________BACK IN THE SFC SUCKAS

Well my dear friends-I am back in the city for the 2nd time in a month. Chillin' in Tahoe at the moment but headed back tomorrow. Got to see my sweetie Leon again and we will be reunited in 3 months. It will go by quickly. I have most def decided to move back to Cali because it totally kicks ass here. Ya'll know I do not get too personal here, but for all my peeps I love, life is good and I send you lotsa pounds, hugs, kisses. All that. Until I have time to write more, keep it real and love life.

XOXO,
Nic aka La Slam

SHOPPING IN SAN FRANCISCO

Cans galore at the First Amendment Gallery

This is the first segment in my San Francisco journal. As ya’ll know I went to Cali for 10 days and it was awesome, and filled with lots of adventure and drama. Writing about the entire trip is probably going to take me a good month or so but I thought a great place to start would be with the SHOPPING. First off, let me just say, I live in Maine and I can NEVER get this cool crap here. I always have to order it online which is a major pain in my ass. The stores I am reviewing here are the ultra cool, you’re a loser if you don’t go there, stores.
Pic above: GOOD TIMES AT FRJTZ

LOYAL ARMY LIFESTYLES
1728 Haight St., SF, CA 094117
925.221.6200www.loyalarmy.com
When I went to this store I had only seen their stuff online and adored it right away. Their prints are super cute. I bought a purse called Roller Boogie, with 80’s style roller skates all over it. I also bought an adorable zip up hoodie for my son called boombox. You can figure that pattern out yourself. The best part of this shop, besides the super cuteness, is the reasonable prices and helpful staff.

FTC with locations in Sacramento and Tokyo
1632 Haight St., SF, CA 94117
415.626.0663

http://www.ftcsf.com/#
FTC is so super old skool. The owner, Ken, told me they’ve been around for 20 years (if my memory serves me correctly). They use to be located off of Van Ness but now reside on the Haight. FTC helped many pro skaters along the way such as Mike Carroll and Javontae Turner. The shop is filled with all the skate decks one could want and all the gear to complete your board.

*On a side note: FTC is putting together a compilation CD called TD Camp “Face to Face”. The album is due out in stores April 21st and will feat. artists such as Snoop Dogg, Q-Bert, Bored Stiff and many more. Check out http://www.hellarecords.com/Home.html for more details.

MISSION SKATEBOARDS3045 24th St.
415.647.7888

http://www.missionsk8boards.com/Not quite FTC when it comes to skate shops. Mission Skateboards is more of a hole in the wall Mom and Pop type skate shop. I loved it there because they had the sickest old skool Pumas. I got a pair of red and black high-tops that I can’t wait to rock once the snow melts. I can’t get them dirty, ya know?

AARDVARK'S1501 Haight St.
415.621.3141
More locations in Hollywood, Venice, Pasadena, and Canoga Park
I have been shopping at this store since I was 14; that was the Venice Beach location though. The SF shop has just as many vintage and second hand assortments to choose from. I left with an amazing flamenco style dress with a petticoat and everything, for a sweet $20 bucks, can’t beat it.


FIRST AMENDMENT GALLERY1000 Howard St., SF, CA 94103
415.861.5089http://1amsf.com/contact/
It is a beautiful day when an art gallery is able to feature nothing but the work of amazing graffiti artists. As a retired graffiti artist myself I can truly appreciate the commitment it takes to take on such a venture. Much of the art on display could also be found on the streets of SF. The gallery also features an array of markers, cans, caps, and apparel. I must also mention the friend that I made there, Lily Black. Lily gave me a copy of his unpublished manuscript and you can find more information on his works at www.papercastlepress.com

Alright people, I was going to do a bunch more shops but I am getting tired of all this writing. I will mention one more spot for awesome breakfast/brunch. You must hit up FRJTZ on 590 Valencia Street. My posse and I had brunch there and it was so fun. The ambiance was killer and the $28.00 Mimosa Kits (bottle of champagne with OJ) hit the spot.

