Freshmeat

That's what they call noobs like myself, freshmeat. We're the ones who are just starting out and haven't passed our WFTDA assessments. First off, let me introduce myself. My derby name is Flashpoint (or will be since I'm still considered fresh meat), I started skating about 2 months ago. Not just skating derby, skating PERIOD. I've never been on skates until a friend of mine suggested checking this out. I was terrified my first day. Barely inching along, holding on to a shopping cart. Watching the Vets skate around, do 180's and come up on their toestops, give whips, and do all the other tricks of the trade, I thought to myself. "There's no way in hell I'll ever get that good." But, despite my lack of confidence, I decided to come back a second time.

This time around, one of the vets came up to me and took the cart away. Nooooo! Not my precious shopping cart that gave me what little stability I had. I'd grown to love that thing in the 2 short hours I spent with it last practice. I was ready to give it a name for Christssake! But she said I couldn't get attached to it, damn her. I also know that she will likely let out quite the big chuckle when she reads that previous line. So back to falling it was. I got good use out of my borrowed knee pads, but as practice continued, I noticed I was falling less and less. That's when a tiny glimmer of hope started to shine through. I can actually do this! I immediately told my fiance I was ready to get off the borrowed gear.

"What?! I thought you wanted to try it out some first before you made that commitment." he stated.

"Well, I did babe. I tried it out and I know I wanna do it."

"Fiiine." He said grudgingly (he was not pleased). He obviously must've thought I was just gonna throw my hands in the air and say "the hell with this shiz!" Oh my was he ever WRONG.

As soon as our tax return came in, I was online ordering my rookie package. I was so excited when it came in and it's been hard to keep me off them. I've had a few injuries along the way, including a painful tailbone injury. But I'm determined to get better and become a monster! Looking forward to continuing my journey in derby.

Are you wondering about my meanie fiance who was completely against me doing this? Well, he came to one practice with me and got HOOKED. He and my little guy (spark plug) now come to every practice with me, and my fiance was just asked to be our new freshmeat coach (yes, MY coach :-/)

Here they are bossing the girls around on the track.

Family that plays together, stays together

Life, love, & derby,
Flashpoint