Roller Derby

One of my cousins does (plays?) roller derby. If it weren't for her, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have the first clue about it. Well, mostly I still have no idea about it. But I have been to a roller derby match (game?) to watch her. I went once in St. Louis, and then again in Kansas City when she called to tell me she would be in town for one night to play.

If you haven't ever been to roller derby, I assure you it is QUITE the experience. While I still have absolutely NO idea what the rules are, it was still pretty entertaining to watch. Let me tell you, there are plenty of opportunities to people watch at an event like that!

I also made my friend come with me -- I figured that roller derby is an experience that everyone should have at least once. She agreed -- and brought her kids and husband along for the fun!








I'm pretty sure that any baby that can sleep through roller derby is a keeper...it is a very LOUD event!

Just When You Think You've Seen Everything....

I like to consider myself somewhat of a worldly individual. I have seen lots, and I think that I am reasonably well informed about the ways of the world and life in general.

And then I went to roller derby.

And wow. NOW I might have seen everything.

I won't take the time to try and explain the rules because I don't really understand them because I think that observing the sights seen at roller derby is much more interesting...

And why, you wonder, was I at such an...ecclectic event? My cousin plays (rolls?) for the Smashinistas, a roller derby team in St. Louis. And after hearing her talk about it, I was anxious to see the whole thing in person. And I assure you, I was not disappointed! I can also assure you that I have never seen so much fish net in one place in my life. And that includes the time that I was on a fishing wharf.

This is her in action:



Basically she just skates around in a circle and knocks other girls down. There's more to it than that, but we're not focusing on the rules right now.



And in addition to the players, there were also some very special scary unique fans.

Like the gentleman who dressed in his camo mini skirt. And wig. And of course a stunning pair of fish nets.



And his friend, who paired her camo and fishnets with a tiara.




Or this other gentleman, who preferred to singlehandedly attempt to revive the 70s. Including making a disco ball out of aluminum foil.



And lest you think that there weren't some normal more subtle members of the crowd, fear not. Not only was I in attendance with my friend Erin who I suckered into going with me out of fear for what might be in store for me at a roller derby event, and lots of family memebers, but the mayor of St. Louis was there too!









So before you think you've seen everything...have YOU seen a roller derby game?