All the photos here tonight are from my friend DJDayZ, and I am so glad she was there, (for lots of reasons, not just because I now have three great photos of my very first Bout Night) but here you have them!It was my first Bout Night as part of a league. Not, mind you Bouting, but very much a part of it. And I really, really wish I could tell you what that means.
In a word: Everything.
Here's me in the middle of the pack during our Derby 101 Demo. Loved that. Right after I got surprise NSO (Non-skating Official) duties, which put me in the middle of the track. Hadn't thought I was going to do that, but they were short one, and there I was, doing nothing but security. (which I admit, I wasn't stellar at, the only people I carded were older than I was) Learned it quickly and did right fine.You can see a lot from the middle of the track, even watching for outside white board ref penalties.
You can see A LOT. And I did.
I watched the women I've been practicing with for a month now skate on a whole new level. I was inspired by them before, now I am somewhat MORE. I love them, all of them. I know them. And the thought of being able to do what they do, to pull that kind of determination out, that kind of skill, that, Gods, I'll lapse into music here: To play that kind of gig.
Yeah, I want that gig. I want that gig really bad.
I woke up this morning hearing about a Bout in Australia, from some skaters, and people who had been there. Coming home tonight, and reading on FB, and on Twitter, I heard more about Bouts that happened tonight. We all had the same experience. One skater pretty much summed it up:
"
Uh-huh. I nearly cried too. THAT is Derby.
That kind of love, that kind of "I have your back", that kind of skill, that kind of putting everything in your body and soul out there on the track...
I've never seen anything that ever comes close.
Sometimes, especially after watching skating like I saw tonight, I am not sure I can be that good. Just in my secret heart, just between us, I really don't know. No, really. The bar is very, very high. I can work very hard, and give everything that is in me, and I do plan to, but to everyone who skated tonight, wherever in the world you were skating, whether you won or lost:
You are my Rock Stars.
And I want that Gig.Love and Derby,
Lorraine
I am so happy you had such a great inspiring time!
ReplyDeleteBeyooond....And you are the only one up with me!
ReplyDeleteSo amazing. Ben's teacher has 'talked about that amazing feeling and of the family on the track and how much she's missing it now (post injuries).
ReplyDeleteDerby 101 is just the beginning baby!!
That's wonderful, Lorraine!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy for you.
:)
I look forward to reading about more firsts as you continue! And eventually your first bout!
xxo
V
So great! Watching from the pit is a great way to see derby. I coach for the local league, co-coaching the new skaters. Never in my life did I think I'd be sending emails to women I've only known for two months, and signing them,
ReplyDeleteHot, sweaty derby love,
Coach Ani Up
Ani, thank you, coming from a coach, that means a LOT..
ReplyDeleteGreat photos - you are glowing with happiness.
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping to go and see my first bout next Saturday. Looking forward to experiencing what you and others have been raving about!
It sounds as though you had an absolutely fabulous time! So happy that you've found derby, and that it rocks your world!
ReplyDeleteYay! I love that you are loving this. You look great, and you look happy. Therefore Stalker Wife is happy. :)
ReplyDeleteIn other news, the next Night Garden challenge has begun. Billy Bones FTW! \o/
\o/
ReplyDeleteGIIIRRRRRRRLLLLLLL, You're doin great! As long as you're having fun! That's what it's all about. Think of how much progress you have made already...and progress IS SUCCESS in derby (or so I've heard). This "derby" brings out the best in us. Besides loving the sport, I love my team even more. From the bottom to the top. Watching everyone work, sweat, hurt, laugh together...kind of makes me proud to be a lady...that likes to hit! I am constantly humbled and so grateful that I have found this amazing group of people that accepted me with no questions. That is derby love. And WE LOVE YOU LORRAINE!
ReplyDeleteLOVE, PITBULL
Wow. Absolute joy just radiating from you.
ReplyDeleteYou'll get that gig. You know you will!
Yes yes yes!! You summed it up beautifully, thank you. So very glad you are part of my/our team...
ReplyDeleteDerby love,
Raven
look at how far you have come already, QuicheMeDeadly!
ReplyDeleteam so so very proud.
I am bringing my Pretty Vicious tee with me on Zombie tour, and showing the world my pride.
Hooray! You've worked so hard for this, glad to see it happening.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you have fouund this rock-on, tight family. Your journey has been awesome and inspiring and I know you'll continue to great new heights of MeDeadly greatness.
ReplyDeleteHey peeps. Siri's story is up.
ReplyDeleteHmmph. Had PLANNED a lovely day pretending I was a Slug. Now Madame Slug is going skating.
ReplyDeleteTain't right.
Ben got a new bike helmet and said, "I want to get a star sticker for it so I can be a bike-jammer!" :)
ReplyDeleteLove Siri's story...and Nathalie's bedtime one
ReplyDeleteTick...
ReplyDeleteMadame Slug fell on her NICE ASS. Hard.
ReplyDeleteDammit.
But your BITCHIN' ARMS picked you up, and you kept skating!
ReplyDelete:)
Madame has done herself a mischief.
