Caption Correction: That is Cherry Rockette in the photo, not Betty BamALam.Tuesday, May 22, 2007
The Sunday Age, 20 May 2007
Caption Correction: That is Cherry Rockette in the photo, not Betty BamALam.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Mother's Day Classic 2007
To celebrate Mother's Day and to raise money for breast cancer research, members of the Victorian Roller Derby League participated in the 10th Annual Mother's Day Classic in the Botanical Gardens, Melbourne.
We gathered at 8:45am, were pinned, sashed, posed and filmed, walked 4km, called 'emos and goths', herded through a bizarre charity walker hussling pen, collected showbags, collapsed on the grass and departed... All before 12pm.
Happy Mother's Day!!!
Did I mention I *heart* the Victorian Roller Derby League Inc.?
Housewives knees.
The news from the orthopaedic surgeon is that I have chondromalacia patellae.
Chondromalacia Patellae (also known as CMP, Patello-femoral Pain Syndrome, or Runner's Knee) is a degenerative condition of the cartilage surface of the back of the knee cap, or patella. It produces discomfort or dull pain around or behind the patella. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runner's_knee)
Next Monday I'm having an MRI on my left knee to see if I've torn my lateral meniscus.
There's a lot of literature on this condition as it is fairly common. There also seems to be a lot of discussion as to whether or not it is treatable. The orthopaedic surgeon said that it was inoperable and he didn't seem all that confident that it could be fixed. He also said, 'There's so much damn clicking, I can't tell where it's coming from.'
For the time being, I'm going to wait and see what the MRI says but the good news is that I'm back on skates. While I'm not likely to become a roller derby queen, as my knees can't handle the squatting and knee slides, I'm going to try and coach instead. And if there is no tear, I'm going to try and manage the pain and go from there.
Chondromalacia Patellae (also known as CMP, Patello-femoral Pain Syndrome, or Runner's Knee) is a degenerative condition of the cartilage surface of the back of the knee cap, or patella. It produces discomfort or dull pain around or behind the patella. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runner's_knee)
Next Monday I'm having an MRI on my left knee to see if I've torn my lateral meniscus.
There's a lot of literature on this condition as it is fairly common. There also seems to be a lot of discussion as to whether or not it is treatable. The orthopaedic surgeon said that it was inoperable and he didn't seem all that confident that it could be fixed. He also said, 'There's so much damn clicking, I can't tell where it's coming from.'
For the time being, I'm going to wait and see what the MRI says but the good news is that I'm back on skates. While I'm not likely to become a roller derby queen, as my knees can't handle the squatting and knee slides, I'm going to try and coach instead. And if there is no tear, I'm going to try and manage the pain and go from there.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Skater down.
It's been about two and a half weeks since my last post.
Many things have happened and the majority of them have to do with roller derby, work and sleep, as that seems to be all that I've been doing for the past few months. I'll try to give a brief run-down on what I have, and haven't, been doing.
Sunday sessions are really starting to take shape. My favourite task was marking out the track. For 17 years, I've been holding on to Dad's imperial tape measure and finally, there was a reason for it. As roller derby is huge in the States, most of the info that we've been finding, including track measurements, have been in feet and inches. Rather than converting to 1/100th of a metre, keeping things in feet has made it so much easier.
As winter is approaching, we've moved Tuesday sessions indoors and are working on fitness, strength and getting used to contact.
Thursday sessions have always been about a general skate and more social but it's also turned into a media almost-frenzy during the past couple of weeks.
Two weeks ago, The Age came to a session for a photo shoot. They've now written the accompanying article and we're hoping it's going to be in the papers this weekend.
Last Thursday, the girls were filmed for the video clip of Belinda Emmett's song, 'So I Am'. Belinda Emmett passed away last year after a long battle with breast cancer and her album has been released posthumously to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. I believe the video is due for release on Mother's Day.
On Saturday, Betty BamaLam and Hidden Magenta were interviewed on Triple R 102.7FM. Most of us slept through it. Sorry, ladies.
This Sunday, we are participating in the Mother's Day Classic, which is also a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research. We're doing the 4km walk. We don't run for fun.
And that's the update.
