Tag Archives: roller derby

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Thanksgiving is a holiday where one should just stop for a minute and think about what they have. A lot of people live day in and day out without realizing what life gives to them and it really is a shame. So, for this blog entry I want to talk about what I, Lindi Himes, am thankful for.

Recently, I have started volunteering at Human Concerns in Oswego. Not only am I thankful for the opportunities that i have been given in my life but for even the simplest thing, food! In my family, “it’s all about the food,” and thank god for that. It may sound like a silly thing to be thankful for, but some people don’t have the opportunity of having a family owned grocery store with endless yummy things.

Next, I am thankful for my family and friends. This may be what most people generally are thankful for but without certain people in my life, I can’t imagine where i’d be today. First, My parents. They have given me everything they possibly could my whole life. Just a simple shout out in a blog would not do them justice! Secondly, my sister. Aside from getting into dangerous cat fights when we were little over taco dip on her text book (oops), my sister has always been the perfect older sister who looks after me. (and she bakes delicious food!) Lastly, the rest of my giant family. Remember my Big Fat Greek Wedding? Well yeah, that’s my Italian family in a nutshell. I may have a crazy family but without them i think i would go crazy.

Lastly, i’d like to say i’m thankful for my friends and my derby team. Without my friends, I would never get into the crazy shenanigans that i’m best at, and on top of that have their 100 percent support. On my way out last night, my cousin Laura and my sister Mel were talking about what our lives would be without the friendships we have formed over the past year and a half. We couldn’t imagine it. And most importantly, no one accepts my smelly equipment like they do!

Okay all, sorry for the randomness. Enjoy the holiday! Cheers!

 

Who really needs an off-season? Psh.

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The OzZzsome Roller Girl Tattoo-By: Mallory Wills Taber

So, a lot has happened since my last post on here. We are now in “off-season” but in roller derby terms that means absolutely nothing as said before. We still are practicing 2 to 3 times a week and have have our common social events. How do we do it you ask? Because it’s a sport that doesn’t get old possibly ever, it’s an addiction.

Last Saturday, Certified Public Assassin, Masso-Kiss-Tic Mandy, and I went to an event called “Scrap Night” down in Clay hosted by Assault City Roller Derby. This was a great experience for the 3 of us because we were able to play with the best of the best teams scattered all across Upstate New York. I have to admit, I was terrified to play such skilled athletes but it really helps you put your own skill into perspective and you to see how far you can push yourself. It was enjoyable watching my teammates shine and play to their full potential against these ‘A- team’ players. Our team’s first bout of the second season is coming up quick in January against the Albany All-Stars (weeeee, hope we will be ready).

My sister presenting me my award--Damn, we look hot.

Aside from practicing and scrap nights, our team keeps up with the social events in the winter. We just officially ended our season with the end of the year party. My sister Insane Assilem and teammate J-RockIt planned the event at D.S. Humphrey’s where fun was most definitely had by all. The best part of the night was the series of awards that were presented to the skaters, refs, trainers, coaches, nso’s, and even volunteers. The awards were either barbies or action figures presented on a orange construction cone. Hilarious. I was presented with the ‘Most likely to have groupies award’. You definitely can’t say you see sweet awards like that often for sports award ceremonies. I give a lot of credit to the creativity and thought that went to everyone’s individual award, Thank you Mel and Jamie!

So, looking back on these past two derby experiences, i’d like to say that i can’t see this fun ever ending for as long as the Oz Roller Girls are around. I also can safely say that i’ve never felt more accepted and respected in a community and that the experience over this past year has been unreal. Our team isn’t just a bunch of girls there to play a sport, we’re a family. Love ya’ll.

