dancehall

here's a picture of the tattoo i got whilst at rollercon. so something happened while at rollercon that i was not expecting. especially because i went to teach my classes, be part of RC, and to have fun. and i did all of those things. but what also happened was that i was surrounded by 5000 of my tribe (i hate that word) and being around derby summer camp and casual conversations with incredibly inspiring, strong, and beautiful people (men and women) and seeing roller derby at it's best (while still fun) reminded me why i'm doing this and why i want to keep going and where i want to go with it. i didn't realize i was having such a subconscious crisis with roller derby (it's been up and down, that's for sure) but i also remember(ed) that it's something i have to do for myself (since i've previously only done derby for other people) and if i want to climb that derby ladder and PLAY FOR A WFTDA TRAVEL TEAM OR TEAM CANADA i have to do things to get there. i haven't made any commitments or plans (formally), but have started working out more and watching my health better (i even bought more protein powder!) I've started skating with two other leagues and am looking at 3-4 on skates practices a week for August and will settle into 2-3 in September. Working out most every other day. it feels good. looking forward to it sticking.

so, then, what happens if in a year i get lots of skate time and i'm ready to try and get on a house team in a bigger league? it has to be a canadian league so, do i relocate to a major city and try to get on a house team, do that for a year and try to get on a travel team? what would having my kid and a full time working husband look like if we lived in a far flung canadian city (Van/Tor/Mtl) and i was traveling to play games. cross that road when i get to it? yep!

going all the way this time

Being at rollercon meant seeing my derby heroes and also see some new skaters that i've heard the names of, but never really got to watch skate. The world of roller derby amazes me because of all the beautiful, strong, honest, genuine ladies.

 

Hands down Demanda Riot is my new love who falls right in with ReAnimateHer and Beretta Lynch.

Rollercon was great for the learnings and some take aways I have are quite summed up in this nice post from someone else. ahaha.

Here's a list of shit I learned:

• Skate backwards and push your fellow blockers where you need them
• Use your whole body to hit and make contact all the time. Touch two people with your body not just your hands
• Backwards wall at the front
• Goal: play defensively when you need to and be offensive to break up defensive walls to make holes for yr jammer. Stay together. Find yr zen. Reduce the chaos.
• Play with the men for mental and physical endurance

post-rollercon. some pictures.

Photo By D.E.Sign (http://myderbyphotos.com/)

hanging out in the hotel waiting to dump our shit so we can enjoy the STRIP

I had a really hard time getting into classes, as well as a really hard time getting good pictures with my iPhone, so ended up watching LOTS of bouts and scrimmages (dozens) and taking blurry pictures.

Canada vs. Texas! Fun! 

Vagina cheerleaders at the Vagine Regime vs. Caulksuckers bout !! 

The Vagine vs. Caulk game was incredible. At the last jam the score was 164 to 164. The house was on FIRE people were screaming and cheering (look for the video post, next). Caulk ended up winning by 7 points or something. You can also check out these pics on FB for more exciting 

The final High-5 round at the Vagine vs. Caulk game. So awesome.

I ended up not taking many pictures. But taking some really good video. I had such an incredible time. It's really inspired me to be a better skater and a better derby player. I learned so much about the sport of roller derby and the community and myself. EGADS it was AWESOME. Just the Vagine vs. Caulk game alone. (Well, and all the booty shorts).

it's HAPPENING!!!

I'm actually leaving for rollercon in less than 48 hours and am in the throngs of packing, re-packing, washing every last piece of laundry and deciding if I'm going to bring my yoga mat or my sneakers. I finally got my hands on a fanny pack (thanks, Chia!) and made it fit. And just did my tentative schedule so I could sort out my volunteer times.

probably the cutest thing you've ever seen in your life

Me and Helvetica, at the Colonization Parade, Port Alberni.

Help a Sister Out!

