Another Door Opens

 

 

               

Photo taken by Joseph R. Davis 2019

    I turn 30 on August 11, 2023. Most people would be dreading it, but I guess I’m not most people. I embrace it. It’s like finally reaching the end of a long hallway and opening the door and to your relief the hallway disappears behind you as you enter the next decade. With my health being a shitshow at the beginning of the year, its finally starting to level out and giving me a much-needed break. So, what do I do with that? Get back into derby and start up in a Women’s Hockey league. A lot of exciting stuff is coming up, one of them being the draft clinics into the hockey league. The other would be Rollercon.

               To those who are new to the Derbyverse and beyond, I know what you’re saying. What the hell is Rollercon? Welp, in a simple definition it’s a convention for those who come from all over the world to learn and celebrate Roller Derby, Park Skating, Jam Skating, and roller skate community as a whole. I went to my first Rollercon in 2019, and I never want to stop going again because Rollercon FOMO is as real as it gets. If I had unlimited funds, I’d get a ticket for every single skater in the world because I think everyone should experience at least one Rollercon. Last year I didn’t even skate and just NSOd the whole time, and it was even better! This year I plan to do both volunteer and skate. I’m not great at remembering to take photos, so I’m hoping to make it a priority for the Rollercon RECAP after I’ll post because Rollercon 2023 is going to be WILD.

               As far as hockey goes, it’s hard to feel confident and not get frustrated. When I was a kid, skating was so much easier, and I did it fearlessly. Coming from quad skates to ice it seems my feet aren’t getting the message that my brain is making to them. My puck handling is getting better, but at the draft clinic one of the coaches said he could see me getting frustrated easily. I guess that’s my inner fire sign surfacing, because I feel my skating skills should be better. With derby it was easier because I would be able to just throw on my skates and work on it until I couldn’t lift my feet anymore. Ice is hard to come by in Southern California I guess when you work full time.

               I know what you’re saying. “It’s only a recreational thing Trish, why are you so upset over it?” Well, being a 5-foot 2-inch woman, I was always told it would be impossible. “You are too small. You are too fragile. You will get hurt” . . . Well fuck that shit, its my decision for that. Waiting idly by and wishing I could do something while looking at others accomplish things that aren’t encoded in my hard drive. I would rather put my body and mind through the pain and relish the fact that I’m doing what I love.                 *(Update on the knees btw, I got some better guards and who baby its like falling on pillows now) *

               Deep inside I know if my father were still of the world, he would be at every single practice, every single game, and especially to comfort me when I get frustrated. Miss you KBB!

               On that solemn note, I suppose I will get moving and start preparing for Rollercon. Apparently, people already are, and I, being the world’s greatest procrastinator, I haven’t yet. I’ll be posting some more stuff leading up to Rollercon, maybe even my packing list if I get it together in time.

               Xoxo

               Trish McCallister

               Aka Lettie Zeppelin #151


Songs listened to writing this post

Aqua Regia by Sleep Token

Teardrinker by Mastodon 

Magic Man by Heart

Mississippi Queen by Mountain 

Twilight Zone by Golden Earring

Euclid by Sleep Token

Problem Child by AC/DC


Any music suggestions are welcomed 


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