Remembering 2010

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope all of you enjoyed your holidays and new year's celebrations.

At the start of a new year, I always like to reflect back on the year prior.  So I asked my fellow Rebels what the best part of 2010 was for them in relation to roller derby.  Here are their responses: 

Anna Tramp - One of my favortie memories was the Wilkes Barre bout....we brought 8 skaters, won and played - amazing like a team. Rebels Boom!

Captain Morgan - I would have to say waking up in Rochester to a room full of Roller Rebels playing guitar and air drums and singing at 11am when we only arrived at 4am.

Carnage Electra -
- Hardcory putting her skates back on. 

- The Holiday Party

- Selling out the first bout of the season.  
- Lehigh Valley taping mattresses to the walls before the bout, and then throwing a truly rocking after party, complete with the Buzzards.
- Driving to Ohio in the middle of the night, sleeping super hard for four hours in Columbus, and then bringing Ruby Redrum back in time for the championships
- The amazing gorgeous rink at Ithaca, and the smoke gun thing that guy had that blew smoke rings
- The Rochester after party. And booking it to Rochester in like six hours thanks to CRoll.
- The maple syrup drinking contest by Jeff and Gomes at the pancake breakfast.

Whiskey Lullabye - Winning at Albany, first win of our season, there is a picture of Violet on her knees after skating over and the whole cheering with our arms open to hug her...it was an amazing moment

Hard Cory - I had so many good memories from this season.
- Pancake Breakfast

- St Patrick's Day Parade, our holiday party for sure. 

- Winning at Albany, after their whole crowd booed us. 

- Winning at Rochester by 1 point, and then partying with one of the most hospitable and amazing groups of girls after. Not to mention the giant Penis Outdoors. (that was Mother's day and it was snowing). 
- The first time we experienced the Ladies intro! 
- The first time the Wheelers debuted their creepy intro! 
- Beating Jersey Shore at ECE. But more importantly, hearing how afraid of us they were beforehand. 
- The ECE pool party. 
- Making Shadowpuppets on the Projector with C-Roll at Hudson Valley. 
- Making our Hudson Valley Horror Movie
 
C-Roll -
- The ladies winning there first ever bout was pretty awesome.  That was a great game!  
- The Thunder Cats undefeated season was very magical! 
- Empire state show down was awesome with all the New York girls and boys playing. 
- ECE -  beating Jersey at ECE. -  that was for Captain. 
- Just great girls in general, best season ever and a better one coming I can feel it.
- Murderheart and Hardcory's derby wedding was up there too.  
 
J-Bone - 2010 was amazingggggg... I have so many great memories...
- Beating Albany was super satisfying...wow they skated dirty! And I'll never forget Violet double kneefalling into us at the win!  We learned that sometimes...it takes a whole team to hold down one teammate...hehehe 
- Van Awesome to Rochester, Buffalo and back ( I still have the quote book!)...and all the hotel shanadagans. 
- Eating the OheeeyOOO moon with the lovely Doc Block and Jimmy Road Rage. 
- LADIES FIRST WIN EVER!!!!!!! LADIES MAKING IT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!! 
- An awesome group of Fresh Bloods that just became Veterans!!! 
- Meeting ref's from all over the East while hosting WFTDA's first ever Ref clinic. 
- Coming within 4 points of beating the Gotham Wall Street Traitors...therefore giving LIRR a bigger name in the derby world!  Wow...we have come so far in one year it actually brings tears to my eyes! I love all of you ladies!

Jimmy Rage -
- Getting Empire Skate assembled, polished and spit-shined within record time. What was it, less than 2 months from the first meeting to the first whistle of the tournament?

- Speaking of, the big giant officials and captain's meeting of ESS. Me, a ref whom had nary a season under his belt and even less as a League Head Referee, was telling people whom can out-official me 10 ways to Kwanzaa how things are gonna be run for the tournament. And there was no serious discrepancies! That was... surreal, especially with me decked out in NYSE gear and not ref gear. It's not everyday when the Tournament Head Ref is also playing in a bout of said tournament.


