Awareness in Life & Derby

Look around! Turn your head! Do you see that other colored jersey or penny? Do you see that star panty coming 'round the bend? LOOOOOK! OHMYGOD-WOULD-YOU-JUST-LOOK-BEHIND-YOU-FOR-THE-LOVE-OF-ALL-THAT'S-HOLY-IN-DERBY!?!?!

I mean it's basic derby; yet we all seem to forget from time to time. Looking around. Seeing who is around us and what the hell they are doing. BUT don't forget to look forward too. I know, it seems a bit oxymoron-ish. But really no one is saying JUST look over your shoulders.

I know I have gotten so caught up in looking back and seeing what my teammates/jammer/other team/opposing jammer is doing that I have been known to run right into the back of someone in front of me at full bore. In fact, Des Moines Crash Test Doll's blocker Wackagawea KNOWS that girls do this and take advantage of it by creeping along at a snail's pace on the track in front of the poor unsuspecting sap and just waiting for someone who is not paying attention to ram into the back of her. And subsequently making said person feel like a complete dumbass for having done it. AND the obvious trip to the sin bin for a major back block. Gee, thanks Wack!

I think this goes along with the way I view life as well. I can be going along, looking forward ALL THE TIME with my nice, safe blinders on and then....BAM! Something important creeps up on me without me even seeing it coming.

Or else I take some time to look back and get caught up in the past and fighting over things or for things or ruminating over issues or indiscretions that I forget to look ahead of me and WAM, there's Wack with her booty in my gut and then me on the floor and then to the box. Damn you, Wack!

I mean it's okay to set sites on a goal in front of you. In fact, it's more than okay. And it's a good idea to glance behind you to make sure you aren't repeating mistakes or missing something that is coming up to bite you square in the ass.

Like that time I dreamed I took my final exam in Intro to Film class and never really checked to make sure I did. And then I had to take it in, like, 15 minutes and pretty much got a worse grade in the class because of it. All because I was so busy looking forward to the week off of school and all the derby stuff going on.

Bad move on my part there.
Maybe that's not the best example, but you get the idea.

Being aware of all things in life and on the track is always a good idea. Learning from what's behind you and setting the goals ahead of you at the same time can only lead to success. You don't even really need to dwell so much on what's back there.

Is the girl behind you wearing a different colored jersey or a star on her helmet?

Are you getting ready to drink that same drink that you drank last time you got wasted on and then ended up puking your guts out from?
Same concept.

Be aware in life and on the track and be sure to thank Wack for the reminder when you forget.

It's a Sad Day...When I Have Nothing To Say!

I know, mark it down on the calendar. My goal is to write something AT LEAST once a week. BUT these past couple I have been...well...speechless. Which, as anyone that has met me for two seconds, knows it pretty unusual.

Since I got the all clear from my doc and knee (which decided to finally go back into the groove in which God intended it to slide up and down instead of sideways)...anyway since then I have been throwing myself back into derby mode, research, etc. So here are some interesting tidbits I have come across in my searches:

Queen of the Rink
A site devoted to all things derby-related. From a Roller Derby Dictionary to Derby Quotes tweeted by followers and such to derby news.
And you can follow on Twitter!

Derby News Network (DNN)
All access to roller derby! Watch live and archived bouts, find rankings for the regions, and see what's new in the world of derby!

Surviving Derby Drama from Derby Helper

and Part 2 here
It's always nice to see that ALL leagues go through drama. I think these two posts are totally on it with the problems and resolutions to common issues in a league. Now if ALL league members from ALL leagues would read and apply it, then rinse and repeat: that would really be a different story!

PS I will definitely be using "cheaterbutt douche" in my vocabulary from here on out!

PPS Be sure to read the comments on these as well!

Every Bunny Loves Derby

This is a really great blog! Bunnie Low-Browski shares her lessons learned about derby. Lessons that all derby people can use!

Finally:
Swede Hurt Rambles
While I don't know her personally, she seems to encompass today's roller derby athlete. She shares her excitement, travels, ups and downs with the sport she loves.

Okay well that's my cop out of a post for today. I have to get ready for practice...