Oh yeah, we're in Incorporated Association.
*double derby rock hands*
Now... to get my driver's licence.
Many things have happened and the majority of them have to do with roller derby, work and sleep, as that seems to be all that I've been doing for the past few months. I'll try to give a brief run-down on what I have, and haven't, been doing.
First of all, I have been off skates for the past couple of weeks. All those years of volleyball have been hard on my knees and since I started skating, the grinding/clicking/locking is becoming very audible and painful. Sensible me has decided to finally get this checked out before some permanent damage is done. I have been rather grouchy during this down time because it is no fun watching and supervising training. What really upsets me the most is that I can't do the falling drills that I have grown to love over the past three months. I can't really gauge if I'm being a wuss or if I've done serious damage because I've been living with it for many years now. The fact that I now feel pain when I'm laying down or sitting still makes me think I've done some serious damage.
We had our first league meeting in April and doubled our database of girls. Every week, we get newbies (aka fresh meat) turning up at our training sessions. Every week we wonder when girls have been sneaking in private sessions when they astound us with their agility/endurance/crossovers/falls.Sunday sessions are really starting to take shape. My favourite task was marking out the track. For 17 years, I've been holding on to Dad's imperial tape measure and finally, there was a reason for it. As roller derby is huge in the States, most of the info that we've been finding, including track measurements, have been in feet and inches. Rather than converting to 1/100th of a metre, keeping things in feet has made it so much easier.
As winter is approaching, we've moved Tuesday sessions indoors and are working on fitness, strength and getting used to contact.
Thursday sessions have always been about a general skate and more social but it's also turned into a media almost-frenzy during the past couple of weeks.
Two weeks ago, The Age came to a session for a photo shoot. They've now written the accompanying article and we're hoping it's going to be in the papers this weekend.
Last Thursday, the girls were filmed for the video clip of Belinda Emmett's song, 'So I Am'. Belinda Emmett passed away last year after a long battle with breast cancer and her album has been released posthumously to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. I believe the video is due for release on Mother's Day.
On Saturday, Betty BamaLam and Hidden Magenta were interviewed on Triple R 102.7FM. Most of us slept through it. Sorry, ladies.
This Sunday, we are participating in the Mother's Day Classic, which is also a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research. We're doing the 4km walk. We don't run for fun.
And that's the update.
Oh yeah, we're in Incorporated Association.
*double derby rock hands*
Now... to get my driver's licence.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Skate update.
Last Sunday (the 15th), we had our first official indoor training session at a private rink. We started off with warm-up laps and then followed with slaloms, figure eights, forward and backward scissors.
Then we were taken through some leg and abdominal exercises, with our skates on, to strengthen our core, followed by upper body work, ie. push-ups. I've always stuck with the one standard push-up. We did the standard, then the wide arm, and finally the narrow arm. I don't know if you've ever done a narrow arm push-up but it hurts. Lots.
After getting back on our feet (not as easy as it sounds after that workout), we did a few more laps then started a snake drill. I stuck with it for a couple of rounds but had to pull out once the speed really picked up. I really need to work on my stamina and breathing.
Our final drill was sprints and falling. This has to be my favourite drill. From one end of the rink, we'd sprint and either double knee slide/single knee slide/180-degree knee slide/baseball slide, scramble back up and sprint back and do it all over again. After about 10 of these, gravity is not your friend. What I also like about this drill is that it is one of the only drills where I forget that I have skates on.
Finally, we cast our sweaty, disgusting pads and skates aside and warmed down with some stretches and balance exercises. We were stuffed.
Monday was difficult. My hip flexors wanted nothing to do with me. I drank lots of water (sorry about the drought) so that I would be forced to get up every 45 minutes and stretch my legs.
I can't wait to do it all again this Sunday.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Who would have thought...
Before I moved to Melbourne, I took a part time contract job as an Event Producer's Production Assistant (Prod. Ass. to some).
After I moved to Melbourne, I continued to work in Events and worked in various roles including Production Assistant, Volunteer Supervisor, Publicity Manager, Design Director's Assistant, Show Director's Assistant, Scissor lift operator and Bump Out Crew, to name a few.
