Bonus! A Look Back at 2012

It's that time of year again to reflect back on the year and look forward into the unknown new year ahead.  WARNING! Lots of photo's and links cause I just had to end the year with a bang!

Here's a brief rundown of my year:

MMDG Bout in Jan

January started out pretty derby heavy as I started traveling to nearby leagues to help NSO.  It was a good learning experience and just what I needed to start feeling more confident in my knowledge and skills.

February put me on my very own skates and I got my but kicked at Derby! U. Not to mention I was horribly out of shape and still am!  It's pretty sad to add that I still don't know how to do cross-overs or stop effectively. Maybe I will try again this spring.

March brought an early spring and some new and exciting adventures! I registered for the WFTDA Officials Clinic in Toronto, was accepted to officiate Brewhaha in Milwaukee, and discovered a new local bar, Clubhouse BFD which became an instant favorite.  I also got to meet an idol of mine, Henry Rollins!

Officials Meeting before Brewhaha

April was apparently not as fun, based on Facebook status updates I spent most of April sick or tired. Must be allergy season! I did get to take in a Piston's Game with Ian and I believe they lost.

May was a countdown to Brewhaha and getting pumped for my high school's production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Oh and an impromptu trip downtown with my sister to see Mayer Hawthorne.

June. BREWHAHA FINALLY! My first trip out of state with people that I was not related to! So much fun was had, so many new friends made! This was also the conclusion of my first home season with the Detroit Derby Girls. Ian and I went to my new favorite venue, the Crofoot and saw Mickey Avalon and The Millionaires.

Backstage Crew of JCS

July had the privilege of hosting not only my engagement but my marriage to the bestest derby husband ever, an amazing Rollies where I won Staff Rookie of the Year, and the construction, performance, and conclusion of Jesus Christ Superstar.  As a present to my sister for her graduation, I took her downtown to see Fiona Apple.  There were also a lot of rocky days in July that prompted some new life changes. Can't take the good without the bad.

A Sam Adams at Cheers

August started out in Boston with my sister visiting my aunts. A trip to Toronto for the WFTDA Officiating Clinic was soon after and I finished out the month in Lincoln, Nebraska! I couldn't ask for a better month for self discovery!  And I also got my awesome first tattoo from Inky Gash!

September saw one last trip as I headed across Canada to Niagara Falls for the WFTDA North Central Regional Championships. And if that wasn't derby enough, it also started off DDG's 8th season with the Fresh Meat Faceoff!

NC Regional Champs

October brought my 30th year on this planet and big life changes. This was also a time of reflection as I worked my 2nd Mitten Kitten tournament and remembered how far I have come.

November the start of my new blog! and the start of the busy season; derby, friends, family and food!

December is still fresh in my mind. Well at least the memories not whipped out by alcohol!  There were shenanigans, and Mike and I's 16th Anniversary, and the Karaoke Kristmas.  Looking back on a great year and looking ahead to what I hope is an even better one! 

Election Night

I love election night.

I don't talk politics much.  My father is a stubborn conservative.  My mother fairly liberal. But we rarely ever spoke politics in our house growing up.  I remember when I was in third grade, my elementary school set up a mock polling station in the library and allowed us to each go into a booth on our own and vote for either Bush, Clinton or Perot.  I was such a proud 10 year old that day when I came home from school to tell my dad that I voted.  "And who did you vote for?" he asked.  "Bill Clinton!" I said with a huge grin.  He was not thrilled, but that would soon be forgotten after my younger sister pulled on her ears and and stated in a naisily tone, "Hi! I'm Ross Perot!"

I have always tried my best to maintain a decent understanding of politics, though I know there is much to learn.  I have taken a few classes in college, I do my research before going to the polls, and try to stay on the up on the important issues, especially local issues that are going to have a direct impact on me and how I live my life.  But I wouldn't say I am am expert, and I tend to keep my opinions to myself.  Unless of course, I know the friendship can handle a little friendly debate.

But I love election day.  I love getting up early. I love racing out the door to the precinct.  I love standing in line waiting for the polls to open.  I love it more when I have a travel mug of coffee. I love filling out that little piece of paper, showing them my id and picking up that awkwardly too long ballot and filling in those circles with the provided pen.  I love wearing my little "I Voted" sticker... when I get one.  And all day I sit and anxiously await when the polls will start closing and the news starts filling in the state diagrams with red and blue.

And I don't vote early.  I like standing in line with my neighbors.  The casual nod good morning as you hold the door for each other.  The pleasant chit chat about the weather, how long the line is, how bad other states have it.  I feel like on this one day every 4 years the entire country is bound together by the same to do list. Almost every person I know is waking up and thinking the same thing, "Today, I need to go vote."  

Tonight I am settling in and watching Brian Williams report in the polls as they close.  I have a belly full of duck and venison, a glass of Zombie Killer (a hard cider with honey & cherry from www.bnektar.com) and life is good.