Through Johnny Tsunami’s eyes:

Veni, Vidi, Vici Current mood: wanted

Last night was our last league practice before the upcoming bout. This Sunday the Lovers take on the Pussycats and I am stoked to say the least.

There was a moment towards the end of the night when we were doing a 40/10 drill (we skate as a tight pack 40 laps in 10 minutes). I was securely nuzzled between numerous amazing skaters - each beautiful, unique, brilliant and brave in their own right. At about lap 30 I looked down and noticed Vaporizers skates as she soared along. She was directly in front of me and I became fixated with the movement of her feet. As I watched her calm and beautiful stride - I was hypnotized by my environment and it occurred to me what a fantastic thing I am a part of. All that could be heard in the Midtown was the sweet sounds of ragged shallow breathing, bodies moving in perfect unison, skate wheels flying across the dirty floor - it was a symphony of dedication and hot raw lust for not only derby as a sport…but derby as a culture.

I am an effin R-E-N-E-G-A-D-E !!! Not because I own skates, not because I have a nickname, not even because I am the league Treasurer…but because I have the love, friendship, support and guidance of an amazing group of women. I am not just a Renegade at practices and at bouts, I live it and love it every moment of my life. Derby is within me and I am complete. I greatly look forward to getting better, to being a strong jumper, a strong jammer, whipper, blocker. I have amazing women to look up to and model myself after…Rusty’s stride, Ruby’s skill, Devastatia’s blocking, Pandora’s strength, Rainbow’s jam, Jackemup’s team spirit…the list goes on and on…I am blessed in so many ways in this life, but derby is my fire, my guts have become alive with the excitment and desire to be more, to be bigger, to be better…

I love you RRO…on so very many levels…

It never ceases to amaze me what a tremendous sense of wonder I feel every time I get on my skates…I am alive…I am a Renegade

Smooches, JT