When I finally realised that contract work, and more specifically, event management, wasn't for me, I walked away thinking, 'What a waste of 15 months.'
Five years later, all those 'skills' that I picked up in that 15 months have become very useful and there are times when I wish I had paid a little more attention.
Fortunately, being a hoarder, I think still have my notes from my first job. I just have to find the time to dig them out.
I'm just babbling because I've been reading over Sponsorship Packages and By-Laws for the past two hours and it's all becoming discombobulated.
After I moved to Melbourne, I continued to work in Events and worked in various roles including Production Assistant, Volunteer Supervisor, Publicity Manager, Design Director's Assistant, Show Director's Assistant, Scissor lift operator and Bump Out Crew, to name a few.
When I finally realised that contract work, and more specifically, event management, wasn't for me, I walked away thinking, 'What a waste of 15 months.'
Five years later, all those 'skills' that I picked up in that 15 months have become very useful and there are times when I wish I had paid a little more attention.
Fortunately, being a hoarder, I think still have my notes from my first job. I just have to find the time to dig them out.
I'm just babbling because I've been reading over Sponsorship Packages and By-Laws for the past two hours and it's all becoming discombobulated.
Friday, April 06, 2007
All's quiet on the Melbourne front.
Not.
It's actually frantically busy here.
I'm involved in a very special project.
No, J1 and J2, it doesn't involve anything to do with India. Not yet, at least.
Apart from working, I have been skating, training, researching, documenting, reading and editing... it seems like I'm only ever home to eat and sleep. Sometimes I forego the eating because I need to sleep.
It's as exhausting as it is exhilirating.
But soon, hopefully, I will have some good news to tell and all these long days and trips to suburbs I've never even heard of will bear some results.
But get used to the following names because you're going to be hearing a lot about them in the very near future: Betty Bamalam, Cherry Rockette, Hidden Magenta, Denim Destructor and Baby James.
Peace, love and toestops...
It's actually frantically busy here.
I'm involved in a very special project.
No, J1 and J2, it doesn't involve anything to do with India. Not yet, at least.
Apart from working, I have been skating, training, researching, documenting, reading and editing... it seems like I'm only ever home to eat and sleep. Sometimes I forego the eating because I need to sleep.
It's as exhausting as it is exhilirating.
But soon, hopefully, I will have some good news to tell and all these long days and trips to suburbs I've never even heard of will bear some results.
But get used to the following names because you're going to be hearing a lot about them in the very near future: Betty Bamalam, Cherry Rockette, Hidden Magenta, Denim Destructor and Baby James.
Peace, love and toestops...
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Sez's new healthy obsession: her fisheye camera.
(photo courtesy of Sarah Keogh, taken 02-Mar-07, Kent Street, Collingwood)
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Wednesday, 21 March 2007.
After a simply magical night with AB at the ballet, I had the worst cab ride home EVER.
Now I know I should never fight my instinct to catch a tram.
This is how it went down:
AB and I leave the ballet and walk down to Flinders Street Station where I hop into the next available cab. The following conversation ensued (this might make more sense if you live in Melbourne and know it well):
Me: Hi, how are you? Can you take me to Abbotsford please?
Cab driver: Abbotsford?
M: Yes, near Collingwood, off Hoddle.
CD: Hoddle?
M: Hoddle.
CD: You show me which way you prefer to go?
M: Ok. Drive down there and turn right.
CD: Right?
M: Yes.
We get to Flinders Street and he turns right. At every intersection, he asks if I want him to turn. Finally, I tell him to turn left at Spring Street.
CD: Left?
M: YES.
We near Victoria Street and I tell him to turn right.
CD: Ah yes, right onto Hoddle.
M: That's Victoria Parade. Do you even know where Hoddle Street is?
CD: To be honest, I just arrived. This is my first time driving.
M: *rolls eyes*
CD: You come from home or work?
M: The ballet.
CD: Ballarat?
M: No, the ballet... at The Arts Centre.
CD: What's ballet?
M: It's a type of dance.
CD: What kind?
M: Classical.
CD: You teach or student?
M: It was a performance.
