness or dare I say “love”, is unleashed for the rest of time, at the Thunderdome.  Damn! I sure did score, from being accepted into this community of its’ own entity.  Much love, much respect and much appreciation from me. Live and Bleed TXRD!….however…..All Derby is good derby!  If derby takes over the world and line of thinking, then, we’re gonna be a rockin’ world!

Simplified-

Roller Derby:

Forgives Flaws

Strengthen Bonds

Erects Confidence

Uncovers Character

Teaches Leadership

Promotes Responsibility

Requires Determination

Shatters Stereotypes

SAVES LIVES & CREATES PURPOSE