Friends! In anticipation for RollerCon I'm doing a bit of fundraising to help cover my costs and possibly get a new pair of skates which I really need! I've been doing derby on and off for almost 5 years now (skating/administration) and I'm emotionally, mentally, and physically ready to kick it up a knotch and commit the shit out of this thing. Definitely something I will be doing for the next few years and Rollercon 2012 is a stepping stone for me in my evolution as a skater, but also as a derby teacher and mentor. Donations of ANY amount would be most appreciated, but donations of $40+ will get a PREZZIE from vegas (not charlie sheen)!

Thank you so much!!! XO Di.

me actually playin roller derby

big THANK YOU to Marnie Recker (of the Black Pearls) for this great shot! Fuck, I love roller derby. XO XO

TBT 35-90

hi fives!! 

brat camp wrap up scrimmage, friday night! so may good times!

 Today at Stewart's Grandma's house in Oliver is grandma asked me what my new derby name was, I said, "The Con".. and Grandma then proceeded to tell Great Aunt and her new husband my old derby name (Scissor Tits).. ahaha, so gooooood.

In the OK, it's so dry here. Love being around family (in-laws!) though eating is a major challenge.

What I Ate Today:
1/4 oatmeal raisin cooking (non-vegan, non-tbt approved)
water water water
a handful of raisins
oatmeal, grande soy unsweetened green tea latte
green juice
cucumber, pickle, olive, and mustard sandwich on a mini-ww bun
1/4 cup of coleslaw that had dairy in it (went into the garbage when I realized...)
1/2 cup of tortilla chips with a few tbsp of salsa
1 mini pb cup (boo)
mint tea
ww bagel w/ peanut butter
veggie dog, ww bread, mustard, relish
rice and steamed veggies

Exercise: 
100 reps ab exercises (incl. pushups) - not enough, but so hard to do with a child jumping on me and a dog with a stinky dog mouth licking my arms and face. travelling = no personal space.

tgif

I created a facebook page for THE CON today because facebook wouldn't allow me to actually change my "diandra jurkic-walls" name. BOOOO. Coached brat camp tonight with hustlin' flow and Cut and Dye. Great fun! Tansterdammm sat on the sidelines (broken leg) and helped tape girls up and make sure they were doing okay.... Those girls are inspiring. And so hard on themselves! I remember being that hard on myself. I'm hoping we can turn their self esteem around in the next five weeks!

GRRRL POWER!!!!!!!

a little bit of this (and that)

I usually go hang out at Sweet Avenue once a week to visit Emily and take a peek around. But I'm often either so exhausted I never shop or I'm just in a rush to do something else! Today when I was leaving I saw a tunic that turned out to suck, and this jacket! It's cropped. Faux Herringbone. Black and Grey. Asymetrical? and $8? Sweet.

Last night Stewart and I got to cuddle and watch DRIVE. OMG. Loved it. Loved the music. Love Ryan Gosling. So violent and epic. I was kind of surprised.


Tonight I have roller derby. This month I'm 17 times on skates. Did I say that already? It's a little crazy. I'm looking forward to it though. My strides are getting stronger (!!) but my lungs still need to catch up. Hurting my knee three weeks ago really set me back cardio wise.

I've been doing an ab workout too, to support my back while I'm skating. Here it is if you're adventurous!!!
10 leg drops 
20 cross crunches (10 PER SIDE)
10 low leg scissors  (Your legs should be straight and about 4-6 inches off the ground, same motion as the video and open you legs as wide as you can, also called the HELLO DOLLY)
20 supermans (10 PER SIDE)

REPEAT FIVE TIMES!!! (I listen to Derby Deeds or Childish Gambino while I do it). XO

incredible (totally in love).

This weekend I had the utmost luxury of being able to leave my kid and my husband behind in cloud city to get in a car with the newest love of my life, my derby wife Chia Grr'vara, and travel to Abbotsford to attend the 3 day Blood and Thunder Training Camp hosted by the Reign Valley Vixens !! (Lots of things to link in there, including coaches Teflon Donna, Frida Beater, Smackya Sideways, Iron Maiven, and the list goes on! Just google away!)... We were super respected for our space to hang out by ourselves and it was absolutely what this girl here needed. 