- LIRR being chosen for the FIRST-EVER WFTDA East Region Officials Clinic.

- Earning the name Jimmy Road Rage. Unintentionally making a van full of derby girls scream for their life is hilariously morbid.


- 12/4, the men's bout. Us dude skaters are very used to tiny crowds or derby fans that really don't care about us (or worse). We were expecting very little fanfare. But when we heard LIRR skaters go batshit insane during the skater intros, we all collectively had our hearts melt from the love. Thanks, ladies. We love you just as much :)

Roxie Heartless -
- Everything about Rochester... everything! (ok, not the snow, but everything else)

- Being told that Violet and Kisses couldn't skate unless they put more clothes on in Lehigh Valley and then Kisses throwing her skirt at me from the track mid-bout freaking out because it was too constricting and she was having a skirt related panic attack (not kidding :) 
- The league pitching in to bring Ruby back from Ohio to coach the championship.

Missy Nigma -
- Becoming Missy Nigma 
-Playing in every intra-league bout this season
-ECE
-All the injured girls getting back on skates
-Zombie Wheelers
-When Hardcory made the cone explode at practice!

Fresh Blood Kelly - My first ever Rebel road trip at Rochester (even the part where I locked D-Ball's sandwich in the car and she had to break in through the passenger window using a coat hanger!!)

Serial Mom - I have a lot of great memories. If I had to say one it would have to be the final win of the Thunder Cats for The champ bout.

Etta Jams -
- My engagement
- The many times I announced with Jake
- Our amazing turnout at tryouts. 
- Two derby babies being born; Anita Cookie's little girl Josephine aka Cookie Crumb and Psycho Billy and Astra Zombie's little boy, Taylor.

Thanks to all of my readers for continuing to follow our blog.  Wishing you a wonderful 2011!

I Do

A little over three years ago, I spent my birthday skating at a local roller rink.  That night, a ref and NYSE player, approached me and suggested I tryout for roller derby.  I was flattered, but really had no idea what roller derby was.  I didn't ever intend on trying out.  A couple of days later I went into work and told my co-workers about it.  They encouraged me to tryout and I kind of laughed it off.  After checking out the Rebels' website, I thought about it a bit more and decided to give it a shot. 

A few days passed and I showed up, a nervous wreck, for tryouts.  I had done some research, but still didn't know all that much about what I was getting myself into.  I decided I would stick with it until I felt uncomfortable.  That time never came.  Soon after tryouts and an interview, I was accepted into the league. 

During each practice, I would see this guy who worked at the rink.  We had never met, but I knew him by face.  I had also seen him skate and extremely well I might add, at open skate sessions.  Months passed before I was formally introduced to him.  Even more time passed, well over a year, before we had a conversation.  Eventually, we formed a wonderful friendship which turned into dating.  This Christmas he became my fiance'.

Roller derby has been a life altering experience for me.  It has changed me mentally, physically and spiritually in ways that are immeasurable.  It has helped me overcome so many obstacles both on the track and off.  I could go on and on about all that I've gained from this sport and in particular from the Long Island Roller Rebels, but above all, the things I cherish the most are the relationships, friendships and family I've formed as a result of joining.


To all of my girls, I love you and to my Roller Papi, my love, I wouldn't want to know life without you in it.  Thank you for the best Christmas I could ever have asked for!!

- Etta

2010 Pink and Black Holiday Ball

This past weekend, we had our annual holiday party. I'm going to keep this short because I think the photos pretty much say it all....

Go Cats Go!

CONGRATULATIONS......

to the Rolling Thundercats for their campionship win on Saturday night!!

Press Here for Sight and Sound

The press just can't seem to get enough of the Rebels.  Today we are featured both in print and online, in the LI Herald.  Click here to read the full story.

