Mel

Skate (b)log

05/19 practice with Northern Ohio wRECk league was just a little different under the eyes (and hip checks) of our new leader, Justice. This week’s practice was a blast. It was great that everyone (even the ol’ timers) was learning something new — while I’m not sure of the exact drill name, it dealt with hip checks with a quick step in front of our partner’s skate. To do this...

Mel

Skate (b)log

05/12 practice with Northern Ohio wRECk league: practice was intense for some reason. Perhaps because it’s been two weeks since I’ve worked on any drills, hits, etc. (open skate with BRRG last week was just a meet & skate). But, I really, really wanted to skate. Sidenote: seriously, do plow stops get any easier because my attempts get me to a creeping roll, but not a complete stop. I...

Mel

I try not to ruin surprises…

Just with Christmas, gifts were difficult to be kept under wraps. Obviously, we live together, and I’m home all day receiving the packages. But one key I never owned was for the mailbox. Now that AB is a long-distance boyfriend, I have control of the mail. On the same day I receive that key from him, I open the mail box to find two issues of Five on Five Magazine. “Awesome!” I think,...

Mel

Saturday: Get Bout it, Bout it!

“Bruising For a Good Time – Bout 3″ begins at 6pm THIS SATURDAY with the Burning River Roller Girls. It’s Law & Order Night, so LADIES: ahem, men in uniform *wink, wink* will be in abundance, as well as our awesome Cleveland derby women kicking some ass. Rolling Pin-Ups take on the Hellbombers and Hard Knockers duel with the Cleveland Steamers. Oh, and listen for my birthday...

Mel

There is such thing as a Derby Widow.

I swear, I picked the best sport to be involved with, now that I’ve seemingly become the better half of a LDR. *sigh* While AB misses out on most of my mid-week shenanigans, I’m sure he can relate to a thing or two (and OMG is he lucky about missing the smell of my gear when being aired out on the window sill! The stench is the only prevention in my cat not chewing everything to bits). He is...

Mel

Cinco de Mayo (is that name taken?)

On an holiday otherwise worthy of alcohol posts (more specifically, tequila), I’m happy to report that I will not be participating in margaritas, cheese-and-onion enchiladas or even Run for the Border for that matter. Rather, I’m jumping around for reasons other than maracas (unless one of the ladies has this particular nickname) and intoxication: I’M PRACTICING WITH THE BURNING RIVER...

Mel

Skate (b)log

04/28 practice with Northern Ohio wRECk league — Ok, so I misjudged myself; I CAN skate backwards. It just takes some getting used to. I’m sure if I keep practicing, I could be just as agile going forward. Definitely not at the same speed though. Just as we did some new skills with step-outs and step-ins (hence, the skating backward), we also skated in the opposite track direction, forced to...

Mel

Skate (b)log

Here’s the video from wRECk practice a couple weeks ago (yes, I’m in there): And to better pick me out with all that gear, here are a couple pics (thanks to EZ!): If anyone wants to come derby, we practice Wednesday nights at Brunswick Skate Station from 8:30-10:30pm....

Mel

Skate (b)log

No wRECk practice this week, as I had tickets to see David Sedaris in Akron. Thanks again to Cleveland Magazine! I made up for it by heading to Pla-mor in Euclid on Thursday to watch the Burning River Roller Girls practice then stick around for a two-hour open skate. Whew, boy. Skating rink for open skate is certainly different. I couldn’t practice skills or falls… You know how odd it feels...

Mel

Skate (b)log

04/14 practice with Northern Ohio wRECk League — Bruises, bruises everywhere! Yikes. Lots of bruises. Queen of the Ring came early in practice, as there was a certain lack of energy in the room. And I ALMOST got it. There were so many hits in just that one drill, and eventually exhaustion took over. I fell to one knee after like the 8,392 hit (you get kicked out of the “game” by either...

Mel

Skate (b)log

04/07 practice with Northern Ohio wRECk League was AWESOME. And sweaty. There were two BRRG girls who joined us at practice which gave a whole new life and challenge to our scrimmages (especially hits! Ooof!). Definitely feeling like I pushed myself, as told by the total body soreness again this morning. Feeling really good on my skates! Especially after learning how to tinker with my wheels and trucks...

Mel

Skate (b)log

03/31 practice with Northern Ohio wRECk league was a brutal practice, but incredibly fun. Missed being off my skates for an entire week, so I’ll be sure to schedule at least an open skate if there is no wRECk. I was on the receiving end of several hard hits, including a couple scrimmage pile-ups — one of which got my hand run over. Never again. Believe me. Although it didn’t hurt as much...

Mel

CIFF, roller derby, mini-road trips & other life stuff

My goal was ten films this year at CIFF. The last few years, I have seen just one or two during each festival. By Sunday night, I was at nine. With one unused voucher. It was a great effort, considering the bulk of my work week and extra-curricular activities. Regardless, this year’s CIFF was full of excitement which was reflected by the community’s response with record-breaking attendance and...

Mel

Skate (b)log

03/17 practice with Northern Ohio wRECk league: was canceled because of St. Patrick’s Day. I wasn’t in town, so I gave myself a good leg work out walking around Pittsburgh for three days. I have blisters and tight shins. Ew. Also, I made the decision to wait for Fresh Meat August to join/try out for the Burning River Rolling Girls. Bring it! We were invited to watch open practice for BRRG this...

Mel

Skate (b)log

03/10 practice with the Northern Ohio wRECk league: Strange night. I was super tired going into practice, and took me a while to warm up. Once I did, my freakin’ toe stop FELL OFF MY SKATE. It unnerved me, and took longer to build my confidence on the skates again. Even though it’s not really a big deal. Overall, I pushed myself, found my speed again. I also feel a LOT more stable using my toe...

Mel

Skate (b)log: in the beginning

03/03 practice with the Northern Ohio wRECk league: Felt really stable on my skates, having not been in a pair in years. My speed is still good too (14 laps in 3 minutes). Seemed to grasp all the hitting and falling drills. The mock derby session was a lot of fun — especially when you’re walled up with a bunch of awesome blockers. I was told I’d likely be a jammer because of my size...