Monday, June 16, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The Sandpebbles - Wild Season
You may have seen our viral ads but have you seen our music video clip?
Special thanks to The Sandpebbles who chose us for their video clip and performed at our Love Hurts after party!
http://www.movideo.com/playartists/23467/
Special thanks to The Sandpebbles who chose us for their video clip and performed at our Love Hurts after party!
http://www.movideo.com/playartists/23467/
WTF is my login/password???
I have too many online accounts. As a result, I have not been blogging here much not only because of work and roller derby commitments but because after several failed log-ins, I don't want to lose my blog like J1 did.
But I think I've got it etched in my memory now and I will be back.
In the meantime, here's a brief update on what's been going on in the past 6 months:
But I think I've got it etched in my memory now and I will be back.
In the meantime, here's a brief update on what's been going on in the past 6 months:
Berzerker (pictured below with Denim Destructor), formerly of the Speed Regime, Charm City Rollergirls (Baltimore), moved back to Australia and has since joined our league as a formidable blocking force, Bloody Mary aficionado and coach. She made her debut with the Victorian Roller Derby League on February 24th at the Skate of Origin in Adelaide (VRDL defeated Adelaide, 83 to 80):
'Slam Jam Thank Ya Ma'am' has been and gone. Dead Ringer Rosies defeated the Toxic Avengers, 80 to 77 in first ever overtime action.
'I Dream of Derby' (poster below) has also been and gone with the Dead Ringer Rosies again defeating the Toxic Avengers, 87 to 84.
Violet Rage, formerly of the Cosmonaughties (Boston Derby Dames) is currently gracing our shores and made her official debut at 'I Dream of Derby'. She's pictured here with the one and only, Felicity Scragwell, whose photo I stole.
Our next bout, 'Rink of Fire' which happens to be our final bout for this season is coming up:
I'm off to Sydney next weekend to spend some time with my family and hopefully the Sydney Roller Derby League and the following weekend I'm off to Phuket for 5 days. The fun never stops! Maybe I'll draft up a blog old school style whilst in transit!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Here I am!
I'm back. It's been a while because things have been pretty hectic of late. I've had the double whammy of my business and personal lives exploding with activity and I've somewhat migrated to Facebook whilst upkeeping Myspace. But enough excuses... where the heck have I been?
I won't go too much into work detail as that will stress me out. It's better to stay within this false sense of comfort leading up the fortnight before Christmas meltdown.
Tomorrow night, the Victorian Roller Derby League (VRDL) is holding our first public demonstration. We've invited the folks who have helped us along the along as well as friends and family who've been wondering where we've been for the past 9 months. And to think, all of this started with a casual skate outside Melbourne Museum with a woman I met on Myspace.
October is a blur but whilst November is still pretty fresh in my mind, I'll blog about that.
On the weekend of November 10-11, the VRDL hosted the inaugural National Roller Derby Boot Camp. We had 70+ skaters and support from Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales converge on Rawson Village Retreat for two days of full-on training, both on and off skates. We had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Smarty Pants from the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, the original revivalists of modern day roller derby.
After camp, Smarty came back to Melbourne and coached our ladies for the next 3 weeks. If you had said to me a year ago that I'd have skated with anyone from TXRD, much less Smarty Pants, I would have told you to get lost (or worse). It was nice to receive some validation from Smarty that after all the months of self-taught DIY roller derby, we were definitely on the right path.
On a side note, I know I'm not supposed to be skating because of my knees but after national derby camp and spending time with Smarty, I've been inspired to buy new skates and put myself out there in 2008. I'm not fully committing to getting back on skates right now as I'm going to Cambodia in February to take part in a charity bike ride from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville and can't really afford to injure myself.
This might seem like an aimless rambling blog but I'm also trying to watch 'Survivor: China' at the same time.
Anyway, here are some photos from November:
I won't go too much into work detail as that will stress me out. It's better to stay within this false sense of comfort leading up the fortnight before Christmas meltdown.
Tomorrow night, the Victorian Roller Derby League (VRDL) is holding our first public demonstration. We've invited the folks who have helped us along the along as well as friends and family who've been wondering where we've been for the past 9 months. And to think, all of this started with a casual skate outside Melbourne Museum with a woman I met on Myspace.
October is a blur but whilst November is still pretty fresh in my mind, I'll blog about that.
On the weekend of November 10-11, the VRDL hosted the inaugural National Roller Derby Boot Camp. We had 70+ skaters and support from Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales converge on Rawson Village Retreat for two days of full-on training, both on and off skates. We had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Smarty Pants from the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, the original revivalists of modern day roller derby.