In addition, you can tune in to WUSB (90.1FM) tomorrow morning between 8-9AM to hear C-Roll and Young Stunna on "Whatever Floats Yer Boat" with DJ Habanero.

Many thanks to Menoclaws for being the most awesome liaison between the league and the press! 

The Championship

This Saturday, December 4th, don't miss our last bout of the season!!  This bout marks history as it's the first championship the Ladies of Laceration have ever skated in.  Special highlights also include, The NY Shock Exchange and music by our favorite rockabilly band, The Buzzards.  Best of all, portions of the proceeds benefit John Theissen Children's Foundation.

See you all there!

2010 Holiday Derby Gift Guide

It's finally here!  You're guide to the coolest skate related gifts around.  I've searched, shopped and hand picked these goods for you and with one or two clicks you can have them sent right to your door!  Get ready to set your favorite derby girl up with some one of a kind pieces for the holidays.

So without further ado, I present to you the 2010 Holiday Derby Gift Guide................

Want to add a bit of nostalgia to your holiday?  This card case from Sweet Heart Sinner is just the way to do it.

Show off your curves with this sporty hip bag from Flat Track Revolution.

Knickerocker Roller not only has a kick ass name, but cute little panties to cover your ass as well!  I had a very hard time narrowing it down to just one pair, but finally decided upon these printed pelvis sport shorts.

For comic book lovers, this full color anthology combines comic art with roller derby.  JAM!  Tales From the World of Roller Derby is a truly different item that is a great gift for both the young and old derby girl in your life.

This moleskine notepad with a print of vintage roller skates on the cover is perfect for a derby coach to write drills in or for a Fresh Blood to take notes in our WFTDA rules classes and at $8.00, Treatzone priced it right.

A derby girl's coffee table deserves to have these felt coasters from Girls Can Tell on it and while sipping your drink you can study the anatomy of a skate.

And for the hostess mixing those drinks in the kitchen, don't forget a towel to dry your hands off with.

Have your morning coffee skate style with this handmade ceramic skate cup from Circa Ceramics. Other colors available.

For the tiniest of skaters, check out these adorable little booties from Hats and Spats.  It doesn't get much cuter than these!

She'll be charmed, I'm sure when she receives this silver jammer helmet charm from Lauren Grace.

Remember back when I introduced you all to Baby Bitch and her custom made toe guards?

Well she's also got these custom made leather bracelets.  Check out her shop and choose your color and your own saying.

Caustic Threads makes it easy to stay cozy in style with these skate arm warmers and scarf.  Also available in other colors.

And finally, what Long Island Derby lover's closet would be complete without a Long Island Roller Rebels Tee

And there you have it.  This year's guide to the derby goods.  Many thanks to everyone who emailed me suggestions.

Have fun shopping!

In The Press

We're happy to be featured in today's online edition of Newsday!

Click on over to Newsday and read more about our upcoming championship bout and tomorrow's exciting movie. 

Rather hold the paper while you read?  Pick up a copy of the Long Island edition of Newsday tomorrow and find (a shorter version of) the article in the Explore Long Island section. 

Many thanks to Lauren Harrison for writing up such a great feature!

The Lovely Miss Martin

I recently wrote about the fabulous artwork for sale by Stacey Martin (former derby player) and she graciously thanked me by sending me two free prints from her collection. 

Let me just say that as great as the prints look in her online shop, they look 10 times better in person!  They are huge and so full of detail and life.

Thank you so much Miss Martin for your gratitude and for breathing new life into my apt walls!

xo
Etta

Brutal Beauty

I realize that not everyone subscribes to Nextflix, so I thought I'd let you in on a great event coming soon.

Tuesday, November 30th at 7:30PM, Brutal Beauty will be playing at the Huntington Cinema Arts Centre.  Best of all, the Roller Rebels will be there with a table stocked full of merchandise and to answer any questions you might have.  Click here for more information.

Hope to see you all there!