Giving My Liver A Workout and Other Stories

There were so many things going on last week I couldn't even find the time to write.  My apologies up front for this being a long one!

Tuesday night I met up with my best friend Gabby and went to downtown Royal Oak.  We had dinner at Little Tree that included a bottle of Kirin Ichiban, which was my first Japanese beer.  I have to say that I liked it a lot.  After dinner we walked over to the Main Art Theater for the Mitten Movie Project's Zombie Night.  The MMP is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent short films. This month's theme was Zombie's and included Kill Me Again by Set Jester.   Over the summer, Gabby had volunteered her time as a zombie extra for the film.  Though it wasn't the first time I was seeing it, it was still great to watch all of the other films leading up to it.  My personal favorite was a film called Smush! by FroBro films and a close third was 72 Hour Zombie by Daniel Duane Productions. The audience voted on their favorite short at the end of the night and the winner goes on to compete with the previous months winners in December.  By a mere 2 votes, Smush! beat Kill Me Again.  It wasn't me, I still voted for Kill Me Again!

Wednesday night was filled with anticipation as well!  I had found out over the weekend that there would be two opportunities to take the new NSO Certification Test before the new rules come out in Jan, the only issue was that we had to take it before November 15th! Quickly, I contacted our Skater Rep who arranged for any NSOs or Refs to take the test that Wednesday during practice.  The test was so new, it was really hard to study for.  There were 8 or so of us from DDG and the nearby Lansing Derby Vixens who took the test, but unfortunately, none of us did that great.  But, we all now have a good idea of what is on the test and what to study for next time, and since we got it in before the 15th, we can all take it again in a month! Even though I am disappointed I failed, I am still happy I took the chance.  I will be more prepared the next time. 

After getting home late Wednesday, I decided to spend Thursday at work powering through as much work as I could.  Friday was available to take as a vacation day, but with the holiday coming up, I didn't want to be too overwhelmed on Monday.  I accomplished my goal, and  got the heck out there looking forward to my upcoming 3-day weekend.  By the time I got home that afternoon, Paul had all of his stuff packed and was ready to head down to Florida.  Well, not after grabbing one (or four) last drinks that is.  Just another reason I was grateful for having Friday off!

Friday started off with lunch with Gabby followed by some shopping for a skirt for my new Season 8 boutfit.  We were really successful in finding exactly what I wanted in a size that fit perfectly.  Little did I know, comfort was going to be a much bigger necessity!  Later, Gabby helped me make a taco dip to take over to the Circuit Stomper's house.  We had a pre-season potluck and watched Army of Darkness.  There was lots of good food, many great laughs and I couldn't ask for a better crew!

Mayor & I in our new boutfits

Speaking of my crew... The Stat Army of Darkness knocked one out of the park on Saturday!  The season opener of the Detroit Derby Girls featured a rematch between the Grand Prix Madonnas and the Detroit Pistoffs.  The GPM's took home the official win, but I still think the real winners were that amazing crew of officials.  Well ok, the fans totally won too with great derby, little to no interruptions (only one really tiny OTO), new merchandise, and fantastic beer specials! I mean you couldn't ask for a better night in Detroit.  Ok, so I am a little partial... I love my sport, my team, my city!

And that was just the start of the night!  Later it was a great after party at Mercury Burger Bar, that was outside, but warmed with a great fire, many drinks and friends. Later, a few of us grabbed one last drink at the Anchor Bar before grabbing conies at the famous Lafayette Coney.  Many more laughs were shared by all!  And, since I have never done a real side-by-side comparison, Rev and I had stop next door at American.  I am sure we all have our own opinions on the matter, but I still think Lafayette is the best Coney in town! We met back up with a few more friends and before you knew it we were all drifting off to sleep to the soothing sounds of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.  ZzzzZzzzzZzzzzz...

And if I couldn't possibly squeeze anymore into my weekend, Sunday was spent helping Mikey turn his venison into homemade brats and sausages.  I know it probably doesn't sound like much fun, but its good quality time spent with by boy.  And after we had that all cleaned up and put away, we played a round of Ticket to Ride.  Speaking of which, I can hear him in the kitchen right now cooking up a storm.  He hasn't yet asked for my help, but I should probably get in there and see if I can do anything thing.  I'll be having my fair share in the kitchen later this week as well with Thanksgiving Thursday. I know! I can't believe it's here already either!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I'm sure you'll hear from me again soon as I will probably have things I am thankful for to share... Like the big Exit 69 Reunion this Saturday!  I'll be there and you should be too!

