Tag Archives: roller derby

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, True Derby, Twinkle Lights Stories

24…..

Three derby skaters equal 24 wheels on any given day.

But on some days in history, just the number 24 speaks for everyone.

A day when a person who wore that number on a jersey leaves the world and wheels stop turning long enough for us to acknowledge some truths.

The truth that, like derby skates and skaters, we all come in different colors and sizes. From different places across the world. Different genders. Different sports. Different beliefs about where we go when it’s all over.

And for a moment we can see those common goals and traits of goodness that transcend competition, be it in basketball, politics or religion.

Same vulnerabilities of the body and spirit.

Same heartfelt gratitude that someone with the number 24 provided a glimpse of all that.

Something to remember as the wheels start to turn again.

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

True Derby

AN EYE FOR THE LADIES – KIKO JONES

Alex Rodriguez has his eye on the derby ladies. And they are glad he does!

He’s quite the favorite on the derby circuit. They lovingly gave him the skater name of Kiko Jones when he first showed up on the track to coach the Freshmeat (newbie derby skaters in training).

So what brought this giant of a man ( a former football player, marching band member, roller skater and skateboarder) to roller derby?

“It was a tough time in my life in 2008. Then the derby girls from Austin and Houston, where the derby revival began, needed some help in El Paso where they were staring a new league.”

“They needed help with equipment, wheels, bearings and such, and my background as a skateboarder was just the thing for them. It was just the thing I needed also in my life. I fell in love with the concept and gained so much respect for the ladies who worked so hard. They are special!”

The geologist and petroleum surveyor from El Paso went on to use his skills in the men’s derby league as a blocker. He officiates for three different leagues in three different cities.

“I serve as an outside pack ref, an inside pack ref, a jammer ref and the Eye in the Sky.” The last is not his favorite because he’s not on wheels, but it gives him the overview of the game he loves.

“Officiating is every bit as physically and mentally demanding as the game itself. Unlike many other sports, roller derby officials have to see the whole picture of a rule infraction before they can call it. What or who caused it, what the actual infraction is and what was the consequence. All in a split second and on wheels!”

Kiko Jones loves the sport of roller derby. But mostly he loves the girls.

“I’ve learned so much about women. Their passion, their many different and dynamic personalities, how they work so hard and sacrifice their bodies and times for the sport they love.

I love and respect women more than ever.”

SKATE ON, KIKO JONES!

Darla

(Look for more about Alex and other strong derby participants in the 2020 launch of Darla’s book and presentation “Strong Women, Fast Wheels, New Rules: How Roller Derby Can Change Your Life Without Ever Putting on Skates” – a look at the derby rules that can be applied to everyone’s life. Visit Darla’s website to watch for the release and to subscribe to blogs like this)

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

SKIN IS ONLY SKIN DEEP

We all have it, you know.

Skin.

Derby girls know it because it is easily bruised, scraped (especially when in touch with velcro or the track) and painted.

It makes up about 16% of your body weight and is comprised of about 64% water. It is your largest organ.

It is waterproof and i insulates the rest of your body from temperatures, sun, chemicals. All the many nerve endings in your skin keep your brain in touch with the world around you.

We need skin. And yet it is only .5 mm thick at its thinnest point (the eyes, as in crows feet) and 4 mm thick at its thickest parts (palms and soles).

So why do we make such a big deal deal over what the top part of those millimeters actually look like, as in making it the biggest part of one’s identity?

White skin, black skin, yellow skin, and so on.

Good skin, bad skin, wrinkled or smooth skin.

Thin skinned people, thick skinned people.

Tight skin, saggy skin

Skin is only skin deep. There’s a lot of stuff going on under it. And it pretty much looks the same for everyone.

I say we quit looking at skin as our identity.

Skin is only skin deep.

SKATE ON!

Darla

(See what’s under this painted bench in Santa Fe, NM. Just a bench.)