Focus on the positive

I've decided that too many of my blog posts sound like rants. Talking about how my hip hurts, or how I'm not losing any weight doesn't make it get any better. I'm going to try to avoid dwelling on the things that went wrong during a practice (see previous post) and try to focus on what went well during practice instead. This means that some nights I may have a short post but we'll see how things go...

Tonight's practice was at JFK. It felt like my first time there in ages. The floor was ridiculous. It's highly polished concrete that, during the off-season, becomes a hockey rink. It's usually pretty slick but my 88A Radar Flat Outs are generally OK. Tonight was crazy.... I felt like I was sliding even on the straightaways! There must be a way to use the slide to some sort of advantage, like in rally car driving!

We did a double pyramid drill tonight that I did probably 90% of. The 10% I was out was not due to a physical issue directly, rather it was a "wardrobe malfunction". I laced my skates too tight and was having foot issues so I quickly took them off, stretched my feet out, and got back on the track. We went up to five laps and back down, doing calisthenics in the middle in between; then switched directions and went up to five and back down again. Considering I completed my first ever pyramid just last week I am pleased that I did as much of this one as I did.

We also did a weaving pace line drill. It's interesting that pace lines use to be the bane of my existence. I couldn't do them to save my life. Now I don't even really think about them. Granted, I put myself in the slow line but with the other vets in that line I don't know that there's any shame in that. I was at the front of the line which meant that I did my weaves last. I made it through the whole line, trying to be a good communicator (thank you Gladiator mouth guard!), and still had enough juice to do my weaves too.

The last thing that I don't think I did great as compared to the rest of the league but it was personal improvement for me was moving from side to side across the track using "mini-crossovers". We did a brief drill where we had to skate the length of the straightaway moving quickly from inside to outside. I want to work on that more next time I'm at Roller Kingdom on a more stable surface - I hope it's agility week next week - my fave!

June is full of promotional events and I'll be spending all day Saturday hanging out at the Gilford liquor store with Maully O and Miss Chiff - hopefully I'll be able to glean some good derby pointers from them while I'm there!

Jabberjaw

I will talk to anyone, anywhere, any time about roller derby. Fortunately I had the chance to do just that at the Nashua Telegraph's Every Woman Expo this evening. Myself, Roxie, StingHer, Tiara, and Hollywood were all there sporting NHRD gear. We had an amazing table with a great photo display, slideshow, posters and cards galore, and merch for sale.

This expo was substantially smaller in size than the Manchester WZID Women's Expo back in February. I would say the attendance was probably proportional, perhaps a bit lighter. Being a weeknight instead of a weekend day probably contributed to that. I really hope we can secure the funds to have a booth at the ZID show next year. It would be worth every penny for the league.

From 5-8pm I got to chat to people about roller derby. Attendees ranged from 16 to 86 - some wanted to skate with us, other wanted to ref and everyone agreed that a derby bout is a great evening out! I talked about what it was like just starting, how things are different than they sued to be in the 1970s, and the state of roller derby in the US today (nearly 400 leagues!).

In short. I talked. A lot. I would do it again as often as I needed to to promote this amazing sport and the way in can empower women and delight fans.

Before I went to the expo I stopped by the Bruised Boutique to get a pink tutu and some socks. I am going to need them for the league photo that we're taking the day of the home opener and I figured I could wear them tonight too. When I walked in, Dee gave me some news...

My skates are coming in tomorrow! My SKATES are coming in tomorrow. My skates are coming in TOMORROW!

SQUEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

*composes self* So, yes. My skates are coming in tomorrow. I am going to pick them up after work tomorrow and probably will not take them off all weekend. I need to read up on heat forming leather boots using a hair dryer. I don't want to break my new playthings!

I am also spending the evening making signs for use at Saturday's season kick off party. A group of us will be parked out on the corner of Main and Canal in Nashua promoting both the league and the party at Penuche's. If you're local we hope to see you there. NHRD will be out from 3 to last call. 50 cents of every PBR purchased will go to benefit the league!