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.