TCDG Banquet

"The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time"

-Abraham Lincoln

Last night was our roller derby banquet. It was one hell of a party - dining, drinking & dancing! As Coach La so rightly pointed out, we had a lot to celebrate. We are one awesome league. Awards were given out and due to our fight against breast cancer, my esteemed league mate, Kim (a/k/a Coffey Break-Her) and I were both named Most Inspirational. I'm proud to share the award with her as Kim is one of the best women I have ever met. She truly understands this battle.

Roller derby is the best thing going on in my life for many reasons. Lets face it, derby is the only year-round amateur sport where you can:

- play in front of paying fans against teams from all over the area

- maintain some anonymity while becoming semi-famous

- “win” the after-bout party

- be surrounded by athletic women – some of whom have great "boutfits"

- let every inhibition you have fly out the window

- have the strongest legs in town

- smell like road kill and vomit simmering on the stove

- make hundreds of new friends – all of whom enjoy life to the fullest

It’s a multi-level, interdependant relationship where I’m constantly evolving. I’m very aware of what physical activity does for my serotonin levels. After practice I always feel better about my life. One of the best things to have happened to me was being given this award. It’s so amazing to be validated by the community you’re immersed in. That thoughtful gesture made me stop and think for awhile and got me to see myself for who I really am. Who doesn’t love having an outlet to shine in and to be appreciated for it? Roller Derby has connected me to a local community of awesome women.

What my league mates don't realize is how much they inspire me. Every derby move is magic because you are making something happen. With inspiration and perspiration, enthusiasm and hard work come results. There are many skills that I hope to improve upon, and watching others gracefully execute them gives me inspiration. The Twin City Derby Girls have some stellar athletes who play at a competitive level that I hunger for. I greatly admire our founding members and local superstars of roller derby. I look up to them in awe, like a kid watching Michael Jordan fly through the air in a slam dunk from the foul line.

It has certainly been my privilege to skate with all the TC Derby Girls. Thank you all for sharing your strength, passion and commitment with me. A big shout out to The 'Paign and Coach Rice for giving me the will to continue this breast cancer battle. I look forward to next season!