The Beginning of an Era
Those that know me won’t be terribly surprised that I’ve chosen to title the Atlanta Rollergirls’ first blog post something so dramatic… I tend to have a flair for exaggeration, or as I put it- I tell a helluva good story.
Here in Atlanta I’m the head of Marketing, a skater for the Denim Demons currently, and a skater for the Rumble Bs, Apocalypstix and DSDG All-Stars previously. I’ve worked for the league in PR, Marketing, Video, and occasionally sat in on the mic at the announcer’s table. I’ve been a blocker, a pivot, and on that rare full moon (all the real jammers are on 3), a kick ass jammer too.
My road to derby was similar to most I suppose, and a bit like our favorite Journey song, “Just a small town girl…” growing up in rural central Texas where football is king, and a keg of beer and a field is a party. (Hey, don’t knock it till you try it.) Graduating high school at the turn of the century and knowing that Austin was the place to be, my friends and I packed up, moved into the city, and found ourselves at Playland Skate Center at one of the very first bouts of the Texas Rollergirls. It was heaven. If heaven looked like $1 Lonestar Tall boys, a couple hundred tattooed fans, and a couple of wide-eyed country girls looking on as two teams of rock stars battled on the flat track. It was loud, it was fast, and it was the start of something magical. You could feel a shift in the air, something was happening. Something was just being born.
Credit: http://www.hellonwheelsthemovie.com/photos.htm
Little did I know that seeing derby that day would burrow deep into my brain somewhere. Like a virus, laying dormant for years as I moved away from Austin to go to art school, and finally move to Atlanta to support my S.O. (significant other) in his quest to get a Ph.D. Moving to Atlanta was like a massive, scary door being open. I had no job, little-to-no cash, a handful of friends, and the life-altering urge to become something great.
Like hundreds before, and thousands after, I became a rollergirl. I won’t bore you with the gritty details of how bad I sucked on skates, or how hard I pushed my limits, or how often I practice-cried (seriously, I would give my pinky toe to never practice-cry again). I will say that my journey was made possible by the amazing people I’ve had in my life. My very supportive and mellow husband who puts up with me being gone all the time, or bitching about forum drama, or needing help washing my hair when I broke my hand on the bank track. My parents who always pushed me to be the best athlete I could be. My friends on and off the track who taught me to skate, to stick up for what you believe in, and to laugh at yourself no matter what. And my leaguemates and committee who work tirelessly to make this league and sport of ours the very best it can be.
That new friends, brings us to this blog. As much as I like to hear myself talk, and think, and you get the picture… There are so many amazing people that have come to derby in their own way. It grabs you and pulls you in, and doesn’t often let go. And I couldn’t be happier to write the inaugural post for what I’m sure will be the most epic blog that has ever stalked the internet. It gives the world a chance to jump into the depths of the Atlanta Rollergirls, to learn about and meet so many different people with different roles who all add a piece to our puzzle. And hopefully, you’ll like what you see.
Welcome y’all.
