I've been bitten by the Roller Derby bug...

"Danielle, why don't you tell the class what you did on your summer vacation?"
"I became a ROLLERGIRL!"

Dig if you will, a picture--





The Northstar Rollergirls---the league I'll be trying out for on September 9th.

Don't you just LOVE it?
Well I do! I've fallen head over heels in love with the idea of becoming a Rollergirl and now I need your help...

I'm trying out for a league on September 9th, and if I'm lucky enough, fit enough, and tough enough to be chosen to join the group, I'll need an alias to skate under. Each girl has a "skater name" and number, plus a whole funny bio that they make up about their alter ego to publish on the website, in the program for each bout, etc. I had a name that I was absolutely IN LOVE with, but there's a "National Rollergirl Name Registry" that you have to check any possible names against, because it's discouraged (and considered bad form) to take another skater's name. Of course, my first choice had already been taken.
Since then I've been brainstorming, and I've been asking some friends and family for suggestions, and we've come up with seven choices that aren't already in use. Now the hard part is going to be deciding amongst them all. That's where you come in. I was wondering if you could take the time to vote for a name that you think would be the perfect, best name for my alias. I can't wait to see the results and please feel free to leave your comments, suggestions, and/or campaign for your favorite here for others to read as well (the comments are at the very bottom of this post next to my name and the timestamp the blog was published). Also, if you have technical difficulties, please let me know because I REALLY WANT TO SEE WHAT EVERYONE THINKS! Plus, I think this is kinda fun. :)

So that's it...
Thanks in advance for your support, and hopefully on September 9th, I'll have something exciting to email-blast all of you about...:)
With much love,
Danielle

P.S. July 19--Of course, after I sent the initial email out, some people contacted me about a couple of things that were initially confusing. I've fixed the comments section now (at the bottom of the post) so you don't have to register with blogger to vote. Also, Cousin Amy and I had a lot of fun going through the names together of the other women on the league--something you can easily do to by clicking either team's website below and then selecting "Teams and Staff". Finally, if all this got you inspired and now YOU have a great name to add to the mix, feel free to email it to me for consideration (or leave it here in the comments section). God knows, I think I'm witty but you guys are always better!

A little background, if you're interested:
There are two leagues in the Twin Cities. The Minnesota Rollergirls were the first league in town, started five years ago, and have developed such a HUGE following that they're now selling consistently over 2500 seats at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium (which, coincidentally, is where cousin Amy and I saw the Foo Fighters and My Morning Jacket, but that's another story). These girls have gotten to be excellent, excellent skaters. To the point where it's kind of intimidating to be around them actually. I fancied trying out for their team this year and then went to an open practice, saw what they were looking for, and had an immediate gut check that I was nowhere NEAR ready to skate at that level.
Minnesota Rollergirls website


Which brings us to the second league in the Twin Cities...the Northstar Rollergirls! This upcoming season will only be their second and the girls on the team that I've met and skated with thus far are super friendly, open, and not at all intimidating. I've been to a practice with their team where they allowed all the interested women who were considering trying out to actually PRACTICE with them and while I left very sore and tired, I had the hugest grin on my face driving home. It is much more of an inclusive feeling league, which feels just right for me.
Northstar Rollergirls website



Minnesota Rollergirls opening bout for the 2007 season, over 3700 fans in attendance

Is there a Roller Derby league near me?
Derby League Roster and Map (Worldwide!)

If anyone's feeling super geeky or bored, here's the link to the National Rollergirl Name Registry...it's pretty funny!
Name Database

(**Ultimate final decision overriding authority will rest with me if all of a sudden I just HAVE to lean one way over another)