Somehow, we eventually make it to my house. I say somehow because there were a few near death experiences and also, he thought it was fun to drive alongside a fellow cab driver and have a conversation. I ask him to stop, he drives another 10 metres. I give him a $20 and he tells me he has no change. This was the final straw.
M: How can you have no change?
CD: I just filled up with gas.
M: And you have no change... you're driving a cab!
CD: Do you have a credit card?
M: I'm not paying by credit card and getting charged EXTRA because you didn't bring any change with you.
CD: We don't charge you extra, the credit card company does.
M: I'm paying by cash... Why would I pay with credit when I have cash? How did you expect your customers to pay tonight?
CD: But I don't have any change?
M: And whose fault is that?
CD: What are we going to do?
M: What are YOU going to do? You drive a cab, you should have some change!
Some police drive by and tell the driver to move because he's blocking the road. The cop says, 'It's no standing, mate... you can't stop here.' So the cab driver starts to drive away.
M: You're taking me away from my house.
CD: Calm down, I'll just drive around the block.
M: Give me my money and I'll go inside and get you some change.
He continues to drive me AWAY from my house.
CD: They said 'No standing' so I can't stop.
M: We wouldn't be 'standing' if you had some change.
Eventually, he got me back to my house and I went and got him the fare. In retrospect, I should have given him my jar of 20 cents. He would have made a tip then.
As I shoved the money in his hand, I said, 'You might want to THINK before you drive a cab next time, you idiot.'
There was a lot more swearing but I thought I'd keep it nice. Normally I'm quite patient with cab drivers but this guy just took the cake. I should have taken down his number. One day I will officially make a complaint. Thank goodness I had my BP checked last week.
Now I know I should never fight my instinct to catch a tram.
This is how it went down:
AB and I leave the ballet and walk down to Flinders Street Station where I hop into the next available cab. The following conversation ensued (this might make more sense if you live in Melbourne and know it well):
Me: Hi, how are you? Can you take me to Abbotsford please?
Cab driver: Abbotsford?
M: Yes, near Collingwood, off Hoddle.
CD: Hoddle?
M: Hoddle.
CD: You show me which way you prefer to go?
M: Ok. Drive down there and turn right.
CD: Right?
M: Yes.
We get to Flinders Street and he turns right. At every intersection, he asks if I want him to turn. Finally, I tell him to turn left at Spring Street.
CD: Left?
M: YES.
We near Victoria Street and I tell him to turn right.
CD: Ah yes, right onto Hoddle.
M: That's Victoria Parade. Do you even know where Hoddle Street is?
CD: To be honest, I just arrived. This is my first time driving.
M: *rolls eyes*
CD: You come from home or work?
M: The ballet.
CD: Ballarat?
M: No, the ballet... at The Arts Centre.
CD: What's ballet?
M: It's a type of dance.
CD: What kind?
M: Classical.
CD: You teach or student?
M: It was a performance.
Somehow, we eventually make it to my house. I say somehow because there were a few near death experiences and also, he thought it was fun to drive alongside a fellow cab driver and have a conversation. I ask him to stop, he drives another 10 metres. I give him a $20 and he tells me he has no change. This was the final straw.
M: How can you have no change?
CD: I just filled up with gas.
M: And you have no change... you're driving a cab!
CD: Do you have a credit card?
M: I'm not paying by credit card and getting charged EXTRA because you didn't bring any change with you.
CD: We don't charge you extra, the credit card company does.
M: I'm paying by cash... Why would I pay with credit when I have cash? How did you expect your customers to pay tonight?
CD: But I don't have any change?
M: And whose fault is that?
CD: What are we going to do?
M: What are YOU going to do? You drive a cab, you should have some change!
Some police drive by and tell the driver to move because he's blocking the road. The cop says, 'It's no standing, mate... you can't stop here.' So the cab driver starts to drive away.
M: You're taking me away from my house.
CD: Calm down, I'll just drive around the block.
M: Give me my money and I'll go inside and get you some change.
He continues to drive me AWAY from my house.
CD: They said 'No standing' so I can't stop.
M: We wouldn't be 'standing' if you had some change.
Eventually, he got me back to my house and I went and got him the fare. In retrospect, I should have given him my jar of 20 cents. He would have made a tip then.
