18th Nov - Gotham Girls Roller Derby Finals

In New York there arises some pretty amazing opportunities if you keep you're eyes open. Rachel was in her favourite second-hand clothing store and came across a flyer advertising the roller derby season. So last night we went to Harlem and watched the Gotham Girls Roller Derby Finals. Very enjoyable. I even bought the T-shirt.

I didn't know any of the rules, but during the course of the game I managed to figure out that I wouldn't understand them when I left either. The game consists of tough looking girls racing around a track as fast as they can and periodically smashing into one other. Occasionally a player will be hit with just the right amount of timing and force to send them hurtling into the courtside crowd. The audience members who enjoy this more than anyone else are always sitting right beside those who are on the receiving end of the impact.

This is Suzy Hotrod, captain of the aptly named Queens Of Pain team. Note the red hair, tattoos, and brightly decorated helmet. All these things are like moth to a flame for my little darling Rachel and she's determined to give it a bash, so to speak, one day.

















Speed McQueen, from the Bronx Gridlock. Her red fishnet stockings were already ripped before the match began. That's just her look.

Bronx won the match (and the championship) 95-90.