I love reading about roller derby! I mean, I generally love reading words that are arranged in such a fashion that they describe an interest of mine. I’m just a wacky, zany lady like that! But after awhile, I start to read the same article over and over again: BURNOUT, AMIRITE? I would like to contribute my own arrangement of words on the hot subject to the internet bin of disposable miscellany. I like to remain hip with the culture and right now the culture is buzzing out being burnt out.

Burnout monster is here to eat your life.

What does being burnt out even mean? Burnout is when you say cliche things like, “Stop the world! I am getting off! And by getting off I mean, like, stepping off a plane or train and not… you know.” You’ve had it up to here like Gwen Stefani in “Just a Girl.” It’s having a Case of the Mondays on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday but not Sunday because that’s when you are spending time angrily staring at the Mt. Everest of laundry in your bedroom. Burnout is when you need your life to take a chill pill, but you decide to drink a case of Red Bull, sally forth, and totally regret it. You feel like a sad, booger-filled disposable tissue that is lying on the floor next to the trash can. Do you love roller skating as much as you love baby animals? You don’t? Ugh, you are so burnt out.

So then the typical internet article about burnout goes like this: “What do we do about you, you useless pile of ashes? Can we throw some wood on you and get the fire going again?” No, that last question is not an innuendo but a metaphor. I don’t even know how you live with your mind in the gutter all the time! Moving on! The internet tells me these are the solutions to burnout:

1. Take some time off!
2. Take a break! Gimme a break! Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar!
3. Have you tried eating a pint of ice cream?
4. Do you have friends outside of derby? See them! You don’t? Why don’t you make friends? Are you a dinosaur? You are?! No wonder why you don’t have friends outside derby!
5. Cast away your responsibilities like a nudist casts off pants in the warm, warm sunlight!
6. Evaluate how many fucks and shits you can stand to give and ration them accordingly. Do not give an entire shit when only a turd will suffice.
7. Listen to some Enya. Oh… you saw the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? Never mind, try Explosions in the Sky.

How awesome was that advice? It was all so novel and genius and groundbreaking! I know, I basically just served you last week’s meat surprise lunch and spiced it up with a little srichacha sauce. It’s still terrible except now it might give you heartburn. Nothing is solved! You want to know: “How can I burn out, but not fade away?”

I think in order to do that you need to evaluate the state and extent of your burnout. Are you a little pile of smoldering embers? Maybe abstaining from a few practices and events might be enough to sustain. Maybe you need to not check your e-mail every 5 minutes. You know what? Just put your phone in a drawer and don’t bother with it until you get the burning desire to let everyone on Facebook know that you are now the mayor of your laundromat. Think of derby as that friend who you KNOW is a good person, they are just super annoying right now. Keep it all at arm’s length and let things just happen without engaging.

If you are a sad lumpy pile of gray ashes in danger of being scattered by a light breeze, I don’t know if you can remain burnt out without fading off into the sunset for awhile. You should probably go get some more wood, if you know what I mean.

And here's "Ashes to Ashes" David Bowie for no particular reason.

So you’ve read all of those words and you are still feeling hopeless about the state of your fire? Part of me wants to shake you and say, “Well, what did you expect? I am no certified expert! I’m juggling all kinds of balls right now which is terrible because a) I hate balls and b) I can’t keep them in the air for the life of me!” What balls? “The balls of life! They are a-rollin’!” If you’re still looking for Better Burnout Solutions, I am sad to report that the truest and best advice is the most boring: You know yourself better than anyone and what you can/can’t handle. Your gut will probably tell you exactly what you need to do, you just need to come to terms with it. And get wood.

Name: Ivanna B. Vicious
Number: Buck 50*
Rookie Year: 2008
Teams:
Granite Skate Troopers – 2012
Skate Free or Die All-Stars – 2009-2010
Seabrook Meltdowns – 2010

You are a new Mom. Congrats!!! How is it coming back from a season off of skates?
Thank you! She’s proven to have my flair for the dramatic which keeps things very interesting for my poor husband. I feel like we are always trying to out-drama each other. Coming back to Derby was the biggest adjustment ever.  It took me a while to get into the swing of being a working Mom and throwing Derby into the mix proved to be an even bigger challenge.  I have a really wonderful husband though and we sat down together and figured out a way to make it work.  He knows how much I value the couple nights that I get to be Vicious instead of Mommy or Crystal.  Physically it was a huge wake up call. I had to re-learn how to skate and my endurance was awful.  Skills that I used to do with little to no effort were a lot harder. I was naïve to think I would just start back up where I finished. I was sadly mistaken! I had to work a lot harder even on my non-practice days just to keep up with everyone else.  I’m at a point now where I feel I’ve got better handle on my skills and working out my practice schedule with my family so things are wonderful!

You were always a very competitive player. Has motherhood softened you up any? There are a lot of new skaters… a lot of young girls all competing for a spot on the team.
Me soft? In your dreams! If anything it’s made me more tough since I had 9 months of not hitting people on skates (although I did hug Bam a couple weeks ago which is soooooo out of character for me).  When I left for maternity leave I was one of the more feared players on the team. When I came back people were expecting that to still be the case and the newer girls had “heard all about ‘Vicious’”. It was a struggle for me because I was nowhere near the level of play I was at when I left. I felt like I had this huge reputation I had to live up to. I didn’t want to let people down. I didn’t want the newer girls to look at me and be like “That’s Vicious!?” I also didn’t want people to think that I had gotten soft and I wasn’t a threat.  I wanted to continue being feared. I started running and doing a lot of skates workouts in January. It’s helped me tremendously both on the track and with running after my 9 month old.  Also, there were so many new girls when I came back! They were great too and it made me nervous.  I wanted to get drafted and I knew I had to work that much harder against these girls to earn my spot on a team.

The League seems to be growing and evolving in leaps and bounds. How has it changed while you were gone?
Well HELLO!  We have a Skate Court now! I can’t tell you the difference that has made having that at JFK. You can do so much more skills-wise versus that awful slippery concrete. You can skate as fast as you want and not worry about sliding off the track and so much more. It’s really taken us to the next level as a league.

