RCR beats Duke City 154-66

So they say.

Nice work!

UPDATE: RCR Twitter tweets "RoseCityRollerFINAL: RCR 145 Duke City 66."

We'll get to the bottom of this in a few days, we swear!

UPDATE 2: JeLLyPIG, elevated from the comments:

Not to be a dick but they have corrected the final to 154 to 69.

More Derby than you can shake a stick at!

In a previous thread, I read our boy George gently jabbing the Coroner about the lack of blog activity.

Since I'm a "Contributor" who really enjoys running his mouth but has been trying to stay out of harms way lately, I thought perhaps I'm due to chime in. You know, get out there, lend a hand and get my nose away from the grindstone. Given all that has happened since my self imposed exile and all the events coming up this weekend, there is a sh!tload of crap to spew.

Actually, I have been on derby overdose in August with some drunken derby love "Canadian Style" up in Terminal City on the 8th. I followed that up with some Mid Western derby jackassory in Killamazoo last weekend (Jackie Daniels from Grand Raggidy is an ADM:Awesome Derby MACHINE!). Both of those events will pale to the derby buffoonery that awaits me this weekend as my two "Derby" loves clash on Saturday. I see the need for a liver transplant in my very near future...

But first...the Draft.

I won't attempt to explain a process I barely understand, despite having had it explained to me several times by several players. Tuesday night some fresh meat was added to the Intraleague Rosters. Our Heartless Heathers welcome to the team, Hard Candy and Knotty. Given my tendency for drunken emailing, I contacted Ringer for some insight to the freshies talent. Since I'm not sure her responses were intended for broadcast, I'll paraphrase and give my own take on her response, despite my low comprehension scores.

Hard Candy has been described as a fit, motivated and aggressive long legged athlete. Comparisons were made to Sump Pump i.e. Jammer. (Click the button!) From the sounds of it, she will be a quick start no doubt hitting the player rotation first game of the season.

As for Knotty? Well, "She looks like a Heather" stands out from Ringer's reply. Be still my Charlie Brown heart. She's been pegged as an overall good fit for the team, a mid size lady who is coming up fast and "get's it done". Sounds like she is a utility player capable of pack and Jammer roles. As for a comparison to an HH stalwart, Sol Train was mentioned.

As one the Heartless Heathers hardcore Cadavers, let me say "Welcome Knotty and Hard Candy. Your souls have now been stained blue with the irony of being called Heartless. HPmfV!"

And the other talent acquired by the non Heathers teams? Those Betties scooped up Frisky Sour, GnRrrrr picked up Suki Hana, and the HRMF'rs got Penny Dreadful. I've heard good things about all of them through various derby channels.

Now here is the weird draft news; Merciful Kate goes to the GnR and Viva Vendetta goes to the High Rollers. Wow. How much more quality veteran talent do those High Rollers need? On the other end, I can see a powerful one-two punch called the "Merciful/Nepalm Bomb" in the GnR's arsenal. My first speculation was that this was some how a trade thing, but after cornering that poor Candy Warhole at Beulah last night, she explained that they were free agents. I was too busy getting my fun on to question the "Free Agent" concept and how the hell that works, but that is what the comment section of the blog is good for...someone splain!

And if all that is not enough derby happ's to blow your mind, this weekend is Rose City Rollers "Derby Daze". A weekend long event with several spectator oppurtunities...

The core of this event is a Derby Camp, there will be on and off skates workshops with some of the finest skaters around both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday there's an open scrimmage from 1 to 3pm, with a mini bout event from 3 to 4pm. My understanding is that these bouts are open to the public. Of course 6pm is the start for our Wheels of Justice taking on the Duke City Derby. This is a sanctioned bout between two ranked teams, so missing it would disqualify you as a hardcore roller derby fan.

Sunday there will another open scrimmage from noon to 3pm, with a benefit BBQ from 3 to 6pm. Click here to figure it out.

