A break from the norm...

I'm back after an awful bout with either food poisoning or the flu. I'm going to go with food poisoning because the thought of salsa now makes me dry heave and that is what I believe triggered my near death experience over the weekend.

Anyhoo...figured I would throw a curve ball into the mix. As I mentioned in my intro post, I play roller derby...banked track roller derby to be specific. The sport has evolved over the years and most obvious - our uniforms. When I first joined derby, my uniform was a purple tutu with fishnets and a tank top. For someone who has played softball the majority of her life, donning a tutu was excruciating. When I moved to a different league, our uniforms were plaid skirts (the theme of the team was Catholic schoolgirl). Now I really loved my skirt, but over the last several years, it has risen quite a bit in length as my body has changed. This year, our team went with a more athletic uniform, but in keeping with the Catholic schoolgirl bit, we had custom made plaid shorts done for the girls. I was already familiar with the style of shorts (they are called "Lift & Separate" by Iron Doll Clothing) so I'm quite happy with our new look. It is comfortable and easy to move around in and given the nature of our sport - that is critical. For the vain side of me - they make my ass look damn good. :) (Photo courtesy of Richard Kimsborough)

I just finished my seventh season of roller derby. I love this sport. To me, it is the ultimate venue for acceptance. I can show up in virtually anything - t-shirt, men's boxers, bathing suit bottoms - and I will fit in. We practice several days a week and in Phoenix - in the summer - that equates to practicing in 115 degree weather. We play with broken bones, sprains, strains and pains. We get hit, knocked down and pushed about. But the fact is - we love this game and in addition to an outlet for us, roller derby has brought a group of people together and made a family - albeit a somewhat dysfunctional family. I have become friends with girls that I would never had met until I joined this sport. I have also discovered a lot about myself since joining. The bonds that we have made here are incredible and I look forward to continuing the journey with these girls once we have moved on from the game. I would be remiss to mention the skater in this picture with me - Nurse Ratchet (yes, we have skate names). We have been through a lot together and she has become one of my closest friends and confidants. Ratchet skated her last game with me on May 4th and has now retired and will be bench coaching next season. I will miss her on the track, but I know that I still have her as a friend. (Photo courtesy of Pxy Styx)

This last photo is me jamming. It has been my primary position since joining derby. As a jammer, I am the points scoring skater on the track for my team. It is basically like wearing a target though because the opposing skaters are trying to stop me - visualize a minimum of 4 larger skaters knocking you around as you try to duck, dodge and dip around them. It ain't like playing dodgeball though - it's 150+ lb skater hitting you, not a damn rubber ball. I love jamming, but as I have become older, I have lost a step or two and am hoping to transition into a blocker role this next season. I still love to jam, but it's time to let the young guns step up and take the hits. (Photo courtesy of Jenn Abdulla)

 

 So...as you can see, I have a Jekyll/Hyde lifestyle. During the day, I am Amy - a legal professional whose wardrobe is somewhat trendy, somewhat professional, somewhat eclectic. By night, I am Mizz Nashty - a derby diva whose wardrobe is somewhat athletic, somewhat risque and somewhat fun. I should really post a picture of my closet one day - it's quite interesting to say the least.