Meet HRD Mondays!

It's Monday! That means it's the time of the week for YOU to meet the many faces of HRD and learn a little about the skaters you want to cheer for in 2012!

This Monday, check out Grr Feisty, Jekyll and Heidi and Dutch Destroyer!

Name Grr feisty
Number 60 inches
Team Bayou City Bosses, The Knockouts
Position Blocker, Jammer-in-training
Years Played I’ve been with HRD for a year and a half, and have played on the league for almost 10 months.
Height 5 ft 60 inches!
Occupation Middle school math department head
How did you get into derby? I heard about Houston roller derby the summer of 2010. after attending a bout and doing a little research I decided there was no other option - this is the perfect sport for me.
How did you pick your derby name? My skater name comes from a username I’ve had for over 10 years now (it is a Daria reference) and also the name of my blog, grrfeisty.com. (E before I in this case - trickytricky!)
Likes I LOVE animals [especially dogs, foxes,and owls] and cafe con leche.
Dislikes capital letters.
Favorite thing about derby You can knock a girl down and then high five her 2 seconds later. these women are strong and confident and it's extremely empowering.
Fun Facts Cuban family, I’ve had a pet squirrel, my eyes can vibrate, and I have an addictive relationship with the Internets.

Name Jekyll and Heidi
Number 21
Team Psych Ward Sirens,
Houston All-Stars
Position Anywhere they
let me!
Years Played
This will be
my 6th season
Height 5'6"
Occupation Engagement
Manager
How did you get into 
derby? 
I came to see a friend of
a friend play.
Likes Beer.
Dislikes Olives.
Favorite thing about
derby All of it!

Name Dutch Destroyer
Number 201
Team The Valkyries
Position Pivot, Blocker
Years Played 3
Height  5'8"
Occupation Mechanical Engineer
How did you get into derby? My neighbor and I decided to try Rec League. She absolutely hated it - the rink stunk, the pads stunk, and her knees hurt...she was done before the end of the first practice but I was hooked!
How did you pick your derby name? Dutch was born because my last name is Dutch and the Netherlands is my favorite country I have visited so far. And the Destroyer bit is just for alliterative flair!
Likes Brown sugar pop-tarts without frosting are the king of pop-tarts.
Dislikes drama, self-importance, chaos. Which reminds me, I love organization...oh, and good beer, cheese, and dogs too.
Favorite thing about derby I love that it's an environment that forces women to look at their bodies differently. Those hips aren't something to hate in the mirror and wish they were smaller, they're a force to be reckoned with! Derby teaches you that your body / size / shape / weight has purpose and is to be appreciated in whatever its format.
Fun Facts I'm a Yankee from Wisconsin, I've been offshore on oil rigs several times, and am constantly working on projects around the house.


Tune in next Monday to see our next set of featured skaters for the week!
Thanks to everyone who came out to our season opener this past Saturday.
Get ready for our next bout April 21 - tickets are already up at our website!
Get Your April 21 Bout Tickets Right Now at Our Website!
Come see the debut of our new home team, The Valkyries as they go up against the Brawlers after the Bayou City Bosses take on Alamo City Rollergirls from San Antonio, TX!



♥ Houston Roller Derby ♥

Meet HRD Mondays!

It's Monday! That means it's the time of the week for YOU to meet the many faces of HRD and learn a little about the skaters you want to cheer for in 2012!

This Monday, check out Windigo, Grrrl Friday and Maul McCartney!

