Friday, August 31, 2012

Derby Gear

Before I knew anything about derby I thought skates came stock standard and you didn't change anything on them. In other words I knew NOTHING.

I now know that you change everything on skates from the wheels to the cushions and rarely do you leave a skate standard. I know I've changed my toe stops, bearings and occasionally wheels. I'd like to also change my cushions with a softer on the bottom keeping my mediums on top. That's until I can afford new skates.

This post I'll talk about what I have. In another post I'll talk about what I wish I had or what I'll have when I'm bout ready.

I bought my skates based on the best I could get for what I could afford. I ended up with Suregrip Rebels with Invader plates.
Mine don't have that bar between the trucks
On the weekend I attended the Getsome Athletics Camp where the owner of Fast Girl Skates, La Petite Mort, ran an equipment class. What a privilege it was to learn from someone with such a vast knowledge of derby equipment. The Invader plate is a 45 degree plate (the trucks are at 45 degrees) which is good for agility but not so much balance. My balance has always sucked so this may not be the best plate for me but learning on these could possibly be the best thing for me as it makes my balance better in the long run. Perhaps. We also discovered one of my trucks was missing a washer so it kept coming loose. Finding a replacement washer should not be as hard as it's been!

I'm pretty happy with the Fugitive wheels that came with the skate although I do feel they stick out a bit when skating in a pack. I tried the mister's Bruisers but they gripped too much for my liking, I like to slide out a bit. When outdoors I have cheap $80 wheels that do the job fine.

I use Bones Reds bearings. They're the best for the price (around $50) and I love them. I noticed a huge difference when I changed my bearings. It probably wasn't the wisest to change them just before my assessment but they're not the reason I failed. That would've be my balance and inability to skate well.
Bones Reds bearings
I LOVE my Gum Ball toe stops. They are so wonderful! I do think I'll try Roll Line ones next time just for something different but my Gum Balls are my favourite things on my skates.
Gum Ball toe stops
The first couple of times I skated at rec league I used borrowed knee pads from the rink. Bad idea. My knees are just not the same so I invested in some knee gaskets. They have helped so much and now my knees don't ache after each session. I wish I'd gotten them from the start to prevent damage earlier.
Knee gaskets
I use 187 elbow pads. My elbow pads are a tad too small and cut off circulation so I'd love to go a size up but I really don't want to spend the extra dollars on something boring like elbow pads. I've gotten used to them being tight and they're slowly stretching so they'll do for now.
Elbow pads
I started out with 187 knee pads. The knee pads are chunky and don't quite fit right over my gaskets so I've given them to the mister to wear. They're like pillows when falling on them which is pretty wonderful. My new TSGs are smaller and have less padding but the padding hugs your kneecap unlike the 187s. They feel comfier, tighter and easier to crossover with. Not quite like pillows but pretty close!
TSG and old 187 knee pads 
My K2 Celena wrist guards are awesome but I would love to find ones that could save my thumbs as well. I've hurt both my thumbs on separate occasions and it's annoying! Putting pants on becomes that little bit harder with sore thumbs. I don't even know if you can get wrist guards that protect your thumbs but if you can I want them!
Wrist guards
Mouth guards are always a hot topic with so many different opinions. I don't know much about them but I do know that the $2 ones aren't the best to use so I bought Protech Dent mouth guards. La Petit Mort was telling us that they're going to do them a bit thicker which will protect better so I'll be buying them as soon as they hit the shelves. Maybe white or black next time. Pink looks a tad weird.

Protech Mouth guards come in pretty colours.
Lastly you have to protect your head. I chose to go with a helmet that can be used on a bike as well. Why not? If I decide to get on a bike then I'll at least have the headgear plus they must protect pretty well which is always a bonus.
TSG one hit helmet
So that's my gear. I love some and like the rest. The only thing I would change is the sizing of some of my gear. We decided to spend a little more on certain things (knee pads, mouth guards, gaskets for example) so they would last. I'm so glad we did because it looks like this derby thing is more than just a phase.
Tongue is always out!
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Get Lower!

