Halloween Fundraiser

Tomorrow Night!

It's That Time Again!

Interested in becoming a Long Island Roller Rebel?  Come and try out!

 

It's Been A Long Time

 

Last night after being away for quite a while, I went to a league practice.  Truth be told, I've had a lot of stress lately and on Monday night I had a bit of a mini breakdown.  We all go through these times - I am no different than anyone else in that respect.  It's hard sometimes to pick yourself up and get it together, but if you want to feel better, it's just what you have to do.  Thankfully, the solution for me on how to do this was staring at me from the corner of my bedroom where my bag with skates and the rest of my gear stood.  After getting the OK from Captain Morgan, I picked up that bag and made my way over to the rink. 

The greeting I got from the girls, some of whom don't know me well, was overwhelming!  First step I thought to myself to feeling better is this room full of family welcoming me in. 

Once my skates were on my feet and I glided across the rink, it was as if I never left.  I was smiling like a child as my speed picked up and I made my way around the big circle.  As I rolled along I forgot everything that was on my mind which pushed me to keep going.  In between my laps, I watched the girls practice.  It was fun to see how they've improved and how well they worked together.  This place, this sport, this league always make me feel like I've come home no matter how long I've been away.

I left the rink feeling fantastic!  I was happy, stress-free and so inspired (and I still am now).  I also left feeling comforted in knowing that I am still a part of this wonderful league to which I attribute so many positive things in my life to. 

For last night and for all of the time I've ever spent with the Roller Rebels, I want to send out thanks to the league and also to my Riedells, who always manage to turn things around for me.

Etta Jams
Forever a Roller Rebel

25 Random Facts

I can remember when this skater first came to practice, it was as if she had been a part of the league for years!  She was simply a natural and it didn't take her very long to become a star jammer!  Read on to learn about her great love of animals, over-sized food and love for more animals.  Ladies and gentlemen, Veloce Villain!

1: I have hand raised over 100 raccoons over the last 6 years.

 

2: I am one of the Jammers for the Long Island Roller Rebels A team, but as much as I love jamming I also love blocking!

3: I love doing very physical activities, especially if it involves me getting really dirty!

4: I have loved and feared sharks ever since I was 3 or 4 years old.

5: I use to take tap and jazz lessons from the ages 4-8 and then I played little league softball and it was all down hill from there.

6: I am one of 4 children and the only girl…..GI Joe and a cowgirl…. Yup!

7: The best part about being on a team, for me at least, is not winning or losing but, coming together as a unit and achieving a goal together as one.

8: I’m not afraid to make an ass of myself to get a few laughs out.

9: I’m pretty sure I’ve got the best mom ever!

10: I’ve been playing instruments with my dad ever since I can remember and I was in a band about 4 years ago and I truly miss playing with them.

11: I love gory, bloody, masochistic, terrifying movies.

12: I was into vampires, werewolves, and zombies back when The Lost Boys, Thriller and Monster Squad were in the theaters.

13: I really want to learn how to Jam skate.

14: I was a nobody in High School and I couldn’t care less to see anyone from there.

15: I’ve moved … a lot! 8 times in 6 years.

16: Roller derby has saved my soul.

17: I like to bite people….TMI?

18: Once upon a time I wanted to ref.

19. I’m fascinated with tattoos.

20. Yes, I am “hungry like the wolf”

21: I can say that I’ve dance with a giant hotdog.

22: I can also say that my derby wife is a giant Banana.

23: One thing that annoys me… when people complain about the same thing over and over again but do nothing about it.

24: I love to cook!

25: I have the BEST cat. Her name is Domino and she knows how to sit and lay down on command and she just wants to be loved.

10 Teams, 2 Tracks, 12 Bouts!!

At The Car Wash

Upcoming Events

The Long Island Roller Rebels have had a great season so far and for those of you who have been cheering us on we thank you!  Though the next few bouts are being played away from our home turf, we still have a some fun things coming up before our huge event; The Empire Skate Showdown - Return Of The Jammer

Please come and visit us:

Saturday, July 21st - Van's Warped Tour

Friday, July 27- Sunday, July 29 - United Ink Tattoo Convention

Sunday, August 26th - Annual Car Wash Fundraiser at Mr. Beery's  11:00AM - 4PM


Thanks to all of our fans for your continued support!  We wouldn't be here without you guys!!

