YUMMY!!

When you wake up on Sunday, February 28th, hold off on eating breakfast. Instead, meet us at Mr. Beery's for our Pancake Breakfast. $15 includes all you can eat pancakes, prepared specially by The Long Island Roller Rebels and free Mimosas until 12:00PM. For an extra 10 bucks, you can get yourself a ticket to our next bout.

Mr. Beery has always supported us roller girls and loves sharing his space for our events. We're happy to be back at Beery's and hope to see you all there on Sunday!!

Apply Daily

Photo/SECRET

I was in the waiting room of my doctor's office this afternoon flipping through a magazine. I turned the page to find this ad and thought it was a great message not only to athletes, but to people in general. The ad featuring Olympic Speed Skater Allison Baver who after suffering multiple leg fractures, started working out 8 hours a day to get her body back in top shape, reads "FEAR OF NOTHING".

At the bottom of the ad it says. "Fearlessness, apply daily". In all honesty, I can use some applications of this in my day to day life. It's funny, for as long as I can remember, I've always said that the only thing I was afraid of were roller coasters, but as I continue on in life, I've realized and hate to admit, that I actually do have a lot of fears. I have to say that about 95% of them are irrational and when talking to other people about what scares them, I've found it to be the same for them as well. Irrational or not, it's still scary right?

I think when you are playing a competitive sport, it can be easy to let nerves get the best of you. And so I found this ad to be so fitting. The truth is, we've all experienced some type of fear at some point in our lives and I think we could all benefit from applying a daily dose of fearlessness no matter how small our fears may be.

Welcome Back Derby!

Celtic Thunder here, bringing you another addition of Men in Derby . Before we get started I’d like do a few shout-outs.

Well it’s officially the 2010 LIRR season and our doors have opened up for some exciting adventures!

First I’d like to welcome all of our freshbloods to a new season, congratulate our freshies whom have passed their skills test and wish those whom are taking it soon…Good Luck. Can’t wait to have you skating with us.

I’d also like to introduce our newest Ref, Jimmy Rage, whom will be helping our team continue the fantastic reffing throughout the season. I thought this introduction was most appropriate for the Men in Derby column. You can also see Jimmy Rage bout as he is one of the newest “Futures” with the NYSE. Congratulations and Welcome!

On another note:

So I have had the opportunity to observe the NYSE practices for a few weeks now. And I have been quite impressed with the amount of heart and soul, just like us women, these men put into their practices.

Given the opportunity to put on my skates and join them, I felt a challenge come my way. Like our team, the LIRR does, the NYSE practices common drills such as partnering, weaving, pack drills, jammer drills, etc. However, the difference I noticed is natural. Men are naturally faster and more aggressive. I am not being sexist here, as I am sure that there are some women out there that really can kick a man’s butt, however, for the purpose of this blog, men in derby are pretty darn fast.

Given the intensity levels of these men, it made each drill that much more challenging. As a Jammer myself, whom can handle quite a bit of speed, of course nothing compared to our own Amaretto Sourpuss or C-Roll, well not yet anyway, keeping up with these men has pushed me harder and harder.

But these men have started out in the same position as I at some point…a freshblood. Or as the NYSE calls them—Futures. And the way that the NYSE builds their Futures and their Vets is through constant endurance drills. Talk about weak at the knees, tiring drills that consist of constant sprinting, pushing, pulling, whipping for full 2 minutes with a 30 second break in between. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. What was really only about 20-30 minutes of intense endurance, felt like forever!

I guess my message here is two-fold. First, don’t let the men beat us! Let’s learn from them, and other leagues. Push yourself each and every day a little harder. Don’t give up. Building your endurance will help with other strategies and drills with a little more ease. And second, share your stories; share your experience with others. Open your horizons and explore what works for other teams and how you can incorporate it into your own league/practices or just lifestyle.

To get in on the NYSE action, come down and join us on April 17th at Skate Safe for the double header Bout: NYSE vs. Pioneer Valley (mens) and LIRR vs. PVRD (womens). Doors open at 7pm.

If you have additional suggestions for the Men in Derby column, please email me at Celtic.Thunder21@yahoo.com

Physical and Mental

People everywhere are tuning in to watch the 2010 Winter Olympics. It’s such an amazing event and with so many different competitions, there’s sure to be at least one to catch your attention. The athletes are all so inspiring. Even those who don't place have achieved the goal of performing this year, a huge accomplishment in itself.