Nice arms but bend those knees more!
Sitting on the ground is possibly too low.
Not low enough!
Linking up with the wonderful Trish for Wordless Wednesday.
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Monday, August 27, 2012

Best Of The Past Week

New Fitness Challenge;
41 Day Apocalyptic Workout Facebook Page
Facebook;
Gregarious Peach continues to amaze me with her beautiful photos and attitude
Twitter;
Ladyfuckwit is hilarious, I love her tweets!
Pinterest;
'Steampunk Fairy'
Etsy;
Ninja Turtle Bra!
TV Show;
The Office. I miss Michael.
Food;
My cousin's amazing cupcakes!
Tattoo;
From the amazing Adelaide artist Byron Drechsler from Frontyard Tattoo.
T-shirt;
"Ultimate Fusion!" by Threadless
Blog Post;
Weekend;
Monique is safe!
New Hair;
Blonde to Red
Roller Derby training is back;
Skort, tights, knee high socks = derby!
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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Review: Schick Hydro Silk Razor

The cold winter months usually mean hairy legs hidden by long pants. Since starting roller derby I've discovered I can't get away with wild forest legs. Not only because stockings don't hide the hair but also because I'm scared I'll jinx myself and injure myself while having hairy legs. Not that I'm vain or anything...

My old razor isn't as old as it feels. It's lost it's edge and changing the blades isn't cutting it anymore. It was time for a new razor so I jumped at the chance to review the Schick Hydro Silk razor.
Shav'her box. Yep, I went there.
I was sceptical as I am with every new razor I try. Will it cut enough, too much or perfectly? Will it be so sharp that I'll cut my legs to pieces? I didn't need to worry at all, this is by far the best razor I've ever used. My 'socks' (the hair around my calves is course and black whereas the rest is fine and blonde) are still quite smooth three days later. Usually the next day my 'socks' are visibly noticeable.

The blades give a close cut but not close enough to cut the skin. Every girl knows how painful a shaving cut feels and the blood, so much blood! The moisturising serum around the blades help reduce the dry feeling that can come from shaving. My legs were smooth like silk all day, quite different from the usual dry scaly legs. It's such a lovely feeling putting long pants on after a good leg shave.

Would I recommend the Schick Hydro Silk razor? Definitely. I'll be stocking up on new blades next time we do the groceries, I love it so much.

Read more reviews of the Schick Hydro Silk razor at My Little Rabbit.

Disclosure: I received one Schick Hydro Silk razor from Lifestyle Media Group through My Little Rabbit. No financial payment was offered nor accepted by myself for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
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Saturday, August 25, 2012

The Best News!

Source: NT News
After a horrible two days of waiting, worrying and stressing the news came through last night that Monique is safe. There was a death, her ex-boyfriend Josh, which is horrific and I send condolences to his family.

I am so glad Mo is safe, I know she is a strong girl who will get through this ordeal.

Thank you so much to everyone that helped get the word out via twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You all rock and made a difference! Fuck yeah social media!!

I'm so glad my friend is alive.
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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Please Help!

Source: NT Police
My beautiful friend Monique is missing.

Monique and I met while clubbing years ago. We instantly clicked and started hanging out having sleep overs, dinners, lunches, drinks and general hang outs. We were close. She's a rockstar in my eyes. Always has been, always will be.

Last I heard Mo was living around the corner from me. No one I've spoken to realised she had left Brisbane. Of course none of that matters, all that matters now is her safety.

If you see Monique, Josh or that vehicle please call police straight away.

Monique, please be safe. You make the world a brighter place.

EDITED 10am 24/08/12: New poster is now available. 
Please share. The car has now been found but Monique is still missing.

Source: NT Police
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Liebster Award

"The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. What is a Liebster? The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome."
I received my nomination from Jayme at Young Mum's Guide To Survival. Thank you so much Jayme, I'm so glad you tagged me and I found your blog! Earlier this year I was also awarded the Liebster. I'm very lucky indeed!

