Tag Archives: DARLATHEROLLERDERBYQUEEN

Art of the Listen - Bench Talk, True Derby

PANDEMIC PHENOMENON – ROLLER SKATES SELL OUT

The Covid-19 shutdowns may have shuttered the roller derby season for 2020, but there is no lack of eight-wheeled, social distancing skating going on as a result of the times.

What more perfect way to glide through a shutdown than with a pair of skates, an open sidewalk, maybe a family outing.

A definite rush and a shot of physically produced serotonin!

But good luck finding skates if you don’t have some in your closet already.

Google Trends reports a surge of online searches for “roller skates” during the pandemic lockdown. And not just idle searches. That phenomenon has translated in the actual sales…or sell outs!

Would-be skaters complain they can’t find skates in stock. Major online skate retailers say they struggle to keep sizes and styles in inventory.

Some people say a certain LA actress and dancer named Ana Coto started the trend with her Tik-Tok escapades on skates (see BuzzFeedNews article: “These Very Cool Women On Tik-Tok Are Causing Roller Skates to Sell Out Online”)

Maybe her 1.1 million hits prove she created the pandemic phenomenon, but as she says herself “just watching people skate is good vibes all around.”

A glimmer of hope for those sidelined derby skaters — Germany just opened up for team training with proper safety measures. You can count on roller derby coming back strong soon.

And maybe some of those owners of new quad skates will take notice and come out for freshmeat auditions.

But if not, let’s just revel in the revival of roller skating.

SKATE ON!

Darla

(visit www.darlatherollerderbyqueen.com to subscribe to Darla’s regular blogs)

Art of the Listen - Bench Talk, Scabs and Other Body Parts

Will we ever touch again?

Six feet away.

“Will we ever hug again?” is the question of the day. As we creep out of our seclusions, will the bright light of the sun maybe do away with the guy who put us there?

Are we touch deprived?

Will it be different now for friends who formerly met each other with a hug? For strangers who began a greeting with a handshake? Or even for that anonymous shopper in the store whose shoulder you used to touch briefly in order to pass by?

Will people continue to avert their eyes from each other in an effort to keep distance? Will their lips tense just the tiniest of bits as someone walks toward them with a smile?

When the masks come off…and they will…will we approach the world with invisible gloves still on?

Here’s what I think, as I muse on a bench six feet away from anyone else.

Yes. Most of us will come to hug or offer our hand in greeting again, despite the warnings. We may just do it a little differently.

Now we know about long distance communication. We picked up the phone and called old friends. We zoomed into family reunions, office meetings and support groups.

We learned the power of a “Like”. We shared intimate details of our lives with the world…such as the type of pyjamas we wear or the true color of our hair.

We shared our fears, our disdain, our loves…without leaving the house. We laughed out loud with others thousands of miles away.

We did touch each other.

Down the street, out there in the bright sun, I see people gathering again. Music booms from car speakers. Could it be the sidewalk looks almost crowded by comparison? It appears the distances are shrinking.

I hope we don’t forget the ways we learned to touch each other when we were six feet away. I would miss that closeness.

SKATE ON!

Darla

(As far as I know, the park bench above is a widely shared, photo-shopped piece of fun. Credit unknown.)

For more Darla or to receive future blogs, go to Darla’s website and touch base. www.darlatherollerderbyqueen.com

Art of the Listen - Bench Talk, Political Muck and Such, Scabs and Other Body Parts

WHAT ARE YOU SHARING TODAY?

1 Comment

So, we no longer shake hands or hug friends at a gathering. This week I was taught we can only touch feet with shoes on, touch elbows, or just make a kind of queenly wave at each other as we come in the door.

I’m okay with that, I guess, as long as we can brandish a great smile at each other upon meeting.

But where’s the smile behind all those masks?

Don’t misunderstand.

We need to protect one another from spreadable diseases (even though I’m not sure the mask does all that….)

I liked this article today from a major news outlets (“Coronavirus: Does worrying increase your risk of getting sick?”} that asks: what exactly are we spreading?

