Roller Derby ReDUH

Ugh... I'm so out of shape!

You see, years ago, I was out at a club one night and some girl approached me about being on a roller derby team. I thought it sounded like a way cool thing to try, so I did, and for the next year-and-a-half, I was training with the Derby Dolls. This was while they were still looking for a location, trying to raise money for a track, and not competing in an official capacity yet. But, it was fun and it was great exercise. I had to quit because of work, and I was really sad about it. I just couldn't devote the time it took once we split into teams -- the practices, the fundraisers, the meetings -- all so time consuming. Fun, yes, but when one has a job with long hours, it's just not possible.

Anyway, now they are a bona-fide cultural revolution and I'm so excited for them! My friend emailed me yesterday and asked me some questions about roller derby -- she's thinking of joining a league up north. Well, just answering her email got me all excited and I decided to strap on those skates and go, go, go.

I did all of the prep work -- changed my wheels from indoor to outdoor (since I was going to skate around the neighborhood on my lunch break), checked the bearings, and looked for the safety gear. I wouldn't dream of skating without at least knee pads and wrist guards. It's not dorky, it's smart. I've seen a lot of broken bones.

Well, skating is not like riding a bicycle. I suck. After about ten minutes, my toes started cramping and I was getting shin splints. And my lower back hurt. That's just pathetic.

But I've resolved to get out there more often and get back in shape! I may not ever be a Derby Doll again, but I don't have to be a dork, either.

California Condors in Flight

Most lesbians I know like to camp and hike -- at least to some degree. Big Sur is one of my favorite places for camping and hiking. We went there recently and had the privilege of seeing three California Condors -- the worlds rarest, most endangered bird (I think there are only about 140 or so in the wild) -- in flight right over us. Awesome. These birds have been around since prehistoric times and are the largest birds native to North America, with a wing span of about 9 feet. Like I said: Awesome.

Props to Rhonda for capturing them on video:

Gimme Sugar - Episode 2

It's getting better, I must say...

I love that it's set in places that I know, and I love trying to figure out where they are in some scenes. Like... where the heck is there a Mexican restaurant with the Pacific Design Center in the background? Anyone know? From the angle, it looks like they were on Melrose, but I don't know of any Mexican restaurants on Melrose that are that close to the Pacific Design Center. Hmmm...

But the Margaritas looked good.

Congratulations...

to all of you who are getting married today, tomorrow, ever or never. Whether you want to get married or not, this is an important milestone in equality.

It's funny -- "Sex and the City" made it okay for women to be single if they want to be. Now, same-sex couples can get married if they want to, at least in California and Massachusettes. I'm so thrilled to see we are moving in the right direction -- some day soon, we will all be able to live the way we want to -- straight or gay, married or not -- with whom we want to, regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnic background -- and no one will think it's unusual, or strange, or bad, or immoral, or whatever stupid, hateful people are saying to protest this ruling...

"What the world needs now
Is love, sweet love...
It's the only thing
That there's just too little of..."

So, CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who is getting married, and to everyone who is not. The world just got a little better today.

Open to suggestions

So... here's this blog and I have a vague idea of what I want it to be, but it hasn't really found it's voice yet. Other than tips and reviews of lesbian night life in LA-LA Land... what do you want to hear about?

Should I have a weekly advice column?
Restaurant reviews?
Suggestions for day-time dates?
Profiles of women in our community?

Please do send me some suggestions -- I'm planning on kicking this up a notch in a few weeks and I need your help!

Thank you!!!!

Gimme Sugar and other treats

Just a quick note that the first episode of "Gimme Sugar" is screening tonight at Here Lounge. In honor of the occasion, the Fuse girls have brought in a free taco bar, from which you can munch. Doesn't that sound enticing and vaguely erotic?

If you've seen it and tacos aren't your thing, lots of girls hit the Normandie Room tonight as well. Sure, there's still a fair crowd at East/West, but as that scene dies, more and more girls are going back to the old haunts, like Here and the Norm.

Eleven

There's a certain boy who is the master of the door at lesbian clubs and I just love him so much. I'm so happy to call him one of my best friends. We had such a great time last night at Eleven with Charlene from Gimme Sugar and DJ Saratonin. Charming ladies, both of them.

The night was a bit more quiet than usual. I'm guessing most people are still recovering -- physically, emotionally (ouch!) and financially -- from Pride. But, I always have fun with by boy!

There was some hot film crew from France there... I think I need to find out more about that! :-)

Oh... tonight is Booby Trap, which apparently attracts a crowd of the best of the East Side and the WeHo girls... hmmm... will have to check that out soon -- maybe next week. I hear the girls that go there are not as "rough" as the girls at the Eagle on Wednesdays. I do like the Eagle scene sometimes, don't get me wrong, but I'm not a regular. If anyone has gone to Booby Trap has a comment about it, let me know.