I also didn’t know who half the refs and support staff were when I came back! LOL! It’s like we got a surge of volunteers which is awesome. When I left we were struggling with having a full ref staff for scrimmages and now that’s almost never a problem. Which means a lot of my elbows are being caught more than before during scrimmages

We also have our warehouse space where the 5 teams rotate team practices which is amazing. When I left we had team practices but, they weren’t very consistent since we had to schedule them around Roller Kingdom. Now we have our own space where we can ensure that our team will get a dedicated slot of time to work on strategies and skills. It’s made a huge difference from what I can see.

You are such an awesome skater and a real asset to whatever team you are on. I know you’ve been involved in training in the past. Do you have any plans to coach? Is that even something you’d like to do?  What does the future look like for Ivanna B. Vicious?
Aww, thanks, Tiara. I was on Training before, but, the structure of that committee changed a little bit. I loved being on training and I really enjoyed it.  I’ve stepped in for PutUNya as skater coach for the Troopers while she is on LOA (Leave of Absence). It’s helped a lot that I was on Training before, so I’m comfortable running drills. The Troopers have been really great and welcomed me with open arms even though half of them didn’t even know me! I like running practices and pushing people to their limits.  You never know what you’re capable of if you don’t push yourself. I enjoy pushing people to do things they are scared of and to see their face when they nail it. It’s awesome! I think even when I’m done with derby I’d still like to stick around and coach while I’m in my wheelchair.  (I hope I’m right there with you babes!)

I hope to one day try out of Skate Free or Die! again and I know I have a lot of work to do. I watch them now and I’m in awe of how far they’ve come. They all are so friggin’ good and I know I have to keep working at it to get to that level.  I’m always looking to get better, learn and grow. I think no matter who you are or how good you think you are there are always opportunities to push yourself to be a stronger athlete.  I like it when people tell me I’m a great hitter but, I love it more when someone tells me something I’m doing wrong or give me tip to try something different. It’s a chance for me to excel even further.

You are very knowledgeable about the sport and I know you’ve helped many up-and-coming skaters. Who was a big help/influence to you?
Gosh there were so many people that helped me along the way. If one stood out it would have to the skater formerly known as Anita Bangher who now goes by Pammy Decker. She was my skater sister when I was a freshie. She was always so helpful even though she would give me a hard time .  When she used to live near me we would go to this street hockey court and work on my skills. I would always whine like a baby about being scared to fall until she yelled at me to knock it off because “You’ve got 187’s on, nothing is going to happen!”. Her approach is always just enough to get your butt in gear but, supportive at the same time. Even when she went to BDD (Boston Derby Dames) whenever we would meet for scrimmages she would always take time to give me tips and pointers.  She always gives it to me straight even when sometimes I don’t feel like hearing it. After I let it digest though, I know she was right and I take the note and move on.  I try to model the way I coach after her because she’s so effective. Now that she’s back she takes the time out to try and beat me up whenever she gets the chance. We will be casually warming up and she skates up and tries to cream me. I guess that’s just how she shows me she loves me!

OK… your turn… give up some info on yourself that we may not know (your derby wife Gil T. wasn’t giving up ANYTHING on you!)
She pleaded the fifth right? She’s a good wifey. Gosh, I’m not one of these interesting people with tons of facts. I’m not double jointed, know Swahili or anything interesting like that. Some of my facts are kinda boring while the rest are just downright embarrassing.

• I still listen to the Spice Girls when I clean my house and I’m dying for them to do a comeback tour.
• I’m in a gang called the LadyBros (don’t tell anyone or we will beat you with a recyclable bag filled with apples and oranges—recyclable bag cuz we are green).
• A lot of people think I’m Spanish but, I’m actually bi-racial. I will have you know that does not affect my merengue skills though.
• I love to dance even though I’m probably sure I look awful doing It, but I don’t care. I think the only person that looks worse than me dancing is Tank’d Girl.
• My sandwiches have to be cut in half. I can’t eat a sandwich if it’s one big piece. It creeps me out.
• Before every bout I think to myself: “I wonder if I can get to my car and go home before anyone notices”.  It’s ridiculous but, I get THAT nervous. Every time.
• I’m very dramatic and loud. Yet I still manage to have friends so, I guess it’s working for me.  (It is!  Very much so!)
• I love pigs. They are such smart animals and get a bad rap because people think they are dirty. They only roll around in dirt to keep themselves cool because they don’t have sweat glands!
• I have a theory about Roller Derby players and the magical hour of 10 PM. That’s all I will say about that.  (OH DO TELL!)
• I want to be the Mike Tyson of Roller Derby. My favorite quote about him was during a documentary I was watching where a coach said “He hits with the worst of intentions.” I want that to be me.

OK… the Mike Tyson thing was pretty cool!  And I will pump you for info on the 10 PM theory!  We are so lucky to have you back… almost as lucky, but not quite, as that little baby girl is to have you!

Ag·gres·sive (adjective)

1. Characterized by or tending toward unprovoked offensives, attacks, invasions, or the like; militantly forward or menacing.

2. Making an all-out effort to win or succeed; competitive.

3. Vigorously energetic, especially in the use of initiative and forcefulness
4. Boldly assertive and forward; pushy.

Aggressive is something that I am not. If you looked up aggressive in the dictionary my picture would not be anywhere neat that word and definition. Well, until you skim to the the antonyms..
1. Friendly. 2. Retiring, shy, timid, hesitant. Now, that’s me to a T. So how does one who is a semi-quiet, more reserved person break out of their shell and be aggressive? I haven’t the slightest clue! Please, someone help me!!

Roller derby not only requires physical exertion, it also requires a lot of mental activity. You are constantly pushing yourself physically but you have to really put your game face on. My problem, you ask? I don’t have a game face nor do I know where to get one. When I first started scrimmaging, I was a mess! I never was able to break through the pack. It was bringing me down. I couldn’t figure out why his could be?! Until someone asked me where my aggression was. Good question, WHERE IS MY AGGRESSION?! WHY AM I NOT AGGRESSIVE?!

After a few… more like several scrimmages, I finally found it! I don’t know where this aggression came from but there it was. I was getting through packs! I was surprised with myself. ALL RIGHT! GO ME! I even felt bad for being hard on myself about not getting through and scoring any points at past scrimmages. I mean I’m still Freshmeat going into my rookie season. I’m not going to be a superstar roller derby girl over night. This sport is a lot to take in; trying to soak all this new knowledge in my head and just learning everything you need to know and do. All of this is so new to me, even rollerskating is new to me. Roller derby is a crazy sport and I seriously believe you have to be crazy to play this sport! Crazy and well… aggressive.

