One Significant Step Closer, and Moving Ever Forward

Dear Gods, It’s happening. It’s really happening.

Last night we took our Rules Test. It was hard… not Microsoft Exam Hard, but still very challenging. There are so many nuances to Roller Derby game play, and interpretation of the Rules in how Penalties are enforced is a HUGE part of that game play. They say “The Devil is In the Details,” and when it comes to the Rules of Roller Derby… no truer words were ever quoted. The test was written by Walter Ego and edited by REFLMAO, and apparently undergoes a few changes with every taking. We had some discussion about the questions, scenarios, etc; and definitely will be a great set of topics for the next off-skates Ref Practice.

I did well, scored in the low 80s, which really is about the level student I am. Some of the questions I just didn’t read with the perspective in which the scenario was written; so I interpreted the results differently. Some I just didn’t read through clearly. I did pass, tho… and once I pass my skating assessment I will be a Bona Fide Roller Derby Referee. SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Ahem, sorry about that.

As I was saying, the two largest hurdles thus far have been the Rules Test and the 25 in 5. From what it sounds like, I may not even have to go through the entire Skating Assessment, just the time trial. REFLMAO said last night that he would be willing to run the time trial every week we’re on skates for Ref Practice if I wanted; that whenever I wanted another go-round, just let him know.

Somewhat as an aside… I may be busting my Referee Cherry earlier than 5/14, and outside my home turf. There was a call for Referees and NSOs at a Bout that Oswego is holding on 4/23, and I’d volunteered to NSO for it. Apparently REFLMAO accidentally included me in the Referee list, not the NSO list… He isn’t too worried, and has no problems at all with me representing RCRD as a Referee. So, I have my Head Referee’s Blessing to skate my first ever bout. Pardon me whilst I do a happy dance.

…still dancing…

…still dancing…

Ok, I’m done.

So now comes the question… do I try next week for my time trial? I’m back on my R3s, didn’t skate last night because of the test. I was planning to stay home and get housework done (and indulge in some overdue Sofa and Movie Time with my kitty) tonight… but maybe I should trek out to Horizon for some Open Skate time. I’ll be skating in Scrim on Thurs. I’ll probably try the Sunday workout again (with much less running until I get new shoes), and there will be skating there… so maybe I could try the time trial again. Worst case I fall short a few seconds again, and will just have to berate myself and try again the following week.

I also contacted Gravity Kills about my preferred NSO Assignment for the 4/17 Home Bout… to which she commented that if I pass my 25 in 5 REFLMAO would probably have me skating. In a Home Bout. This Month. Like, less than 2 weeks. Holy. Fucking. Shitstorm. Batman!

I mentioned to REFLMAO last night that I’d like to stay on OPR for awhile, rather than switching around… because I’d like to work on becoming a bit proficient, if not comfortable, with a position before switching (sex in 1). I figure that will be my first assignment; and I’d rather be “She’s OPR because she’s practiced at it” vs “She’s OPR because she’s inexperienced.” Then I’ll move inside. Eventually I’ll have to suck it up and start learning Jam Reffing and Scoring :P but I’d really like to save that for last because I think that will involve the most work. It may not even be until next Season, and I personally am OK with that… tho REFLMAO may have other designs ;)

I have to say, I am so extremely grateful for all of the positive feedback and encouragement I have been receiving… from the other RCRD Refs, from Otto and Lizzy, from the skaters, from friends and family on Facebook, and LiveJournal (what currently seems to be in a constant state of Bustification), and from people I’ve talked to face to face and watching me fairly buzzing with excitement.

This has become so important to me, and I do feel bad that I’m losing touch with other things that used to be so time consuming… but I really did need this change. My life really was growing stagnant and sedentary and predictable… and dissatisfying. Roller Derby has awakened something new and exciting and amazing in me, and I am relishing every moment of it.

I can’t promise that “I’ll be back.” Our League is growing, progressing, evolving… we are accomplishing some incredible things, and striving for even more. I love that I am a part of this, I love that I am able to grow just as RCRD is growing… I love that, just as RCRD is developing a reputation as a “League that has their Sh!t Together”, I just might be able to become one of those “Referees who knows their Sh!t” There’s still much to be done (in both respects), but the fact that the possibility is there is inspiring, and thrilling.

In the end, what heart doesn’t yearn to be Inspired?

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