Katie

Etsy!

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:36:03 GMT

... is like crack. Seriously. You can pretty much find anything you want. If you can't, then chances are someone will make it for you.

Here are some awesome people I've been talking with & the awesome stuff they have in their shops:

Spamberly - works at MIT, but I'll look past that for now cause she's pretty cool
spamberly.etsy.com

HelloCrafty - I want some button soap. just because it looks so cool.
hellocrafty.etsy.com

leeleeoh7 - lives out in Buffalo... only the people who live there and National Grid employees know how depressing that can be sometimes ;)
leeleeoh7.etsy.com

Surrender Dortothy/Her Royal Majesty Bags - she has two shops and lives up in a small town in Maine that I've actually been to before
surrenderdorothy.etsy.com

Krystan - lives in Providence! and her boyfriend lives in Worcester. she should stop and make burritos sometime when she's driving up there. (just kidding) (not really) (ok maybe) :D
krystan.etsy.com

AllegroArts - lives down in St Louis and is male, which is considered the minority on Etsy (like girls at WPI, but worse).
allegroarts.etsy.com

lollibomb - has the best smelling stuff. seriously.
lollibomb.etsy.com

And then there are a couple of the Providence Roller Derby girls who are also on Etsy:

Jailbird Jenny jennybradley.etsy.com

and a newbie, Julie juliebcreative.etsy.com

and then of course there's mine: kcroteau.etsy.com
but it looks a little empty right now. I blame the sun for that. I prefer to take pictures of my stuff in natural light, and the only time I'm home when the sun is out is on the weekends. But I have stuff that I'll be adding this weekend! Yay!

ok, back to browsing and chatting.

oh, and getting some "real work" done too, I suppose.

macs

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:02:46 GMT

all computers used on a regular basis in the house are now all run with leopard.

my laptop, ryan's laptop, and ryan's desktop are all apple machines.

the dell desktop used with the projector downstairs and now my dell desktop both have leopard on them.

comments that are better left unsaid. cause I didn't want to hear them:

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:14:08 GMT

me walking around on crutches
Some lady at work: Ooo, that must stink to walk around on those. Especially in the snow!

what I should have said: actually, walking on crutches is so much fun, I think I'll call up Tom King (our US CEO) and have him mandate the use of crutches for ALL employees! Don't you think that'll be a good idea?

===============================================================================

me walking in the Wal-Mart parking lot on my crutches. while its snowing.
Random lady: ooo be careful! Its snowing!

... no shit, lady.

===============================================================================

me looking at a website of a company who sells industrial blowers (fans)
co-worker: doing some research on fans?

what I should have said: yeah, I need a new ceiling fan at home for the kitchen - I just can't seem to cook anything without it burning!

not too surprising:

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:09:29 GMT

78% John Edwards
77% Hillary Clinton
77% Barack Obama
74% Chris Dodd
70% Bill Richardson
67% Dennis Kucinich
64% Mike Gravel
63% Joe Biden
50% John McCain
46% Rudy Giuliani
43% Mitt Romney
43% Tom Tancredo
42% Mike Huckabee
30% Fred Thompson
24% Ron Paul

2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz

my office

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:03:28 GMT

is so cold!

I'm gonna put my hat and mittens on just to hopefully stay a little warmer.

hey Mark

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:39:06 GMT

Yes, you, xb95 .

Go work at Etsy. And then get me a job. They're only hiring nerdy people like you right now. But then you'll need me to fill you in on how cool the site is and how fun making things is.

http://blog.etsy.com/jobs/index.html

Ok, so get on that. Thanks.

;D

surrrrrrgerrrrrrrrry

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:54:40 GMT

sucks. I hate crutches.

In other sucky news, our office is being relocated to Waltham!

ugh.

the electric utility is full of

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:57:29 GMT

Dirty old men.