Having found this aggression is extremely helpful. Don’t get me wrong though, it is still difficult to break through packs and get your way through, but being aggressive helps for sure. Finally finding my aggressive side has been such an accomplishment for me! I feel like Robin Williams, as Peter Pan in the movie Hook, when he found his happy thought and learned how to fly again (we both wear tights too!). It took me a while to find it but aaah, what a relief. And a little tip for any ladies out there who are planning on learning how to skate to play roller derby, STAY POSITIVE! There are a lot of components to this sport but if you keep with it and put your all into it, you’ll get it! Stay positive and oh yeah, BE AGGRESSIVE… B-E AGGRESSIVE!

 

The Bombs!

Nightmares on Elm Street

Queen City Cherry Bombs

Nickname: Chiff
Number: 821
Position: Pivot, Blocker
Rookie Year: 2009
Teams:  The Nightmares on Elm Street – 2011-2012, and the Queen City Cherry Bombs – 2010-2012

You are such a solid player.  It’s been a pleasure to see you grow and improve as a skater.  What’s your journey been like?  I certainly did not start out as a solid player.  In fact I did not even pass my Level I Assessments the first time around.  I came into derby with marginal skating skills.  I could stand up and skate forward, I had good balance so that worked in my favor but everything else was completely foreign to me.  Plus, I’m a perfectionist.  So, every time I would get a suggestion from another skater, I would do it over and over until I did it perfectly, not realizing that there might be another way to do the same thing that would be easier for my body.  (I still struggle with the perfectionist thing)

Many of our ladies are quite talented and you are no exception.  A trained ballerina studying at the Alvin Alley studio?  Can you tell us about your dancing background and how it affects (positively and/or negatively) your derby skating? My training is actually in contemporary dance, ballet was included in that but it was not my specialty.  I started dancing when I was about 5 and danced all the way through high school into college.  That is how I got to dance at Alvin Ailey.  I went to Fordham University in the Bronx.  We also had a campus right at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. This was also the location of the Alvin Ailey Company.  Any student was able to attend the dance school for a fraction of the cost of what it would usually cost to go there.  It was pretty amazing to be taking class with some of the best dancers in the country.  I wasn’t anywhere near their level but the experience was priceless.

Speaking of skills that might come in handy in your derby life, you were a philosophy major.  You do seem very calm and analytical!  LOL!   Haha, yes, philosophy is basically the debate of rational arguments.  And we have quite a few of those that happen around here.  But I didn’t plan to be a philosophy major, cause really? Who does?  I went into college as a chemistry major.  I wanted to be a forensic chemist (this was before the days of CSI and everyone thought forensics was cool).  As I mentioned, I went to Fordham, which is a Catholic University and believed in a well-rounded education, meaning that we were required to take fundamental courses in all areas of study.  This is how I ended up in a philosophy course in the first place.  I was totally in love.  I signed up for as many courses as were available to me.  I even took a course studying Dante’s Divine Comedy that was entirely in Italian!

Many people have interesting ways that they come to derby.  You have a messed up metabolism!   I do.  When I was 19, I was given medicine for depression.  Right after I started it I started to gain weight but everyone assumed I was just eating because I was depressed and the doctors just switched me to a different medicine.  This went on for almost 10 years and I gained about 100 pounds.  About 3 years ago I went to a different doctor and he knew exactly what was wrong with me when no one else seemed to.  That first medicine had shut off my metabolism.  He prescribed a medicine to “jump start” my metabolism and weight just started to fall off me.  At one point I was losing a pound a day.  My body has equalized itself out for the most part now but I still have a little more weight I would like to lose, I just have to do it the old fashioned way. And I have to stay on that new medicine to keep my metabolism even.  What better exercise than derby?

In addition to the two teams you skate on, you also do a huge service to the league by being its Treasurer.   A lot of responsibility.  What made you want to take on the task?  It is, but that’s not what I was thinking about when I agreed to do it.  The league was in trouble and I saw it.  I also knew that I had the knowledge and resources to be able to help.  This league has become my family.  It has taken care of me; it has nourished me and given me things that I didn’t even know I was lacking.  I am a better person because of it.  I want to make NHRD amazing and this was one of the ways that I saw that I could do that.  I’m honored that everyone trusts me to take care of it and I take that responsibility seriously.

What’s your best derby memory?  I’m not sure I have just one.  I think one was the first bout we won.  I had never played team sports growing up so I had never had the experience of that before.  But that first win got me totally hooked!! It was a Bombs game against CT Yankee Brawlers.  It was my first bout ever and I’m pretty sure all I did was skate around in a circle!  No, actually I saw footage from that bout, I’m certain all I did was skate around in a circle!  LOL!  But when we won, it was ALL of us that won, we did it together.  Two years later I am a part of teaching new Bombs that same philosophy!

“…Rules Committee has seen to it that no one who understood the game the year before should understand it this year.  The motto of the Rules Committee seems to have been: ‘New rules and new [fans] each year.’ …They changed rules every season as if they were trying to work up a new game…and make it into something they didn’t quite know about.  They made illegal all the old plays that used to be the essence of the game and sat up nights trying to think up new things to put in their places.  It has got so now that the Rules Committee itself is about the only body of [people] who know enough about the game to play it, and they haven’t anybody to play it with.”

This quote sums up the sentiment I get from many people each time WFTDA comes out with a revised rule set (almost unfailingly longer than the previous set) or clarification essays on the current rule set.  I can appreciate the frustration.  Teams need to change their strategies. Referees need to retrain their crews.  These are not trivial tasks.  Fans puzzle over why teams take unexpected tactics or why their favorite jammer got sent to the box.  Their inability to understand the changing game can affect how much they enjoy being a spectator.

The evolving of the rule set is just a necessary part of the evolution of roller derby.  As our sport becomes more mature, we need more robust rules.  As teams push the limits of the rules, holes are found that need to be corrected to avoid unfair advantages.  As more referees are needed, clear, detailed rules need to be written down to ensure accurate and consistent enforcement.  Thoughtful consideration and revision of the rule set will eventually lead to better play by teams and more enjoyment by fans–even if it’s painful for everyone in the short term.

The quote at the beginning of this post was taken from an essay written by humorist Robert Benchley around 1930 about another sport that was in its early years of gaining popularity.  The title is, “Football Rules or Whatever They Are.”  I think football managed to survive its growing pains of rule revisions and so can roller derby.  Maybe one day we’ll have mega pop stars having wardrobe malfunctions during the half-time show of our national championships!  I’m willing to suffer through a lot more rule changes for that!