Not to dissuade anyone from attending all of these events BUT (the PiGz big but)...my first "DERBY" love will also be taking place Saturday at Mt Tabor Park. Yes, indeed the stereotypical slacker event of the summer, the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. Lucky number 13! If you have heard about this event and never seen it, take a few minutes Saturday morning and stop by, learn the true meaning of "dumbass". For me this means PBR's for breakfast, a day in the sun and fun, quick change and hopefully coherent enough to have a memory of the Duke bout that evening...for the record I'm NOT attending the After Party.

So there you have it. Just as the headline said...more Derby that you can shake a stick @!

(Here's the link to DNN's preview of the Rose City vs Duke City)

Portland 138, SF 120

Big victory for RCR.

DNN play-by-play with amusing comments here.

Rose City Rollers v. Bay Area, Sat, Aug 8

Tomorrow, that is.

DNN preview, with very confused people in the comments section, here.

Goodie 2 Skates and other Team Awesome skaters on "Gene Simmons Family Jewels"

Watch the episode online here.

I haven't watched it all, but did spot Goodie giving a great sneer at the beginning of part 2.

Hat tip @stutzerelli at Twitter.

I think this is somehow related.

Follow the Heathers on Twitter

Heathers Twitter power.

They're tweeting. Follow them and their awesome tweeting power.

Last Blast for Sump Pump

As you may recall, last April Rose City Rollers luminary Sump Pump sustained serious injury with a fractured jaw while skating in a bout, and RCR and friends (including Delta Cafe and Flat Track Revolution) banded together to raise over $3,000 to help our friend out. And Sump Pump has healed up and is looking good and happy.

But now that the insurance dust has settled, we find that a substantial liability persists: deductible and expense cap aside, there were some items that insurance just didn't pay for, so total uncovered medical costs exceeded $10,000.

So we're going to give Sump Aid one last blast before we take the PayPal button down. If you can give a little more for Sump Pump, please do.

Click the "Donate" button in the upper right-hand corner of this page to help.

Many thanks.

Heathers Pouring Beer at Bones and Brew

Once again this year as in years past, the Heartless Heathers will be pouring beer for a great cause at the 15th Annual Bones and Brew Festival

Deets:

Date: August 1 and 2, 2009
Admission Cost: $3
Suggested DonationTimes: Sat 11 AM - 9 PM ~ Sun 11 AM - 7 PM

The 15 th Annual Bones and Brew Festival, Aug. 1 and 2, benefits the Oregon Zoo. Last years event drew more than 4,000 people to Portland 's historic Pearl District and raised more than $11,000. This year's family and dog-friendly event will be a celebration of the American Backyard BBQ and include: BBQ vendors, a BBQ contest, Kobe Bleu Ball eating contest, Dog Vendors, Charity Dog Wash, 20+ Microbreweries and Live Music.

Action Central will be the Rogue Distillery and Pub, at NW 14th & Flanders. Live music and other events. And bones. And brew. And Heartless Heathers.

Go along and have a good time.

Ringer takes two Silver Medals at Quad Nationals; RCR moves up to 3rd in the West

Last Saturday, Izabell Ringer blazed around the track in Peoria in a few different events to take the Women's Masters Division overall Silver Medal, and an additional Silver in Mixed Relay at USARS Quad Nationals. It was a day of conquering adversity as her Mixed Relay partner suffered a dislocated shoulder, and Ringer herself was knocked to the floor by a dirty opponent during her individual heats. There is a photo of the floor burn that we shall not reproduce here without the burn owner's permission.

In other happy news, Rose City's Wheels of Justice moved up above Rat City and Bay Area teams to third place in WFTDA's Western Division Rankings.

They will spend that car wash money well.

Axles of Annihilation 133, Rat City Rain of Terror 67

Oh, my stars and garters.

RCR 120, Carolina 62

Well, what do you know about that?

Oh, I must write that down.