As I shoved the money in his hand, I said, 'You might want to THINK before you drive a cab next time, you idiot.'
There was a lot more swearing but I thought I'd keep it nice. Normally I'm quite patient with cab drivers but this guy just took the cake. I should have taken down his number. One day I will officially make a complaint. Thank goodness I had my BP checked last week.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tonight
Technically, it began last week but for me, the Australian Ballet's Melbourne season begins tonight and AB and I are off to see 'Don Quixote'.
Woohoo!
Woohoo!
Monday, March 19, 2007
How I spent my Saturday.
On Saturday morning, I woke up at 7am as I had a scheduled delivery time for 7 - 11am.
At 7:30, I heard a truck approaching so I scampered downstairs to find Ray and his mate ready to delivery all my stuff.
Big thanks to the House of Sticks for being so understanding with all the noise between 7:30 and 8am.
Bed in progress.
Bed on completion.
At 7:30, I heard a truck approaching so I scampered downstairs to find Ray and his mate ready to delivery all my stuff.
Big thanks to the House of Sticks for being so understanding with all the noise between 7:30 and 8am.
So many boxes.
The bedside tables.
The 4-drawer chests of drawers.
Slats and rails.
Bed in progress.Bed on completion.Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Finally.
Freedom rang on Saturday morning (this can be taken both literally and figuratively).
My furniture hath arriveth.
I will be arranging a delivery for this Saturday.
Yesterday, I cleared out some clothing and tried to work out where everything is going to go.
I don't think anyone understands how much I can't wait to throw out my current bed frame and how much I long for underbed storage.
Look forward to next week's blog on putting together my furniture. And maybe even some accompanying photographs.
My furniture hath arriveth.
I will be arranging a delivery for this Saturday.
Yesterday, I cleared out some clothing and tried to work out where everything is going to go.
I don't think anyone understands how much I can't wait to throw out my current bed frame and how much I long for underbed storage.
Look forward to next week's blog on putting together my furniture. And maybe even some accompanying photographs.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Mental Health Week
Been wondering where I've been? Perhaps you thought I went postal after that last blog?
Well, I've had most of the past week off in order to refresh and recuperate my brain. I've also had one of the best weeks EVER!
On Saturday, BM and I went shopping in the city. I visited my (now) favourite store in the world and walked out a little depleted financially but very happy with my new shirts and cufflinks. I also bought a new pair of jeans. I quite enjoyed buying clothes in person.
Sunday. Sunday was a very good day indeed. Yes.
Monday, went to work and cleared my desk.
On Tuesday, BM and I got on our bikes and visited my old stomping ground, Coles at Richmond Plaza. Then we went into town and strolled around. I picked up 'Hip Hotels Atlas' by Herbert Ypma. One day I will have ALL of this series.
Tuesday night, BM, LDR and I convened at Melbourne Museum for roller derby training. Joining us were Miss Minx, Betty Bamalam, Miss Malice, Hidden Magenta, Ket and Cherry Rockette. We were meant to be meeting Otto and Lisa from the US but they didn't turn up until after we left.
Wednesday, CT and I ventured into the city where I had my passport photos done. We had a spot of lunch then returned home. I headed back to the museum that night and met up with Betty, Cherry, Otto and Lisa and we had a skate around. I asked Lisa to teach me to cross-step but seeing as balance has never been my friend, I decided to have a go at the double knee, single knee and 180 degree knee slides.
Can I just say how much I enjoy falling down on my skates and scrambling up... I must have thrown myself down 50 times. My pads are scuffed, my skates are scuffed... I love it!
Thursday night we went to Caribbean Gardens Rollerama and met more future rollergirls including Jo No Mercy, Miss Mayhem, Denim Destroyer, Hetty Machete, Jess and Lex, and had a social skate. Scoresby is an interesting place. Power-sliding on a rink is a lot safer than on concrete pavers.
Friday morning I headed off to VicRoads and got my driving learner's permit. I now have photo ID! Then I went to the local cop shop to have a stat dec signed and then sent off my passport renewal forms. The rest of Friday was a blur as there was much celebrating going on and general booziness.