I was in a Low-Voltage Distribution Networks class on Tuesday. I didn't return after the afternoon coffee break. The instructor saw me later that night at the reception...
"You didn't come back to my class this afternoon."
"Yeah, I'm sorry. It just all started to blend together after a while."
"That's ok, I understand. You know, I'm going to be giving a 3-day course at National Grid in December."
"Oh, I'm signed up for that. I didn't know you'd be teaching it. I guess I'll see you then. But I'll be on crutches."
"Why's that?"
"I'm having sugery on my ankle."
"What happened to it?"
"The bones didn't form correctly when I was growing."
"Well the rest of you came out fine."

sheesh.

And then another guy was following all the young female engineers around during the entire seminar (3 days). He claimed he was "networking." Yeah, if networking = stalking. Some of the engineers I ate dinner with Tuesday night suggested I find a big fake engagement ring to wear to seminars and conferences. Funny that its all the old creepy guys who follow us female engineers around... not the guys who are actually our age.

people who ride motorcycles are so nice

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:12:50 GMT

when they're on their motorcycles, that is.

when I was riding around this weekend there were a lot of other people out on their bikes too. a lot of them would wave to me - just because I was also on a bike.

you never see people doing that while driving their cars.

it was kind of nice. to have people being nice to each other.

secret wishes

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:21:45 GMT

they exist. but they're like birthday wishes - if you tell them to anyone, they won't come true.

...right?

what's the third thing?

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:44:13 GMT

bad things come in 3s, right? so what's the 3rd?

1. my Papa passed away last Friday night/early Saturday morning. he went in his sleep which I always think is the best way to go.
2. I have to have surgery to fix my ankle problem I've had since middle school.
3. ? (hopefully I won't have to find out)

yup

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:08:03 GMT

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in "Fine."

4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't do it!

5. Loud Sigh: This is not actually a word, but a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6. That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. "That's okay" means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome.

8. Whatever: Is a women's way of saying "Fuck you!"

9. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to #3.

Luckily I don't really have to use these too often. :) All thanks to the zebras & indians. haha

Can you tell its summer? :)

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:52:15 GMT

Concerts/Events list so far:

May 19 -- Graduation
May 25 -- PRD bout
May 29 -- Red Sox game
June 30 -- PRD bout (& my favorite cousin's bday)
July 12 -- Tool concert
July 20 -- PRD bout
July 22 -- Red Sox game
August 1 -- Dave Matthews Band concert
August 2 -- Dave Matthews Band concert
August 17 -- Counting Crows, Live, Collective Soul concert
August 24 -- PRD bout

hmm, the concert list seems a little short this year... I'll have to work on that :)

Work

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:43:14 GMT

Is boring.

I've been sitting here in my cube for the past week trying to think of other jobs I'd like to have besides this one.

I think the real reason why I took this job was because it was my only job offer. I thought I didn't have a choice since I needed some sort of income to be able to pay bills.

I don't like having a desk job.

Yes, once in a while I get to do some more interesting things - NOT in the office - but its not as often as I'd like. My best job was still when I worked for PSNH and basically got paid to hike. Once my alarm went off in the morning, I would immediately get out of bed because I was actually excited to be going to work.

Now that I have this job, I actually use my snooze button and set more than one alarm to prolong the process of getting out of bed. I never used to do that. Even for school - I was more excited to go to class in the morning than come to this job. The only days that I immediately get out of bed are when I know I won't be in the office.

I want a job where I can be outside a lot of the time.

I want a job where I can be proud of my work. When I do work here, it doesn't seem to go anywhere... yeah, my boss will say "Good job" but then it just gets placed aside or forgotten for a while. Its kind of depressing after a while if you keep doing work and you don't see any real results or praises.

I want a job where I am actually making something. Like being a pastry chef or a seamstress. There's a dress shop in downtown Uxbridge that I would love to work in - I don't care if I'd be cutting patterns out or doing just the initial piecing. I'd actually be doing something for a change. And in the end, I'd be making people happy and they'd actually appreciate my work.