Double Secret Carolina/WoJ bout doin's

Okay, so maybe "SOLD OUT" doesn't mean as much when you are only talking about five lucky people and their guests, but fear not WoJ'sters. The mighty DNN will be honoring us with a trip out west to bring the action of this bout to you...online. I know I have happily wasted some of my lifetime watching DNN's online feeds. Like ECE a couple of weeks ago. Yes, pre-City Championship here, I had the pleasure of watching Carolina fire back from behind and beat Boston 82 to 81 in the last two minutes, in my own home.

So you too can check it out if you haven't...click here. Or just go to www.rosecityrollers.com

Now, if you don't want to sit and watch derby in the privacy of your own home, perhaps in your underwear enjoying a KFC Sadness bowl and a few PBR's, you can join the derby crowd at Kay's. Yes, right up the hood from the Hangar, Kay's at 6903 SE Milwaukie Ave. will be hosting a live feed viewing party. So you can still get your crowd scene on even if you aren't part of the crowd at the scene. Either way it's probably the only way to catch a bout you don't want to miss.

Now if you bother with DNN's Power Ranking silliness, you already know Carolina holds the 10 spot on their charts. Our beloved WoJ is sitting at number 12, which could mean our Wheels could gain some Top Ten status with a win. Now I realize this is "just" the DNN Power Rankings, but currently this system is the only overall master rankings of all the teams across the country, that actually moves with play throughout the season. It doesn't mean shit if WoJ doesn't win in Denver in October. Until then, a win against Carolina and some improvement in ranking don't hurt us none. You can check out DNN's pre Bout Preview here.

So don't just sit there, unless you want to. In which case, here is the link to view the bout... AGAIN.

Coach Izabell Ringer leads those SickTown Derby Dames to victory...

The Centralia (aka Rainy City) Rollerdrome played host last Saturday to a double header featuring Rainy City and Treasure Valley battling it out with SickTown Derby Dame Vs Fort Lewis Bettie Brigade on the under card. The venue was a great small town rink that had some of my favourite roller derby accessories, a beer garden, indoor plumbing and air hockey.

Both SickTown Derby Dames and Ft. Lewis are relatively young leagues, in fact it was Ft Lewis' first bout but the action didn't lack from the experience. The bout was close through most of the first half. There were plenty of major hits and solid jamming skills displayed by both teams leading to a close halftime score of STDD 77 Ft Lewis 63. After the half, Sicktown built on the gap with some great jams from Rice Crackr, St Nick and Hot Boxxx. Though Ft. Lewis was not going quietly, even the monstrous Tamazon and Legs Le'nor could not keep the SickTown dames from the win. In the end STDD racked up 137 over 115 points for Ft Lewis.

As for the main event, it was a hard fought or more accurately a brutal bout that ended with some controversy.

The thumbnail view is: Rainy City, on the backs of some of the speediest little jammers around came out strong and fast. Treasure Valley battled the speed game with some tough defense and hard hits. The first half was chaotic in my opinion and would end with Treasure Valley down 47 to Rainy's 71. The second half picked up just where the first half left off in terms of aggressive play. With just under 20 mins left in the second half, Rainy City up 89 to 63, ANGxiety Rush of Treasure Valley took an elbow and was knocked unconscious. This stopped play and ultimately the bout.

The coach for Treasure Valley had had enough and forfeited the game.

The major problem (and huge distraction for me, hence the lack luster NON recap of the bout) was the lack of officiating. It was so bad that I don’t remember details of the speedy jamming styles of Holly Hobble or D.V.S. Dicer (A mini version of Blood Clottia) because I spent most of the time yelling, pointing and being disgusted by what I saw as Roller girls gone wild…and not in a good way!

Now as I crawl out on a limb here, there are three caveats to my comments.