ReplyDeleteMy nice ass is either severely bruised or er, cracked, as it were. Going to seriously slow me down this week, but according to Joan, happens to every Roller Girl at least once.
Ice, pillow, trying not to sit...Pretty sure I'm out of the horse show next week, dammit. At least it wasn't my ankle, that would have taken me out 6 weeks...
Could be your tailbone. In which case riding is going to be severely curtailed in the weeks to come.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
Only now had the time to read Siri's story. It's a great and sweet tale! Don't miss it!
ReplyDeleteSo, so awesome! Love your passion for this sport -- and your dedication to it and your team. That's great stuff, Q. LOVE the pics, too!!!
ReplyDeleteIn short: YAY!
Oh no! Sorry you broke your nice ass!!!
ReplyDeleteShamble-by tick...
ReplyDeleteOuch!! Seriously, Quiche, get some arnica cream...it won't cure a cracked tailbone, but it will help enormously with the bruising and soreness. Or look for something called traumeel, also a great ointment for impact damage!
ReplyDeleteYou didn't really want to sit down anyway, did you? {{{hugs}}}
But if you bruised your tailbone, who's going to help apply the arnica? I suppose one of the bengals could, but it would probably get all over everything if they tried....
ReplyDeleteAnd I forgot to ask on FB, but when you split your pants, were you, um, wearing something under them??
Jinx just brought me arnica. Will help, to be sure.
ReplyDeleteIt's very frustrating, a bunch of us start this sports training tonight, and the horse show is now out.
Thanks for the writing encouragment. It's funny how the right words in the right order matter.
ReplyDeleteHave you got a ring cushion Lorraine? Will help you to sit a little more comfortably.
ReplyDelete*sending soothing vibes to your nice ass*
Siri, I loved your story too.
harking back a post: Chantrelle, I really appreciate what you wrote about your discussions with Ben about religion and race. we've been having similar discussions with our monsters. some days my mind is weary from the exercise of figuring how to phrase things and define things at a level they'll understand.
ReplyDeleteFablor, glad to read your bum's just bruised, not busted. and the insights into derby are amazing! i can appreciate the joy and inspiration, even tho' i'll not likely be following suit.
and Siri! yay!
Quiche! Sorry about the bang up job on your nice ass! Sally is right, those ring pillows are a big help! Hope it all feels better soon.
ReplyDeleteSiri- I absolutely loved your story. It is both beautiful and wise. Thank you!
I can only imagine what it's like on the track! So awesome, and I am happy for you! :D
ReplyDeleteLate to the post. You will have THAT GIG! If there is one thing I have learned about you over the years, when you want something that bad, you damn well get it.
ReplyDeleteLove these Derby posts. I am so happy that you are having such a great time, bruises be damned. I love the smile on your face in the first one.
ReplyDeleteHappy Star Wars Day Fiendlings. May the fourth be with you.
(can't help the cheese, love it too much)
Ms. Fabulous, really glad to hear that your Nice Ass is only bruised and -not- broken. I hope that you are all nicely healed and ready to ride in the next horse show. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been remiss in my welcoming duties, so... Linda, knitcrazybooknut,KateF, Joypeg, Kat, Melissa P, Clara, h, Sarah Benwell, hatgirl, Morgawse, Sylvia, Jmarie, Bill Peschel, Heidi, Martina, Dee, curiousheathen, Colleen, CarolAnn, Holly Abbie, Grey Walker, LauraJ, MJ, stacy, Pitbull, and Amy Petersen (Raven) Welcome to Fiendom! You are now Fiends, and as such you receive a lovely white, buckled jacket. On the table over there you will find supplies to personalize your jacket; it need not remain white, though the buckles need to stay in place. ;)
Hands and feet should remain within the jacket at all times...
ReplyDeletePaperwork finally went through and I started on my new job today. It'll be sporadic work but it's kinda fun to be back at a technical-ish job again :)
ReplyDeleteI talked to Ben's teacher about derby lite again. She doesn't want to coach but I'm going to set up a Facebook group and invite all the local ladies i think would want to do it and then she'll do the same and hopefully we'll find someone who wants to help us out. People have to be serious because we still have to buy all the gear!
Hope your ass is healing quickly Q!!
Okay - where is everyone?
ReplyDeleteAt work. In a meeting.
ReplyDeleteHope its not too boring Nathalie. (Don't do what I did once and fall off a chair because I nodded off)
ReplyDeleteNo, it's qute intersting and I am taking three type of records at the same time, which makes it a bit circus-like...
ReplyDeleteI'm here! And contemplating a new post...
ReplyDeleteSally, at 3 a.m. my time i was sleeping!
ReplyDeleteand have woken to my first morning without a deadline to mind since about mid-December. which is not to say i don't have things to DO, of course. and happily one of those things is depositing pay check/cheque. \o/
but first must get monsters to school, as always. the fun thing there these days is i have to ask them to put their books down and come have breakfast, which i think is a lovely challenge to have, parentingwise.
weird is the supposedly satellite-reading clock we have that was 10 minutes behind for a while, was two hours behind yesterday, and is now three hours behind. so it's reading that we live out in the middle of the Pacific ocean, i guess.
New post is UP!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWith Bengal Vid!