After camp, Smarty came back to Melbourne and coached our ladies for the next 3 weeks. If you had said to me a year ago that I'd have skated with anyone from TXRD, much less Smarty Pants, I would have told you to get lost (or worse). It was nice to receive some validation from Smarty that after all the months of self-taught DIY roller derby, we were definitely on the right path.
On a side note, I know I'm not supposed to be skating because of my knees but after national derby camp and spending time with Smarty, I've been inspired to buy new skates and put myself out there in 2008. I'm not fully committing to getting back on skates right now as I'm going to Cambodia in February to take part in a charity bike ride from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville and can't really afford to injure myself.
This might seem like an aimless rambling blog but I'm also trying to watch 'Survivor: China' at the same time.
Anyway, here are some photos from November:
This is my Mama T. bearing ring, made for my by Otto from the Steel City Roller Derby League. Behind it are my new skates. Yes, I'm using the macro function on my camera.
This are my new Riedell Wicked 265s. In the background is my bike, which I love, but will be leaving behind in Cambodia.
Smarty Pants, three-time League Champion, national and international roller derby coach and her publicity manager.
Why there are no balls in roller derby or how not to catch a Nerf football.
Participants of the 2007 National Roller Derby Boot Camp (aka the blurriest photo in the world).
Oh, and I went on my very first Critical Mass Bike Ride last week... YAY!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
So you think you can blog?
I know I've been relatively absent from Blogger for quite some time now. I've been super busy with work and roller derby and not much else...
But I will be back shortly.
I have some lovely photos of ladies on skates to post!
I can't remember what font I use on this thing! How annoying and inconsistent!
But I will be back shortly.
I have some lovely photos of ladies on skates to post!
I can't remember what font I use on this thing! How annoying and inconsistent!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Hot tip.
Green is the next big thing.
Why?
Because of its association with being environmentally friendly.
Even if it's just a colour on the wall.
Why?
Because of its association with being environmentally friendly.
Even if it's just a colour on the wall.
How annoying...
It's just taken me 12 attempts to log into Blogger and now I have nothing to blog.
At least I didn't delete my entire page.
*jabs J1*
At least I didn't delete my entire page.
*jabs J1*
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
These are a few of my favourite things...
My city by night.
The State Arts Centre.
Eureka Tower and Southbank.
Random people on the river cruise. Haha... JOKING! Yeesh.
I have many photos of J2 taking photos.
Port Melbourne.
J2, HMAS Lonsdale Complex and Port Melbourne.
Learning how to use the macro function on my camera.Tuesday, July 24, 2007
*le sigh*
J2 and the folks have since been and gone to Melbourne.
I'm going to give you an executive summary of their visit as I don't know how detailed J2 will be with her account of her trip. I'm also not going to put my photos up because a) I haven't downloaded them yet; b) J2's will be muchos better. On that note, J2 did teach me how to use my camera. I think I've had it for nearly 2 years now... so long blurry pictures, hello macros!
On Thursday night, we walked along the Southbank Promenade and headed in Chinatown for dinner. After the long(ish) walk and dinner, the folks were tired so they headed back to the apartment while J2 and I hunted down some photo ops.
On Friday, while the parents seemed content with hanging out in C-Town and the Packer Playground, we ventured out on a sightseeing tour and took in a river cruise and a bus tour out to Mount Dandenong on Friday. Unfortunately it was an overcast day and we didn't see panoramic views of Melbourne as promised but the drive through Ferntree Gully was magnificent. We also stopped at a bird sanctuary J2 even let a bird land on her! Ok, 'let' might not be the right word.
Saturday morning, J2 and I ventured out looking for street art. The morning fog was pretty thick and not very conducive to taking photographs. Then we met up with the folks for lunch and walked out to Fitzroy and Collingwood for something different. J2 met a fellow Magic Pony-ette at the Robio Store on Gertrude street (www.robio.com.au). That evening, we stayed in and had a Thai food and movie night.
We jumped on the 109 and headed out to Port Melbourne, one of my most favourite places in all of Melbourne. I haven't been there in ages and not much changes but it is wonderful all the same. We walked along the beach (ok, on the footpath) and took many, many photos and then up to South Melbourne Beach and then caught the tram back into town for some lunch and more shopping. That night we descended upon Crown Casino for some surf and turf and a small flutter.
And that about wraps it up... The next morning we were up at dawn's crack and said our goodbyes. >:0(
So after 7 years of living in Melbourne, it was finally nice having the folks visit... a planned visit, at that, and not just a 'Surprise! We're here!' visit.
And last but not least, it was great seeing J2 and spending some time with her... I can't believe it's been nearly 6 years since we last saw each other and 10 years since we had time to hang out! Cor blimey!