The Roller Rebels' message board has been lighting up with messages to and from teammates regarding the speed skating competitions. It’s hard not to compare certain aspects of this sport to that of roller derby. We’re all closely watching the skaters form, footwork, speed and in regards to the relay races, teamwork.

In roller derby, stance and form are so important and are skills we continuously enforce and practice. Proper stance helps with speed, balance and can also help a skater to avoid hits. Another important skill is footwork. Fast footwork can help you pass other skaters, as proven so effortlessly by Apolo Anton Ohno, who has currently won seven metals. SEVEN metals!!

Of course being in top shape, endless hours of practice and perfecting skills are all undeniably going to help you (athletes) get to the top. However, I believe that conditioning your mind is also necessary to help you to achieve all that you can. If you listen to the interviews with the winning Olympic athletes, you will hear them talk of their positive thoughts, confidence and belief in themselves and what they are striving to do.

These competetors are so inspiring and have us Rebels reved up to play and work harder to achieve our goals on the track. A month before our first home bout, well these winter games could not have come at a better time!

A Little Bit About My Girls

Roller derby from the very start has been a thrill ride for me, one I don't ever want to get off of. Sometimes when I stop to think about and attempt to explain my whole experience, there are just so many memories, emotions and feelings that run around in my head and really, I don't know where or how to begin. As I continue to try and dissect each and every positive aspect of being a part of The Roller Rebels, I come up with new things I want to share with all of you.


Today I got to thinking about my girls, my teammates and just thought I'd put it all out there to let you know what joining a league can bring you. These girls are family to me. Now we don't all have the same type of relationship with one another, but I think that holds true with any group. There are the girls who I would trust to get me through the pack, girls I would trust with a secret, girls I would trust to tell me the correct way to carry out a drill and some girls I trust with so much more. There are my "sisters" who I laugh with, those I've raced against, those who have stuck by my side through some very rough times. There are those I look up to with respect and admiration and those who I've taught new things. Some have become close friends, some have showed me some fun times. I have made some truly amazing friends and formed very special bonds with a lot of the girls. Bonds that won't ever be broken. I found a place where no matter what, I can always be myself. A place where so many different people come together and they're all around, not because they have to be there, but because they want to be there. This is not the family I was born into, whom I also happen to love, this is the family I have chosen to be a part of.

Thanks girls for making derby and life so much fun!!

Roller Baby

Sending out BIG congratulations to Anita Cookie and her husband as they welcome their new little girl into the world. Josephine Patricia was born yesterday, February 10th at 6:33 PM.

Congratulations!!

Whip It Baby One More Time....Or Maybe Two

Whip It, as you probably already know, is now out on DVD. While it's cool to hang with friends on your living room couch and watch the movie, it's even better to bring your friends out, watch a screening AND meet some Roller Rebels! The movie will be playing at two Long Island libraries and afterwards, some of the Roller Rebels will be there to talk more in detail about roller derby, what it means to be a part of a team and answer any of your questions. See below to find out where and when this is happening.

February 13, 2010 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm – Half Hollow Hills Library

February 21, 2010 from 12:30pm to 4pm – Mastic Moriches Library Shirley

See you there!

CALLING ALL INK LOVERS!!

Hello everyone! How have you all been doing?

I've got an idea cooking for a contest. I've only had one so far since I started The Rebel Yell, and think that it's about time to get another one going. I am currently looking for three judges for this contest who are, how shall I say, fluent in tattoo. If you are a tattoo artist, apprentice or aspiring to become one, you're qualified to submit an entry to become a judge for my upcoming contest.

What do you get out of this? Well, for one, you will get to check out some fantastic tattoos submitted by our readers and help choose a winner. Second, I will plug your shop, work, website etc free of charge, for all to read on The Rebel Yell. And who knows, you may just get some new roller girls in your shop looking for some fresh ink!

Here's how it works. Email me ettajams@yahoo.com In the subject please write INK JUDGE. Drop me a few lines as to why you think you are qualified to be a tattoo judge. Emails must be received no later than March 1, 2010. Once I've made my selections, I will email you back to let you know whether or not you have been chosen to become a judge.

As for all of you tattooed humans out there, stay tuned for the contest announcement and rules.