#1) I am not a casual derby fan. I would stack my understanding of the WFTDA rules against 99% of the "Fans" at that bout. (Noz, Nepalm Beth and Mercyful Kate would have to be excluded. Kanna, George and my daughter Bailey would no doubt be my biggest competition) but I know what I saw.

ii) I realize I am holding Referees that are "Volunteers" responsible for their actions or lack there of. I am not bitching about the score board operator, the people running the door or the score whore here, these are the OFFICIALS of the bout which, pay or NOT, comes with responsibility. It also comes with the expectation that you need to not only KNOW the rules, but be willing to enforce those rules.

C) Most importantly, I am not dissing ANY LEAGUE, TEAM or PLAYER. I am not trying to discourage people from seeing bouts in Rainy City, in fact I would encourage everyone to go check out their bouts and venue...it's got a funky factor of 10 and they are good people that are working their asses off to make derby a vibrant part of their community.

All that bullsh!t said...

Early on, I thought the ref crew was just new and figuring out how to work together. I thought they would work through the bugs and that they would get it together. Then I thought they were trying to give some room to Sicktown/Ft. Lewis because they are relatively new teams. By the time Rainy City and Treasure Valley hit the track I was completely frustrated by what I saw as an absence of enforcement of the rules.

In as much as the poor ref'ing hurt any of the teams, it also helped. Of course the skaters figured out they could get away with stuff and so they did. That's not an insult, each team has to play the bout that is happening; taking every advantage they can...it's the nature of sports. Now with Sicktown and Ft Lewis, they are young developing teams, so they didn't have the skills yet to do the kind of damage Rainy City and Treasure Valley could, and did to each other.

At the half, I said that I thought the calls were lopsided but Bailey called “bullshit foul” on me, saying "Treasure Valley may be behind in points, but they are beating the crap out of Rainy and even IF, Treasure Valley has had more box time but there are still only being called for part of their shit." Later she would make the most damning statement which seems to boil the bout down to its essence, "How is this a WFTDA sanctioned bout? It looks more like Renegade Roller Derby."

And indeed it did appear to be lawless.

During the second half, people around us figured out that we had some more understanding of game basics and starting asking both us questions about rules. It was ironic because I would say "You can't do" this or that and then they would point out that it was just done. I could see skaters looking at the ref's because they KNEW what they just did...and they were puzzled they weren't called for it. This of course was contrasted by calls that were made for no visible reason.

Eventually this all led to a skater down, which though I enjoy seeing a tough hard hitting bout, a skater on the floor is always scary. Treasure Valley's coach made a tough but wise and as I have said in other venues...a brave choice. The coach chose the best interest of the players over the game. I can only imagine how rough things would have gotten as they got to the usual passionately played ending of the bout.

And so begins the aftermath...

I sent a quick text to Elwood, he was up in Oly for the big Hot Rod Honeys bout. That got me a follow up message and eventually I sent him my assessment in an email.

The next day saw an inquiry from Miss Mel Mangles of Rainy City and this morning, the same thing from their coach Ryrod.

All of which, got the same story…

It is clear that the entire Rainy City organization recognizes there are some growing pains here, that there is a problem and they intend to fix it. Again, though they hosted the bout I don't really blame them for shit. I think it is reasonable to expect a level of professionalism from those that make the choice to wear the stripes.

Yes, I have had various issues with refs over the course of my Roller Derby Fandom, but I have always respected what they do. The result of this bout is a deeper appreciation for all the Refs in the Rose City and across the country that take the responsibility seriously. I hope that the Officiating crew assembled for this bout learns from the experience. I did. I learned just how valuable the rule set is...

Thoughts from a fan, geek, volunteer and [occasional] staff dude

Alright, I was going to wait until JeLLyPiG wrote up his always fantastic Post-Mortem of the bout, but I find myself unable to hold my tongue (or typing fingers) any longer.

I basically have three points I want to make, and I'll try to do so in as respectful a manner as possible, but I gotta say there have been some things a brewin', largely in the peripheral derby community, that I find utterly disgusting, and I can't let that stuff stand without expressing my own opinion.