Near & Far: Friends Across the Country

Roller derby has given me the chance to meet people from all around the world.  Just yesterday I was at a Black & White Scrimmage hosted by my Detroit Derby Girls.  There were skaters from a neighboring team, the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes as well as skaters all the way from New York, Gotham Girls Roller Derby.   It was really one of the funnest mixed scrimmages I have been to in a while.  Of course it was a blast because I got to be with all of my official friends, including some from Brighton. And there was also this new love and support for A2.  Earlier in the summer our pick-up team the Motown Wreckers had played against A2 and were beat pretty bad (168-81).  Later at the Mitten Kittens tournament, DDG & A2 went head to head again and this time the Wreckers squeaked out a win, 161-151.  It's great that even as competing teams, we can still get together on a Saturday afternoon and mix our teams together and learn from each other.  Oh, and did I mention that the Gotham Girls are this year's WFTDA Champs?  Talk about a learning opportunity right there!

The world is a lot smaller than it seems and life never ceases to amaze me when things so far apart from one another are actually tied together.  After the scrimmage yesterday I had a going away party to attend for a good friend and recent house guest, Paul.  Due to circumstances beyond his control, he's packing up what he can and starting life over again in Orlando.  Just when I was celebrating skaters from across the state and country coming together for a few fun hours, I was suddenly in the company of teary-eyed friends and family wishing Paul all the best on his new journey.  And its not like we we're not going to see him again, it just won't be as frequent.  He's had a knack these past few years of showing up just as Mike was lighting the grill for dinner.  His little visits will truly be missed. 

I have known Paul for a good part of my life, he and Mike became friends in high school and he has popped in and out ever sense.  He was a frequent guest at Camp Grief, and a neighbor for a while.  We've celebrated birthdays, graduations, weddings and births together and we will continue to do so for the rest of our lives I am sure.  We had a great time last night drinking, dancing, singing karaoke, and just enjoying the most out of our last few days with him before he leaves.

And it doesn't seem to matter where I go, someone will ask if I know so-and-so and sure enough they're apart of derby somehow, and somehow I just happen to know them.  But that's always the perfect way to suggest they come out and see a bout, and hand off a season flyer. Shameless plug in 5...4...3...2...1... The Detroit Derby Girls Home Opener is this Saturday, November 17th!  Get your tickets now! http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/285473

We freeze for vanity: Stat Army of Darkness!

The Detroit Derby Girls staff of officials, normally known as the Stat Army, is going with an Evil Dead theme this season and calling ourselves the Stat Army of Darkness.  Last night we got our group photo taken for the website and program. I rushed to practice early so I could meet up with Hi-Death, our Announcer/Manager/Photographer.  He volunteered to take our photos this year.  We headed out to a near by park, set up some lights, and took some test shots.  Later the rest of the gang showed up and we had a blast razzing each other and getting the perfect shot.  Oh and did I mention it was freezing out?  Ok, maybe not quite freezing, but it's November, it was dark, and we were outdoors. But the Circuit Stompers brought hot chocolate for everyone and we all warmed up at the rink.

Practice followed and like always it was another great time hanging out with all of the best people.  And I really do mean the best.  From my derby husband, Mayor McSmartass who will take me out and buy me a beer or a milkshake when I've had a bad day, to my travel companions, Circuit Broad and Under TakeHer. Hell, all of the Stat Army holds a special place in my heart.  We're nerdy, we love roller derby, we laugh, joke and cry together.  They are family to me.  And it doesn't just stop there.  The NSO's and Referees from around the country are all friendly, outgoing, hospitable, and an absolute joy to be with.

Since joining the Detroit Derby Girls and the Stat Army in the summer of 2011, I have made hundreds of new friends (literally), I have traveled to Milwaukee, Lincoln, Toronto & Niagara Falls to watch derby as well as officiate it. I have laughed, danced, drank, cried, sang, and shared in some of the most amazing conversation.  There were trips by train, plane and car. Hotel pools and hotel bars. PBR's and Jamison. But none of that compares to the new friendships and bonds I have made with so many amazing people.

Over the summer I walked into a tattoo shop while dropping off a skater friend for a fundraiser.  One of our NSO's was losing her house due to some financial struggles, a skater of ours and a really good friend of the NSO is a tattoo artist who offered to run a special on small tattoos for cheap all day.  I hadn't intended on getting a tattoo, but it had always been an idea in the back of my mind.  When I walked in and saw so many of my roller derby family offering up their flesh to help, I knew it was now or never.  I waited over 5 hours to be tattooed by my friend Inky Gash.  And with that I offered up my wrist, and with my family, I braved my first tattoo of a small robot.  That fundraiser raised over $2500 dollars, and our friend was able to save her home.  This tiny robot on my left wrist will forever be a reminder of just how awesome my roller derby family is.  I know that I can forever count on them to hold my hand or have my back.