Blade Blog and Keith Stone

Recently Jerry Seltzer gave Blade a little shout out on that ever popular social networking hub facebook. Even though I gave up facebook for lent, (23 days and counting) my friend who skates with Coach Blade and knows I like his style had to text me to inform me that J. Seltz, whom I love and respect, was singing Blade's praises on the interwebz.

Jerry Seltzer - March 26th

Please don't anybody take this wrong, but after watch the RMRG and LADD game last night, I wish you all had the advantage of either working with Blade Gallagher, Cliff Butler in the west, Judy Sowinski and Skip Schoen in Philly. There is an art to skating the banked track that is a thing of beauty and it wasn't there! I don't just mean one team.


And I was glad, because Blade deserves recognition and Jerry has some clout. I thought I'd keep the ball rolling on exposing his talent by giving him a mention myself. I've been trying to get him to write a guest blog, (like about the time he skated at the Grammy after party) or allow me to write a feature piece on him, (if only he would answer my interview questions) but it hasn't happened quite yet. If you want a little taste and also some background on how we know each other, read my blog 75 Years of Roller Derby: A Diamond Celebration. Fortunately however, Jerry's words of wisdom collide with the airing of a recent commercial Blade happens to be in: he doubles for Keith Stone in this...




(or watch here-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2RWDr1HEso)

And as always, check out his skate school.

When I grow up...

I want to be one of these women when I grow up!



(Watch this video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCsly6g04UQ)

DIY Derby: Wrist Guard Covers

The other day I was going through my sewing box and I found a precious piece of Auntie Social History. I thought I had lost them but no, I would never allow that to happen. I just stowed them away in a hidden compartment so that they’d be safe, and boy was I delighted when I found them.

They can be seen here ^

^ Here...

...^ Here...

If you haven’t read my DIY Derby Blog on Uniforms, I personally like the themes and outfits as opposed to the sweat resistant jerseys that WFTDA leagues are evolving towards. It’s more spectator friendly and it’s a characteristic that differentiates roller derby from other sports. We LIKE that it’s different from other sports. And fun themes are just well, fun.

...And also here^

Product Review: Long Board Gloves

Estro Jen

Whenever I go visit Estro Jen in Long Beach she has something cool and new for me to try. Whether it’s a spinner or a ramp or an improved skate tool or the latest skate boot or plates, she is always hip to the newest stuff. This last time I came to visit she had just acquired these funky hand brakes. They were designed for skate boarders, but if you know anything about Estro Jen at all she does not adhere to the cultural norms. She doesn’t fit in any box and she breaks down the barriers that separate boarders and skaters. She grew up braving the ramps and half pipes at skate parks on her quad roller skates and it’s only natural she saw these gloves meant for skate boarders and said “Hey, I could use those!”

Triple 8 Long Board Gloves = Hand Brakes Yikes!

Of course, since they’re not designed for skating and you don’t have an example to guide you, you kinda gotta figure it out yourself. Here’s me having a go with them outside Moxi. 

Figuring it Out Figure 1 and Figure 2

The first thing that happened was I tried to shoot the duck backwards, (something I’ve been trying to master lately, I can go forwards, but not backward for some reason) thinking the gloves were the perfect aid in helping me to get over my fear and finally successfully execute the maneuver, I tried it, fell hard backwards and immediately declared, “oh ya, you don’t have gloves on your ass dummy”. I said to myself that just because I had big plastic plates on my hands didn’t mean I still wasn’t really vulnerable and reminded myself to be more careful.

There’s a really huge hill down by the beach that I headed to so I could put them to good use and get some speed. I took a picture of the giant hill to prove how scary it all was, but half my pics didn’t save to my camera. I have no idea how Estro took that series snapshot picture above actually.  So sorry I don’t have more photos. I’m a writer not a photographer, give me a break.

So when going down a big hill like that, I usually brake using the plow, (think skiing) or I make lots of big sweeping turns back and forth across the street so I don’t pick up too much speed. The night before I had already braved the same hill without any protection at all, and saw skate boarders fly down it with reckless abandon, knowing it would flatten out at the bottom and they would have plenty of time to slow themselves down. So this time, having conquered the hill 5 times already and now with added protection, I went for it.

My Duty to You (or "FUCK YOU IF...")

Some things just never change.

Sometimes when I come across writing from my past, I am shocked at my own passion and fire. I am tempted to change the words or revise it to soften the harshness.

But then I remind myself that I am who I am for a reason, I have always evoked reaction from exuding pure raw truth, and I do not wish to erase or deny my past. Re-reading how I felt years ago just reinforces in my gut who I was born to be and what my mission in life is- to expose the truth and radiate art from my pores. -To reflect back onto the world the twisted way in which I see and interpret it. I have grown to understand that I should not repress this in me, but nourish it and help it blossom, as I now realize who I am is a refreshing ray of sunshine to so many who can relate but do not speak up. Refusing to censor myself is a favor to all the repressed souls of this world who can't help but do otherwise.

I walk forth with a renewed purpose and sense of duty to my patronage. Keep reading. It's only going to get better.

With that said, here is an Oldie but Goodie- originally drafted on April 5, 2007 and entitled "Fuck you if..." Please enjoy my unadulterated, gritty, in-your-face truthiness. And if you don't well then, fuck you.

MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT ROLLER DERBY IS...

That I'm good at it.

Period. Bar None. Case Closed.

No, seriously. I don't care if that sounds cocky, a guy asked me this recently and instantly and without reserve I blurted that out. It was the first thing I thought of and it's true.

I love roller skating. I love the speed. I love how it makes me feel like dancing even though I hate dancing. There's nothing that puts a shit eating grin on my face more. The other day while soaring down a hill I declared aloud, "You know, I think this probably feels more like flying than ACTUALLY flying an air plane!" I dig it more than anything.

But my favorite thing about ROLLER DERBY? Easy. I reign.

Oh sure, I'm not the best there is. I know that. I'm not even the big fish in a little pond anymore, I get that. Roller Derby is evolving and what with junior derby getting more popular, there's plenty of 16 year old up and comers poised to take my spot. But in my life? In my own personal judgment room? It's what I'm best at. Compared to ME.

I'm #1!

Which is it?

Which is it?

I don’t do this too often: write about things besides skating, but sometimes when it’s music I like to post. I went on a date last night for the first time in over 4 years. Why? I just escaped the convent! Actually, a long-term relationship, same thing, right?  Got into a conversation about women putting men into a category of “friend” or “potential spouse” within a few seconds of meeting, and in my mind I drew a comparison of these two songs.

So, which is it?

All I really want to do (is baby be friends with you)

 or, Foolish Love