REST IN PEACE ASHLEY

It is with great sadness that I write this post. I recently learned of the murder of my friend Ashley Yamauchi. The news came as a complete shock to me. Ashley was my age and has an 8-yr. old son. I am not going to get into all of the gory details of her death because I do not think she would want us to remember her that way. I will say that Ashley was the biggest sweetheart ever. Back in the day when I was a youngin' in SF I use to run with Ashley and her crew the "Slashettes". She was the first one to introduce me to No Doubt. I loved Ashley so much that when she started dating my ex I was totally happy for him because she was so sweet. Now that's rare. Anyway, I will leave it at that and my memories of a beautiful girl.

WE LOVE YOU ASHLEY!!

GOIN' BACK TO CALI

Hello my peeps. I am so excited because I actually have something to write about. The SLAM is goin’ back to Cali!!! I love talking about myself in the 3rd person, it’s so narcissistic. OMG!! I think I even spelled that right!! I rule. Anyway, in two days I will be on a plane to my loving home of San Francisco. The first couple of days I will be staying with my friend Ant, a.k.a. Big Poppa. He is my partner in crime, so it should be a blast. I will also have the honor of skating with the fabulous Bay Area Derby Girls (B.A.D.). I hung out with them at RollerCon and they were not only BAD but RAD. I haven’t skated in months due to my hip injury but I got a cortisone shot from the doc, so hopefully I won’t get my ass kicked too bad. The most exciting part of my trip will most definitely be seeing my sweetie Cole. I can’t wait to tell you all about my adventures. Stay tuned…..

XOXO,
SLAM

__________EMB4EVER_______

Once upon a time in a land far away there lived a posse of skaters known as EMBARKO's Most Blunted. This ragtag group of skaters lived to skate at the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Being very territorial it was never a good idea for outsiders to skate at EMB unless they had mad skills. These outsiders were referred to as "T-Dogs" and usually had their skateboard stolen from them and were immediately chased from EMB screaming.

I was prompted to write this ode to EMB after getting back talking to my sweetie Frisco Cole, who is currently serving time in San Luis Obispo. Cole pretty much introduced me to this crazy group and they played a role in my life for a long time. From Lil Geez, who will always have my heart, to James Kelch and his crazy self. All the boys (and girls) of the EMB era have stayed with me over the years. We all seem to have kids now and live tamer lives but will always be family.

PEACE AND LOVE,

The SLAM a.k.a. Nic

REST IN PEACE SWEET KOBE

My cat, my friend, my solace, my Kobe is dead. How I wish that things had been so different for you. I remember the day I brought you home in a box and you were scratching and clawing your way out. I was alone. I had just lost my baby and broke up with my boyfriend. You were there for me. When I cried you licked my face. When I was depressed you sat on my lap and purred. You were my best friend. Then you ran away for 2 weeks and the animal control made me get you fixed. You never really were the same after that. You were always Kobe but not quite the same spunk. Then as the years went by you developed asthma and I did everything I could for you. The shots, the medicines, the inhalers; all temporary relief. You suffered but you still gave all your love to everyone you met. Every cat hater that met you loved you right away. Something about you. Your loyalty. When Nevan was born you sat under his swing and kept guard. You also sat under him when he was eating, hoping for some scraps. LOL!! You loved food like nobodies business. You fat fluff ball. Well, Nevan came along and he had his own health issues and suddenly you took back seat. I couldn't afford to take you both to the doctor. I didn't know what to do. I felt horrible. I really hope you know that. I feel horrible. You suffered more. Nothing could ease your pain. I know you are better now. I brushed you today; before Gideon buries you. It felt good. I kept thinking that I heard you purring. My imagination. I thought you might snap out of it. But you were stiff and dead. I just want you to know that you were such a fucking awesome cat!!!! I really love you and always will. Nothing can replace you KOBE.