Name Windigo
Number 1491
Team The Houston All-Stars
Position Blocker, Jammer, Pivot
Years Played 5 1/2 years
Height 5'8"
Occupation Environmental engineer
How did you get into derby? I landed in Oakland in the San Francisco Bay Area over ten years ago. In the summer of 2006, a friend took me to my first bout in this rundown, roller hockey rink, on the outskirts of town near the Oakland Airport. Skaters served me beer from a keg in a souvenir cup (which I still have!) and the place was overrun with drunk punks and hipsters. I fell instantly in love with the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls and the sport and knew I’d found my calling. Fast forward several years, I've put several WFTDA tournaments including Regional Play-Offs and Championships and a World Cup under my belt and now I skate for the Houston Roller Derby All-Stars.
How did you pick your derby name? "Wendigo" is an ancient cannibalistic demon in the oral history of my First Nation.
Likes I like Korean food, beef ribs, meatballs, moose chili, venison medallions... (oh wait, that's all food)...
Dislikes I dislike square pegs.
Favorite thing about derby The game! This is one of the most interesting, challenging sports I could have imagined ever being invented. The learning curve is infinite and steep and can never get boring. Never.
Fun Facts I am an amazing pastry chef... of kitten pie! Just kidding. No, really, I'm a great baker. It's something I've done my whole life... at least until I was old enough to play with the oven.

Name Grrrl Friday
Number 100wpm
Team Bayou City Bosses, The Knockouts
Position Jammer
Years Played 2
Height 5'3"
Occupation Reporter
How did you get into derby? I remember the first day I heard about roller derby pretty vividly. I was in my women's lit class in college in 2005 and the girl who sat in front of me handed me a flyer for a Texas Rollergirls bout. She was Barbarella of The Hustlers. I went to a TXRG bout later and cheered for her, coveting the way she and other skaters like Rice Rocket and Catastrophe moved with such grace and athletic skill. Then I moved to Galveston and found out that my brother-in-law was doing poster designs for Houston Roller Derby. I saw a few HRD bouts and became hooked. Once I moved to Houston I joined rec league and a few months later made league tryouts.
How did you pick your derby name? My derby name is based off of a 1950s phrase for the woman in the office who takes care of everything - the Girl Friday. Since I'm a reporter, I'm also a big fan of the film "His Girl Friday" which is about a female ace reporter. I play guitar and was in a band for two years, and I have a soft spot in my heart for the Riot Grrrl feminist movement and culture of the early 1990s, so the name Grrrl Friday just seemed like a perfect fit for me - the girl who takes care of business and doesn't let anything hold her back.
Likes 20+ point jams, jammer line dance-offs, rad female musicians, playing dress-up.
Dislikes Rink rash, crappy beer, shin splints, corporate buzzwords.
Favorite thing about derby The fact that it's incredibly challenging and incredibly rewarding all at the same time. It's very cyclical; for all the times that you feel like you've plateaued and that the challenges are too tough, there will be another time when you feel like the baddest-ever chola on steroids.
Fun Facts I'm a huge Doctor Who fan. I used to avoid all forms of exercise and sports and claimed that swing dancing was all I needed to stay in shape. My first-ever job was cleaning lab rat cages for a fertility drug company. I'm a big arts and theatre nerd.

Name Maul McCartney
Number 9
Team Psych Ward Sirens
Position Anywhere they put me
Years Played Rookie
Height  5'1" on a good day
Occupation Post production assistant/ digital artist/ Navy reservist
How did you get into derby? I saw a bout in person and knew I had to give it a try.
How did you pick your derby name? I'll give you three guesses for who my favorite Beatle is.
Likes The Beatles, cephalopods (cute AND delicious!), video games, nature documentaries (narrated by David Attenborough)
Dislikes ripe bananas, balloons, nature documentaries (narrated by Oprah)
Favorite thing about derby The ladies behind it all. Every single person has their own story and reason why they got into derby, but I've found that no matter what, each and every one of them has been willing to help out a derby sister. That goes from anything about skating gear to offering rides to events.
Fun Facts I have operated various types of heavy equipment: Front end loader, backhoes, forklifts, D7 dozer, HMMWV/Humvees, tractor tailors. I have a Bachelors in Media Arts & Animation.


