ARRG props from Coach Ken, some knitting news.

I wanted to share this with the rest of the world. Our Coach wrote this on our mailing list this morning. I am so very proud, and we are lucky to have him.


"I would like to take a few minutes and talk to everyone about last night. When I skated off the floor I looked around at everyone like I do after every practice. In case no one realizes I do this with a purpose. I'm looking for injuries (that someone may be hiding), levels of fatigue, skin color, rapid breathing.....an assortment of maladies. However, last night, for the first time I saw something different. Although there were the usual sweaty bodies and tired muscles, there was a quietness that I hadn't seen before. People were smiling and there were looks of accomplishment. Up to last night all the skaters had been skating with their heads.....learning new techniques...going through the exercises...just trying to stay on their feet. But for the first time, last night skaters were skating with their hearts. They pushed past their physical endurance levels...their technical limits ...pain thresholds and climbed that first rung to being a Roller Derby Skater. I saw individuals instinctively jumping over downed skaters like they had been doing this all their lives. Dodging blocks, driving through packs, weaving back and forth through skaters with the confidence of veteran skaters. Doing things like that just a short 6 weeks ago would have been impossible. I've yet to learn the names of all the skaters, but I guarantee I know the strengths and weaknesses of everyone, and there is no doubt of the improvement. When we started, I promised everyone a tighter butt if they kept it up...and it is working. Everyone is leaner...their muscles are hard, they're stronger...and if I might add without being accused of harassment...your butts are looking better too! Last night I "high fived" everyone coming off the floor. If you noticed, that's the first time that's happened. That's because you earned it. That is me showing you the highest form of respect. I was blown away by your performance, and I bow gracefully to your talent and devotion. I feel honored to be among you. The training will be tough....in fact you'll probably be glad to have a night with a bout before an audience...because it will mean easy night!
Be glad you can go home sore....because you earned it! This is the greatest bunch of skaters I've had the privilege to associate with, and I'm proud to be the Arch Rival's coach.

Ken"


All is going great on the Derby front, I am proud to be a part of this.
All is also going great on the knitting front. I have turned the heel on sock #1, almost finished the cuff on sock #2 and I am about to graft the last toe on baby socks #4. For those of you that don't know, I am currently up to my eyeballs in sock knitting, baby and otherwise. I need six pairs of baby socks and three pairs of adult socks by the end of April. This may sound easy, but I have work and babysitting and Derby practice. I have completed three pairs of baby socks and I am going blind.