Love forever,

Your Mom

TIMES ARE A CHANGIN'

Hello Friends,

I am sorry that I have not written in so long, but I just didn't know how to tell ya'll that I quit derby. It was a very difficult choice for me to make. Everyone says that when it happens to them and it sounds so cliche, so here's another one for ya, I have an empty spot in my heart. I really feel lost without derby, but it had to be done. Ya know when you're at that point in your life and you have this HUGE commitment and you just can't do it anymore? Well, that was me, and here I am. I have not put my skates on in about a month and they are very sad and upset with me. I am sad too. The goal is to move on from here to the next faze in my life, which is already here. I don't have too much to say about it right now. Most of my good friends already know the dealio- so I see no reason to share it with the cyberworld. Let's just say for now it's all good. Someday I will put my skates back on and skate with passion (as Olive always says). Bye MRD. Bye Roller Derby. I hope we will meet again.

XOXO,

SLAM

SHE WON'T ANSWER TO YOU

This is an early birthday present to my bitch KELLI KRUSHHER. I wrote this song for you baby and you have to imagine the music to "BEAT IT" playing in the back ground.

She may be bad, she may kick you in the face
She’s really sweet but she’ll put you in your place
Her hair is kinda wild and her spirit pretty loose
It’s Kelli – Kelli – Krusher - Krusher
Kelli – Kelli – Krusher - Krusher
She rocks the pole and is down for a dance off
She’ll lose control you better watch your pants
Her style is wicked and she’ll put you in a trance
It’s Kelli – Kelli – Krusher - Krusher
Kelli – Kelli – Krusher – Krusher
You look around you don’t see anything
Are you on drugs cause you’re hallucinating
You hear a noise behind you and you slowly turn around
It’s Kelli – Kelli – Krusher - Krusher
Kelli – Kelli – Krusher – Krusher
You pissed her off and now you better watch your back
She’s on her skates and she won’t put up with no crap
Her eyes are on fire you’re about to shit in your pants
It’s Kelli – Kelli – Krusher - Krusher
Kelli – Kelli – Krusher – Krusher

XOXO, SLAM

MRD's CJ's TAKE ON NH SKATE FREE OR DIE

So much to say about this bout. The number on the scoreboard at the end of the game made no difference to the girls from New Hampshire. They look at every skating opportunity as a growing experience and are the best losers I've every met. No really, not a single one was upset about the loss and they all came to the after party and had a blast. It is rare to meet girls so humble and willing to learn. For me the true winners of this game were the ones who tried their hardest from NH. This leads me to ponder a particular conundrum in the skating community. Girls who skate and skate and push themselves to the point of no return and girls who skate for the absolute passion of the game. Obviously there is a crossover of skaters who fit both categories but I think it is so important to remember that we are all in love with the same sport and sometimes the winners are not the winners at all. When we played Montreal last time these girls came to the after party and seriously taught us some skills on the dance floor. They were decked out in the sickest 80's gear and seriously busted out mad break dancing moves on the floor. They were fun and real. I just want to thank all of the woman who work so hard to make this sport safe and fun.

On another note, SLAM is sidelined again due to ANOTHER injury. This is what happens when you over train. It just takes a toll on your poor body. Now I have trochnateris bursitus of the hip which is going to require some cortisone injections in my hip. Uhhgg!! Hope to be back on skates soon but for now I'm down for chillin' with my Slamito.

So for now I will leave you with love to NHRD:
Chicana Bruzya (Where the hell did you go?)
Hazel (You so remind me of Molly Ringwald)
Empress (I'm so happy we got to talk)
Pammy D (the dancing queen)
Dee Stortion (hope you injuries heal soon)
Kelli Krusher (I friggin' love you)
Tank'D (What can I say, you the shiz)
Irate Pirate (Thanks for reading my blog. LOL!)
Bass Ass Mama (You're badass and I miss having you for a drill partner)
Rosie (you're my hero)
Bettie off Dead (hope your bum is feeling better soon)
May B. Knotty (Che rules and you're sweet)
Scarley Davidson (I know your league will miss you so much. Good luck!!)
Ruby Hooligan (Good luck on your ventures, keep us posted)
Twiggy too (shit, thanks for the pics baby)
Antics (missed you)
Shit, there are so many of you fabulous ladies, if I forgot anyone I am so sorry. You all rock!!