Point 1: The RCR officiating crew (refs, stats, auxiliary staff) are top-to-bottom some of the best, most professional, and hard-working bunch you'd find anywhere in the derby world! Widen that out to the larger world of amateur sports in general, and I still doubt you'd find many who work harder or are more passionate and committed to their respective sports.

I've been a fan of roller derby since, oh about 2003, and I've always known RCR has a bunch of good refs, who are well-respected nationwide, doing a job that is difficult and complicated. Still, it wasn't until this year, when I got to see them working "from the other side" if you will, that I realized just how hard the job is. There are literally dozens of places where mistakes can be made, information being communicated can be lost, calls being missed or blown, rules interpretations must be brought to bear on new situations, and of course, there are "challenging" personalities (skater and fan alike) making an already tough job that much more difficult.

I make this point because, it has become almost commonplace for people to start lobbing insults and abuse, even after the game is over, at refs and other officials - and sometimes I think it goes over the line. I'm not saying don't be passionate about the sport you love (or in the case of skaters, the sport you play). I'm not even saying don't be critical, or disagree with the refs. What I AM saying is that I can't respect someone who is unable to articulate their feelings with a little respect.

Basically, if you think you can do a better job, then strap on some skates, set aside 25-30% of all your free time, and go be a ref. Lord knows they wouldn't turn you away! But be prepared to actually read those rules you like to bitch about. And make sure you attend the ref practices, meetings, and rules discussions. Don't even think about missing the countless hours of scrimmages in the league. Oh, and don't hold your breath thinking that anyone's gonna actually compensate you for your time!

Point 2: Sports are governed by rules. Roller Derby is a sport. Ergo, Roller Derby is governed by rules. YOU don't write the rules. I don't write the rules. Cheering fans of the Betties who pulled out a heroic victory over a High Rollers team that was about 2 minutes away from snatching away the 2009 Championship don't write the rules. Disjected, frustrated GnR fans who watched their team come unglued again don't write the rules. Skaters sent to the box don't write the rules.

Nevertheless, the game is governed by rules. You don't have to like all of them - lord knows I got a few I can't stand - but the rules are the rules. Athletes who play a sport must understand the rules. They don't have to like all of them any more than you or I do, but if they want to be successful, they had better put in the time to figure them out, and learn what the appropriate strategy for every given situation is.

There has been a lot of discussion recently over the "stopping on the track" strategy that we witnessed at the last bout, most of it vilifying the Heartless Heathers for implementing the tactic against the Guns 'n Rollers (oddly, no one seemed to mind when GnR did it against the High Rollers earlier this season. Or when the Wheels of Justice did it against Rat City, also this season).

I'm going to assume that you fully understand that what they did was LEGAL, and totally allowed under the rules that govern the sport (and it's arguably still allowed under the new 4.0 rules - I'll discuss that more in a future post). So why is anybody upset if the team broke no rules?

Is it because it's "boring"? Well, that's a subjective opinion, to which you're entitled to hold, but I have to disagree. I find it immensely satisfying to watch a team of blockers, in the heat of competition, synchronize their efforts by focusing all their hits on a single opponent, lock that opponent down with them, then drag her back away from her teammates, thus exerting control over the pack and effectively taking their opponents out of the game.

That is control. That is strategy. That doesn't come without practice and team chemistry. That is roller derby. Boring? Hardly, but we obviously are gonna have to agree to disagree.

So, let's say you think it's boring. Well, the good news for you is that you don't see it happen much. I couldn't confirm this without seeing the video, but I've heard it said that the Heathers employed the strategy 2-3 times in the last bout. Since the strategy really only makes sense when the opposing jammer is in the box, and penalties are only 1 minute, that means the most we saw was 3 minutes of this. Out of 60 minutes.

