On Recent Shananigans

Like I mentioned earlier, I had a pretty awesome weekend coming up and it lived up to my dreams and more.

Last Friday night was my best friend Gabby's work party.  She works for a rather large automobile manufacturer and the party was going to be a pretty awesome shindig.  Originally, it was going to be just her and I going, but since RSVP'ing she had started dating a guy and of course wanted to invite him along as well.  Thankfully one of her co-workers hadn't used her plus one, so they got him on the list.  Now, I hadn't met this guy yet, only knew about him from bits of conversation and a little Facebook stalking, but eh, what do I care, he makes my friend happy and now he was going to drive (bonus!).

I got home after work and got ready to go out. I opted to wear the dress I wore to my derby wedding earlier in the year, a pair of fancy fishnets, and my new hi-top Chuck Taylors. Because yes, I am that fancy.  The party was in the ballroom of the Motor City Casino Hotel.  I was pretty geeked for this, not only because I was going to be stomping around my favorite city, Detroit, but also because I have never gone to a casino other than to park for free and ride the People Mover.  (For those of you not in the know, the People Mover is the only thing besides smelly buses & cabs that count as public transportation downtown, and it is essentially useless unless you want to go to 5 specific places downtown). 

We got to the party a little late, but Gabby, Trevor and I immediately found our way to the bar and grabbed some free drinks.  Drinks are always a little wetter when their free.  We made a brief pass around the ballroom. So much food.  There was a sushi bar, a carving station, a pasta bar, a fruit & something bar, oh and plenty of bar bars too! After finishing our drinks and emptying our hands we loaded up on free sushi.  We wandered around a bit and met with Gabby's co-workers.  After another round of drinks Gabby and Trevor wandered off to have a smoke and I jumped at the chance to eat some delicious roast beast.  We all have our vices ok? They smoke, I eat. 

Later we wandered into the Soundboard (the casino's fancy dance club) and was greeted by a million little sweet treats and a live band.  We hung out a bit, I danced, I was complimented on my intelligent footwear.  We had a good time.

Once the allure of the party had worn off, we made our way up to the casino floor.  I had some money burning a hole in my skull and crossbones hand bag and I wanted to gamble.  Not any of that high stakes stuff... just some good old fashioned slot machines.   So I broke a 20 at the machine and walked up to the first open quarter slot machine and loaded a 5er in.  Pulled the handle. And realized that those old pieces of crap were worthless.  We walked around a bit until a penny slot finally caught my attention and wouldn't you know it, 5 bucks landed me a near $40 winner.  Cashed that one out.  We hit a few more fancy video slots and eventually my $20 in cash was gone and I had $80 in tickets.  I was more than ok with that.

We caught up with Gabby's boss who had done quite well for himself that night as well, and had a few drinks before we called it a night.  I had been irresponsible and signed up to work some overtime in the morning, so I had to head to bed.  And not only did I have to work 4 hours, I was also facing a day of roller derby with a double-header, an after party and an after after party to attend.

I worked my shift and got home only to have to get ready in just a few hours so I could meet up with Mayor, cause my weekend wasn't busy enough!  But it was totally worth it!  We had recently discovered that we were both officiating our 50th and 51st bouts that night and so it was appropriate that we have lunch to celebrate.  And if you are going to be in the D for lunch and one of you has never eaten at the famous coney islands well then you must eat coney's for lunch. Later we realized that was the wrong idea... Coney's are best left for 2am when you've been out drinking.  After Mayor and I agreed once again that Lafayette is the better of the two, we headed up to that grand Masonic Temple for a night of amazing roller derby.

It was the 2nd & 3rd bouts of the home season and the D-Funk Allstars were taking on the Detroit Pistoffs and The Pistolwhippers were up against the Devil's Night Dames.  There was a certain agreement amongst most of the league that we all really wanted to see the Dames pull off a win.  They had been working very hard to rebuild over the past 2 seasons and hadn't won a game in just as many.  I, of course, was completely unbiased.  I do not wish any one team to win more than another. I have a job to do.  And being fair, is my main objective.

The Pistoffs managed to take an early lead against D-Funk and pulled out a win with a 201 to 139 victory.  Both teams played hard and I only kinda screwed up the scoreboard once, and it really wasn't even my fault.  Otherwise I did good.  Mayor got to Jam Ref that one and he wasn't awesome but no one ever is perfect all the time.  I am still ridiculously proud of my derby hubby!

And then came the bout we were all waiting for.  Whippers vs. the Dames.  The P-whips started off with a small lead but the Dames were quick to catch up.  There were a few lead changes leading in to the second half and then it was neck and neck.  Both teams playing amazingly hard.  In the end it was a power jam by Swift Justice that gave the Dames the lead they needed to bring home their first W in 2 years.  The place erupted in cheers and sobs of joy! 

Not only was it an exciting night for my league-mates and I, it was also really awesome because my mother and her friend were came to see a bout for their first time. I know! Can you believe I have worked 50 bouts and my own mother hasn't seen me do derby!? My mother and her friend appear to be lifetime fans now.  They had two amazing bouts to watch, good seats, they bought a bunch of merch and were all giddy talking about it the next day. 

Of course then there was the after party at the Woodward Avenue Brewers where many drinks were had.  I really recommend the pumpkin ale, it was really good.  And if you like IPA's try the Detroit Maiden inspired by our one and only Detroit Derby Girls!  And then quite a few of us headed over to Hi-Death and Robyn's house where of course we were all angels and drank hot cocoa and had a pajama party and were in bed at a completely reasonable time.  That's my story and I am sticking to it!

Just another weekend full of shenanigans to add to the reasons of why I love all of my friends. New and old, derby or non-derby.  And speaking of friends I have to run out the door now and meet up with Gabby & Trevor for Taco Tuesdays.  Thanks again for reading!