SERIOUS LEE

"If a rose by any other name could smell as sweet"
Again as I titled one of my first posts, What's in a name?  I feel the need to explain my name.

At first I imagined my derby name to be fierce and bold and vicious... in the three months I have been involved in derby, my choice of derby name has evolved into something I believe will be 'ep mlalic'... seriously! Haha. Truth be known, I am 100% certain (after a ridiculous amount of contemplation) that the name I registered is absolutely, without any doubt, the right name for me. The funny thing is the reactions I've got from telling people what my name is. They are all completely different. . .

First of all, thank you Malady for approving the name with enthusiasm. I got plenty of mixed feedback when I introduced myself as Serious Lee, sometimes just Serious. The first time I met Buster, he has the most perplexed look on his face when I introduced myself as Serious Lee. I also actually had people ask.... "Seriously?", and I love it. I have also had a tremendous amount of support and reassurance that I'm not completely off my rocker, one being Malady, and other skaters/friends/family, who I respect. They love it too! Support goes a LONG way. Thank you!! I've found my name is also a conversation piece... tonight after the scrimmage for instance, as soon as I brought up the "Buster incident", everyone joined in and started talking about my name. Turns out people get confused and think the ref's are saying "seriously".... Oops, but how I love that it makes me interesting!

It also suits me better than anything else I could ever imagine. It shows almost every facet of my personality if you look hard enough. The obvious is that I'm serious, which I talked about in my last post, but there are several underlying connections. It shows my creative side... I could have been Terrible Trina, that would have been acceptable, but I chose to be a little more creative. It also shows my intelligent side... I put a lot of thought into the whole process, and I believe it shows. It also shows my Witty side... which I have to admit is a bit scarce, yet it's there, and when I use it, it seems to work. And for the people that really know me, it shows my passionate side.... Yes I'm serious, but when I'm serious, I'm serious... not just serious, but SERIOUS. I am scared to admit that I love roller derby more than other things I should love more, I think you get the picture.

I can say one thing... I am still, after 3 months of owning it, I'm still loving the name Serious Lee. I truly believe I always will. No matter how many "Buster's" I come across!

Roller Skates Are Comlplicated! I Wasn't Prepared!!

The first three or four freshmeat practices I was forced to use the gear and skates that RDRDA provided. Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for the access to the used gear, but honestly speaking... the skates really fucking sucked! If I had bigger feet, I could have used better skates, but being a size 4 skate, my options were limited. I ended up using the skates that were made around 1982! asically the problem was that the wheels were horrible. Here's a picture.

I am still wondering how I learned to skate in these!

Buying my first set of skates was really exciting! i knew they were the cheapest modern skates that I could get brand new, but I didn't realise that eventually I'd have to replace every part but the boot... at quite the cost too. When Teri Fying told me I should buy expensive skates right away, well... I should have listened. Here are my very first roller skates.

When I got these skates i was literally on cloud nine! As far as I knew they were the best skates in the world. Little did I know that they were not... but I don't care! I enjoyed the whole experience. I realised quickly that my wheels were too wide and my trucks were not quite right (the permanent piece between the wheels  is also too wide). While I was grateful to have new and better skates than I started with, it wasn't good enough. I still didn't seem to have the agility the other girls had, despite my skill level. I decided that new wheels were the answer.

As I was planning and asking around Teri Fying gave me some great gear advice. She suggested I upgrade my cushions! Cushions (pictured below they are the blue plasticy pieces in the trucks) do just that! They cushion the shock and allow a slight or not-so-slight movement. Now my wheels have shock absorbency and they steer themselves!

Now, here is the whole operation.... as you can see there are a lot of pieces to keep track of... Although it took me 3 hours or so to do everything involved, I managed.

1. Remove old wheels
2. Remove bearings from wheels
3. Remove trucks
4. Remove cushions
5. Clean all parts (bearings, trucks, and rest of skate)
6. Oil bearings
7. Put bearings in wheels
8. Attach new cushions and trucks
9. Attach new wheels
10. Adjust wheels
11. Adjust cushions
12. Try them out!

It was quite an ordeal, only because it was my first time. I'd never even seen it done before! Just winged it. A how-to video might have been helpful. I must say, looking at the finished product.... I did a good job. It'll be faster and easier next time I have to replace parts.

The first time I tried them out on the track, I felt like I was wobbling all over the place... I had NO control over if I veered this way or that way. Scourge Her helped me get the wheel and cushion tightness just right (I think), after a little (lot) of trial and error. Either way, it just keeps getting better every time.