25 Random Facts

Spectators come to roller derby bouts to see teams battle against each other to determine who is faster, stronger and can score the most points.  It is a fact though, that without the help of our referees, there would be no bouts!  Refs play an important role by enforcing the rules that make the game official.  Reffing is not an easy job, but this guy is definitely 'kut' out for the it!  Former ref turned LIRR co-announcer, furniture maker, fisherman and all around great guy, ladies and gentlemen, I give to you Nixon Kutz!

1 - Born in NJ and raised on a farm.
2 - Drove a motorized vehicle for the first time at age 10. It was a Cub Cadet lawn mower and he has been operating any vehicle he can get his hands on since.

3 - Has lived in Pennsylvania, California, Idaho, Oregon, Florida, New York (upstate and Long Island)

4 - When in Oregon he volunteered with a dive rescue group for Lincoln County and became a dive rescue specialist.

5 - In Idaho he worked for three and a half years in a large Country & Western bar called Shorty’s.

6 - Also in Idaho he was training to ride a bull in a rodeo. That is, until he watched a friend/co-worker get badly trampled and changed his mind.

7 - Was accepted to the Peace Corps, but declined the appointment due to a better job offer.

8 - Was in 4H in his teen years, president of the Seeing Eye dog club and raised 4 Seeing Eye dogs.

9 - Has worked as a professional Sailor (non-military) on the West Coast.

10 - Is an excellent cook

11 - Got married on October 31^st, yes Samhain (aka Halowwen) to Luna Obscura and was married by Eve L. Taco

12 - Despises lamb, liver and brussel sprouts

13 - Is a third generation skater. His grandparents were members of a Newark, NJ club called the Swing Skaters.

14 - Was the first head referee for the Morristown Madams and trained by referees from LIRR

15 - Lost his eye at age 16 to a bad badminton accident and complications with surgery.

16 - Has ridden in a balloon with Malcolm Forbes

17 - Likes to make rustic furniture when he has the time and facility to do so

18 - Has skated with midgets

19 - Loves to fish, surf, sail and scuba

20 - Is not a fan of red squirrels, they are rude, gray squirrels are fine

21 - Met John “John-John” Kennedy Jr. when he fell off his horse and was injured

22 - Has worked as a truck, heavy equipment and marine mechanic and is very handy with tools

23 - Helped deliver two boats down the coast of California; one to Ensenada Mexico and the other to San Diego. He also navigated solo from San Diego to San Pedro (Los Angles) with nothing but a small old school GPS

24 - Has refereed not only for roller derby, but has two jello wrestling matches to his credit

25 - Has seven cats, three of which he hand raised

This Saturday!

Derby Baby

Many of us who play or who have played roller derby, are changed from it. Changed in the best way possible. The sport somehow enters your soul and stays there for good. It opens up this new world and you become a person you didn't know you could ever be! You feel a connection unlike anything else. Some try the sport, and they don't stay around, but others, find themselves completely consumed by it. And if you're one of the many skaters who are consumed, you're going to be deeply moved when you watch this trailer!



Though the film is complete, the producers still need funding to help bring it to venues.  If you're interested in helping to fund Derby Baby, please visit this link and find out how you can donate.  They have a few different donation packages and you can even donate just one dollar if that's all your budget allows. 

I hope to see the film make it's way to big screens around our way!

Derby Dolls

I just came across this and had to share!

These incredible magnets created by Rose City Roller Girl Victoria Jamieson, just gave a whole new meaning to dressing up for derby! 

For more information on Victoria Jamieson and to purchase, click here .

25 Random Facts

Erotic desserts, motorcycles and hot air balloons.  Those are just a few things you will read about when you learn the facts about this next skater.  This derby girl possesses a true passion for speed, adventure and letting her (singing) voice be heard.  Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you, Off 'em Annie!
1 - I lived in Boston MA for 5 years of my life.

2 - St. Zombie's Fire is my cousin, but we're close like sisters.

3 - My worst derby injury has been my broken Tib and Fib in my right leg.  I want to be called The Bionic Broad when I start skating again.

4 - When I was between the ages of 14 and 16, I used to rock a kick-butt trihawk (it's like having 3 mohawks).

5 - My nickname is The Broad
6 - I have two motorcycles; A 2002 Harley Davidson Sportster 883cc and a 1997 GSXR Suzuki Shrad 750cc.

7 - I am a self-employed pastry chef at Adult Sweet Treats copyright 2009.  It's an erotic pastry company.

8 - I was born in Queens Village, New York and grew up in Bethpage, Long Island.

