More Info to Come

A lot has happened since my last post demanding you to go to the bout. Some things cant be talked about as it is still dramatically unfolding. Those involved or otherwise there throughout are scratching their heads and are still in shock. Get a group of diverse gals together and drama is bound to happen. More later.

This being spring break it has been a bit crazy around here. Wil is enjoying his last week of freedom before returning to school. He has had a long road getting back here but I think he will appreciate something he had to earn. My hope is he will get a better sense of time and how long it really takes to get ready and travel on public transportation. He is a good kid with a big heart but no sense of the ways of the world.

Nick has had up's and down's since his out of control behavior earlier this year. He has learned some but like most teens knows more than the rest of the world. I hope we make it to his adulthood. He is aging me rapidly.

I'm doing all the things I need to do to move forward. Lots of paperwork, job hunting and being the best mom I can to my boys. We have all been through so much but we have each other. I love my kids so much it hurts.

Last night in our main room of our apartment a lot was going on. First off for anyone that has not been in our place this room is many rooms combined into one 16 x 10 size. It is Wil's computer room in one corner that flows into the Living room straight to the Dining room. Wil had three friends over to play D&D. They play maybe 12 times a year. They were at the Dining room table and kitchen (the kitchen is right off the Dining room) talking quite loud. On the couch right next to the table Nick was playing a war game on a game console and SuSu was sitting next to the couch in my "Knitting Chair" using my computer. I was sitting on the end of the couch when I wasn't cooking cheap frozen pizza for the warriors. It was pretty hilarious. Go to this link for the tamer version. D&D.

Roller Derby, Baby!

This Saturday at the Expo Center come see the Rose City Rollers in the season II opener! You can still get tickets at TicketsWest. Here is the link to RCR then click for tickets.
RCR Tickets

GO NOW!

Divalicous HandiSlap

I think I'll live

I have the horrible cold that is currently going around. It has been a week but I have been so miserable it felt as if I have been sick forever. Everyday I would take it easy, sit in my "knitting chair" and sleep a lot but didn't seem to get better! With all that rest I wasn't getting better but worse. The last two days seem to be the worse of it. Today was the first day when I woke up I thought I fell better. I'm going to live.

Rose City Rollers Need YOU!

A note from the top of derby.

"We are in need of volunteers for the bout. Annie Venom does a wonderful job of keeping all the one million people who have volunteered before. However, we have not had a lot of people step up for this bout. Soooooo

WE NEED YOU TO ASK YOUR PEOPLE and get friends, family whoever to step up and volunteer. They get FREE beer at the after party, get to watch at least PART of the bout, FREE delicious food before the bout and the LOVE and ADMIRATION of each and everyone of us.

they can go to the volunteer section of our website and click the button. Please get to work ladies."

go here to volunteer!

It really is fun and after the bout you get to party with the gals of derby! We do know how to party! This Saturday is the bout so HURRY!

Could this be it? Really? part II

As I drove to the appointment with my advisor I was dreading the outcome. I don't like to feel that way - very defeating and a waste of energy. I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity so I could have a career, have insurance, a retirement fund and in the process make my boys proud while taking care of them. I have wanted this for so long!

Jesse took me back to his office and started by asking how the career assessment class went. I told him of my results (Kindergarten Teacher and Clergy) and how I was surprised and how hard I took it.He was amused and trying not to be. Then I reminded him about the other career that came up that did interest me. I went on to say that my research showed that the time and cost of the schooling was more than the allotment for the program. We talked about it and then he went on to the internet to show me a PCC program that had a six month program in Pharmacy Technician! The cost is more than double the amount allowed in the Displaced Workers Program. He told me that if I wanted it, qualified and filled out even more paperwork I can do it! I practically jumped into his lap! Wow, that was not what I expected to hear and not how I thought I would feel in this meeting.

The next session starts late June and goes until December. Class goes three nights a week with a four hour lab on one of the school days in the late morning or a separate evening. They will pay for the coursework and books but I will still have to work to pay bills. I am open to part time jobs that pay well. A cocktail waitress or server that I can make a lot in tips working Friday and Saturday nights. Let me know what you come up with. I will have a lot of reading outside of class so a regular job wont cut it.

I am excited, scared, overwhelmed, delighted, relieved and still pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. Could this be it? Am I going to finally get what I have been wanting so badly. Wow.

Could this be it? Really? part I

After I finished up at Hanna I applied for Unemployment. I really wasn't sure how long (in January) it would take to get another job. Since I have been on Unemployment a couple of times recently I was "chosen" to be in a program through the Department that helps you find more suited permanent work. (Translated they help the losers get a job so they stop sucking on the system) At the orientation two people from another program attended to talk about the program they work for. It's called the Displaced Workers Program. It is joint program PCC and the Employment Department. After an interview with an adviser they decide if you are a good fit for the program. There are a lot of hoops to jump through and tons of paperwork but in the end with perseverance and a lot of work they re-train you in a new career.