“We’re in this fear state, but the fear state turns down the immune system. When you spread fear to your friends, it’s almost like spreading germs to them. You wouldn’t want people to do that to you. We shouldn’t do that to other people,” said David Ropeik.

So, just like a smile or a yawn, fear can also be contagious, he says.

Maybe we do need masks every once in a while, but you can always smile with your eyes.

SKATE ON!

Darla

Art of the Listen - Bench Talk, Skate-On! Gallery, Twinkle Lights Stories

BE THAT BRIGHT ONE….

It’s gloomy. People move slowly through the mush of winter. Gone is the sparkle of new snow and the rush of the holidays.

What the world needs is a bright one. The person who smiles at you for no reason. A cheery remark. A splash of color.

It could be you today! Be that bright one for no reason.

Skate On!

Darla

Art of the Listen - Bench Talk

A BOOMERISH NOTE TO HOLIDAY MILLENNIALS…

Don’t get me wrong. I love millennials. I even have a few.

And Lord knows roller derby needs them for Freshmeat (accepted term for derby newbies, no other implication intended). Even during the holidays.

But when I read a recent MoneyWise article (“OK Boomers, These Christmas Traditions Are Dying Out”), I had a definite Boomerish response.

Granted, there are a few of the 24 things these youngsters are opting out of about which I agree: Rampant consumerism (#7), Overspending (#10). Assuming everyone celebrates Christmas (#20).

And there are some traditions on the list that I have never had a part of: Pets as gifts (#2) – who puts animals under the tree in boxes? Thank goodness there are scented candles. Christmas tree up on Christmas Eve (#14) – why wait? Dancing around the Christmas tree (#18) – like, how? All the furniture has been crammed into existing space to make way for the Christmas tree. Christmas Eve boxes (#24) – ok, so maybe you get to open one present, but that’s a last minute decision, not a box.

I also agree that some traditions are, in fact, a little creepy when you get right down to it: Elf on the Shelf (#4) – actually, I think the millennials invented that one and now regret it. Sitting on Santa’s lap (#6) – goes without saying. Mistletoe (#5) – ok if its the right person, but have you ever had someone approach you with that gleam in his/her eye as you walk in the door?

Then there are some just bratty answers listed: Christmas music (#8) – hey, you have technology. Ask Alexa for the music you want. Hallmark Christmas movies (#9)- same answer – change the channel. White elephant games (#12) – Its a way to avoid #7 and #10 above.

Caroling (#15) – agree that it shouldn’t be used to secure donations or a Go Fund Me event, but lets not throw it away altogether. Fruitcake (#16) – have you ever really had one? Decorating (#21) – I think this meant to be directed to stores, but again, let’s not throw it away.

Stores closed on Christmas (#22) – to repeat, see #7 and #10. Some people just want to stay home that day.

And my favorite from the list: Tradition itself (#17). You would think they were born in the 50’s like the Boomers.

However, I have to wonder to whom this article writer spoke. Christmas cards (#1) tops the list of no-no’s, but at least half of the cards I received this year came first and promptly from the millennials in the crowd.

Then there are the presents: Mandatory family gifts (#3) and Finding that Perfect Gift (#23). There’s always #12. I for one love finding the perfect gift. I look all year long and collect special things. One year I drew pictures because I didn’t have any money for gifts. I guess if that’s not your thing, pick out a special card.

Oh yeah. Forgot about #1. And it involves stamps. So, find the perfect emoji, then. It’s just that time of year no matter what you believe (see #20 again.) A time to connect or reconnect and refresh relationships. A time to spread goodwill. A time to say let’s move forward.

And speaking of relationships, I wish to address this whole group of traditions that respondents say are on the way out: Fancy dinners and meals (#11), Visiting multiple relatives (#13), Being around family (#20),

To that I say, get off your butt. Learn how to use that extra fork in the place setting. Go over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house as quickly as you can. Visit as many people, friends and family as you can fit into your schedule, even if that bossy sister, that cranky uncle, that opinionated cousin are all there.

I guarantee you. When you hit Boomer age and the Freshmeat generation is calling “OK, Millennial!”, you are going to wish you did.

SKATE ON!

Darla