Twas the eve before bout day,
And all through my brain,
My mind it was racing,
Faster than the fastest train.

Did I pack all my things?
Did I wash my gear?
What if a lace breaks?
How will I get there?!

The thoughts come unbidden
Making the night restless
Red eyed and bleary, I rise and swear,
Curse you bout day brain! How the hell can I skate with no sleep! Why can’t I ever F&#$ing sleep before a bout!?

So, bout day has crept up on you and now you are in a panic. (I know I do it!) You’re stuck in your head, thinking of all the things you did or did not do, running through drills, plays, skills, and you cannot get calm.

Well, at least you think you can’t.
Eventually, at least I hope, you will see you can form a little routine that will help you stop thinking so harshly about yourself. I hope to help you find that routine, and it all starts, once again… with your mind.

We really need to find the key that fits.

Take a second to think about any of the sporting events you have been to where you can see the athletes before they hit the court/track/field. What are they doing? Some have headphones on and are rocking through pushups and jumping jacks, some are laying on the ground or floor with their eyes closed, and some are gearing up so slowly that it seems they are just sitting there with one skate on and a wrist guard half strapped into place.

I have a few seemingly silly routines that I am going to share with you.

First: The night before. I drink ridiculous amounts of water through the day before a bout. Excessive amounts? Maybe. And yes, I go to the bathroom a lot the night before a bout. I also eat a healthy, yet carbohydrate fueled, dinner. And no alcohol at all for at least 72 hours. Which, when you consider a bouting and practice schedule… means I do not drink anymore.
Next: I go to bed early enough where I will not have to set my alarm. Usually around 10 or 11pm. Early for a Friday, sure. But, worth the extra Zzzz’s in the end. Waking up without an alarm is actually a road to all around better sleep. Because 10pm is my normal “bed time”, it is not a problem for me to get up by 8:30am on the weekends. My body knows, but if yours doesn’t… you may have some sleep training to do!

And now Bout Day!
In the morning, I have coffee, take an extra long and extra hot shower, and try to get a high protein/high carb breakfast. Usually that means OJ, a Bagel with Egg & Bacon, and fruit.  The bacon is for my soul, because you need to feed your soul on bout day! No, really!
After all that, I am in my uniform! Sure, it might be 10:15am, and I might have 2-4 hours before I need to leave the house, but hell… I am ready! The car is packed, my gear is set, and now.. I can truly relax. I read, watch TV, read the forums or a chapter in my book, and drink more water. I like to be relaxed.
On the drive to the bout, I like to sing along and rock out to upbeat music.  I like this because it keeps me light hearted.

At the bout venue: First, I like to be early. I am almost always early. Wanna carpool with me? Best want to be early. I will gear up super slow; like snails pace. Sometimes I will run in place and walk the track without my skates. Once I have my gear on, you may find me laying on the floor with my headphones on tapping to my music. But, in my mind I am already skating. I am blocking, partnering, and really rocking the track. I then like to do a breathing exercise. I breathe in all the wonderful things about skating, and then I breathe out my nerves.

That is not me, but that is what I do: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nocklebeast/5063522023/sizes/z/in/photostream/

I like to nibble fruit when I feel relaxed, talk with my team. I may even munch a Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich!

All my Food is this level of Gourmet

Last season I led the teams I skated with (Skate Free or Die! All Stars, and the Granite Skate Troopers) in some breathing exercises. I hope to again this year. Like a team meditation! Helping them relax, helped me.
You can find simple meditations with a little help from Google or even YouTube!

Everyone has a routine for everything. As humans, we are creatures of habit. We do what makes us feel good when we need it. No, really!
So, getting rid of your bout-day-jitters is all up to you in the long run. Eventually you will find something that helps you get your heart out of your throat, and untie that stomach knot. Last post and this post, I will recommend again the book The Mind Gym. It may be just what your brain needs!

Now… get out there… and skate!

If you pour a beer into a bag of Fritos and then chuck it into back alley dumpster full of rotten apples, close the lid and let it sit for a year, I imagine the resulting odor would approximate the unique scent of roller derby gear. Some people wear the fragrant essence of derby as a badge of honor; a gold medal for hard skating. These people need to cut the shit.

“UGH! Who is smuggling roadkill in their sports bra?” an annoyed skater may ask.
“Teehee! It’s me! Goodness, my gear smells like that old bowl of chicken ramen I found under my bed on dorm move-out day!” says the offending skater. Are you kidding me? My eyes are watering, not because I am sad about roadkill, but because of the little green wavy stink waves emanating from wrist guards. How can people let this to continue to happen? “Heehee! It’s my secret weapon! With this elbow pad stench, no one will come within 2 feet of me on the track!” Comedy? This joke isn’t funny anymore!

Let’s look at the cold, foul facts: When we play roller derby, we sweat a ton. Sweat does not smell. But when warm sweat is mixed with the entire bacteria ecosystem living on the surface of our skin, we enter stankonia (noun: Land of unpleasant smells, unrelated to OutKast). Your gear is all-inclusive, hedonistic resort for sweat and bacteria to mingle and multiply to make bacteria babies who then go to Stank University to experiment with bacteria bongs and multiply some more. Congratulations! You are basically a walking biohazard! Yuck! Do you use your gear bag as a weapon of mass olfactory destruction? Gross! Is all of my shaming working?

“I’m grossed out but I’m so broke! I can’t afford to wash gear!” Okay, I get this. I live in an apartment without a washer and dryer. Lugging everything to the laundromat is a huge hassle and then paying $2+ a load makes me mad about the pressure to be clean at all times. But I refuse to be a hypocrite, so I devised a way to clean my gear at my apartment. Here’s a how-to:

BROKE GIRL GEAR CLEANING
Time: It’s going to take 24+ hours for your gear to dry (depending on general humidity) so make sure you do this in a small lull in your practice/bouting schedule.

Supplies:
-Bathtub with running hot water (Sorry, Clampetts)
-Maybe you can use the sink if you don’t have a tub
-Cleaning gloves
-Rag towels (use the ones you ruined during that exhausting Manic Panic phase you had)
-Pants hangers (optional)
-Sweater rack (optional)

Cleaning solutions (choose any combination or one or more!):
-White vinegar
-Vodka (Really? You want to use something you could drink? Okay…)
-Isopropyl/Rubbing Alcohol (Same effect as vodka except it’s cheaper and you cannot drink this)
-Baking soda
-Bleach
-Laundry detergent
-Essential oils (If you are a hippy)

Here’s my arsenal:

Ceramic owl optional.

