I fumed for a couple of days over something that has annoyed me for two years: people that come at a jammer with a good block, but not good enough to take the jammer out, so they use their momentum to fall in front of the jammer and try to break her ankle by wrapping their legs around it. Not a good feeling for the jammer. Referees should call a low block or tripping, but good luck with that.
After recently conversing with a couple of other skaters about whether or not a backwards whip could be used effectively in an actual jam, I pulled one off last night. I threw an off-balance block, went into an eagle, and decided to just turn around and face my jammer who I knew was right behind me. I had two teammates ahead of me in the pack, so I knew I could give my jammer a whip and she would be protected from the one opposing blocker that was ahead of us. I reached out for her, and she grabbed my hand and propelled herself around the rest of the pack. Now that’s a good feeling for a blocker. Wasn’t 100%, but it got the job done.
Can’t wait to show Pikes Peak how Houston rolls on February 9, 2008.
After an editorial appeared in the Houston Chronicle that painted the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) in an unfavorable light over their opposition to the current plan for redeveloping the Astrodome, HLSR officials sent a list of talking points about the issue to all committee volunteers. Most notable is the fact that HLSR will provide $15.6 million in scholarship money to the youth of Texas in 2008. Line that up next to Astrodome Redevelopment Corp. plans that anticipate 750,000 HLSR visitors entering the Dome during the rodeo and spending money inside. HLSR research shows that the average rodeo attendee spends $22.11 on food, beverage, merchandise, and amusements on each visit. That’s $16 million that will go somewhere other than to support youth and education. If I were an HLSR official instead of just a lowly (but proud) volunteer, I would oppose those plans, too.
Houston Roller Derby honored its best and brightest of the 2007 season this past Sunday. All of the winners except one were completely deserving of their awards. One of the winners sat out almost half the season. One of the winners did not even do her best work once she came back. It took a couple of months for her to honestly feel like she was positively contributing. By that time, her team was praying for just one win and a third place finish. Yes, that “winner” is Catazon, the Burlesque Brawler’s Best Blocker of 2007.
That made my whole freakin’ year right there! First, I must give special thanks to my teammates for all their support this year, and to the rest of the league for believing in me. Also, thanks to a friend who gave me some extra encouragement and now makes me cry by bringing it up at emotional moments. Second, I apologize to anyone I offended after I started celebrating. I don’t remember everything I did, but I know I’m very sorry for dancing inappropriately, singing off-key, indecently exposing myself, making unfounded accusations, and generally being the obnoxious drunk that I so perfectly can be. Damn, that was fun! Now on to the next excuse…
I’ve been thinking a lot about bloggers’ rights since a bunch of people with whom I am very close decided that not everyone is entitled to his/her opinions. I have never been very keen on using del.icio.us. You may ask how those two sentences warrant an inclusion in the same paragraph? Because…I’m testing the use of del.icio.us link rolls and decided to include my bloggersrights link roll here. Wonder and wander away.