XOXO,
SLAM

DON'T CALL IT A COME BACK

Well my dear friends, my short stint with NHRD has come to an end. I would like to say that have nothing but love for all of those girls. My time spent there was amazing and fun but gas and time just could not meet the attendance requirements. So yes, I am back with MRD. Everyone is scrimmaging now so it is an entirely new game. I haven't really skated yet because the All Star Team is getting ready for a bout against Montreal this weekend. I am sure the event will prove to be riveting. The Montreal girls were at RollerCon but I didn't really get a chance to see them play. I spent Friday rolling around on skates in the Old Port promoting for the event. It was fun but those sidewalks are merciless. Punchy has informed me that I will be doing stats for this bout, which brings me great happiness. The thought of another bout at the Merch table did not bring good feelings. Although I love meeting all of the fans and talking to them about Roller Derby, I have been wanting to tackle stats for a long time. So anywho, sorry this is such a short update but your girl SLAM has gotta bring home the butta.

SKATE TIL IT HURTS

XOXO SLAM

ROLLERCON: Day Three

*Our matching friendship tattoos

It is 5 am and my BFF and I have not slept. Nicole, who I have named Nikita Knockabitch, and I decide to go to Margaritaville for breakfast. We are the first people there so we get the best balcony seats and the freshest Bloody Mary's. The streets of Vegas are mostly dead and a semi-cool breeze make the entire scene perfect. I look across the street and see Pure, the nightclub of the rich and famous. Nicole is frantically looking for her wallet and we realize that we lost my camera too. Fuckin' a! Nicole shortly finds her wallet under a napkin but the camera is lost forever. All those memories, gone. No, they will stay with us forever and become another one of those stories we laugh about the next time we see eachother. FUCKIT! I had so many plans for this day, WFTDA workshops, skating at some point, but the fatigue is hitting us softly. After our meal I convince Nicole to walk over to Pure with me. "If they let Kevin Federline in, they'll have to let me in", I say to Nicole. She really does not want to go over there but I drag her. We find a security guard who tells us that the line starts at 4 pm and doors open at 10. He asks if we were planning on waiting all day. Yeah right!! "I just thought rich people partied into the morning", I mumble. Oh well, guess it's time to go to bed. Nicole's husband will be here soon and we have to get some shut eye before he comes to take us out to eat again. We get to my room and I crash hard only to have to wake up in an hour and a half. Poor Nicole was too tired to sleep. Once again, the message comes, I'm here.

We drag ourselves downstairs and there is Gary waiting for us. Nicole and I try to act normal but my act will soon fall apart without some coffee. We follow Gary to an uber swanky restaurant and at this point I think I start muttering to myself because Gary and Nicole are laughing at me and I'm not sure why. More Bloody Mary's, more food, more coffee, uhhggg...I feel like I am going to explode. I have decided to ditch RollerCon for sleep and head to my room to start packing. It takes me FOREVER to pack because my stuff is scattered all over the place. Finally I meet Nicole and Gary at the bar and they are swilling drinks. The bartender offers me a drink and I beg for water. We decide to head for their hotel. I am not sure what it is called but it is shaped like a huge pyramid and is decorated in Egyptian style. Oddly enough I run into my girl Andy Nihilate from Pioneer Valley Roller Derby at their hotel on the other side of town. Andy and I first met about a year ago when our league played hers. She ended up staying at my house and we bonded over our sons who are about the same age. Andy and her boyfriend Jay, from the band The Prozacs got married while at RollerCon this year. I guess that's what Vegas is for. I talk to Andy and Jay for a little while and introduce them to Gary and Nicole. "It is so cool how you have this derby community and know people from everywhere", Nicole says to me. I had never really thought about it but now that I do it is pretty kickass to know that I have derby girls all over the world.