25 Things About Derby

Thank you Ali for the idea to re post this!

25 Things roller Derby has Taught Me!! Thank you to those tagged for being an inspiration :)

by Trina Serious Lee Grenier

Rules:Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals that roller derby has added to your life. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about what derby means to you.(To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

25. Sometimes I forget what I'm wearing after practise and go to the store anyway
24. I like bootie shorts.. no, I love them!
23. I've been in roller derby for about 3 months and I'm still learning the rules!
22. I'm getting used to 80's music again... and stating to like it!
21. Panties = the helmet covers that the pivots and jammers wear
20. I started hip checking my friends... and I didn't even realise I did it!
19. I can blog about derby, then my friends and family aren't annoyed
18. My body doesn't bruise as easy as I thought it was going to.. bonus!
17. I'm not as fast as I thought I was either, but I'm working on it
16. Drills are actually really fun most of the time
15. I really look forward to any day that I get to skate! And waiting is really hard
14. I love making tank tops and tees with my derby name on it! my new craft I think.
13. I'm a good skater, but not so good at the game... I need to get on the team so I can learn and get better!
12. I looked like a tool in the first pics i saw of myself in a game. I laughed... hard!
11. I think I prefer my derby name and would like everyone to just call me "Serious" from now on. Haha
10. There is no such thing as too much exercise
9. I've learned how to take my skates apart and replace all the parts by myself... now to figure out what gear is best!
8. I've learned to drink lots of WATER!!
7. My first rookie bout was amazing and I will never forget it!
6. I am training to try out to play for Team Canada one day like Taz and Gertie
5. I found out who out of my friends and family truly love me and are there for me
4. I feel like i am part of a family when i go to derby and everyone has their role
3. I continue to meet quality people, who like to have fun through derby, who most of will be lifelong friends, I hope
2. Roller derby has already changed my whole life
1. I am allowed to be myself.

My Posts Seem To Be Missing Something... All Fixed!

I've noticed that hardly any of my posts have anything other than words... I figure that that's no fun! I'm gonna try my best to start adding pics and other media to my posts so it's not so BORING!! I personally like reading posts that have a little added pizazz, weather it be pictures, diagrams, or even a link to a website. That would be much more exciting than just words. I'll start here, now.

This is a link to the promo for the Skate and Destroy boot camp that was held here in Red Deer.
http://centralalbertatv.net/media/184/A_Roller_Derby_weekend_in_Red_Deer/

This is the link to the co-ed bout at the same bootcamp.
http://centralalbertatv.net/media/188/RDRDA_Roller_Derby_Coed_Bout_Opening/
There are 5 parts to this game. They should be available on the right hand side of the website under 'Related Media'.

The boot camp also made The Red Deer Advocate (Local newspaper).

Here are some picks of me in my first rookie bout looking pretty fucking useless!! I'll have to fix that for my next game. All pictures are courtesy of two amazing photographers, Anthony Canada and Richard Lowes. Thank you both for catching me looking like a tool! I promise not to next time.

At least I'm doing something productive in one of the pictures!! Hahahahaha... I'm sure I'm not the only person reading that thinks these pictures are hilarious. Funny thing is... it was my first game, so I'm very proud of them anyway!

OK. Did my part for media about the boot camp. There will definitely be more posts with media and links in the future to make reading my bog more exciting. I hope you all enjoy it even without all the bling though. I kind of think that a blog should just be words because of its purpose, but I'm willing to change with the times!! Cheers readers. Hope you like the changes.

My Plan Is Working!

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this yet, but I am training to be an Olympian. This is the first year they are accepting Roller Derby into the Olympic Games! Not only have I discovered that I love roller derby as a hobby, but I also have an attainable, respectable long term goal. it just makes me more determined to get as good as I know I can get at this! If I want to, I know without a doubt that I can make the Olympic team like Taz and Gertie from RDRDA did! I'm so proud to say that two amazing Jammers from Red Deer, Alberta are going to be on Team Canada for roller derby! So exciting. if I had more money i would go to Ontario and watch!!

I've been training since the middle of August, 2011. So, I've been to 8 practices and a free skate, and I'm ready to benchmark now. After the 5 or 6 hours of boot camp on Saturday I will hopefully also be ready for my first game. I think that I accomplished the first goal quickly, so I'm feeling very optimistic about my future in roller derby... VERY optimistic. I'm really not trying to brag or be 'holier than thou', I just know I'm a natural and my passion for it is simply overwhelming.