Jammer Boot Camp

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So, you think you know a lot about roller derby until you’re taught by some of the World’s Best Jammers and Blockers! This weekend, I went down to Brooklyn with 4 of my teammates and we took a 5 hour jammer boot camp with the Gotham Girls Roller Derby. We got to meet two of the best jammers in the world Suzy Hotrod and Bonnie Thunders and an amazing blocker Ginger Snap. Every 5 or 10 minutes of the 5 hour camp, we would learn something new. We learned so many new techniques to get though the pack and to improve our own individual ways of skating as a jammer. (My head almost exploded)

The coolest part about this camp was our teachers. Suzy, Bonnie, Ginger, and the rest of the staff were just fun and laid-back people. I felt as though that was one of the biggest enjoyments from the camp. They helped us to learn all of these new techniques in way that they weren’t scary or intimidating. They are the type of skaters that realize, “Hey, i was at that level at one point” and from there they were able to relate to our different styles and help us build on them. It shows a true teacher that can see what people are doing wrong and helping them to fix it.

From this camp, my teammates and I will be bringing loads of information back to our team in hopes of a major jump in improvement for all of us. We are blessed to have our own coach who takes the time to make up new strategies and fundamentals for us to become better skaters. Roller derby isn’t a sport that has an on and off season. We practice all year round because the rules and strategies to be learned are endless. Suzy and the rest of the Gotham League practices 4 to 5 days a week (Crazy). For right now I think two to three practices a week is just fine! As for the future, anything is possible.

To my team- thanks.

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You know the saying individually unique, together fabulous? Well i’d say that pretty much sums up my team. Never have i ever participated in a sports team and felt like I belonged until i joined the Oz Roller Girls. It’s not just what every one of us does day in and day out but it’s the personalities of all of us that for some reason makes perfect sense. We all leave our jobs, school, families every Monday and Thursday knowing we’re going somewhere where we can just be who we want to be for two or three hours.

This first bout season brought us all experiences we will never forget. We cried, laughed, smiled, sang, and even slapped (after-party activity). But one thing is for certain, we grew together. Aside from my teammates and family, there are certain people who have made this transition possible. We may possibly have one of the most dedicated and caring coaches around, and without him i’m not sure where we would be today. Also, a skater, captain, bench coach and most importantly a friend who has been with our coach every step of the way to help us succeed. It won’t be too much longer until you will be back on the track with us again, my friend.

After our last bout, I was relieved thinking of all of the time and energy that would be given back to me now that we were done for the year. Oh wait. Derby season never ends. But, then i thought to myself, why would i think that? I need this sport to get me through the school week. I need to be able to go skate and release everything i possibly can in a limited 3 hours( it actually goes by fast).  And most importantly without my friends/teammates who would i hit or get hit by?

“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flames by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. “
–Albert Schweitzer

Hi All!

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Hello Everyone,

My name is Lindi Himes. I am a senior at SUNY Oswego and I’m a Business Administration Major. I was born and raised in Oswego, New York and it’s been quite an adventure thus far. My roller derby team’s Announcer/Ref/Friend Tim Nekritz thought it was a good idea for me to do a blog because he said I had the personality for it….hmmmm, we will see!

BUT Roller Derby if you’re wondering is one of my main hobbies when I’m not doing schoolwork/bartending/or working at my family’s butcher shop. It’s a fascinating new sport making its way around the state, country, and world! On my team (Oz Roller Girls), I’m generally the jammer (point scorer) and sometimes a blocker. I think the best things about derby are the people you meet and the fun times you share with these people. How did I learn about derby? My cousin Laura and my sister Melissa actually got involved 6 or so months before me. I was terrified at first learning a completely new sport let alone learning how to skate (yes, 2 wheels in the front and 2 in the back) but I have developed a love for a sport that I never thought I could have.

I’ll speak more about derby in the future because our season never ends in this sport (luckily) and we are always looking for new recruits. Our last bout (what they call games in ‘Derby’ terms) is this coming Saturday @ 6 p.m. If you’re the Type A person looking for a good time, that’s probably where you would want to be. And to follow the bout, our team will be celebrating (our win hopefully) at Woodchuck’s down the road from our venue (Crisafulli Rink-next to the Fort).

Hopefully this wasn’t too much randomness for the first blog!

-Lindi Himes or Crushed Red Pepper (Derby Name)