I watched Roller Derby as a kid on TV. I remember it as fun and exciting, but it became a fleeting memory along with things like Pet Rocks, Pong and that sort of thing. Frankly, I didn't think about it once over the years... That was until my daughters put the movie Whip It on the NetFlix Queue.
We watched the movie last weekend and we really enjoyed it.. For me it brought back a flood of memories of watching the sport as a kid. It also made me grateful my daughters never owned a pair of Barbie roller skates. (Though my 14-year-old tried to talk me into roller blades this very week...is there a connection? Um, I'd say so! But this was just the beginning.)
Last night, while driving home from showing a home in NE Salem, I saw on the Fairgrounds sign that Roller Derby was coming to Salem on March 6th. I actually, belly laughed outloud because I couldn't believe the synchroncity of it all. But this was just the beginning.
Anyway, just today, I went for my regular tune-up at Michaels Spinal Rehab with my favorite chiropractor, Geary Michaels, DC. His assistant Melissa Hulett is always a joy to see and when I asked her, "What's new with you?" I found out that Melissa DOES ROLLER DERBY.
I about came off the table! I was just tickled. Right there in Dr. Michael's office, was "Flea Bitten Kitten - 9 Lives!"
So how did Melissa get into Roller Derby? I just had to know. Well, she saw an announcement in the paper and went to the meeting. I asked if she had much roller skating experience and she said as a kid at birthday parties, etc....(Barbie roller skates? It was almost like Melissa was the character in the movie, except she's an adult, and doesn't live in Texas, or work at the Oink Joint.)
She tried out, has gotten so good, she is on the travel team.
She told me that Cherry City Derby Girls have a bout, here in Salem, at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 6. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 at www.brownpapertickets.com. At the door they are $12.
So if you are looking for some nostalgia and adventure this weekend, consider watching Flea Bitten Kitten - 9 Lives and her teammates do their thing on roller skates. They are going to whip it!
I asked if she ever get hurt. She said sometimes a few bruises and such. I guess if it goes beyond that, she is pretty lucky that Dr. Michaels can help keep her in alignment...
Who would have thought Roller Derby would come to Salem...
Now for me...do I take my girls to watch this and risk them being bitten by the Roller Derby bug?
What to do? What to do?
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