Tune in next Monday to see our next set of featured skaters for the week!
Our season opener bout is THIS SATURDAY, March 17, at Bayou Music Center (aka Verizon Wireless Theater)! Come see our All-Stars take on Dallas, TX’s Assassination City Roller Derby Special Ops before watching the 2011 championship rematch game featuring the Psych Ward Sirens vs. the Bayou City Bosses! Have you bought your tickets yet? Go get them now! (VIP is SOLD OUT)
Get Your March 17 Bout Tickets Right Now at Our Website!
Remember, Girl Scouts in uniform get in FREE with the additional purchase of an adult ticket!
Green beer will be served at the venue to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
The after party will be at Junction Bar & Grill on West Gray!
Doors open at 6pm, and the first game will begin at 7pm.



♥ Houston Roller Derby ♥

Meet HRD Mondays!

It's Monday! That means it's the time of the week for YOU to meet the many faces of HRD and learn a little about the skaters you want to cheer for in 2012!

This Monday, check out Grande Locolicious, Big Bad VooDoo Dollie and Dr. Shocktopus!

Name   Grande Locolicious
Number  2sm
Team  The Brawlers, The Knockouts
Position  Blocker
Years Played  1 season
Height5'1"
Occupation7th Grade Reading Teacher
How did you get into derby? I first read about Houston Roller Derby in the Houston Press back in 2005. I was interested in going to a game and had thoughts about trying out, but I was too afraid. It wasn't until May 2010 that my boyfriend and I attended a game at Kicks. It was great to see these amazing female skaters playing a sport that was so competitive and fun. After that night, I knew I wanted in. I attended Rec. League the following Tuesday and enjoyed it. I tried out shortly after that and made the league. I was drafted into The Brawlers in July of 2010.
How did you pick your derby name? My biggest fan, my boyfriend, actually came up with my name. He teases me about being crazy because I’m a woman, but yet he says he finds me attractive. So he came up with “Locolicious.” I wanted to add a second name that related to my size. We came up with “Grande,” the complete opposite of my size, but I liked it. I go by “Grande” on the track. I’m stuck in a 2sm body but have a Grande heart for the game!
Likes I enjoy traveling, working out, spending time outdoors, and eating every type of food. My favorite is Italian, Sushi and Popcorn and Pickles!
Dislikes I dislike people that hog up all the weights at the gym and people that talk on their phone while working out. I don’t like beer.
Favorite thing about derby I love being part of a fantastic, hard working league and great home-team. These awesome ladies push you in a positive way to reach your potential. Although there is still so much I need to learn and work on, I love the confidence this sport has given me.
Fun Facts I've done over 8 tandem skydives and one solo jump. When I was 4 years old, I fell out of a moving vehicle and only had a few scratches on me. I can do 320 lbs on the Angle Leg Press Machine.

Name Big Bad VooDoo Dollie
Number 9 pins
Team  Bayou City Bosses, The Houston All-Stars
Position  Jammer / Blocker
Years Played 5 years counting ref years, going 3years skating on a team
Height  5'0"
How did you get into derby? I saw a billboard in New Orleans and when I moved here I thought it would be a fun, empowering sport that I could met people from.
How did you pick your derby name? I picked my name from the band the Big Bad VooDoo Daddy's. I like having the little touch of New Orleans in there and I like that big bass swing music.
Likes I love art, Pearl Bailey, the velvet underground, horror pops, etc. Niko Niko's (gyros yum), coffee, etc.
Dislikes Rude people, tomatoes, and orange juice.
Favorite thing about derby Family and feeling like u r a part of something.
Fun Facts I can ride a unicycle!

Name Dr. Shocktopus
Number   8
Team  Psych Ward Sirens
Position  Blocker
Years Played   Rookie
Height  5'6"
Occupation Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biological Oceanography
How did you get into derby? My boyfriend took me to my first bout in 2008. An HRD team was playing an Austin team. Houston was down by 14 points with only one jam left in the game. Death By Chocolate had 3 grand slams to win it for Houston. After that, I was hooked. When I moved here last summer I immediately joined HRD.
Likes Octopuses (octopuses, octopi and octopods are all correct plural forms), craft beer, any food made from pigs, science, math.
Dislikes squid (unless fried), hippies
Favorite thing about derby The camaraderie among strong women.
Fun Facts I'm an oceanographer that gets seasick and doesn't like eating most seafood.  And no, it's not because I feel like I have to save them.