I'm worried that if I completely change what I do for a living, I'd feel like I'm throwing away my degrees. Or that my parents will be upset since they helped pay for my BS degree.

I know that most people don't like their jobs. I know I'll probably be here for a little while longer just to get some experience... but I don't know if that'll really help since I don't think I want to stay in this field.

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 23:05:22 GMT

before:

after:

The 2nd picture is after the new roof & windows went on/in and obviously after we ripped out all the old bushes.

More pics here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ryanjmclaughlin/HouseDemolition
and here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ryanjmclaughlin/HouseRenovationsPhase2

i love the support roller derby people have for each other

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 12:50:18 GMT

First of all, one of the other newbies' husbands died the other night. Perfectly healthy 34 year old. Heart attack. We're all pulling stuff together for Fernanda. :(

Second of all, I thought I'd share this:

Skater girls? I'll see ya later girls
By Mike Seate
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, March 28, 2007

For the second time in recent weeks, a hipster friend of mine has invited me to check out a roller derby tournament. Why anyone who knows my "Masterpiece Theater"-watching, in-bed-by-11, Sunday-morning-antique-shopping butt thinks that I'd be entertained by a "sport" where tattooed girls dress up like car hops and beat each other senseless is beyond me.

But that's what friends are for -- they've always got some way to introduce us to things we don't want to experience.

And in that category, roller derby is right up there at the top. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not opposed to folks who deserve one getting the odd bloody nose and fat lip. And I find absolutely nothing objectionable about roller skating, despite the damage done to it during the disco years.

It's just when the two concepts are combined, the results are, well, to paraphrase the Geico commercials, so lowbrow a caveman would find it in bad taste.

Why do I despise the roller derby? Well, I happen to be old enough to remember this carnival-attraction-turned-mainstream-entertainment the first time around.

Even back then, there was nothing cool or sexy or even vaguely athletic about roller derby. But that's part of the problem with nostalgia. Whether they be neo-Nazis, neo-rockabillies or neo-roller derby enthusiasts, people tend to ignore the ugly parts of a pop culture epoch, choosing instead to view them through the rose-colored cat-glasses of revisionism.

But you know the truth? Women beating the snot out of other women isn't sexy or hip, or of all things, entertaining. Roller derby was just plain dumb entertainment for people too dumb to even know they were being insulted.

Even during its brief heyday in the early-1970s, roller derby was aimed at a certain audience -- an audience no one with three active brain cells wants to be identified with. And who were these fans? Well, remember your poor, dumb third cousin who lived in the shack out in the countryside? You know, the one who dropped out of school in the sixth grade because, at 19, she figured it was high time to settle down and start a family? The one who found it too intellectually taxing to follow the intricate plot developments and multi-level characterizations of "Hee-Haw?" Well, roller derby was created for them.

And that aunt, if she's still watching TV today, has quite likely moved on to something less sordid and violent. Like professional wrestling.

Mike Seate can be reached at mseate@tribweb.com or (724) 320-7845.

and then here are a bunch of responses... haha

Mr. Seate,

I imagine you are about to get many angry emails from the roller
derby community concerning your recent article about the sport in
the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Consider this one more to add to the
pile.

You say you despise roller derby because you remember the "carnival-
attraction-turned-mainstream-entertainment the first time around",
that "[w]omen beating the snot out of other women isn't sexy or hip,
or of all things, entertaining". You are perfectly entitled to your
own opinion, as misguided and uniformed as that opinion may be, but
when you take that opinion, dress it up as "news", and publish it
for all the world to see, you do a disservice both to yourself and
to your audience.

Today's roller derby acknowledges its roots, but does not aim to
replicate them. We've taken the parts that suit us, discarded the
ones that don't, and transformed our revival into a sport that
values hard work, athleticism, leadership, personality, dedication,
passion, and community. If you had bothered to do any research
before writing your "article" you'd know that today's roller derby
has many rules; that leagues are governed under a national
organization, the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, which works
to unify and regulate the sport through interleague bouting,
national ranking, and divisional tournaments; and that roller derby
draws to it's doors a diverse following of skaters and fans, who
often have only one thing in common - a fierce love for the sport
that you have so callously brushed aside.