Roller Derby is such a bigger community than your own league. RollerCon helped me to see this and put it all in context. It is not just you as a single skater, or you as a league, it is all of us in this together. New Hampshire Roller Derby has helped me to see this too. We have skaters from other leagues come and teach us stuff I never knew and we form friendships with our would be opponents. It is a family, a family I am happy to be a part of.

This is pretty much where my adventure ended. I caught my plane on time and came home to my other family, with thoughts of skating still lingering in my head. I am so happy that I never gave up all the times I wanted to. Thank you Joanie Weston, Leo Seltzer, Ann Calvello, WFTDA, Texas Rollergirls, and all of you who brought Roller Derby to life, you know who you are.

Signing out,
Vivala SLAM

RollerCon: Day Two

THE CHALLENGE:

Wake up with a hangover but nothing some greasy food and a cup of coffee can't handle. My teammates and I are suppose to meet at the coffee shop at 10:30a so that is perfect. I get to the coffee shop and no fucking greasy food, just muffins and shit. Damn, plan foiled. The majority of my team is already there and we pretty much stare into space until eventually we decide to talk strategy. Lesson #1: Every league does things differently. I have my ideas and everyone else has theirs. Although I am the Captain I am too tired to argue. It's just for fun, one girl says, we'll just figure it out as we go, chimes in another. Keep in mind, we have NEVER skated together before and although the "Birth Control Betties" claim to be a thrown together group of girls from Denver's Oil City, I know that will not be the case. I prepare for the worst and nurse my hangover with some nasty coffee. Alright ladies, let's do this. We head for the shuttle stop and I watch Mel Practice roll around in the dirt. I already love this girl. She is so fuckin' "I don't give a shit". My type a chick. And, she's a clown for a living. I so hate clowns but that IS dope. Anyway, the double decker bus pulls up and we all load on. Driving through Vegas on a double decker bus is definitely the way to go. Soon enough we pull up to the indoor hockey arena and head inside. Oh God, I feel like I need to shit or puke. I smoke a butt in hopes of bringing on whatever is coming but nothing helps. So I head for the water machine (THANK GOD) gets tons of water and start pounding it until my lips no longer stick together and I can swallow without chocking on my tongue.

As soon as I see our opponents and their bench coach I'm like, Oh fuck. These girls are huge. We quickly recruit or own bench coach and I thank the lord for Sadistic Sadie of the Cincinnati Ohio Roller Girls. She jams with the best of them and doesn't even want help from our blockers. We all jam at some point but she scores the most points. I have never seen girls play like Oil City. I get an elbow to the lip and it splits open. Mel Practice has the entire left side of her face swollen. Those who shall remain unmentioned spend the majority of the bout in the penalty box but when she is released her elbows are EVERYWHERE!! I have never been so angry playing roller derby. I really want to kick some ass and later that night when I saw one of the Refs out drinking I corner her and I'm all "what the fuck"? She responds with, I'm new, I don't really know. According to WFTDA 4 majors or 5 trips to the penalty box, per period, for a two period game are considered ecxessive and exsessive penalities result in expulsion. Now I know this was all for fun, but shit!! We only played for 30 minutes and she was in the box more than 5 times. Meanwhile we're getting our faces smashed in. Anyway, moving on.

I go back to my room and take a nap after picking up some Merch. I don't get too much. My best purchase is 4 issues of Blood and Thunder and some frilly pink panties. Ya never know when you'll need frilly pink panties and since my new league's colors are pink it seems like a good idea. Well I wake up from napping like three hours later, look at my watch and almost shit myself. FUCK!! How could I sleep so long. My BFF Nicole is going to be here any second. I jump up at the same moment my phone rings, "Mamas? I'm here".

From here it all becomes a blur. Let me just say that we lost the camera from that night, woke up with new tattoos and there was some spin the bottle and tittie action in there somewhere. It's just like they say "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". Until those pictures end up on the internet.

