the trauma of try-outs

last nite, we had try-outs. rated r, bones mcbreakin and naughty maudie, the new team captains, were busy with their clipboards and notes. coach pain set up the drills with help from mini pain, the coach's and queen mum's youngest. our newest ref called out names in order and off we skated: knee slides both single and double, butt or base slides, the skinny (did i say skinny? i meant positively anorexic) slalom course with a quick stop and squishy ball pick-up and dunk. then the coach and captains did the sequester huddle and we waited for the white smoke. ida slapter ran the rest of the practice with figure 8s and threading needles and quick starts. endangered species axe did her first ever thread and made it through w/o a fall. i was very impressed. last nite was the first time i ever made it through w/o kissing the floor at least once. lots of missing ladies. a couple were down with something, but there were a number of mystery disappearances. hopefully, they will be there tonite to find out the team rosters, names and unis. i have foozi b on speed dial so she'll know as soon as i do.
skate 'til you break,
bella d., dns

elated humiliation, redux

who knew i had masochism in my blood? practice was another great experience of learning what i can't do...yet. it was a queens' practice and i was clearly a skater-in-waiting spending a good portion of the practice cleaning the floor. guilla tina ran practice with some very creative drills. the jammer drill was the toughest for me. each of us assumed the jammer position once and had to try to skate through the pack. everyone else was an opposing blocker. i suck. ida slapter did observe that when i go "low and wide" and "bend my knees", i also lean too far forward. jeez, you'd think a personal trainer/ ex-gymnast could have figured that out for herself. thanks, ida. try-outs are next saturday. sunday, we will be assigned teams. i have that horrible feeling just before kickball picks that i could go last....a leftover girl. sigh. i have a week to continue improving. the comradery is contagious. i have never been in a large group of girls sans some bickering, back-stabbing or jealousy. the support for each other is so refreshing. any criticism is constructive and delivered in a positive manner. coach pain has encouraged this from the beginning. he and the queen mother offer a very non-threatening environment with exceptional coaching. needless to say but i'll say it anyway, their rink is my castle. time to ice the bruises before practice tonite. just skate it, bella d, dns