One of the requirements to determine your career path you have to take a career assessment test. The weekend before the class I took some online assessments. I took two different tests that came up the same annoying conclusion. I would make a great Kindergarten Teacher or Clergy. Ahhhh!! Actually I would probably kill someone. Babysit all day or go sexless?!? I think the whole editing myself and no swearing would kill me. I tried to shake it off and figured things would be different in the class. In the 1 1/2 hour class the same conclusion! Thankfully there was one more thing that came up I had not thought about. When I read about it the length of schooling involved I dismissed it. The program only supports short-term schooling. I actually went through all this over a year ago. A job in the floral industry came up. I was rather excited about it but they would not touch it since it had a poor forecast.

The week that followed this was really hard for me. I was lost. The assessments really through me. They only support you on careers with a good forecast for employment. I simply did not know what to do. I had no idea how to start over or was it re-start. I'm sure it wasn't just the job thing hitting me but Nick was going through some bad stuff and the ex husband was making all of our lives miserable. I kinda had a meltdown. I put on my sweaties and stuck close to home. Wil sensed what was going on the good kid he is. He helped make meals, watched movies and shows with me, gave me hugs and even did some cleaning. (really he did) I wrote to my advisor and expressed my being lost. He didn't answer me back. After a week I got out of my sweaties and got back in the swing of things. I started looking for the same jobs that I didn't really want. I knew this hadn't worked for the last two years so I wrote him Sunday night and asked to meet with him. He wrote back and said come see him Tuesday afternoon. I wasn't sure what to expect. I was trying to go in ready to problem solve but honestly I was not feeling positive.

Are you tough enough?

Rose City Rollers tryouts!
Tuesday, March 20th 6:45 - 8:45pm

7805 SE Oaks Park Way
Portland, Oregon 97202

ALL CANIDATES MUST:
- be over 21 years of age
- have their own skates (quads), kneepads, elbow pads, wrist guards and helmet.

DO NOT BRING:
-friends, family, children or pets with you.
-We know it’s great to have moral support, but we anticipate having a lot of people attend and it will be difficult to function efficiently with bystanders milling about.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING AT TRYOUTS:
Open Skate Warm Up:
This is when we will identify your skill level.

Drills:
Our coaches will be conducting a series of drills that we do during our regular practices. Don’t worry, just do the best you can!

What you need to know:
New girls joining the Rose City Rollers will go on to our Fresh Meat team and will train with a group of amazing derby coaches. How long a girl stays on the Fresh Meat team before being recruited on to one of the Rose City Rollers four bouting teams will vary. Some very skilled skaters may get on a team rather quickly, while it is entirely possible for others to be Fresh Meat for six months to a year.

As a member of Fresh Meat, you must be able to attend practices on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Please take this into consideration if you already have commitments on these nights (school, job, hobbies. etc.). In addition to these three weekly practices, all league members are expected to donate time to help further the league (for example serve on a committee, help with fundraisers, or set up and tear down at bouts).

Thank you for your interest in skating with the Rose City Rollers and good luck. We look forward to meeting you.

Remember ladies: good potential, along with a great attitude, will take you a long way!

QUESTIONS:
For questions and more info call: 503-913-3260

Awesome Freshie Bout

Some photos from the Fresh Meat bout.

The photos are still being added to by the photographer. They are awesome!

Excited for the Freshies

Tomorrow the Fresh Meat team of The Rose City Rollers will have a mini bout. The official name for the bout is "Down and Dirty Derby Debut". They have been split into two teams for the bout . Black and pink. It's an opportunity for the gals to invite their family and friends to come see what they do and learn at practice. (practices are closed) The reality is some of these gals may stay on the Fresh Meat team for a year. The four league teams are pretty full so most of the gals wont get drafted anytime soon. The good news is the gals are very talented. I have enjoyed learning skills and how to play the game with them and watching them as they grow into tough derby gals!

I'm excited to referee at this bout. I will be one of two inside pack ref's. There are also two outside pack ref's as well as two jammer ref's. Confused and not derby savvy? I will explain. The pack ref's watch the skaters and call fouls on the 5 gals that make up the pack of pivots and blockers. Each team consists of 1 pivot, 5 blockers and 1 jammer. The pivot determines the pace of the pack and skates at the very front. Next the blockers battle with each other and keep the opposing jammer from getting through the pack. They also assist their jammer on getting through the pack. The jammer is the person that has to skate (battle) through the pack and earns points for each opposing team member she successfully passes. It is all quite exciting and I'm so grateful to be living a childhood dream of being involved in roller derby.

Ken will be announcing under his derby name "Chucky E. Sleeze" and DJ will be taking tons of pictures! My parents are coming to see what all the fuss is about. They have been scratching their heads and saying things like "You should be careful - your no spring chicken". or " Be careful your in your 40's". Oh my god, really! I am not the oldest in the league so? What they should realize is I'm having a ball and making great friends. Being part of this group of women is very nice.

Don't hesitate but get your tickets for the opening bout on March 24th. I still have a few tickets to sell but we always sell out before the day of the bout. Tickets are general addmission and cost $15.00.
http://rosecityrollers.com/index.php