My aim now is to get over to North America late next year and join her and AM in Vegas or couch surf at their place or BOTH!
YAY!
J2 - I miss you already!
I'm going to give you an executive summary of their visit as I don't know how detailed J2 will be with her account of her trip. I'm also not going to put my photos up because a) I haven't downloaded them yet; b) J2's will be muchos better. On that note, J2 did teach me how to use my camera. I think I've had it for nearly 2 years now... so long blurry pictures, hello macros!
On Thursday night, we walked along the Southbank Promenade and headed in Chinatown for dinner. After the long(ish) walk and dinner, the folks were tired so they headed back to the apartment while J2 and I hunted down some photo ops.
On Friday, while the parents seemed content with hanging out in C-Town and the Packer Playground, we ventured out on a sightseeing tour and took in a river cruise and a bus tour out to Mount Dandenong on Friday. Unfortunately it was an overcast day and we didn't see panoramic views of Melbourne as promised but the drive through Ferntree Gully was magnificent. We also stopped at a bird sanctuary J2 even let a bird land on her! Ok, 'let' might not be the right word.
Saturday morning, J2 and I ventured out looking for street art. The morning fog was pretty thick and not very conducive to taking photographs. Then we met up with the folks for lunch and walked out to Fitzroy and Collingwood for something different. J2 met a fellow Magic Pony-ette at the Robio Store on Gertrude street (www.robio.com.au). That evening, we stayed in and had a Thai food and movie night.
We jumped on the 109 and headed out to Port Melbourne, one of my most favourite places in all of Melbourne. I haven't been there in ages and not much changes but it is wonderful all the same. We walked along the beach (ok, on the footpath) and took many, many photos and then up to South Melbourne Beach and then caught the tram back into town for some lunch and more shopping. That night we descended upon Crown Casino for some surf and turf and a small flutter.
And that about wraps it up... The next morning we were up at dawn's crack and said our goodbyes. >:0(
So after 7 years of living in Melbourne, it was finally nice having the folks visit... a planned visit, at that, and not just a 'Surprise! We're here!' visit.
And last but not least, it was great seeing J2 and spending some time with her... I can't believe it's been nearly 6 years since we last saw each other and 10 years since we had time to hang out! Cor blimey!
My aim now is to get over to North America late next year and join her and AM in Vegas or couch surf at their place or BOTH!
YAY!
J2 - I miss you already!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Victorian Roller Derby League Photoshoot 14 July 2007
The ladies gathered on Saturday, 14th July 2007 for the first official league photo shoot.
Here are the photos:
http://www.ashotaway.com/VRDL/
Big thank you goes out to Nicole Reed for her time, patience and beautiful photography!
Here are the photos:
http://www.ashotaway.com/VRDL/
Big thank you goes out to Nicole Reed for her time, patience and beautiful photography!
Monday, July 09, 2007
Oh where, oh where has J2 gone...
SHE'S HERE!
T-minus 10 days and a handful of hours, minutes and seconds until I see J2 and the folks.
T-minus 10 days and a handful of hours, minutes and seconds until I see J2 and the folks.
Friday, June 29, 2007
More important news
In other news, in February, I am embarking on a charity fundraiser cycling trip in aid of the Future Cambodia Fund. There will be a group of 10-15 riders cycling across Cambodia on a 14 day trip.
If you'd like to know more or send a donation my way, please let me know.
Now... Time to book me in for some vaccinations!
My doctor is going to think I'm the biggest hypochondriac as this will be my 4th visit in as few as 5 months, especially seeing as it's my 4th visit to a doctor in 6 or so years.
If you'd like to know more or send a donation my way, please let me know.
Now... Time to book me in for some vaccinations!
My doctor is going to think I'm the biggest hypochondriac as this will be my 4th visit in as few as 5 months, especially seeing as it's my 4th visit to a doctor in 6 or so years.
Victorian Roller Derby League (aka Melbourne Grind Girls)
We had a visiting photographer from Virginia at training on Sunday.
Here are his photos.
At the moment, I spend approx. 4 out of 7 of my free days/nights with these women in various suburbs and rinks around Melbourne.
We have exciting, sexy (a la Borat, *shudder*), tumultuous, tired, drunken and, everyone's least favourite, push up times.
But at the end of the day we're all happy little skatermites.
Here are his photos.
At the moment, I spend approx. 4 out of 7 of my free days/nights with these women in various suburbs and rinks around Melbourne.
We have exciting, sexy (a la Borat, *shudder*), tumultuous, tired, drunken and, everyone's least favourite, push up times.
But at the end of the day we're all happy little skatermites.
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.
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