Mama "D" and the Derby

A while back my mom sent me an email with a link to a newspaper article about roller derby, something my mom started about a year ago now.  The article was written by, pardon me but, a complete moron.  I am not going to pretend I am a great writer, even being an editor for my college newspaper does not qualify me as a critic.  However, as a person, I know when I read something that is well written and not a load of crap, and this article smelled like, for lack of a better term, shit. 
To save you the pain of reading it yourself, it was about how roller derby is not a real sport and how this woman enjoyed watching her Friday Night Football, almost as much as she like farming and Sweet Tea!  To give you an image of this woman, I imagine someone like Aunt Bee, but younger, like Reba. 
For those of you who have never seen roller derby, check out the movie Whip it!  Exactly like real life!  I would describe it as a combination of ice skating and hockey.  The objective is to skate through the pack of girls looking to knock you down to score points, kind of like a race.  The contact is about what you see in hockey but with fewer pads. 
I am not sure how you can not see that this is a real sport but lets be real, if they consider NASCAR and golf a sport then derby should be obvious.  Making the claim that derby is not a sport is idiotic and ignorant.  Open your eyes and let the experience of roller derby overtake you!  It is a blast!
I know that the article my mom showed me was seen by the entire derby team, but I don't think it bothered them.  They are not doing what they do for the credit of playing a sport.  They are a family.  They have new friendships that this group has been able to give them.  I know my mom has enjoyed the exercise she is getting and loving the chance to go out and represent herself.  These women love being able to go out and express themselves and feel great while doing it.  That is what really matters!
So I salute you Roller Derby Team!  You are loving what you do and not worrying about what other people think!  You Go Girls!

Why Blog? A Warning to the Reader

Hello all!  I have done it, I have caved in and joined the blogging community!  I am not entirely sure what I am doing with this or even exactly sure why I wanted to, but I did it.  I posted the idea of starting a blog a few weeks ago on facebook and got mixed reviews as to peoples interest in the blog.  Those who said they would read it seemed excited about it and those who would not have heard my stories enough to know I will continue to share with them regardless of having a blog.  For those of you who enjoy a good read, here ya go!  I do however pose a few things that I wish you all to know in regards to this blog.  Consider these 3 items my proclamation/promise as to my blog behavior:

- I promise to never make this blog a pity party for myself.  I am about putting smiles on faces and making sure people have a good time.  Why blog sad stories?  I want you all to hear about my experiences and those of my friends and learn from them (if you can) or just take them for what they are worth, comedy!

- Do not dismiss everything I have to write.  I have given enough advice to my friends to know one thing:  I can be insightful.  If something I write applies to you then read and and think on it!  It might be a slap to the face and just the wake up call you need or it might just be a friendly reminder.  Regardless, do not dismiss it, or prepare to feel my wrath!

- That being said, do NOT TAKE ME TOO SERIOUSLY.  My stories are meant to amuse and inform.  They can be warning of behavior or recollections of nights past.  In any case, I know some of the things I saw may not sit well with everyone and I may come off as a jerk or a moron or an ass.  I am aware that everyone has critics and I welcome them, but dude, it is just a freaking blog!  So enjoy (:

Well, until next time my wonderful readers....here we go!

Sincerely-The Hammer