Today is a rest day. Tomorrow we have skate training. Betty, Minx and Magenta have gone to Brisbane for the Australian Roller Derby Association Launch Night and Demonstration. Tuesday we'll be starting regimented training.
One day... one day I'll be able to cross-step turn.
Well, I've had most of the past week off in order to refresh and recuperate my brain. I've also had one of the best weeks EVER!
On Saturday, BM and I went shopping in the city. I visited my (now) favourite store in the world and walked out a little depleted financially but very happy with my new shirts and cufflinks. I also bought a new pair of jeans. I quite enjoyed buying clothes in person.
Sunday. Sunday was a very good day indeed. Yes.
Monday, went to work and cleared my desk.
On Tuesday, BM and I got on our bikes and visited my old stomping ground, Coles at Richmond Plaza. Then we went into town and strolled around. I picked up 'Hip Hotels Atlas' by Herbert Ypma. One day I will have ALL of this series.
Tuesday night, BM, LDR and I convened at Melbourne Museum for roller derby training. Joining us were Miss Minx, Betty Bamalam, Miss Malice, Hidden Magenta, Ket and Cherry Rockette. We were meant to be meeting Otto and Lisa from the US but they didn't turn up until after we left.
Wednesday, CT and I ventured into the city where I had my passport photos done. We had a spot of lunch then returned home. I headed back to the museum that night and met up with Betty, Cherry, Otto and Lisa and we had a skate around. I asked Lisa to teach me to cross-step but seeing as balance has never been my friend, I decided to have a go at the double knee, single knee and 180 degree knee slides.
Can I just say how much I enjoy falling down on my skates and scrambling up... I must have thrown myself down 50 times. My pads are scuffed, my skates are scuffed... I love it!
Thursday night we went to Caribbean Gardens Rollerama and met more future rollergirls including Jo No Mercy, Miss Mayhem, Denim Destroyer, Hetty Machete, Jess and Lex, and had a social skate. Scoresby is an interesting place. Power-sliding on a rink is a lot safer than on concrete pavers.
Friday morning I headed off to VicRoads and got my driving learner's permit. I now have photo ID! Then I went to the local cop shop to have a stat dec signed and then sent off my passport renewal forms. The rest of Friday was a blur as there was much celebrating going on and general booziness.
Today is a rest day. Tomorrow we have skate training. Betty, Minx and Magenta have gone to Brisbane for the Australian Roller Derby Association Launch Night and Demonstration. Tuesday we'll be starting regimented training.
One day... one day I'll be able to cross-step turn.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Yesterday was a very good day.
Because sometimes it pays off to be bold and do something that no one would ever expect you to do.
Not even yourself.
Now for the follow through.
2007... A very interesting (and somewhat cryptic) year so far.
Last year I vowed to step out of my comfort zone and did just that.
This year I'm upping the ante and continuing to challenge myself in many different aspects.
This could become very addictive.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Not even yourself.
Now for the follow through.
2007... A very interesting (and somewhat cryptic) year so far.
Last year I vowed to step out of my comfort zone and did just that.
This year I'm upping the ante and continuing to challenge myself in many different aspects.
This could become very addictive.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Special combination stir fry for an excellent Wednesday night.
Method:
1x beginner skater
4x new acquaintances
1x pair of Reidell skates
1x pair of Pro-Tec knee pads
1x large, smooth, flat surface
Meet, greet and skate for approximately 2 hours and then separate.
2x housemates
Handful of favourites
Generous amount of adrenalin-filled rantings
Dash of the sillies
Place in local pub and dissect the current day's events and then separate.
1x House of Sticks
1x 'The Devil Wears Prada'
2x comfy couches
Combine and rest.
1x beginner skater
4x new acquaintances
1x pair of Reidell skates
1x pair of Pro-Tec knee pads
1x large, smooth, flat surface
Meet, greet and skate for approximately 2 hours and then separate.
2x housemates
Handful of favourites
Generous amount of adrenalin-filled rantings
Dash of the sillies
Place in local pub and dissect the current day's events and then separate.
1x House of Sticks
1x 'The Devil Wears Prada'
2x comfy couches
Combine and rest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)