SATURDAY is meant for roller derby!

Come out and watch this awesome roller derby DOUBLE HEADER — the Steel Hurtin’ and the Blitzburgh Bombers take on Chicago this Saturday at 7pm:

And I’ll be there representing with our Meat Squad, if you’d like to say hello.

Oh yeah, BUY TICKETS!

Usually I enjoy being atypical…

But not when it comes to biopsies.

Good news: it’s NOT cancer. But one mole (out of three removed) showed something atypical, all of which questionable skin was removed during the biopsy.

Bad news: I’m at a higher risk of eventually developing melanoma.

While I was initially freaked out and sad upon hearing the results, I just need to remain proactive about my yearly skin cancer screenings.

So… yeah, my PSA to you: curb the tanning bed habit NOW; cover up when in the sun and sit under a UV-resistant umbrella when on the beach; stay out of said sun during peak hours; always use sunscreen as a separate application from your make-up (just learned that one). This goes for you, 20-somethings currently feeling invincible. And trust me: YOU DO NOT WANT STITCHES BELOW YOUR BUTT CHEEK! You’re welcome.

Also of note: stitches hurt a LOT MORE when getting taken out than when they are put in. My dermatologist made my sutures extra tight and small for minimal scarring “since I’m so young.” I likely won’t be hearing that phrase for much longer.

Also, also: I’m sort of sad that I didn’t take pictures of my stitches. Damn.

“Mel has MRSA in her butt!”

If only you were there… the Dormont Pool, that is. Which is surprisingly easy to take by train — once you figure out the Port Authority schedule and route map. And then (after NOT getting all the way into the water because of my still-stitched wounds), it was onto a friend’s house for a crafty Thursday (with margaritas, natch) to make our scrimmage shirts:

IT FINALLY FEELS OFFICIAL!

And no, I do NOT have MRSA in my butt.

Hey, Mel: Do you have a job?

I thought it was funny that somebody actually asked me that. Why yes, I DO. I know, I haven’t updated much on the career front these days, mostly because it’s probably as boring as all YOUR jobs are as well. And who wants to read about my making printing techniques and replacement windows and survey sites FUN? Yeah, not me either. While my day-to-day might seem a bit untraditional (and yeah, I get it, I go out of town a lot), I’m making it happen as a copywriter-slash-blogger-slash-community manager.

That’s not to say that I don’t check the job boards searching for the NEXT BIG THING IN MY LIFE…

That said, I am incredibly excited to point you in the direction of this month’s Pittsburgh Magazine — the Best of the ‘Burgh issue. When I was asked to collaborate on this cover story, I was beyond geeked to “research” some of the best of the best in my new home. Cream puffs (nom!). As well as this gnarly-good Pittsburgh Dog at the Franktuary. And do you know where I like to get my growler filled (doesn’t that sound dirty)? Oh my…

Just GO READ the article!

Skate (b)log: I PASSED!

Here’s the gist: I passed all portions of my WFTDA minimum skills test (last month) and my contact skills (last week) — 100%, w00t!. Next week, I begin scrimmaging with the Big Girls, with the goal of (passing that as well and) being draftable once I am well-versed in all forms of positioning and game play.

Then, I went and did something to my calf muscle over the holiday weekend. Playing stupid cornhole is when I first felt something going on in the back of my leg. Whether it was an existing derby injury that I didn’t feel up until that point, or something in my throwing bags stance (for seriously) or maybe even jumping-off-the-boat-and-pulling-myself-back-in (which I totally wasn’t supposed to do with stitches, but I had to friggin’ pee) a couple days before… well, something is pulled/strained/tight. And hopefully, nothing worse.

As of this morning, the pain has thankfully subsided, and I can walk/put all my weight on my left leg again. But there’s a lingering tightness that I feel mostly when I’m walking up the stairs.

Some things:
1. So grateful this didn’t happen prior to testing.
2. Mother-effer, I best be at 100% to start scrimmaging on Monday!
3. I tested with ZERO NERVES last week. Finally, some confidence in myself and my skill level.

If you need me, I’ll be on the RICE diet for the remainder of our hiatus this week. And making scrimmage shirts with sMEL U L8R on the back. *grin*

Top photo credit: Golden Ankh