Think about that for a second. Are you really upset because you were "bored" for 3 out of 60 minutes? That's 5% of the game time! And I'm not counting the many team and official time outs, just the regulation bout time. To put that in perspective, do you realize that there are roughly 30-40 total jams in a bout, and that teams are allowed 30 seconds after each jam to line up (i.e. clock ticks, but no derby happens) - that means, conservatively, there are 15 out of 60 minutes (or 25%) where NOTHING happens. Do you think THAT is boring too?

I can't help but think there's something else going on here; something more behind all this "outrage". Especially when you understand that BOTH teams engaged in it, yet only one is being criticized.

Maybe you think it is "cheap", because you want to see them skating fast all the time. To that all I can say is, expand your horizons a bit. In the NBA there's this thing called the 24 second shot clock. That means that you can hold the ball in your hands and do nothing for 24 seconds before you have to give the ball to the other team. At the end of almost every game, if you've got the lead, that's exactly what you do. Is that "cheap"? In the NFL you're allowed 4 downs, with like 30 seconds to call a play on each down, before you turn the ball over. You know what happens when you're down to the final 2 minutes, have a lead, and you get the ball back? You don't call a play, you just kneel down over and over until the clock expires and the opposing team can do nothing. Is that cheap?

Alright, I really could go on and on even more about this, but I'll just quickly wrap up this point - if you are bitching about what you saw there are two things you should do. One: send WFTDA an email explaining what you do and don't want to see in future versions of the rules. Two: Grow the eff up!

Point 3: The Heartless Heathers are the greatest roller derby team in RCR, possibly the world. Not because they won the 2006 & 2008 Championships. Not because they were undefeated against 3 of the 4 teams in the league this year. Not for any accolade they've earned individually or as a team on the track.

In my opinion the Heathers are the greatest team because they embody everything I want to see in sports. They have skilled skaters, yet they are always trying to improve. They have strong new talents, but still have the guidance of experienced veterans who have logged more hours playing the sport than many have even wearing skates. They are a team that supports each other, but of equal importance they support the league and the greater derby community. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone in the league who works harder at the non-team stuff than the Heathers. Be it coaching and mentoring youth derby or the new recruit "Fresh Meat" or raising money for charities, the Heathers get it.

They're fierce competitors, surely, because that's what athletes do. But after the heat of the moment has passed, win or lose, they always give respect and love to their opponents. I've been able to witness the heights of their success, basking in the glory of their multiple championships, but I can honestly say that I've never seen them in higher spirits than when they congratulated the High Rollers who beat them both times in 2009 - a feat no other team could pull off even ONCE!

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, although I know the team has likely seen some angry, virulent stuff flung about in recent days - just know where it's coming from. And know too that your fans, friends, and family love you and support you.

So, thanks Heartless Heathers for a great 2009! Not without it's ups and downs to be sure, but wow what a ride! To those moving on, you will be missed and remember: Heathers POR VIDA means for life!

To those returning for next year, good luck in the off-season! I hope to share a drink and/or a laugh with you this summer, knowing you'll be back stronger than ever next year!

KATU Spot on RCR

Hat tip to JeLLyPiG for finding this one.

Heathers and Betties Victorious.

Heathers 186, GnR 153
Nice photo. Fat Tire much?

A Few Words with Viaggra Falls

Viagrrra Falls, photo by Delusional Photography

VIAGGRA FALLS: I'm 33, Live in NE 1 bd apartment with my awesome Husky Terra, and kitty Sassy.
My beverage is Yerba Mate iced tea (don't drink alcohol)
Energy food of choice is Chocolate, wheat- free pasta, and sushi!
I've been on the Heartless Heathers for 3 years

CORONER: How did you get involved with the Rose City Rollers?

I had first heard about Roller Derby from Jeffrey Wonderful ("other" founder of league) and how they wanted to start a team up in Portland. I had performed with Jeffrey in the past with Portland Organic Wrestling (POW). It was this crazy, campy, artist, Punk-rock wrestling show that showed for about 4tyears that started at Satyricon. Its was sort of WWE meets GWAR, with grotesque stuff being sprayed onto the audience mixed in with crazy acrobatic wrestling moves all wrapped up into artsy skits. At the end of all shows I was mostly covered in Beer or sour milk. Good times.