I wonder if you feel the same animosity towards men's sports where
the main goal appears to be beating the snot out of each other? Do
you consider boxing a farce? Football? Rugby? The whole spectrum of
martial arts? Is seeing women play a full contact sport so
threatening to you that you must retaliate by writing slanderous
columns calling it sordid, violent, and stupid?

Low blows, but nothing we can't handle. As for you, Mr. Seate, I
suggest you get over your fear of roller derby, because it's not
disappearing any time soon.

Sincerely,
Christine Hennessey
aka
Madame Furie
Nacogdoches Rollergirls, TX

It is your prerogative to dislike roller derby; I think that is all
well and good. However, the tone of your piece was terribly
condescending and you have shown yourself to be ignorant of the
subject on which you write. You speak about roller derby as if it
is not a sport, which is utterly ridiculous. You seem unaware of
the hours of training that derby girls put in week after week and
the close team bonds skaters form with one another. Additionally,
you are ignorant of our crowd demographics. Roller derby fans are
teachers, doctors, lawyers, hippies, cops, etc. Our fan base is
vast and varied, in the same way that our team composition is vast
and varied. My team is composed of office professionals, teachers,
lawyers, mothers, and students. Roller derby has opened the world
of sports to many of us who had never played an organized sport
before.

In what way is roller derby not as legitimate as any other amateur
sport out there? Of course there are theatrics in roller derby. It
is one part sport and one part spectacle. The game is real. The
girls train hard. I'm floored that you brought up professional
wrestling in your piece, because professional wrestling couldn't be
more different than roller derby. In my opinion, today's derby is
much more like hockey. Skilled checking, hitting, and blocking;
team blocking strategy and communication; physical endurance and
strength are some of the similar aspects on the blocking side of
things. As for jammers, many of them are speed skaters who have
competed for much of their young lives. Being a jammer requires
amazing agility, the ability to remain standing when checked hard,
strategy, and pure speed.

I'm just wondering what your beef is with derby...It seems like you
don't like the derby "scene" or something. I find it amusing that
you referred to your "hipster" friend in a derogatory manner, then
went on to turn your nose up in a very "hipster-like" fashion at a
sport you fail to understand.

My call? You need to have a beer and relax. Get to know your local
team. Perhaps, ask them if you could attend a practice and
interview them for a story. I imagine you're going to get a quite
different idea about roller derby than you expressed in the piece.
It was insulting and unfair and really serves as a slap in the face
to a team that is only trying to play and excel at the sport they
love. Who said sports couldn't be creative and fun?

Callous Lily
VP, Tallahassee Rollergirls

Dear Editor,

I was sent a link to the article by Mike Seate concerning his negative description of women's roller derby. In the article he never mentions actually going to a roller derby bout, but has plenty of negative things to say about our sport, the women who play it, and the fans who support us.

He uses quotation marks around the word sport as if to imply it is not a real sport. I would like to know why he doesn't consider roller derby a sport. What defines a sport to Mr. Seate? Points are scored, strategies are used, referees keep the game fair, and there is a winner at the end of each bout. Why is this not a sport? What makes girls playing a sport in skirts different than men in tight pants chasing after an oddly shaped ball?

Despite what Mr. Seate thinks, this is a very athletic endeavor. These women train very hard every week. Endurance practice, falling drills, blocking practice, and speed training take up anywhere between 7-12 hours every week. There is no money going to league members and between dues, equipment, and travel expenses derby girls and referees pour a lot of money into keeping their grass-roots sport growing.

He refers to the concept as "lowbrow" and goes on to use some defaming and stereotypical terms to describe those interested in this SPORT as dumb country folk. There are women in my league, the Philly Roller Girls, who are doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, artists, nutritionist, graphic designers, and vetinary technicians.

