I'm tired and elated. Dust Devil went well, way better than expected. I worked 11 games in 3 days, and was selected for the 3rd/4th place game, later I was told I was selected for that over the championship game because the two teaks playing were both Arizona teams, it was expected to be loud and a lot of pressure, and they needed officials who could handle that.
This weekend will be another non stop tournament, I'm excited but holy hell I need more sleep!
Anyway, I actually came to write a new blog and cross post something I posted on Facebook, cause I think it's valid and important, and it ties to the whole roller derby theme.
Non-derby people often ask why I do what I do, especially as an official, who doesn't get paid.
This is part of the reason:
This is being reposted mainly for outside of derby friends but also for derby friends (because I know you all will relate). Thank you for sharing Ema [she's a non-derby, life-long friend] !
This article is more or less how I was raised. I played with barbies, I also made mud pies and climbed on the jungle gym that my father made out of wood posts and beams. I cried more when my feelings were hurt than when I was physically hurt. I still do that. I am a girl but I am not overly "girlie" and no one will ever get me to apologize for that. It's taken me a long time to be as comfortable with myself as I am now and the fact that our devaluation of women is so deeply embedded into our culture that it is woven into the fabric of our language saddens me. Why do I love roller derby and the community and culture? "Skate like a girl" is a compliment of the highest degree in roller derby. Men strive to skate like some of the women in this sport. Some may (and have) argue that the balance is off here as well, but sometimes you have to claim something as yours to bring everything back into balance. Sometimes you have to learn to love yourself and find your own value and power before you are able to say "fuck 'em". Roller Derby is a community full of people who never quite fit into the little boxes they were asked to compartmentalize themselves into, plus it's a kick ass sport, and THIS, my friends, is why I love it. It's why I give up my weekends, and why I use vacation time to work games and tournaments rather than taking an actual vacation. Call me nutty, but I've never been happier.
Here is the article, I am talking about (Seriously read it, even if, no especially if you are not a woman. If you have a daughter, a sister, a mother, a girlfriend, a wife, you should read this article. Period.
Dear Daughter...
Have a great weekend everyone!
BB
It was fun and it would have been awesome if you were there too! Perhaps next time