Sure, Derby sounded fun, and had met a few girls already skating, but I figured I should wait 'til I had health insurance. I never gave it a second thought 'til I went to the very first exhibition in October 2005. OMG I had no idea what the hell was happening, but something tingled inside and I was hooked! I wanted to know how to get involved, where the practices were, the whole sha-bang! Although I didn't start showing at practices till about January and just got "thrown in". This was all before we actually started having Fresh Meat tryouts, and most of us just "heard" about it and showed up.

I think you were the first person I ever associated with Portland Roller Derby, through the salon you worked at. I remember waiting for a haircut and hearing you talk about roller derby, Fresh Meat, the Heathers, and all of that and being rapt with sideways attention. Then you got drafted to the Heathers. What year was that? When you got drafted, was that when you changed from "Space Case" to Viagrrra Falls? In other words, what's your derby history to date?

Awwwe yes, I was on Fresh Meat for about 7 months before I got drafted to HH, then that was a long time to be on FM. I will be honest, I was a total train wreck when I first started with RCR. I really didn't know how to skate that well, tripped over my own skates, and everyone around me would get tangled up in my skates or land on top of me when I would fall in front of them. Not a pretty sight.

I had fallen in love with HH after attending a few of the parties and really connected with the girls personalities and style. It was totally me. I went home right away and e-mailed the captain, Vominatrix at the time, and told her I definitely wanted to be a Heather and would stay on FM until then. I happen to go through 3 drafts w/o getting picked. Then in August of that year was Rollercon, Derby convention in Vegas. I decided to go for 10 days (never again that long in LV) but learned how to REALLY skate and play derby. Mostly I think it finally brought up my confidence. I came back improved 10x's better and many noticed. 2 months later in October 2006, I was drafted to the HH.

Oh the name...I wasn't really feeling "spacecase" and wanted something more raw and wanted more of a reaction. I had heard of the name from a fellow league mate, Axle Blows, and couldn't stop thinking about it. So when I went to Rollercon I needed a change because I knew my derby "career" was shifting. Viagrrra Falls! at first I thought it was going to be temporary but it fit me and stuck. I stay hard no matter what and keep going, and going, and going.....

Did you skate a lot growing up?

Nope not really, went to the skate rink like maybe 4 times when younger then roller bladed for like a year is all.

I have always been athletic. Snowboarding, Surfing, Backpacking, Yoga, you name it. Although never was good a games

You are so solid, stellar even, at each position now, and are a lynchpin for the Heathers. When and how did you really hit your stride as a skater?

Ummm, Well probably last year. I had been to many skate camps, Derby conventions, private lessons and it finally started paying off. I had been getting more skate time, in which boosted my confidence but I had problems with stage fright and would falter. I think there was one game at a very crucial point, that I had scored 20 points for the first time ever, and helped to bring the spirits up for my team. We happen to have won that bout and I gotten MVP for that game. Overall I realized that my team DID believe and trust me but I needed to trust myself and them. The rest of that year, playing on Travel Team had helped me improve my skills further.

This year has really been the key point of my play. I feel more confident and when so many of my teammates had become injured or burnt out I felt I had to step up.

The Season's coming to a head. What is your perspective on what has transpired so far between the four teams, and what's ahead?

Wow, how much more balanced our level of intra-league play has become.

I'm really exited for the High Rollers to bring it out! They have always had great players but have been missing something.

What do you most look forward to doing when the season is over?

My season is not done yet. I do have a game in July with AoA playing the Key Areana in Seattle. Hopefully I will get a break after that. Then, OMG, surfing, camping, spending time with my "other" friends, hanging out with my dog...Im sure I can fill my time up!

Did you grow up around here? If not, where, and how did you get here?