Do it up!

• Close the drain to the bath and start running some hot water. Fill tub at least halfway.
• Alternative for tiny apartments: Fill up the sink!
• If you have knee pads with removable caps (like 187s), take them off. The Velcro is pretty heavy-duty but you can pry them off with a little elbow grease.
• Put in about ½ cup of all of the cleaning solutions you use.
• • If you use laundry detergent, put in enough for 1 load of laundry.
  • If you use essential oil just put in a few drops, I guess. I don’t know what the deal is with this stuff.
• Throw your gear in. If you are gagging, submerge gear in the soapy water and flee the room.
• Grab a beer from the fridge and drink it.
• • Alternative for the beerless: Wine!
  • Alternative for the wineless: Vodka cocktail!
  • Alternative for people who don’t drink alcohol: Carbonated high fructose corn syrup!
  • Also known as soda.
• Watch some youtube videos of puppies until you’re done drinking your beer.
• Poke your head into the bathroom and if you are still unable to breathe, wrap one of the rag towels around your nose and mouth.
• Do you have some spray air freshener? Maybe that will help.
• Put your cleaning gloves on because you are about to murder some stank and you don’t want to leave any fingerprints.
• Swish the gear around the tub (sink?). You really want to create the atmosphere of an actual washing machine here – swish with great vigor and gusto.
  

  Swish!

• Are you done swishing? You are not. Continue swishing.
• Pull the drain on the tub (sink?) and start running the hot water.
• Rinse each piece of gear thoroughly and squeeze the excess water out.

• Lay gear on a towel. Use another towel to absorb more excess water from the gear.
  

  Towel dry!

• When you air-dry your gear it will still drip water onto the floor. Solution: put your sweater rack in the tub and lay the gear on the sweater rack.
  

  Voila!

• Alternative: Put all gear on pants hangers and hang from shower curtain. You’ll need to lay out some towels on the floor because it will drip!
• Alternative: Hang gear outside on balcony.

**BONUS ROUND: Clean your gross mouth guard!

• Rinse your mouth guard under warm running water.
• Take your toothbrush and put a little bit of toothpaste on it.
• Brush your mouth guard as if they were teeth!
• Rinse excess toothpaste.
• Minty fresh!

PREVENTION
Eventually, you will have to clean your gear. There’s no way around it! You are so doomed! Here are some tips for preventing the smell from creeping back so you can go longer in between cleanings:

- Air out all of your gear after practice. Oh you’re tired? Well so am I – tired of you smelling bad. Physically take your gear out of your bag, secure them on pants hangers and hang them somewhere to safely dry out. If you can’t bring yourself to do that, just dump your gear bag on the floor and hope for the best.

-If you’re feeling ambitious, spray some stuff on the gear that is airing out. Febreze, old body spray from that gift basket you got at Christmas, rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, etc.

-You can make little odor-eating satchels to put in your gear bag. Put some baking soda in an old orphan sock (or cut some fabric from a retired pair of tights) and secure the bundle with an elastic band.

-Shower. Just wash yourself, it helps.

Photos by me and my hipster brick

Bobbi (left, with pivot cover); Ovie (right, with green socks)

Bobbi Gore – Nightmares on Elm Street – #1972      

Game Ovaries – Seabrook Meltdowns – #PM5 
(Tiara thinks her number should have been 28 days!)

While I usually profile one skater each month, this is a special occasion and you get TWO for the price of one.  Bobbi and Ovie are individuals who just happened to come to NHRD as a “package deal”.  And it doesn’t hurt that they are buddies!  So forgive me the indulgence of this double whammy…

You two are the comeback kids!  You tried out last season, but that didn’t work out. You came to us and became NSO’s – learning the game from all angles.  And still practicing when you could with the goal of being a skater.  AND YOU DID IT!  What’s the journey been like for you?

BOBBI:  AWESOME…seriously.  After the tryouts ended last year and I got my email that I didn’t make it I was a little down and out, but then I got a second email from Slam I Am basically saying, hey you can stick around if you want, on one condition, you learn stats. I was thinking the same thing Ovie was and when she texted me about what my plan was.  I told her I would be completely down with staying around. We talked to Woody and GoGo at an open skate, they told us to come to a practice, we did, and from there it’s been nothing but puppies, rainbows, and unicorns (mixed in with a smidge of glitter). Going to practices was great, we got a chance to skate and observe some of the skills and drills the girls in the league need to learn, increase our derby knowledge, and NSO with the greatest group of officials ever to walk this planet. Last year with NHRD was one of the most positive and life changing experiences I’ve ever had and I can’t even imagine what 2012 will have in store.

OVIE:  It’s been a journey all right, and a long one at that. It’s been a year since becoming part of the New Hampshire Roller Derby league and wonderful things have been happening left and right. Here’s a little time line for you:

• January/February 2011 : NHRD freshmeat tryouts and didn’t make the cut
• February-April 2011: Skated at open skates at various locations/ trying to master the skills we were known at the tryouts
• April-October 2011: Learned how to be a NSO and also shadowed refs.
• November-December 2011: Attended both NHRD freshmeat bootcamp/ freshmeat training
• December 2011: Passed the Level 1 assessments
• January 2012: Passed the Level 2 assessments and became an OFFICIAL SKATER of NHRD!!!!!

Throughout all the months, I have been given the pleasure of meeting and getting to know the amazing, talented people of NHRD. I can’t say it enough how everyone has been so supportive to me. I’ve attended the bout after parties and even little after practice get togethers which have made me feel so welcomed and appreciated. Being on this league has made me feel like just another member of this huge, loving family. This journey of mine is far from over and even more awesome things will be coming my way. All I can say is.. I’M READY!

Bobbi, you’ve had a little experience skating in the past.  But what about you Ovie?  And which one of you convinced the other to join derby?