Personal Disclaimer: I think the worst thing I did was trying to teach the bartender how to do the Plank in a very tight pencil skirt. I cannot speak for those who will remain unmentioned.

THE ROLLERCON TRILOGY: IN PICTURES

ROLLERCON THE TRILOGY

*KISS AT HARD ROCK CAFE

DAY ONE

I step out of my blissfully air conditioned hotel room to be molested by a wave of heat. I almost turn around and go right back in my room but the knowledge of what's waiting for me keeps me moving. Ok, first stop, registration. First off I must say that the Imperial Palace is one big maze and the fact that I found registration in under 20 minutes is beyond amazing. I approach a corridor filled with derby girls of all different shapes, sizes, accents, and hair styles. Plain and simple, it is a derby girls dream. I pull out my USARS and ID and I am promptly handed a bright orange RollerCon sticker and told to put it on my helmet. DONE!

Next stop: Back to my room, if I can ever find it, to get my skate gear for the next skate workshop. Where the fuck is my room? I wander endlessly. Soon it's almost 1:30pm and I locate the piece of crap and gather all my gear for some beatings from Bonnie D. Stroir. For those of you not knowing, Bonnie is one ill ass skater. She is the founder of the San Diego Derby Dolls and to take a class with her was more than I could have hoped for. The lesson for the day was Tricky Whips and a lot of backwards skating. I loved it and learned some sneakiness that I will use on you one day. All of the girls skating were loving it and falling all over the place. It was too awesome.

After class I was beat from the heat and decided to try to find my room, AGAIN!! Ten years later I dropped my gear off and decided to try to find someone with some authority. Word had been spreading that our challenge bout had been rescheduled for who knows when or where. By the time I got to the lobby I was so beat I decided to sit in a comfy seat by the bar and treat myself to a Margarita. Relaxation, finally. Oddly enough a posse of the girls from my team, TEAM MILF, all ended up in the same bar and we took over for a while. The word on the street was that our challenge against the Birth Control Betties had been rescheduled for the following day at 12:30pm. Fine, whatever, what was my next move. Hmmnnn...

After some pondering and finishing my drink I decided to head for Iron Horse Tattoo and get some ink. I decided on a flying roller skate designed by "Sexy Rick" (seriously, that is what his card says), who is not too sexy but super nice. Chris is the true sexiness but we will have to get into that later as that is an entire different story. Moving on. For some obscene reason I thought it would be an awesome idea to walk all the way back to the hotel. DUMB!!! The heat must have gone to my head because the strip looked close but it was just a mirage, and I'm no talking about the Hotel.

At the room again and I decide to take a bath because my shin splints are killing me from walking 50 million miles in 110 degree heat. God I'ma dumbass. After my bath and some lie down time I pick myself up again and head down to the bar. The minute I get down there I run into my Mamas from back in the day, JO MAMA of Jo Show Promotions and a retired Derby Doll. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Jo Mama knows she is completely off the friggin' chain. From the moment I saw her it was pure chaos. Jo Mama and I go WAY back. We use to tour with the Grateful Dead and then she lived in my apartment in San Francisco for awhile. So she's introducing me to everyone and their Mother as friggin' Blossom from Dead Tour. I swear I wanted to kick her ass so bad. Then, let's not forget dear little Pippy, Jo Show's BFF but I stole her and now she's my BFF. She tried to corrupt me all night but I was good and went to bed by 2am. Oh dear. Stay tuned for day 2.

SKATE FREE OR DIE

In ode to my new derby family I have changed my blog to the color pink. I know, it's so un-SLAM but I must now grasp it and love it like these superbad chicks that I'll be skating with. Yes, the drive will be dreadful but it will be so worth it to skate and have fun. These girls made me feel welcome from the moment I got there. It is really exciting to be given a fresh opportunity with girls so new to derby. It will be a totally different dynamic and I'm already in love with Dee Stortion and Tank'd girl (see left to right). I can't fuckin' wait for this new page in the journey of Vivala SLAM.