Tune in next Monday to see our next set of featured skaters for the week!
Less than two weeks left before 2012 our season opener bout at Bayou Music Center (aka Verizon Wireless Theater) Saturday, March 17! Come see our All-Stars take on Dallas, TX’s Assassination City Roller Derby Special Ops before watching the 2011 championship rematch game featuring the Psych Ward Sirens vs. the Bayou City Bosses! Have you bought your tickets yet? Go get them now!
Get Your March 17 Bout Tickets Right Now at Our Website!



♥ Houston Roller Derby ♥

Meet HRD Mondays!

Every Monday, we'll be featuring a few of our skaters on our blog!
Meet the many faces of HRD and learn a little about who you want to cheer for in 2012!

This Monday, check out Wicked Sweet, TieDie PiXie and Freight Train!

Name Wicked Sweet
Number 30
Team The Valkyries
Position Jammer / Blocker
Years Played This is my 3rd season. I started with the rec league in June 2009.
Height 5'10"
How did you get into derby? I moved to Houston in 2009 and was bored for a few months before my new job started, so I came to a rec league practice to kill time and make friends.
How did you pick your derby name? I had just moved from Boston, and I chose Wicked Sweet as an homage to the couple of years that I spent in Beantown.
Likes Spiral sliced ham and Ron Swanson
Dislikes Flight delays and the movie Captain America
Favorite thing about derby Power jams
Fun Facts A few months ago, in an introspective reverie brought on by a particularly tasty lunch, I realized that I ate approximately 960 tuna fish sandwiches during elementary school.

Name TieDie PiXie
Number 82
Team Psych Ward Sirens
Position Anywhere they put me!
Years Played 1.5 (Rookie)
Height 5'4 off skates (that would make me model height on skates... right?)
Occupation Technical Associate for AT&T
How did you get into derby? I saw ONE game in the 2010 season and was hooked, but since I had just got my teeth fixed I was scared to join. A rec leaguer told me get a good mouth guard and to just go for it.... so I did and I joined rec.
How did you pick your derby name? I was so undecided on a name that I had an excel spreadsheet of possibilities. I just had to include "tie-dye" somewhere, (duh! my car is tie-dye!) plus I like fairies and stuff like that, and the word Pixie is a fun word.
Likes I love bright colored clothes, tie-dye or not. I like sweets.
Dislikes I hate it when people drive slowly in the left lane. Or just drive stupid in general.
Favorite thing about derby I'm still so new, and learning so much, I haven't pin-pointed just one favorite thing... so for right now, I'm going to say EVERYTHING!
Fun Facts I got into a fist fight in the median of a highway after a guy with a serious case of road rage clipped my car on purpose. I'm pretty sure I won.

Name Freight Train
Number CH00
Team The Brawlers, The Houston All-Stars
Position Jammer/Blocker
Years Played 1
Height 5'4"
Occupation Student at the University of Houston
How did you get into derby? I was introduced to roller derby by my dad, who was introduced by Mr. John McKay at Montrose Skate Shop. My dad was there to get his skates fixed and Mr. John told him about it and gave him a flyer. My dad gave me the flyer so I could check it out, but it wasn't until a year later when I was reminded by him again and joined derby.
How did you pick your derby name? Initially, I had a hard time choosing one because I just got used to people calling me "Tinisha" (my real name) in rec league. It wasn't until the first time I scrimmaged with HRD I was given the name "Freight Train." I was given this name by a skater I accidentally back blocked while I was jamming. The amount of force behind the hit knocked her down hard. I didn't really have a skater name then and I had overheard "If she doesn't have a name yet, I am just going to call her Freight Train!" I thought it was great.
Likes I enjoy dancing while roller skating, homework, hamburger pizza, and anything made with peanut butter.
Dislikes I don't have any dislikes at the moment.
Favorite thing about derby My favorite thing about derby is skating. I have strong love for things that involve skates.
Fun Facts I've been jam/dance skating for all my life mostly at Almeda Skating Rink. We used to go to the skating rink at least once a week for about 8 hours. The longest I've ever skated in one sitting is 12 hours. Sometimes people think I am dancing off beat until they find out I am using a MP3 player. I love being my own DJ. But when my favorite songs come on at the rink, I gladly dance different shuffles with the other skaters.