9 - I have 8 tattoos (so far).
10 - I became an Avon Sales Representative back in 2011 when I broke my leg.  Feel free to talk to me if you would like to buy or sell Avon. Http://www.youravon.com/beautycare

11 - I am currently writing my first cookbook.

12 - My derby name is a take on the Broadway play, "Annie Get Your Gun".

13 - I used to sing in an all girl punk band called, "Vaginal Discharge".

14 - My two favorite things to eat are Indian food and sushi.

15 - I thought the Dos Equis guy in the commercial was real and not an actor.

16 - I attended Tufts University and The School of The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA.

17 - I'm a bit of a beer enthusiast and my father and I are brewing our own beer and hope to some day own our own brewing company.  It's kind of in my blood.  My grandfather was a brew master for Rheingold Beer.

18 - I dream of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro one day.

19 - I have a foot long stained glass window that I made in college under my bed.

20 - I used to sing in an 80s new wave band.

21 - I traveled the world at 21 in a hot air balloon.

22 - I had to perform the Hymllic Manuver on my boyfriend.

23 - I went swimming with sharks once.  It was nuts!

24 - At age 17 I almost became a pro BMXer, but I got a flat tire and it ended my career.

25 - Facts 21, 22, 23 and 24 are not real facts.

For Your Island

The Roller Rebels are featured on the first 2012 spring episode of For Your Island.  There are some really great interviews with Shadow BoxHer, Captain Morgan and Breakneck Brie.  Be sure to check it out here!

New Terrain

Hello Dear Readers!

It's been a while, I know.  I've been away from the derby world for a bit, but trust me, it's always on my mind and of course in my heart.  Due to my absence, I thought I would check in with all of you and let you know what's been going on.

While the Roller Rebels have been working hard and skating their butts off, I've been up to some things myself.  Work, which includes opening a new online vintage shop and exercise have kept me quite busy lately. A recent move has put me at a close distance to Eisenhower Park and I'm taking full advantage of that.  I've moved my running routine from the local streets, to the paths at the park which are surrounded by lush green grass and trees.  It's a nice change to get away from the chaos of the roads where I hear the sounds of honking horns and running engines. But enough about running, this is after all a roller derby blog. 

While I've been benefiting from my runs there, I've also been enjoying skating there as well.
Once a week, Roller Papi and I skate in the park together.  I highly recommend this for those of you who have never skated in the park before.  Skating outside and up and down hills is a great challenge for your muscles.  You will be putting in some extra effort, but enjoying the outdoor views and fresh air makes it all worth it!  The park features both a fit trail and a (makeshift) outdoor rink.  Both can be accessed through field 3. The fit trail is mapped out with white arrows which are painted on the pavement.  The trail is approximately 1.5 -2 miles long (good to know if you're trying to fit in a certain amount of millage).  The rink is close to the end of the parking lot (The Roller Rebels used to hold summer practices there - they were some of my favorites!).  It's a good stop after you have made your lap(s) around the trail to cool down or work on crossovers.  One downfall, the ground at the park is not the smoothest terrain, so just be sure to gear up!

I'm hoping to make it back to practice soon, but in the meantime, I'll be at the park!

Oh and be sure to stay tuned - I have a long overdue 25 Random Facts post that will be up on the blog in the near future.

- Etta

Getting It Together

It’s been quite a while since I asked you all to challenge me.  I have not forgotten about the challenge, trust me.  It’s been on my mind everyday. On my mind as I sat eating leftover super bowl cupcakes.  On my mind when I made runs to Moe’s, for super fat burritos and chips.  On my mind as I used up free time that I should have spent at the food store buying healthy things.  Since my post, I’ve signed up for daily diet tip emails, read each of your advice filled messages and emails to me and filed all of this information in the back of my head under “I’ll take care of this tomorrow”.  As you can see, tomorrow turned into the next day and the next and the next.  Needless to say, the challenge has now gone from trying to eat healthy to trying to eat healthy AND lose weight.  I was screaming in my head on a daily basis, “Get it together Etta”! 

A few weeks ago, I decided to start my first attempt of ‘getting it together'.  I did this by taking a week to write down all of the things I was eating and drinking (not keeping track of my meals is one of my problems).  With just 3 days in I can truly say that I was horrified!  At first my eating habits could have used some improvement, but after realizing exactly what I was eating, I realized they needed a complete overhaul!  YIKES!! 