BOBBI:  Well, I skated, but I was never very good just kind of fearless. Playing street hockey I would be the first one to put myself between the other player and the ball without any hesitation. I was sitting in my cube at work, miserable, and the next thing I know I get a text from Ovie saying “Hey I’m trying out for NHRD you should too,” (or at least that’s what it said in my head). I had talked and talked and talked for years about how I was going to try out for NHRD. Seriously, when the league was forming I was at Eastern Boarder and on my way out I see the flyer, took down the phone number, and was totally planning on doing it until I realized I was broke and didn’t have a ride to practice. In 2010 Mr. Gore bought me a pair of skates for Valentine’s Day, and I went skating three times before tryouts, scattered throughout the year. Needless to say the night of tryouts I was awful and not really too surprised when I got my email within the week telling me to keep trying. In other words good old Game Ovaries gave me  the kick in the rear. I needed to stop talking and just do it and she was there by my side.

OVIE:  No skating experience for me. The last time I laced up a pair of roller skates was when I was 7 years old; not to mention they were Barbie roller skates (man, I wish I still had those). I skated a little when I was a pre-teen. I remember my middle school would do Wednesday night field trips to Roller Kingdom. At that time the “cool” thing was to rollerblade. Roller-skating was out of the picture. I never really skated after middle school, so I haven’t skated for 12 years. With my new found interest of roller derby and finding out when the next NHRD try outs were back in December 2011, I decided that maybe I should put skates on to even see if I was able to skate at all. I went to Roller Kingdom one busy Saturday afternoon and rented some roller skates and got on the track. What an experience that was. There were little kids and crazy teenagers EVERYWHERE just whizzing by me. I had to hold my boyfriend’s arm the entire time I was out there. Immediately after that short tippy-tumble skating session, I went straight to Bruised Boutique and bought a freshmeat package which included everything I needed in order to try out. I said to myself “Why not?! If I don’t like it, I’ll sell the skates and gear”. I skated only 3 or 4 times before the 2011 tryouts. At the 2011 tryouts, I was doing drills and things that I’ve never done or even seen someone else do on skates before. I looked like a deer in headlights.  It’s really incredible how far I’ve come with my skating; from holding onto my boyfriend for my dear life to skating on my own and applying different skills and techniques that I’ve learned along the way.  (No truer words were ever said! -Tiara)  Like Bobbi said, I was the one to text her and say LET’S DO THIS! I had no idea she wanted to try out in the past or even owned skates. Going into tryouts with Bobbi by my side was very helpful. She was my rock that day and has been ever since.

You guys had the best attitudes I’ve ever seen in derby.  Always positive.  Always willing to help out wherever you were needed.  It was easy to tell you two were in this for the long haul.

BOBBI:  Aww  thanks Tiara! It’s easy to be willing to help when you are surrounded by people who are so encouraging and helpful. Everyone made NSO-ing fun — not that we didn’t take it seriously because we did — but you, Jitter, Woody, GoGo, and everyone else made it so much fun. Everyone had a great attitude and wanted to be there which made me want to stick around.

OVIE:  Even though I didn’t make it to the next level of freshmeat training, I still had a great feeling about this league. In the email that said I wasn’t considered to advance to training; it stated that I was AWESOME and there were other things that I could help with so I would be part of the league. The email also said that I needed more skating to become more comfortable on my feet. There was no doubt about that. So what did Bobbi and I do? We went to open skate nights! We practiced the skills that we were introduced to in tryouts since they were still fresh in our mind. Sunday nights we hit up Roller Kingdom and Thursday nights we went to Skateland and sometimes Chez Vous. Sunday nights at Roller Kingdom had to be my favorite time to skate. There were NHRD skaters and refs always there skating around; oh, how I envied them! I remember when I was introduced to Woody Yankabitch (NHRD referee) one Sunday night. We got to talking and he asked “why don’t you NSO/ref while you wait for the next round of tryouts?”  Bobbi and I took up Woody’s offer and we got to NSO and shadow refs for the 2011 season with the best Zebros ever! We attended freshmeat bootcamp and training and here we are now, skaters for NHRD!

Talk a little about scrimmaging.  Are the butterflies gone?  Were there any to begin with or were you ready to take on anybody?

BOBBI:  Oh there were butterflies!  There still are butterflies! The good thing is, once that whistle blows you don’t have time for them anymore, you’re too busy worrying about making holes, getting through holes, trying to avoid people who are coming at you from all directions, and always watching for the girls you really don’t want to hit you by surprise.

OVIE:  Oh, scrimmaging!  The butterflies are far from gone (I even had butterflies when I was an NSO). Bobbi and I were talking on the phone after a practice last week on our drive home about the scrimmage we just had. (A little background — we call each other after most practices and talk to each other until the first one gets home and has to hang up). See, Bobbi is a beast on the track! She’s a hard hitter and it looks like she’s always out for blood. I’ve even seen her lift those legs of hers OVER blockers in the inside of the track to get past them!  WHAAAT?!  But back to our phone conversation, I explained to her that I’m a “reserved” skater and it seems like I kind of hold back a little. I over-think in scrimmages and when trying to break through the pack as a jammer that I sometimes don’t get through at all!  Major bummer on my part. At our most recent practice, we had to do a positional blocking/recycling exercise. There were 3-4 blockers and 1 jammer. The drill was more about the blockers working on recycling themselves while the jammer tried to break through them. When it was my turn to be the jammer, I started to over-think and wasn’t able to get through the pack. I let my nerves and those stupid butterflies get the best of me. I had to stop after a couple goes and ask my group “HOW DO I GET THROUGH YOU GUYS?!”. My partners showed me some techniques and gave some awesome advice. I used what they told me and what did I do? I got through them… multiple times! I was stoked! After that drill we had a couple jams/scrimmaging scenarios. I volunteered to be the jammer! So what did I do? I forgot about the butterflies and I GOT THROUGH THE PACK MORE THAN ONCE! I think those butterflies will come and go throughout my skating career. If and when they decide to show up, I’ll just need to tell them to take a hike!

You are obviously good friends.  How did you meet?  What other crazy stuff have you done together besides derby?