Tune in next Monday to see our next set of featured skaters for the week!
Don't forget to get your tickets to our season opener bout March 17 - it’s a little less than a month away! Come watch the Houston All-Stars take on Assassination City Special Ops from Dallas, Texas before the Psych Ward Sirens and the Bayou City Bosses go head to head. Join us this St. Patrick's Day at Bayou Place Live (formerly Verizon Wireless Theater) in Downtown Houston.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE HOUSTON ROLLER DERBY MARCH 17 BOUT NOW!


♥ Houston Roller Derby ♥

Meet HRD Mondays!

.
Every Monday, we'll be featuring a few of our skaters on our blog!
Meet the many faces of HRD and learn a little about who you want to cheer for in 2012!

This Monday, check out Hot Assets, Bloody Hell, and Brand-Aid!

Name Hot Assets
Number 751
Team The Valkyries, The Knockouts
Position Jammer, Blocker
Years Played 2 years banked, but this will be my rookie season on flat track
Height 5'2"
Occupation Accountant
How did you get into derby? A friend was trying out for a league, and after attending her first game, I knew I had to join. So I went to boot camps, ended up joining the league, and haven’t looked back.
How did you pick your derby name? I started off my career as a tax accountant with a focus on partnership tax. Section 751(b) of the Internal Revenue Code defines a specific type of asset with a particular tax treatment in the event of a partnership liquidation. Nickname for this group of assets: hot assets. So I might be a little bit of a nerd.
Likes Spreadsheets, data analysis, chocolate, adventure races (Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, etc.), chocolate.
Dislikes Mud, snakes, boredom, sunburns.
Favorite thing about derby It’s the first sport that I've found that I have actually stuck with long enough to see improvements to keep me interested. And it’s given me a great source of camaraderie and friendship. And bruises. Lots of bruises.

Name Bloody Hell
Number 4311
Team The Bayou City Bosses, The Knockouts
Position Jammer / Blocker
Years Played 2
Height 5'6"
Occupation Safety Coordinator
How did you get into derby? My friend at work asked if I would like to go see a game, loved it and talked to one of the Betties and they told us to come out on Tuesdays to Rec League and so I did and the rest is history...as they say.
How did you pick your derby name? I actually did not come up with my derby name , my office took a vote when they found out I had to pick a name and Bloody Hell received the most votes.
Likes I like football (soccer), surfing, paddle boarding, love dirt biking, Indian food, Beer, My fabulous country and spending time with my derby family.
Dislikes I do not like politics, ignorant people, and celery ...there really is not a whole lot I dislike.
Favorite thing about derby the huge circle of friends that I have made, being part of a fantastic team and the adrenaline rush!
Fun Facts Believe it or not I’m actually 1/4 Jamaican. I'm a huge Arsenal Fan. I was one of the first female Bicycle couriers in central London and at 17. I ran for Belgrave Harriers in London and qualified to run for England in the 800 meters.