I’m about to share one of my worst days with you, but must preface it by saying, it was a fun filled day on which I was off from work.  Ok, maybe that’s not an excuse, but it helps get rid of some of my embarrassment.  Loosen your belts, here goes!

                                                                                      

Breakfast

2 pancakes

2 egg omelet with spinach and cheese

2 pieces of toast

1 glass of pomegranate limeade

Lunch

Doritos – no, that is not a typo.  This was my lunch.

1 glass of Low cal lemonade

Dinner

½ order of shrimp with broccoli and white rice

1 glass of Low cal lemonade

Dessert

1 homemade S’more

Exercise

3 mile speed walk

Are you as appalled as I was when I read this?  I think my stomach must have been when I consumed it all.  My insides must have been screaming.  My outsides were too.  My skin looked awful! 

I figured a food diary would be a good start and, thankfully, it was.  I've since taken a hold on my consumption.  Replaced bad with good and fat with fruit.  It's working out nicely and I feel a difference in my body.  Are there days when I'm not so good, absolutely.  But now I am ok with it as most of the days I am on course. 

Thanks again to all of you who sent me your advice.  I read it all and incorporated a lot of the ideas into my diet plan.  I'll be back with a sample day while on my road to healthy eating.

-The Very Full Etta Jams

Erin Go Really, Really Fast!

Olympics

I am a little behind finding out about this news, so many of you may already know, but roller derby is being considered for the 2020 Olympics!  For more information click here.

What are your thoughts on this? 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Roller girls, we all know who your true love is.  Skate your hearts out!

And speaking of true love, congratulations to Cyanide Kisses & Dave, #2 & Pete and Butterscotch Cripple & Jesse on their recent engagements!

25 Random Facts

It's time for our fans to start to get to know our new roller girls.  No better way to do that then by reading 25 random facts about them.  So today (on her birthday) I am happy to introduce one of our newest league members.  Read on as this enthusiastic native New Yorker takes you through her life starting with the early years.  Then get ready to see her on the track this season with determination and maybe some apple sauce on the side.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you Spork Chop!!

1.  I totally rocked Barbie roller skates when I was 6. 

2.  When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a fashion designer. While I didn't fulfill that career aspiration, I do own a sewing machine and hope to someday (soon) sew myself a pair of awesome derby booty shorts.

3.  My second passion after roller derby is horseback riding. I was a competitive show jumper for over 15 years, taught riding lessons, and even owned a horse named Go-Go.

4.  I am a total New Yorker at heart - born in NYC, grew up on LI, went to college in the Hudson Valley, and now have come full-circle, living back in NYC.

5.  I'm a huge NY Jets & Yankees fan

6.  I've always loved performing - acting, singing, dancing, you name it. In high school, I was in numerous theater productions and sang in an all-girls barbershop a cappella group.

7.  I really enjoy crafting and am obsessed with ETSY.

8.  I broke my jaw getting my wisdom teeth out and was on a liquid diet for 6 weeks.

9.  I majored in Political Science and minored in economics in college.

10.  After college, I chopped off all my hair and donated it to charity.

11.  In my professional life, I work at an advertising agency. It's like Mad Men, but without all the smoking and drinking and gender inequalities.

12.  Speaking of Mad Men, I was once in a bar with a number of the show's cast members... including Jon Hamm! I would say it was my best celebrity sighting. That, or the time I was in a yoga class with an Olsen twin (not sure which one).

13.  I played several years of co-ed softball with my company team. I even went to the Advertising Softball World Championship!

14.  I'm a compulsive list-maker and carry a Moleskin notebook with me wherever I go.

15.  I don't care what people think - I love bad reality television, my Ugg boots, and Facebook.

16.  My friends call me the "cruise director" because I'm always the one coordinating and organizing our plans together.

17.  While I enjoy getting dressed-up, if it was socially acceptable, I would probably wear pajamas all the time.

18.  I hate tuna fish

19.  I love photobooths

20.  Last year I went to Disney World - and it was just as awesome as when I went as a child (plus, now there is also the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!)

21.  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Past costumes have included a Girl Scout, Barbie, a Unicorn, and Justin Bieber.

22.  I drive an hour, each-way, to and from derby practice. The drive (and the LIE traffic) would be unbearable if it wasn't for the carload of derby girls that carpool with me and keep me company!

23.  My favorite part of roller derby is hitting people!

24.  I think the most difficult part of the fresh blood process wass choosing just the right derby name.

25.  Sporks are the greatest utensils in the world!