BOBBI:  Our boyfriends are actually really close friends and have been for years. I met Ovie in a house that was lovingly dubbed “The Manor.” I’m pretty sure she thought I was a huge you-know-what, which I wouldn’t be surprised by because most people think that before they get to know me. I’m pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that I’m tall, loud, have absolutely no shame, and am a little blunt. (Bobbi, any girl that can admit they have no shame is KLASSY in my book! -Tiara)  One of my funny Bobbi and Ovie stories is about this time we went to a Bruins’ game and this guy just kept yelling about Tampa’s goalie being “GAAAAAAHBAGE,” for those of you who don’t speak Bostonian that would be ‘garbage.’ Anyway, in the second period he started making up his own chants and I started doing what I do best… I started heckling him. I started chanting everything from Filene’s Basement to Necco Wafers and every other New England classic in between. I don’t necessarily know that Mr. Gaaaaaaaaahbage ever caught on but as soon as “Necco Wafers” came out of my mouth Ovie almost peed her pants. On top of all of this, it was Ovie’s goal to get on the Garden HDX screen. Every time a camera came to our section she was standing on seats, waving her arms, making a scene… and it worked, it totally worked. This is why I like her, she makes me feel funny and she also has no shame.

OVIE:  As Bobbi said, our boyfriends have been good friends for years. Whenever there were parties and get-togethers, Bobbi and I would both be there but wouldn’t even talk. Can you believe that?! So I’ve known of Bobbi for 8 years and seeing her here and there but never really started up a conversation. My other friend was going to try out with me last January but she got busy with life, as we all do, and it wasn’t a good time for her to take on something like this. I voiced to my boyfriend that I was nervous going into this alone. He mentioned Bobbi (well, Michelle at the time before she turned into her alter-ego of Bobbi Gore). I sent her a message and she got back immediately saying “YES! MY BOYFRIEND BOUGHT ME SKATES LAST YEAR AND I’VE BEEN TELLING MYSELF TO TRY OUT BUT NEVER WENT ALONG WITH IT!”. We got together to go to open skates and got to know each other little by little. Now look at us — we are joined at the hip! She even lets me give her hugs!!  Anytime we are together hanging out we are always saying crazy stuff and just enjoying each other! I couldn’t ask for a better derby wife and a longtime friend.

You’ve faced a lot of challenges in the last year.  What’s the next hurdle to conquer?

Bobbi:  My mental breaks, hands down. I need to remind myself when I’m tired that, yeah you’re tired, but you haven’t puked yet so you can obviously push more. When I think I had an awful night I need to make sure to think, yeah so you fell what feels like a gazillion times, but you know what?  You got up faster than you ever have before. When I’m standing next to any of the vets I need to get my game face on and at least tell myself “You know what Bobbi? You’re going to handle this jam like a boss.” Because I’ve realized that if I think anything other than this I’m just setting myself up for defeat.

OVIE:  There are probably a 100 hurdles I want to conquer this year! My top two challenges are becoming a jammer and finding my aggression. I’ve always visualized myself as a jammer even before I started skating. Don’t get me wrong, blocking is great but I want to be that girl on the track passing through everyone scoring mega points! I’ve had some successes and some personal let downs with jamming. I try not to be hard on myself but it is a little discouraging when you are jamming and you just can’t seem to break through the pack. I just need to keep telling myself that I’m still learning a lot of new things and learning how roller derby is played.  I just need to keep pushing myself and stay focused on my goal.

Something that will help me with my goal of becoming a jammer is finding my aggression. This aggression will also help my blocking skills too. A couple months ago during freshmeat training, we were told to do an exercise that I wasn’t quite getting at the time. Our trainer for the night, Madame Scurrie, looked at me and asked “Where is your aggression?”. I replied in a quiet, meek voice “I’ll try and find it”. There are moments when aggression comes over me and I put my game face on. For example during a scrimmage scenario, I was a blocker and Bobbi was the jammer on the opposing team. I could see Bobbi was about to pass me and that’s when adrenaline coursed through my veins. I knew I had to go for it and get her out! I didn’t want her passing me — no way no how! Well, Bobbi ended up passing me and boy was I peeved!  I even heard the trainers, who were in the middle of the track say “Did see Ovie’s face when Bobbi passed her?!”. I know some skaters listen to music before bouts, some meditate, and some have other ways of getting in the zone. I need to find my aggression to use it more consistently!  I’ll be able to hit girls harder, get through the pack fearlessly, and maybe even intimidate my opponents.

Ovie – In addition to everything else, you’re also a BLOGGER for NHRD.  Tell me about it?

OVIE: Yes, I am the newest member of the NHRD bloggers!  Pegasister asked me if I wanted to participate in this exciting opportunity. How could I say no to that?! She thought it would be great to have someone’s perspective on what it’s like to be a NSO and now freshmeat/rookie/meatball (as some call us). I’m not the best writer. I don’t use intelligent vocabulary words and my grammar is probably off.  (Stop it, Ovie! -Tiara)  However, this is going to give me the chance to tell people who I am and about my life as a rookie. My blogs might consist of how I felt after difficult or awesome practices and subjects such as what I’m having problems with skating and even my accomplishments. My blog is going to be great for those who are interested in joining a roller derby team/league. Everyone has to start somewhere, and I personally had to start from the bottom and I’ve have been trying to make it to the top ever since. So look out for my future blogs!

BOBBI:  I just want to put this on record… Ovie, I’m so proud of you!  You never gave up and you never got upset when I gave you some tough love. I’m super excited that you get to blog because I feel like you’re going to inspire a bunch of new girls to just go out there and get it done. There is no one else I would rather be paired with than you, Ms. Game Ovaries!

I know this is Roller Derby, and we’re supposed to be tough and all that, but this has been one of those times when the people I’m talking to are so sincere and honest that it made me smile throughout.  Definitely a “FEEL GOOD” story of the year!  NHRD has much love and mad respect for both of you!  Good luck!

When you’ve lost sight of your goals (or forgot you should have some.)

Somewhere, somehow, I’ve managed to fall off the horse…And at this point it feels like the horse kept running and now is out of sight.

This is a post about goals. It’s probably the most overdone topic in derby blogging, so I apologize in advance for my lack in creative topic choice. But, it’s what’s been on my brain for the past two months, and it’s what’s kept me from writing something else. Bear with me.

Those who know me and those who’ve read my previous posts know how much I love derby, how much it’s changed my life, and how much focus, energy, and enthusiasm I pour into it. It is literally my driving force, the only thing I’ve ever really cared about in this way, and the thing that’s made me most proud of myself for doing in all my life. (I’ve been called “neurotic” in regards to my relationship to derby; Somehow that was the ultimate compliment in my book.) But lately things have changed. The honeymoon of my rookie year has ended, and I’m left feeling, well, feeling pretty darn lost. I think of myself right now as one of those wind-up toys that are a pair of chattering teeth with feet that clickity clack around when set down. It’s absurd, makes no sense, has no direction, and is ultimately forgotten eventually in a drawer somewhere. That’s how I feel. Well, minus the drawer part. Derby presently feels obligatory, tiring, and has lost its excitement. I know I love this, but I’m not loving it right now. What’s causing this, and what the heck do I do to get out of the gutter here? I want the old Arrow back, the one who managed to skate 5 days a week. The Arrow who posted hundreds of posts on the forums every month. The Arrow who said “this is worth it” every single time that she skated. Where did she go?