Name Brand-Aid
Number 26
Team The Psych Ward Sirens (Captain), The Houston All-Stars
Position Jammer, Blocker, Pivot
Years Played 3
Height 5'8"
Occupation Project Manager
How did you get into derby? I grew up skating and first saw a flier while I was living in Austin for college. I wanted to get involved but was too much of a chicken. When I moved to Houston, I was skating with some friends at a local rink and an HRD skater told me I should try out. That was enough to push me to attend rec league a couple of times before try-outs the following month.
How did you pick your derby name? My skater name was actually given to me by my mom. As a kid I was constantly getting bumps, bruises and scrapes and any time I'd have so much as a tiny bruise I'd beg my mom for a band-aid. Since my name is actually Brandi, she decided I should be called Brand-Aid.
Likes I really enjoy music and movies. I have recently rediscovered my appreciation for running and if I had a boat, I'd be on my wakeboard every weekend.
Dislikes I absolutely HATE mayonnaise and milk.
Favorite thing about derby When I first moved to Houston, I only knew my family here so it is great to have an instant connection with so many people! I've made so many good friends in derby who will be my friends long after I've retired.
Fun Facts I like to stand on my head while in skates and I'm working on being able to do a real hand stand but so far have only attempted it in the grass.




Tune in next Monday to see our next set of featured skaters for the week!
Don't forget to get your tickets to our season opener bout March 17! Come watch the Houston All-Stars take on Assassination City from Dallas, Texas before the Psych Ward Sirens and the Bayou City Bosses go head to head. Join us this St. Patrick's day at Bayou Place Live (formerly Verizon Wireless Theater) in Downtown Houston.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE HOUSTON ROLLER DERBY MARCH 17 BOUT NOW!


♥ Houston Roller Derby ♥

2011 Team Profile: Psych Ward Sirens

The Psych Ward Sirens have always been a team to beat.  With back-to-back championship titles in 2006-2007, they haven't missed a championship since.  They are known for their intense training, gorgeous skaters, and rabid fans.  And they might also be a little crazy.  Get a sneak peak of your 2011 Sirens before they take the track at Saturday's bout!

top from L to R:  Marianne Morgue, Hot Rod Bettie, Mistilla the Killa, Carmen Geddit, Candy Codeine, Wicked Sweet, Maulin' Angel, co-captain Brand-Aid, SyRenge
bottom from L to R: KittyCocktail, Kym KarSmashUin, Lisa Lava, Singapore Rogue, Copperhead, Sick Nick, captain Jekyll and Heidi, The Angie-Christ

Coming into the 2011 season, how are the Sirens training to take the championship?
We are training harder than ever this season. We utilize a combination of skating drills, land drills and communication drills. There's a lot of repetition. There's a lot of repetition.

What are your goals? What challenges are you working to overcome?
Our main goal is to win our first championship in over three years. We're looking forward to some fierce competition from the Bosses AND the Brawlers this year.

Your team has a lot of new players and also a lot of vets. Describe the dynamic of your team this year.
Yeah, the dynamic of the Psych Ward Sirens has really changed this year. We've had some changes in leadership, and it's our biggest influx of rookies we've ever experienced. Fortunately we also have some superb vets to create a great balance within the team. We're really enjoying the comradery this season!

What one reality show cast could you see the Sirens replacing?
The Secret Lives of Women. Or Wicked Attraction. You'd be surprised by some of our dark secrets!

If you could send a message to your fans, what would it be?
Look out--the Psych Ward Sirens are focused, prepared, and crazier than ever!!

Season Kicks off March 21!! Got Tickets?

Join Houston Roller Derby as they begin their 2009 Season at their new home - KICKS Indoor Soccer! (http://www.kicksindoor.com)

Cheaper refreshments!!! Parking lot, street & Valet parking available!!

Come watch the Psych Ward Sirens take on the Burlesque Brawlers and the Bayou City Bosses take on the Hurricane Alley Rollergirls from Corpus Christi in this double header.

Official charity: AIDS Foundation Houston

Half time entertainment includes a corn dog eating contest courtesy of Miramax's new filem "Adventureland" and music by Beryl Grady.

***Doors open at 6PM, action starts at 7PM!***

Season Tickets available online now at http://www.houstonrollerderby.com

Individual game tickets can be purchased in advance for $12 at houstonrollerderby.com, cactus music, montrose skate shop or from your favorite rollergirl!

Tickets at the door are $15 (still cheap!!)