Pads 'n' All - The confessions of a Skater Girl: Awakening of the Soul

I have been thus far unable to fully articulate my feelings about Roller Derby. I am not exactly a writer, and I have a hard time opening up. I am working on this, which is why I started this blog. In my obsessive search for derby-related information, I came across a wonderful blog. Reading her first post, I felt like I could be reading my own experience, so, here it is. Thanks Skater Chick, for saying what I have been unable to.
Pads 'n' All - The confessions of a Skater Girl: Awakening of the Soul

So the skate drama continues....

I have requested a refund on the price of the skates which never arrived (or were even shipped). The vendor was actually pretty cool about the whole thing, and refunded the money right away. I have received said refund. Unfortunately, as the skates were discounted as part of a "package deal" with the pads...well, the refund won't cover the purchase price of another set of skates. And so I must wait again until the last little bit of money to cover the difference and shipping can be spared from our limited budget. Damn. Am I ever going to get this together in time? I need to be able to skate well and do it for two hours straight in order to pass tryouts.
I am also applying for *gasp* health insurance. It would be down right stupid of me to start playing contact sports without insurance. I am not stupid, and I think we have figured out how to squeeze the premium into aforementioned tight budget.
I am still frustrated. I haven't had a chance to talk to my Derby contact recently, as she is part of the SCDG all star team and they have been extremely busy the last few weeks. Hopefully, she has found a pair of skates I can beg, borrow or whatever for the time being. I really want to play derby. I really want to prove to myself and everyone else that I can do it. I told one of my bosses that I was trying out and he laughed. Yes, laughed. Fine. I'll show you! I will make the team, (I don't even care which team, I just want to play) and I will show you what I am made of. Just because I am a doormat at work doesn't mean that I can't kick a little butt.
Wow, long post tonight. We will see where this skate saga leads...

Feeling a little more positive today

So after my big old rant yesterdy about skates, I went to watch the SCDG practice scrimmage. I have been keeping in touch with the fresh meat coach and made a point on introducing myself to her. She said that some of her teammates may have some older skates that I could borrow in the interim and she'd see what she could find. She also mentioned that several of the rollergirls she knows have had similar experiences with this particular vendor back ordering skates. I feel much better knowing that there are some alternatives for me. Said coach said that she'd stay in touch with me and let me know when her team was planning to get together and skate so I could come and get to know some of the ladies and get my skating bearings. When I got home, I re-read the e-mail from the skate vendor who stated I could sub different pair of skates or simply request refund of the skates. I have chosen to get a refund and order the skates from a more reliable vendor, or possibly pick up a package deal I spotted on ebay today if the refund clears in time and the price of said package doesn't go to high. The more reliable vendor actually states on their site that they recently received a large order of the Reidell Vixens. They also ship UPS or USPS, either of which should get me my skates in 3-5 days. YAY!! Things are getting better for me all around.

AAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!

I am SO far beyond frustrated I can't even speak. After waiting for months to save enough money to buy my coveted rookie package, and weeks of not knowing if they are ever coming, I finally got a response from the vendor. Apparently, the Reidell Vixens that I ordered are on back order. Until JULY. So, when they finally get them, somtime around July 11, they will actually ship them and I'll have to wait 3-5 (or 15 the way my luck has been running) business days before they arrive. I have basically lost the entire summer of getting familiar with my skates. I may not be able to get in shape in time, and for the first time since I made the decision to do this, I actually feel like I might fail. I don't know if I simply picked the wrong vendor, or if these skates are actually that popular, or if I am simply cursed. All I know is that I am frustrated, I feel like events have conspired to prevent me from doing something I really want to do, and I just want to give up. I know I shouldn't give up over something this stupid, especially since I have already spent the money for the gear. It just seems that I finally find something in my life that I can do for ME, and every little stupid thing that could possibly happen to ruin it is happening.
Meh. I should stop whining and get on with it. Skate or fall right?

Pads are in!

I ordered a rookie package last week, as I am sure any of my "avid readers" (which includes me and probably nobody else) knows. Yesterday my protective gear came in! I am super excited. I haven't decided about the fit of some of the pads though. The site I ordered through didn't allow for selective sizing on the pads, it was all one size so I ordered large. I'm a big girl, large is a reasonable guess, but I have small wrists and elbows for my size and my pads may be too big. I put them on and they feel strange, but I can't decide if that's just because I haven't worn them before or if it is the pads themselves. Also, the knee pads may be too small, but I plan to lose a bit more weight which should basically take care of that problem. Helmet fits nicely! Still (not so) patiently waiting for my skates themselves though. Reidell! Ship faster already!

Hooray!

I finally saved up the last of my skate money. My rookie package is ordered, and hopefully the skates I want are in stock. "C" and I have discussed this at length and even though money is very tight in our home right now, I went ahead and ordered the skates. Unfortunately, now I have to wait again. *sigh* I can do it. I can wait for my skates. I will learn everything I can before fresh meat season starts in the fall, and if tryouts happen to come during the current season, I will try out. I have printed out the WFTDA rule book and will study it during "downtime" (yeah, right) at work. I am starting to get really excited!

I am sad.

I have been saving my pennies to get that coveted rookie package so that I can start skating. I have an absolutely awesome friend who has put money in to help me get there, but with our limited income in this house, I have had to put off ordering my skates for about two months now. I have to wait another few weeks. Frustration abounds. I REALLY need to get started building up endurance, balance and skills, but I cannot begin skating without skates. I could use the diversion since work has been extremely hectic and will continue to be so for another two to three weeks at the very least. If it's worth doing, it must be worth waiting for though right?