Some would say that it’s burnout and that I need to take a break, but I actually think it’s the exact opposite: I think I need to skate more. But I think the issue is more specific than that; I need to skate with a purpose. I need a big-picture goal. Sure, learning to turn in my non-dominant direction is a current (and impossible-seeming!) goal, but what is it that I’m working towards ultimately? When I was a potential freshmeat preparing to try out, learning to skate was my goal. When I got onto a league, becoming good enough to be teamed was my goal. And throughout my rookie year I had all kinds of other goals, mostly around not dying on the track and minimizing how much of a doofus I looked like in public venues. (I remember feeling like I’d accomplished something huge when, towards the end of the season, I starting seeing bout photos of myself where I was **doing something**  …you know, besides just skating in a circle.) This fall my goal in the off-season was to train up freshies well enough so that they could play roller derby, too. Through an insane amount of sacrifice and dedication, I’ve met these big-picture goals and then some. The amount of smaller goals I’ve accomplished is staggering. It’s been amazing to watch hard work pay off; I’ve never seen such evidence that it does than in my own derby career. And while I may not ever be again willing to maintain the level of absolute mania that was required to get me through my first year on skates, it never occurred to me that I’d suddenly get lazy because I hadn’t realized that I need to be working towards something. Who knew?

In January I did something awesome- I flew to Texas, by myself, to attend a three-day clinic run by DeRanged, Psycho Babble, Ecko, and Hockey Honey.

I knew getting to train with a bunch world-class athletes was going to be intimidating but amazing. And it was both of those things! But the thing that has affected me most wasn’t the skating, actually. It was one story Ecko told during an off-skates session. This story has absolutely haunted me ever since; I think of it every day. She was telling the group about the importance of having goals and realizing what you need to do, what sacrifices you need to make, to reach those goals. She explained that Pikes Peak Derby Dames are practically down the street from where she lives, but that she, DeRanged, and Psychobabble all carpool 1.5 hours to practice and 1.5 hours home in order to skate with Rocky Mountain because their goal is to play at a nationally competitive level; their local league can’t provide that. It was the first time since I started skating that I realized I don’t know what my goals are. And without a clear idea of what my goals are, how will I know if I am working towards meeting them? Roller derby existential crisis, begin.

I never had considered that I’d ever need a goal grander than just playing roller derby in the first place; Now I’d been doing that for a year. What do you do when you’ve worked really REALLY REALLY hard for something and then you achieve it? What is next after that? I’ve been actually literally driving the 1.5 hours myself, from home to practice, for the past year in order to meet my roller derby goals…but now I don’t have a goal, and without that, my sacrifices aren’t clearly reasonable anymore. Suddenly I feel lost, displaced. I’ve watched my horse gallop toward the horizon.

Knowing that I need goals has been the first step in pulling them into focus. I’ve been working really hard at thinking through what kind of athlete I aim to be in six months. In 12 months. In 2 years. I’m asking myself what I’m willing to do to get there. It’s a difficult project if you do it right, but I am convinced there is no better life than one full of impossible, immense, and lofty goals. Make them.

Ask yourself: What is my 1.5 hours? How far am I willing to go? How much am I willing to do? What is worth it to me?  If the answers are easy, then you’re asking yourself the wrong questions.

Surround yourself with people that will hear you state your goals aloud, will support you in your decisions, and will hold you accountable for your own progress. You may find that roller derby fits differently into your life now that it did before; that doesn’t mean it has no place. I may never want to skate 5 days a week again, and that’s OK. I need to evaluate what DOES work for me. Re-imagine derby’s place in my life, in accordance with my goals. I know I can figure out how to make my life work with all the pieces I want included in it. It is possible.

I will not accept that I’ve stopped loving the thing that I love best; I am working to find a way to get that love back. I’m sure with roller derby that means working harder, working more, working differently.

I am currently mapping my route. I no longer feel like I’m directionless, chattering, wind-up teeth with feet. I am navigating, but I am not lost; I’m absolutely on my way.

If you’ve fallen off and can no longer see your horse, then run in the direction in which you last saw him. Don’t give up or get lazy. Keep your legs moving and your gaze firmly fixed on the horizon; You will eventually catch that horse.

WFTDA recommends Fox 40 whistles for referees.  These are special whistles that don’t have any little balls in them so you get a crisp, clear note.  This prevents referees and skaters from mistaking the warble in conventional whistles for the 4-short blasts ending the jam.  The Fox whistles are also louder than conventional whistles, important at loud bouts.  Fox now makes a Sonic model that’s even louder. (Hard to imagine, I know!)

Being able to hear whistles clearly during bouts is important.  However, I often leave scrimmages with my ears ringing until the next morning.  It’s bad enough that I avoid “echoing” end of jam signals, which is technically against official operating procedures.  (Echoing is when the refs repeat the 4 whistle blasts that ended the jam to ensure all skaters heard it.)  The ringing is especially bad on nights when I’m acting as a jam ref because I have to blow my own whistle a lot or when I’m the front inside pack ref because I stand next to the jam timer at the start of the jam.  I’m pretty sure going home with ringing ears a couple times a week is not good for my hearing.

The simple answer is to wear ear plugs.  I’ve tried this, and it does work.  Unfortunately, it works too well.  I can’t hear the NSO’s or my fellow refs talking to me. I’ve even tried special ear plugs that supposedly only cut out high frequencies.  You probably don’t notice–and definitely can’t hear at a bout–that referees talk to each other a lot.  For example, pack refs suggest minor penalties on jammers to the jam refs when their view is blocked, pack refs double check what they saw with each other before calling penalties, and there’s a constant dialog to capture penalties with the NSO’s.  Jam refs have to talk to each other a lot to convey lap points and lead jammer status.  I miss too much information to be effective as a ref when wearing ear plugs.

Have any other refs out there or people with loud hobbies where communication is still important found a solution to this problem?  My ears will thank you!