The Rules:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the person who tagged you created and then make 11 questions of your own for the people you tag.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs!

Here are 11 things about me;
  1. If I won the lotto I'd buy a warehouse to skate in. Ideally with three or four roller derby tracks and my league would have free range to it. It'd be the league's warehouse.
  2. I love my children to bits but I don't want any more thank you.
  3. I'm addicted to a whole range of TV shows including SVU, Community, The Office, Mob Wives, Criminal Minds, Real Housewives Of New York, New Girl, Once Upon a Time and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Addicted.
  4. My favourite animal is an otter. They're so cute. They smell bad but I still like them.
  5. I am a car fanatic but I don't drive.
  6. I would love to cook when stressed but I hate cooking. When stressed all I want to do is sleep. It's really not helpful.
  7. My weakness is junk food especially chips. 
  8. I want to get a kitten. I love cats but we aren't allowed to have cats here and the mister is allergic.
  9. My least favourite household chore is vacuuming. I hate it.
  10. I love musicals. How good would life be if it were like a musical.
  11. The best breakfast is good coffee through caramel Tim Tam straws.
Jayme has given me eleven questions to answer;

1. Why do you love blogging? Recording the wonderful (and not so wonderful) memories throughout my life. The community is pretty rad too.
2. If you could bring one person back to life, who would it be and why? I choose not to bring a person back but instead my old dog, Casey. She died ten years ago and I still miss her badly.
3. What is your life long goal/s? My goals change all the time. At the moment my main goal is to become the best skater I can be. I hope to be bouting by November next year (my high school reunion).
4. What is the most embarrassing thing you have done in public? I always do embarrassing things. I honestly cannot think of just one at the moment.
5. What is your all time favourite movie? I can't just pick one. I love many from most genres. 
6. What is the most thrilling thing you have ever done? Learning to skate. Going to the first day of rec league without being able to stand on my skates properly was pretty thrilling. Hard to think that four months ago I couldn't skate.
7. What piece of technology couldn't you live without? My iphone. I use it for almost everything.
8. What is your biggest fear? Death. I'm not so much scared of death as I am of not living.
9. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? New York City in a big apartment or townhouse.
10. Do you have any hobbies other than blogging? Roller derby.
11. Celebrity crush? Nick from New Girl. 

My eleven questions for the tagged people to answer;
  1. Who or what got you into blogging?
  2. Tomato, ketchup or BBQ sauce?
  3. Mac or PC?
  4. Where would you go on your dream holiday?
  5. Favourite kids movie?
  6. What's your favourite way to exercise?
  7. What's one lesson you've taken away from blogging?
  8. What do you miss from being a kid?
  9. What's something you would love to do but are afraid to?
  10. Your favourite childhood memory?
  11. Do you know how to change a tyre?
I'm going to break the rules and not tag eleven bloggers. If you want to join in the fun please leave your link in the comments and I'll edit this to include a link to your post.
Lufflump is HAPPY!

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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Blogging and Me.

I'm determined to get back into blogging. I've had enough time off and ignored it all long enough.

I have no real reason why I stopped. I wasn't too busy to blog, too lazy perhaps. I lost motivation. All the energy I used to put into blogging I put into derby - skating, watching, reading, learning. I thought the month long break between rec league rotations would get me blogging again but it didn't, we go back next week and I'm only just blogging now.

I've been bad, ignoring every PR email and not logging onto blogger at all. To all I ignored I apologise. When it came to blogging I wanted to forget about it all, forget that it ever existed. I was sad, angry and tired that I didn't want to blog anymore. After putting so much into blogging and then to wake up one day and not blog was a shock. A sad shock.

I love the community I have from blogging. The memories I've captured, friends I've met and opportunities I've been given are priceless and I'm so grateful for them.

This morning I woke up wanting to blog. I may not find my rhythm for a while yet and may not be consistent but I feel I want to try. It won't be forced.

I think I'm finding my voice again. I like it.

My cat and me. Because I can.
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