Sitting here, Waiting

I'm really excited about tonight! I knew I would be happy to be back announcing with Jake and especially for our first intra-league bout of the season, but I didn't anticipate feeling this excited. I am of course a bit sad to not be skating, but honestly even if I was on the roster this season, I don't think my knee could handle a bout right now, after my recent fall. As it turns out, a doctor's visit may be in order as my knee was left a bit disfigured. I am not certain if I have a build up of scar tissue, or a possible chipped bone, but whatever the case, it doesn't look good. In addition, I still can't fully put pressure on it. But enough about me!

Tonight is going to be fantastic!! Derby, music, beer, merch and an all around good time. I hope you've all purchased your tickets and have your rink side seats dusted off and ready to go. I'll be there next to my co-announcer, the wonderfully funny Jake, cheering the girls on.

See you all later!!

xo
Etta

The Wall's Got Legs

Tonight I came across one of the coolest houseware items I've seen on Etsy and I HAD to share it with you all. Check out these legs and lots of other great wall decals at Beep Art.

Feelin' The Facts

I'm happy to say that the first 25 Random Facts post was a huge success! I received a lot of positive feedback and people want to see more, more, more! I'd like to run a little contest of sorts. Maybe present a question to the league and feature the first person to answer it correctly. What do you all think of that? Fair deal?

In the meantime, if you haven't already heard, we've got a huge thing happening this Saturday. It's the FIRST intra-league bout of the season. The Ladies of Laceration are up against The Rolling Thundercats. Now I'm sure all of you fans out there have already purchased your tickets, but for those of you who haven't, simply click here to buy them.

With some new skaters on each of the teams, this should make for an interesting bout. Can't wait to see all of you screaming fans there!!

25 Random Facts

Some of my more popular posts on The Rebel Yell, are the ones where one of the Rebels is featured and so I thought it would be fun, not only for you, but for me as well, to learn more things about the girls (and boys).

Today I bring to you my newest column, 25 Random Facts. Here you'll learn some interesting info about your favorite roller girls.

To start, I had each person in the league nominate someone they would like to learn more about, with the intention of featuring the person receiving the most votes.

And the winner is..................Captain Morgan! So without further ado, I give you the down and dirty on our one and only Captain.

1. I was born 1 month premature; my mother had her appendix taken out 2 days before I was born.
2. I broke my foot on a fun slide in 2007.
3. My 3rd, 13th, 23rd and 30th birthdays all land on Friday the 13th.
4. My family owns a lemon farm in Italy, so the lemons in southern Italy are stamped “Madonia”
5. Jefferee is my younger brother.
6. I held the highest batting average in my H.S. until someone broke it in 2003.
7. I went to 3 different colleges, all in NY State.
8. My original derby name was “Queen of Clubs”
9. I’ve performed in the Tilles Center.
10. My tattoos are done by Sunday at Lark Tattoo.
11. I received a scholarship to play Tenor Saxophone at C.W.Post.
12. I played bass for an all-female indie punk band called Kiss the Bottle.

13. I have an extensive horror movie collection.
14. My first pet was a rabbit named Freddy
15. Freddy died after 3 weeks from eating houseplants.
16. I have the word sweet tattooed inside my lip
17. I have 2 cats named Maverick and Goose.
18. I have a B.A. in Women’s Studies.
19. I can play the clarinet
20. I played the bass drum in the marching band in H.S. Go Rams!
21. I went to dance school for 10 years.
22. I broke my collarbone when I was 11 by falling off a swing set while hanging upside down.
23. I’m allergic to shrimp
24. My name is on the Wall of Tolerance in Georgia.
25. I was in Model Congress and Key Club in H.S.

Stay tuned for more 25 Random Facts posts.

And Away We Go!

Last month, The Long Island Roller Rebels traveled up to Albany and won their first away bout of the season against The Albany All Stars. J

Just last night, The Rebels traveled up to Rochester for their second away game of the season, against ROC City Roller Derby and they won that one as well!

Congratulations Rebels on a victorious start to a great season!

Click here for more details and news about our all star team.

Catching Up, Falling Down

Life get so busy sometimes, doesn't it? I feel like there are the times when everything is so slow and time sort of stands still. Other times it's hard to come up for air. Needless to say, I've been quite busy and haven't been able to keep up with my blog posts as much as I would like.

In addition to my current hectic schedule, I fell victim to, well, the sidewalk once again. I think the sidewalk likes me, wants to befriend me because time and time again, I'm laying down on it. If you remember, last summer I tripped the day after a bout and fell on the sidewalk while walking and I assure you that's not the only time something like that has happened.