This is the beginning of a lifelong journey for me. I'm a little disappointed that it had to start when i was 33 (Oh how I long to be Scourge Her, Because she's going to be an icon once she is on the adult team if she keeps going at it the way she's going at it). the main thing is that I'm doing it, REALLY doing it!

I'm slowly making lifestyle changes that will support my new-found love for extreme athletics. I have to quit smoking (YUCK! - It's #1 on my priority list), drink less, stretch EVERY DAY, drink more water, eat more, and exercises at least three times a week for 2 hours (weather I have Derby or not). It's going to be a slow process because I'm not used to taking care of myself, but luckily I'm equipped with knowledge about my body from my pain group, a great "derby girl" support system (they are all there to help), 3 supportive kids who love the fact that I roller derby and it makes me happy, and friend that support what I am trying to accomplish.

The people responsible for my entrance into derby are Sean and Mortu. Sean introduced me to Mortu, and Mortu SET ME UP!!! She really set me up. My actual life, as Trina Grenier, isn't really rainbows and unicorns right now, so I am very grateful that I have an alternate life, as Serious Lee, that keeps me wanting to live my life as Trina Grenier. I'm in your debt forever!

Freshmeat Farewell

Information night was a complete success. Thank you to everyone involved for putting it together. great job, AS ALWAYS! There were 20 ladies signed up for regular freshmeat classes by the end of the night. Roller derby is BOOMING! It's so exciting! Now, if we could get the spectator interest in line (that's another post altogether), the rest would fall into place. Pretty soon roller derby is going to be as mainstream as hockey.

For any of you following my blog, you may have read about my battle with choosing derby clothing. Well... I think you will all get a good laugh knowing that I was the one wearing the bootie shorts tonight... and I loved every second of it! I'm starting to feel pretty comfortable in my 'fancy' derby wear. The choice of clothing for a free skate ranged from jeans, to shorts, to yoga pants, to tights and skirts, to bootie shorts. I felt good knowing I contributed a little to showing the freshies what happens to you in a few months if you want it bad enough. Yes, the outfit has a lot to do with the transformation.

I really want to say thank you to Unchained Malady for helping sort through everything derby! I love you lots! Next I gotta get me a derby wife! Goodbye Freshmeat.. Hello Nightshades!

Skate And Destroy Indeed!

I passed my benchmarks!! I still have to write the test... but I know I can do it. At first I was nervous when the time came to display my skills, while someone was watching my every move, but after I got going I just focused and the nerves went away. I messed up a few times, but all in all I felt really good about what I was accomplishing when it counted. I also made 26 and a half laps! I only needed 25, so I was really proud of myself. I had a killer cramp in my left hip for the last half of my laps, but I pushed through it and did what I set out to do. Yay me!

Passing my benchmarks allowed me to play in my first rookie bout ever! I thought I was nervous for benchmarking.... not even close to how nervous I was for my first game... especially my first jam. I was still a bit unsure of all the rules. I had a hard time remembering everything I had learned and read when I was out there in the middle of the action. The skating part was no problem... the game play was the tough part. Knowing about strategy and the rules is really important in this game. I'm sorry team, all the information I had flew out of my head when the whistle blew. I got 4 penalties! I'm not even sure what some of them were for. The first one was a false start and the last one was for cutting the track. I'll do better next time.

Luckily, the other jammers on my team were exceptional for rookies. We also had some really great blockers to boss us around. And the coaches, Razor and Hollywood, were fantastic. I couldn't have asked for better coaches. Props ladies!! So, my team won our game. Anybody remember what the score was?

I learned a lot about myself during that game. I learned that I may not be the awesome jammer I thought I was going to be. I'm not saying i can't be a jammer, I'm definitely going to keep working on it, but in the meantime, I think I'll make a fine blocker. I even landed a few solid hits while blocking. Yes, I really did. i also received a few solid hits as a jammer. I also seem to be pretty good at being aware of whats going on all around me. I surprised myself a little with that. it's funny how sometimes you misjudge yourself.

Yes, it hurt, and yes, I have bruises. Other than the pain when I lay on my left hip from my huge bruise and the fact that my my thighs hurt like you wouldn't believe... I feel great! I wouldn't change any of it!

I have to throw a big shout out to the team from RDRDA and other helpers who made Operation Skate And Destroy a major success! You guys were all great. I just tried to list all the people who I know made this boot camp so awesome, but there is no way I can. Almost everyone involved with RDRDA helped out in one way or another. I'm so proud to say that I belong to such an awesome team!

Skate And Destroy Boot camp - Oct 22 and 23, 2011. My first bout!