Girls can be hardcore, too.

I have recently signed on to be a Memphis Roller Derby (www.memphisrollerderby.com) girl. The league has been around for about two years now, and up until quite recently, was based in Collierville-- kinda far to go to skate three nights a week. When I discovered they had moved to the Memphis Fairgrounds for practices and bouts, I was super-excited. There are a few moms at Maddie's school who are derby girls, and one has been encouraging me to come out and play for awhile.
So I bit the bullet and went out to watch one night, and now I'm super-pumped to go out and, as most of my friends and family say, "work out some of my aggression." (This is not in the least bit ironic, since I tend to scream at people on the road, on the phone, on the TV, and in the grocery stores when they move too slowly.) I loved watching and went the next day to get pads and skates. We do this on four-wheeled, old-fashioned skates, kids. No 'blades allowed.
The four teams in our league are Angels of Death (undefeated this season, go Angels!), the Women of Mass Destruction, The PrissKilla Prezleys, and the Legion of Zoom, or Z-Girls. They are all fantastic people. I expected, honestly, to be greeted by a bunch of meanies upon arrival, but so far, everyone has been freaking AWESOME, both on and off the track. I haven't been on skates in YEARS, so my first night out, I was ridiculous, and thought, "maybe this isn't for me." But every week I get better, get more bruises (apparently a sign of improvement!), and make more friends, and soon, I'll be eligible for a draft to get onto a team.
The travel team, composed of girls from all four teams, has lots of bouts in the summer, and I will soon post a schedule for their home bouts. The formal season will begin in the fall, and I encourage all of you to come out to the Fairgrounds and support our league-- and of course, me. I already have a "Derby name": Smashly the Hood. Look for me on a rolelr rink near you. I'll be the one falling on my ass.