Next time I see ya'll it will be with my crazy RollerCon stories.

WHEN MILFS ATTACK

TEAM MILF is so on!!!! And yours truly is the Captain. We still don't know when we're playing but whenever it is it will be the shiz!! I am hella psyched to play with different girls from all over. Some of these girls are vets. I will post our roster.
Vivala SLAM #187 - Captain
Stormy Trooper #333-Co Captain
Tyra Durden #8 - Manager
Mel Practice NC+ 17
Sadistic Sadie #76
Shamrock n. Roller #8
Evil Angel #44
Sista Slitchya #5
Smokin Enjen #1-3-8-9
Kat OTIC #512
Emile Vabruis #312
Malevolent #789

All I can say is the Birth Control Betties better watch out cause the MILFS are on FIAAAA!!

FOREVER AND ALWAYS ~SLAM

RollerCon Here I Come

Less than 2 months and I will be in dirty 'ol Vegas, skatin' with some badass derby chicks. I cannot friggin' wait YO!! It will be so hella sweet to meet all new people and learn totally new tricks. I do live in Maine but we all know West is the Best. No Doubt. I would pick up and move right this second if I could. So let's see, 5 days in Sin City skatin' it up and drinkin' it down. It will be just like tour days, straight takin' over the town. HAHAHA!! So here's the deal:
Workshops everyday
On skates training everyday
Open scrimmage every night from 8p-12a
Bars galore
Now if only I can get my mamas Nicole Part2 to come we'll be all set. Vegas would be a blast anyway but with her it would be a super blast. I have started a get SLAM to Rollercon beg-a-thon so hopefully all of my sistas will show me some 5derby love. Till next time.

XOXO,
SLAM

BOSTON SCRIMMAGE PICS AND MORE.....

As promised, here are a few pics from the Boston scrimmage. Nothing too exciting so don't get all crazy. I am the cute one. HAHA. No, really. So I went to see the Sports Doctor guy and he says I have Traumatic Patello Femoral Syndrome, otherwise known as Runner's Knee. He said that as long as I keep falling on it, it is not going to go away. Oh my. So I met with a trainer today and we are going to work on strengthening my quads and hamstrings so that I can have better knee support. He's going to kick my ass and I'm going to love every minute of it damnit!! I went to the try-outs and although I was sad I was proud of my girls for giving it thier all. There is an official B Team now and the first bout is June 7th. They will be playing the Providence Killah Bees. In all honesty, I think this is all for the best. I still feel I need more scrimmaging time so I can kick ass with confidence. Some girls just start playing bouts after 4 months of training but I am not about that. I want to be on my game and not look like an idiot. Hopefully when I do get teamed I get more than 2 seconds of play time. I am hoping my trainer can help me with those big bursts of energy needed to get around the bitches in my way or catch back up to the pack with the quickness. I am totally stepping up my training and I am pretty excited about it. As always I will keep you guys updated. Your determined little engine. SLAM.

_______________DERAILED

Derailed and depressed. Scrimmaged last night and the first double knee fall made me want to cry. So the time has come for me to pull myself from scrimmaging, reluctantly. I am not a happy camper but what can I do? This is life and life throws us unexpected curve balls. I remember thinking one time how happy I was that I didn't have any knee problems. It seemed like everyone on the league had knee problems of one kind or another. I probably should have gotten new knee pads then. But I was cocky and didn't think it would happen to me. My knees were strong. I work in disability. I should know better. As I sit here icing my knee, and reflecting on the recent events, all I can do is wait as my teammates pass me by. I am really good at feeling sorry for myself. Can you tell? I will try to be more positive and think of this time as a period to work on strenghtening my core and endurance and not putting my knee through too much. At least I can walk and run. I can even skate, just not fall. So things could be worse, right? Buck up kiddo and deal with it. Yes, I am talking to myself now. I will keep you all posted but I can assure you that Vivala SLAM will not be bouting this season. The Calamity Janes will be skating without me and I will be cheering them on from the sidelines.