Yesterday was my first inter-league bout, even if it was just an exhibition, two twenty-minute period event. It was a million degrees in the sun, and still a million in the shade, since the rink is a giant concrete oven. But I didn’t pass out. Nor did I vomit. And I actually had a couple of jammer take-downs, of which I am exceedingly proud (even if this was NH’s first bout ever). I think I may have gloated over one of them, which is pretty funny, since normally I’m all “Oh, so sorry! Are you hurt?” It really is different playing against another league. You’re not afraid of hitting harder and actually knocking people down. I need to learn to hit harder at practice with my own league now. I think it’s a confidence problem, too. The skaters on my league are way faster than I am, so I know I can’t catch up to hit them, and they’re way better than me and blah blah blah. But NH are just as new as I am, more my speed, and I was able to catch them and actually be of some help to my team, instead of concentrating so hard to keep up with the pack and avoid getting knocked down. It was very gratifying to have the training finally click into place and to be effective. (Oh, I don’t remember the score… I think NH had 11 points, and we had 70 or 80 something… not sure. But we did, indeed, “bring the sting,” as they say.)
The festival in general was really fun, too. There were many cool vendors (clothes, jewelry, housewares, books, records, all sorts of stuff), some really great bands and DJs, too. It reminded me a little of how the River Rave used to be at Great Woods. Before the bout I kept thinking that we’d just head straight home afterwards, since I knew I’d be exhausted and heat-stroke-ish and lethargic. Um, quite the opposite actually happened. I did have to drink a million gallons of water, but once the bands and DJs got the party going, I couldn’t help but dance. I don’t really know how I kept going in that heat.

Anyway, sorry I didn’t advertise this better. I think many of you would have really loved this festival, even if it was in the hot hot heat. Next time, Gadget, next time.

Edit to add: I totally forgot to mention the best thing ever! The “Burly Q” burlesque troupe performed an homage to Frank N. Furter last night! They danced to the sweet transvestite song! Sparkly “lips” pasties!! I asked them before hand if it would be ok to do call back lines, and they were all “hell yeah!” so I shouted out a few. It was fun! Man, you all missed out!