Next Step in the Rolling Lane

Ok, on Friday afternoon I am off to lovely Madison, WI to........watch a weekend of roller derby (REAL roller derby as I like to say). It's league sanctioned, competitive roller derby: the Eastern Regionals where 12 teams compete to make it to Nationals in November. ( derbyindairyland.com ) The Windy City Rollers are seeded 3rd and I'll be rooting for them. And anyone else who catches my fancy. The Charm City Roller Girls (Baltimore) will be there as will the Gotham Girls (NYC).......many of you know my connections to those cities (college and birth respectively). I'll be looking to see if I can see my roots, roller derby and otherwise in those girls (even if they are half my age!!!). In addition there are always players who catch my eye, so I'll root for them too!

Now I haven't gone on a road trip with friends in a VERY long time, maybe since I was half my age. I don't know if I can remember the last time. Many thanks to Mr. Doll for taking over the reins while I'm gone. My girls are not happy I'm going, but I think they'll enjoy having Daddy with them for the weekend. They got some new books to help them through the time, but I think G will have hers all read before I actually leave. I hope that at some point as they're growing up they'll think it's a good thing to have a mom with interests, who likes to do fun things (even if they are grown-up things).

The good thing about a roller derby road trip: it's easy to pack (well that's really just one of many good things). Jeans, Dansko clogs, sweaters and Derby Lite tshirts (I can be part of the sisterhood of derby). No worrying about fancying it up. I will also pack respectable jammies as I'll be sharing a room with Pistol and Queen B. This really does bring back memories. Now that we're grownups we'll probably all take a lot less time to get ready to leave in the morning or the evening. Hangin' out with the girls (grown-up girls that is) is something I'm looking forward to. You know, they say, girls just wanna have fun! I will also pack the car up for the trip snacks (almonds and granola bars), drinks (water -- the wine will be packed for the hotel room), cds, and Pistol, my traveling companion (B is going up Thursday for an extra day of roller derby). And if there is any free time, I'm hoping to explore the great outdoors around Madison in my sneakers (no skates for me this weekend). All in all, I'm ready for a fun weekend! And a further step in the rolling lane!