The camp itself was inspiring, incredibly supportive, and I did things that I've been afraid to try and felt supported by the camp coaches and my fellow skaters on the track! Big shout outs to TCRG all stars, the Pow-town derby girls, and the Tournament City Derby Dolls! Big love. Every day I worked out a minimum of three hours and then worked my brain another two. So many things to process (statistics! nutrition! strategy!) and a lot of muscles to massage and stretch back into full health.

The shit end of the deal, on the Thursday night I took my skate to RG to get her to fix it, but that process included it's destruction. It must visit a machine shop sometime this week before practice. Luckily a fellow AVRG'r lent me her skates (thank you!!!!). Off to bed. Looking forward to everything that's coming up. <3 XO

who would want to be such a control freak?

Me: "I want a peppermint patty!"
Derby Wife: "No, you want Plank!"

Hello, 2012. I'm ready for you to kick my ass. We had a great relaxing holiday. I worked more than I wanted to but am feeling energized and ready to take on this one hell of a busy year. I think I've got it under control. Refocusing my derby priorities. Get to host a juniors camp through work. Super yes! Almost done my birthday sweater. About 10 inches or less left on one arm, the other arm, weaving in, and blocking the front part. Oh, and sewing in the band to keep the neck nice and sturdy. Also inspired to do a number of home things around here (see my pinterest HOME SWEET HOME board for inspirations!!) and to finish tackling my list on the left.

Other things I'm excited for are to be OFF the board of AVRG. It's really getting in the way of me wanting to be a killer skater. I have so much work to do to be a great skater! And, as the Roller Derby Association of Canada forms itself up I wish I had more time to contribute because it's going to be amazing. I'll probably not let go of this one for dear life.

Oh, and I'm excited for rollercon! and Blood and Thunder! And the may RDAC bootcamp in Kamloops! and whatever other fun stuff comes our way!!!! Wait, 2012 will be the year of roller derby and the fifth year of marriage for me and Stewart. Super fun times await!

summer's slowly drawing to a close

today was so warm out compared to the rest of the summer and i'm half falling asleep. last week at derby i pushed myself the hardest i've ever pushed myself and kind of had another consciousness click about how much i want to skate and be a skater in derby. it's a toss up because i also want to run for the board but i'm not sure my life can sustain it... i guess the next few months will let me know. it's also sad to watch parts of my life fall of because of derby, but that's OK, derby's that important and awesome to me. in three years i want to be able to jam and be an amazing jammer. my goal in the meantime is to pass minimum skills in december so that i can be a full skater in our upcoming season (january to july): i'm fucking terrified.

oh where oh where

did this week go? last weekend we went to the HOPS festival and it was so much fun! so much beer. so little time! the week went by super fast and i'm feeling a little zoned (well, a lot zoned) from my week at work...blaaaaaah. tomorrow is a busy day: seedy saturday, TREATY DAY PARTY!, and tutoring. i have to get a bunch of groceries shopped and food made to get us through next week, too!  let alone get my garden all planted and stuff. hahahaha. EEPS!

despite working full time all week and being pooped I really really LOVE my job and the place i work and the work i get to do for our community! it's like i won the lottery.

oh, and roller derby is GO!!!!  if you live in port alberni and you read this and you want to play roller derby just comment and i'll get a hold of you!

XO

mic check

betties getting ready in the locker room: this weekend was derby weekend in pg. summer is officially here as i've been able to drink gin and ginger, potluck, bbq, derby, and wear cute dresses with hoodies and still walk home. i'm not looking forward to the week. work is super busy and i still haven't worked on my thesis. i want to die about my thesis. and this headache/hangover isn't helping. whine whine whine? mom/sister come to town thursday. yay!! love.


betties and the dolls


trinity stitch hat i made for cheetah.


rocky sparx drinks from the victory skate.