The Rocket Launch (Video)

How do Gnome and Lethe prepare for the upcoming PVRD bout on Sunday? Let’s just say there are countdowns and rocket fuel involved…

Mom Rolls On: How I learned to stop worrying and love “The Mom”

I am a worrier. I worry about pretty much everything under the sun.
 
Roller derby has only made this worse.
 
We just recruited a new class of fresh meat in February, and I find myself strangely protective of them, especially when our vet skaters zoom around and push and hit each other in the vicinity of a fledgling freshie. The fact that most falls are minor has not prevented me from wanting to wrap each and every one in bubble wrap and give them a hug when someone hurts them. My motto isn’t “toughen up” it’s “I’m sorry that this is happening to you.” I’m that person reminding people to watch their fingers and to stretch an extra round before going to bed.
 
I’ve also told a teammate that her super cute gold glimmer bottoms, which were smoking hot, did not fit over the pads she should be wearing, since she just bruised her tailbone. She laughed, rolled her eyes, called me “Mom,” and then took my advice.
 
At some point I realized that I was doing all of these things subconciously and that these people, as much as I love and respect them, are not my children.
 
So why make it my problem? Well. I have the added experience (or burden) of knowing that you are all someone else’s children, and that there are a lot of mamas out there who worry every time their children tie on skates and go in circles hitting each other.  So. In an attempt to legitimize my worrying I’m going to make you this offer. Let your moms know that there is a tried and true mama in your league who is making sure that you’re okay, that you’re not getting hurt by doing stupid(er) things, and that you will always have someone with you at the hospital if things take a turn for the worse.
 
I am who I am, and if that person is a worrywart who wants your fingers to stay intact (so keep them tucked in darnit) then so be it. I am embracing The Mom.

Meet the 2012 Board of Directors

In the annual changing of the guard, Pioneer Valley Roller Derby members elected a new board of directors on December 12.

The new board members range from skaters who’ve been with PVRD since the beginning to skaters with less than a season under their belts; from a head ref with a flair for pastries to a yarn-loving treasurer; from a critical care nurse captain to a social media manager.

So, just who are the league representatives this year?

1,000 miles, 8 states, 5 days, 4 leagues: A Decent Start!

After all the prep for the trip, we are finally out here on the road!

Chickadee, Celia, Jurasskick & Mars

Kick-off breakfast on Friday morning with PVRD friends got us moving in the right direction — to the HQ of the largest derby store in the world, Bruised Boutique. We couldn’t help treating ourselves to some new gear, which we put into use later that evening.

The Burlington Bombers invited us in for two hours of Sisyphean sprints on an indoor track surface made of carpeted Jell-O. After all the holiday laziness, we can only be thankful for this opportunity to burn off the cookies and booze. If you are looking for a good challenge — go do some endurance with BBRD on Friday nights.

Aurora & Southside - Extinguishing!

Afterwards, we got to help celebrate the birthdays of their youngest and oldest skaters — Aurora BoreAsskick and Southside Hitman. Happy Birthday! After some time spent with good friends in the Northeast Kingdom, we began our journey South.

Going from the edges of nowhere, to the heart of everywhere, overnight, can be… a little intimidating. But, the New York Shock Exchange welcomed us with open arms to a practice on Sunday afternoon at the Gotham crash pad.

Almost bursting at the seams, the crash pad managed to contain a flush of skaters from the surrounding area. The pace and intensity of the practice culminated in a three-way co-ed scrimmage which left me wanting more!

Coming out of the pack - Thanks for he great shots, Willverine!

Hitting the bar afterwards steered us toward an evening with old and new Gotham and Shock friends — filled with tabletop games, noodles, and sleeeeeeep.

It took a bit of energy to finally get out of the house the next morning and poke around Brooklyn. Some tasty sandwiches and a cup of joe at Bittersweet Coffee on Dekalb counted as lunch, as we wandered around Fort Greene Park and checked out the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument.

Ladies Knight also pointed us toward the Pratt sculpture garden, which had a certain, tricky, massive kinetic piece that put a smile on my face, reminding me to pay attention!

A former league-mate Pittstop and her BF guided us into Williamsburg to get some balls at the Meatball Shop to do some catching up and chowing down. This left us plenty of time to head on over to Branch Brook Park for a healthy session of power strides with the Garden State Rollergirls.

Rogzilla, who we thank for announcing for PVRD countless times, came to the rescue with a place to crash for the night in Mo-town. We finally found some breathing room here to hack away in a Portlandian technology loop to keep you all posted!

Up next: Baltimore, MD — Charm City Roller Girls and Harm City Homicide

If you are reading this – Thank You for your help, hospitality, and friendship!

Check out the infant stages of our progress map!

Until next time, JP & Chick

X-Country Derby Tourism!

Hello Everyone!

Chickadee Struction (Kacie) and Jurasskick Park (Andy) here. We are embarking on a cross-country journey to kick off 2012! The past four years in Western Mass with PVRD have inspired us to tour the country and, along the way, scope out the action as roller derby tourists.

We are heading south first, to escape the frigid winter of New England. (Have fun shoveling, everybody!) Westward from there should bring us to the Golden Coast, which we hope to meander along, up to the great Pacific Northwest. We’ve got about 10 weeks before we plan on being back home, so help us fill them with bruises, beers, and beaches!

Being with PVRD has opened our eyes to the world of derby culture, and we want to see what other folks are up to on their home turf. It also wouldn’t hurt to try and stay fit for the upcoming season. The first weeks of holiday break are already taking their toll.

So, stay tuned! You can follow us right here on the PVRD blog. Like PVRD on Facebook. And please contact us directly (e-mail – Facebook) with interest, questions, suggestions, or comments. We want to come skate with you!