A few weeks ago when getting out of my car, my leg got caught in the seat belt and I fell knee first to the ground. But it doesn't end there. The same week, this happened:

I was leaving for derby practice. It was such a warm and sunny day and I didn't take into consideration that come night fall, the weather would have gotten a bit cooler. I walked out of my apartment in a tank top and jeans and felt a chill rush over me. No time to go up and grab a sweatshirt, so I got into my car and drove over to the rink. Once practice ended, it was even cooler than when I had left my apartment. I drove home, parked my car and started walking to my apartment. I was SO cold and walking just wasn't getting me there fast enough and so I started running. Suddenly, I tripped and found myself airborne and then flat on the sidewalk. I tore open both knees and bruised one very badly. I also shredded a patch of skin on my right arm and my left hand. Skin came off, a LOT of skin. There was blood running down my legs and arm and everything I was holding, much like my body, went flying across the pavement.

I suppose I'm a bit of a klutz. Truth be told, I think I balance better on wheels than I do on shoes. I'm finally mostly healed, but my recent sidewalk skid left me too bruised up to put on a pair of skates, let alone walk up and down the stairs in a normal fashion for about a month.

As much as I don't like to fall and get hurt, I share these stories because first, I think they're kind of funny and second because I think (or hope for my sake) that other people can relate.

Anyway, I've got some posts in the works including one where I will share with you 25 random facts about one of your favorite roller girls. In the meantime I will do my best to stay upright while walking/running and will have more derby news for you soon......

One For NY, One For Mass

Here to give you a VERY quick re-cap on the bout from last Saturday night.

Winners of Men's Bout - NYSE (final score 134-83)
Winners of Women's Bout - Pioneer Valley (final score 120-105)

Thanks to everyone who came out!!

Boys and Girls

New York or Massachusetts? You decide!

This Saturday's bout is a very exciting one For the first time ever on Long Island, a FULL LENGTH men's bout will take place, followed of course by the wonderful women of roller derby. Pioneer Valley Roller Derby will travel from Western Massachusetts to Old Bethpage with both their men's and women's team. The New York Stock Exchange will take on the Dirty Dozen and Western Mass Destruction will battle it out with The Rebels.

As always, music will be provided by our talented DJ, Joe Jack and beer will be served by Long Ireland Beer.

So get your chairs ready and purchase your tickets now!!

When: Saturday, April 17th
Time: Please note the earlier start time - Doors open at 5:30, first whistle is at 6:30
Where: Skate Safe America

Can't wait to see you all on Saturday!!

Giving Credit

As some of you may know, The Rebels have their own social network on the internet. You must be a league member to have access to the network. Much like Facebook or Myspace, we all have our own personal profile pages and we also have a main board for messages. Our message board is filled daily with different ideas, questions, suggestions, information......you get the idea. A lot of the time we share basic information; practice time changes, bout information etc. There are times when some negativity does show up, but more often than not, it's all good. There are some posts though, that are truly encouraging.

Today, Captain Morgan took some time out of her HECTIC schedule (which she has done many times before) to let us all know how much she appreciates us. How she recognizes how hard everyone works. Not only skaters, but people who are behind the scenes as well. She gave props to girls who have improved in a short time, talked about the amazing amount of effort she has seen at practice and she also encouraged us to have a great season. This in turn set off a stream of positive messages from other league members.

I think Captain Morgan's got a pretty tough job. President of the league, member of the Board of Directors, Captain of the coaching committee, Captain of the league AND skater. Whew, I'm tired just typing all of that!!

We all work hard to make our league a success and it really does feel great when hard work does not go unnoticed. I think a good leader works their team hard, really hard. But a good leader also let's them know when their hard work shows and pays off.

So Captain, here's to you for your positive encouragement, all of your hard work and for keeping this league together. That's one tough job!!

Resident Talent

So what are you all doing this Saturday night? Nothing you say? Perfect! Take a ride on over to Kelli's and check out the very talented musical performer and fellow Roller Rebel, Whiskey Lullabye (aka Marcy Lang) as she performs live!! Also performing will be the band Andrejack.

The Roller Rebels will be there representing the league. Be sure to stop by our table to check out our merch and to purchase tickets to next Saturday's bout.

Kelli's is located at 2955 Merrick Road in Bellmore. Doors open at 8:30, showtime 9:00. $10 cover charge

Hope to see you all there!!