- The Very Excited Etta

BLOOD ON THE TRACK - Chapter 2

BLOOD ON THE TRACK: A Fresh Bloods Journey Into Roller Derby - By F.B. Marcy

Chapter 2 – Decision – DERBY

Tryouts.

You mean I have to put on a pair of Quad skates and get on a rink in front of 40 girls that I don’t know and actually try to stay in an upright position?

Ok. Sure. I can do this. I can DO this.

Crap.

This was pretty much my train of thought as I drove to United Skates on the day of my LIRR Tryout. I arrive everywhere annoyingly early, so I sat in my car in the parking lot with all of these things running through my mind.

What if I fall down? Oh my god I will be so embarrassed.

What if I suck? I hate to suck. At anything!

What if I don’t make it?

What if I do?

Crap.

I nearly drove back out of the parking lot and back to my warm, safe home and the place where I don’t do things. Here was that nagging fear again, buzzing around my head like those pesky little no-see-um flies that swarm every spring.

Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but when I have a dilemma, I like to find a good song on some random mixed CD, turn it up really loud and sing at the top of my lungs in my car. This actually helps me find focus. So if you ever see me in the lot doing this, don’t think I’m nuts…well, maybe a little nuts, but trust me, this helps.

So I closed my eyes, put the CD in, hit random play, and the first song that came on was “The Wall” by Kansas – an old song from the 70’s that is one of my all time favorites. It’s essentially about being on your path in life and coming to wall and having to make a choice of settling for who you’ve become, or finding who you were MEANT to be. Turn around and go back, or chalk up your hands and climb over the damn thing.

There were a lot more personal reasons for me hitting this wall that I won’t get into on this blog, but suffice to say, I had choices to make.

In my very limited Derby experience, I’ve come to this conclusion – Some people find Derby, and for others Derby finds them. I think I fall into the latter category. Derby came into my life at a time when I think I needed it most.

So I went inside.

I signed all the paper work, got a number written on my arm that will make me forever known as Double Oh-Uno, regardless of WHAT my Derby name winds up being, and suited up.

I skated the best I could, listened to the coaches’ instructions, did some things well, others, not so much. I did fall, I did GET BACK UP. I tried my best.

I listened to J-Bone and Violet KnockOut talk about what it means to be a Derby Girl. The commitment, the life.

I was told that if the coaches decided so, I would be getting an e-mail inviting me back to be a Fresh Blood skater and to make sure that this is really what I wanted before saying yes.

I went home that night feeling high, sore all over, but absolutely stoked.

A week later I got that e-mail inviting me to be a part of the league.

Again, into my car for a nice long drive, music pounding, singing at the top of my lungs like a crazy person.

Then the clarity came. I can do this. I CAN do this.

And even more clearly I knew – I NEED to do this, I need this.

Derby found me.

Decision made.

I chalked up my hands and started climbing.

Sharing The Love

There are some exciting things going on in the Rebels family circle and I'm so happy to share the news with all of you!

First, we will soon have two new members in our family. Anita Cookie and her husband,are due to have a baby at any moment now. In addition, we just recently found out that referees Psycho Billy and Astra Zombie

are due to have a little one at the end of the year. We will be so excited to see and welcome our new tiny rollers.

And one more new piece of Roller Rebel family news, skater Dedly Weponz and referee Goose are newly engaged. We just got word from Dedly that the two are in Hawaii. The couple climbed to the top of Diamond Head Crater where Goose proposed and Dedly gladly said yes.

Congratulations to everyone!!

Feel Better, Watch a Bout

Are you ready? It's been a few months and I'm thinking the withdrawal is starting to kick in for most of you. Bout withdrawal that is. Not to worry! In less than two months, you can come and see the Rebels bout once again!

On Saturday, March 13th, 7:00PM, come on down to Skate Safe America and watch the Long Island Roller Rebels take on Jersey Shore Roller Girls.

If you have been to a bout before, you know how it all goes down. If not, here's your chance to get in on all of the hard hitting, fast jamming action! Watching the girls play is for sure the number one reason, to be there, but while you are watching your favorite roller girls, keep in mind some of the other great things that will be a part of the night. Beer is for sale and music will be played. There are raffles to be won and fantastic Roller Rebels merchandise for sale. It is an experience that you won't want to miss!

Click here for advanced, discounted ticket sales and more information.

See you all there!!