I moved from Salt Lake City Utah, where I had been living for 10 years. Before that I was an Army Brat (DAD In the Army) and moved every 2-4 years since birth.

What are you occupied with outside of derby?

I've been a Hair artist for 12 years working full time at Salon & Spa Bliss.

Try to get in some yoga, weight training, Surfing, camping, snowboarding, Recovery, writing, meditation, walking the pooch, trying to find time for friends and family.

You've been busy with the league for so long - how do you keep your energy level up for both derby and life?

Wow its hard. Unmedicated hyper-mania. ;-} I do the best I can but sometimes I "crash and burn" and need to take a few days off.

Anything else fans and other skaters should know about flat-track roller derby, the Heathers, you?

Thanks!

2009 Championship Night Open Thread

Saturday the 27th is RCR's Season 4 Championship Bout. If you don't have tickets, you can order some here.

This year, for the first time in RCR history, the Heathers will not be vying for the top trophy. Paradoxically, this makes me happy in one small way: Saturday's bout will be a very low pressure experience for this long-term fan. I can slink into the anonymity afforded by the Expo Center, watch some drums and derby and not worry too much about anything, although I will have my favorites and I will be cheering for them.

The Heathers may or may not defeat the Guns 'n' Rollers yet again.

Recall that last April, the Heartless ones handed GnR a decisive and ignominious defeat.

Recall that in that same bout, Sump Pump landed in surgery for a fractured jaw, and that RCR players and fans alike banded together to help her through.

Since then, both teams have been further plagued by illness and injury, but surely the remaining Heathers, battered though they may be, will give their all. Just because they are heartless doesn't mean they don't have hearts. Cadavers will be there for them, and they will be there for Cadavers.

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A spot in the championship bout has been a long time coming for the High Rollers: they have worked hard to get that spot, and they have earned that spot under the strong leadership of Mess-O-Potamia and Layla Smackdown.

Of course High Rollers face the juggernaut of the former-champion Betties, which has gained force and momentum as the year has progressed. One remembers the Betties' wobbly beginnings and their loss to the High Rollers in the season-opening seeding bout. And one can't but help remember from earlier this very month, the Betties' calm, methodical, come-from-behind steamrolling of the Guns 'n' Rollers.

Saturday is Anything Can Happen Day.

What say you?

See you at Expo and see you in the comments.

HEATHERS POR VIDA!

Tonight is Cheap Ticket Night

From the Ministry of Information:

Don't miss Fan Appreciation Night on Wednesday, June 24th where you can meet your favorite players in person and score a special discount on tickets. Just drop by any of these locations after 7:00pm on 6/24/09:


Nightlight Lounge (Southeast)
Kay's Bar (6903 SE Milwaukie Ave, Sellwood)
Rogue Distillery & Public House (Northwest) - Heathers Sponsor!
Beulahland Coffee & Alehouse (Northeast)
Oaks Park Skating Rink (Sellwood)

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Update:

Elevated from the comments (snaps to the Mad Nader):

Fans in the 'Couve also have their own "Fan Appreciation Night" spot tonight:

Shanahan's Pub & Grill
209 W McLoughlin Blvd
Vancouver, WA

Remember: individual tickets are sold sans TicketsWest extortion fees (i.e. just $14), and there will be "buy-3-get-the-4th-free" deals, as well as (maybe) free RCR swag...

Help the Heathers Pick Up the Track, Thurs. 8:30 p.m.

Happy little volunteer opportunity:

This Thursday, be at the Oaks Park Hangar at 8:30 p.m. and you'll be able to help the Heathers and other civic-minded souls like yourself rip the taped-down boundaries off of that blue RCR track, chop the track down into liftable squares, and hoist those squares up into a truck where they will be neatly stacked for transport to the Expo Center for Saturday's big bout.

Bring some work gloves if you can. Beers are nice, too. Leave your didgeridoo at home.

I am sad to have to miss out on this track-raising due to a prior commitment, but tell Dancing Scott I said Hi.