I think Mr. Seate is guilty of irresponsible journalism by not getting any facts and not interviewing anyone involved in women's roller derby before he made his statements against it.

I do know that the Steel City Derby Demons are having another bout coming up April 21st. Their past two have sold out, but Mr. Seate can contact them at www.steelcityderbydemons.com and see about getting a press pass. Only after he attends a bout, will his points be valid.

Heather Fischer
Philadelphia, PA

Dear Sir,

In evaluating the snide, flippant tone it is quite clear that you are unaware of the burgeoning national roller derby mafia. Much like the Masons of the past, we are placing ourselves in very high positions in all spheres of industry, and your name has now been added to The List. At the current rate of the sport's expansion, we should warn you to begin preparing for a life of destitution, forced celibacy and rejection.

In other words, sir, you will never work in this country again.

Sincerely,

Dear Mike,

Maybe you should go and see an actual Roller Derby Bout before you embarrass yourself with another article like that. It is obvious to anyone who is involved with the current sport of roller derby, that you have absolutley no idea what you are talking about. You sound like a blonde babbling about baseball, when she's never been to a game. I bet if you went to one game, you would write a different article, one that begins with, I must apologize . . .

My two cents . . .

Carrie Ann Hilzley

Chicago, IL

Dear Mr. Seate,

Your article on Roller Derby was recently brought to my attention
and I absolutely had to respond to you assumptions and
misinformation regarding Roller Derby. First of all, Roller Derby
was not started in the 70's, it was started in the 30's by Leo
Seltzer whose son ,Jerry, later took over the family business. The
Derby was created during the time of the Depression to entertain
people who had little money and less hope.

Secondly, Roller Derby is not just "women beating the snot out of
other women" as you so eloquently put it. Roller Derby requires
endurance, teamwork, athleticism, commitment, and a love for the
sport. I am a mother, a college graduate, and yes, a derby girl. I
too may have had my own assumptions when I joined our local Roller
Derby team but those assumptions were quickly replaced with respect
for the sport and myself for my commitment to training. Roller Derby
has rules, guidelines and a national league. It is a completely
legitimate sport.

Although your childish article did give me a chuckle at your
ignorance, I also felt deeply offended by your statements. As a hard
working mother, Roller Derby has given me just the outlet I need to
continue being active and meeting new people. So, I hope you have
fun with your antique shopping and all that and leave the sports
commentary to the professionals.

IN PEACE

~Vivala Slam
Nicole Hanson

"Whether they be neo-Nazis, neo-rockabillies or neo-roller derby enthusiasts, people tend to ignore the ugly parts of a pop culture epoch, choosing instead to view them through the rose-colored cat-glasses of revisionism."

Mr. Seate, I must agree with this sentiment. If you will allow, I would like to submit a corrolary to the argument: People tend to ignore the praiseworthy parts of a pop culture epoch, choosing instead to view them through the filigreed, perched on the end of the nose, spectacles of perceived cultural superiority.

The matter is not that you dislike roller derby. No one is, nor should be, eclectic to the point of taking enjoyment in every single disparate thing that is brought to their attention. The issue is the tone in which you disparage the activity in an article that can be summed up as thus, "Roller derby is too gauche for my sophisticated tastes..."

I am an officiator for a roller derby league in the Intermountain West. (I gather that you are astute enough to recognize that the majority of dissenting viewpoints to your opinion piece will come from people involved with roller derby in some capacity or another.) It is clear that you, quite simply, have no exposure to contemporary roller derby whatsoever. As previously stated, that is your prerogative. However, to reduce the activity to (if I may paraphrase your words) "brawling tattooed girls participating in a crude display devoid of athletic merit" is a position which is factually incorrect at best, and willfully ignorant at the worst. I will not respond to your statements concerning those who would deign to watch such a "lowbrow" activity, as they play on gross stereotypes which, thankfully, do not seem to be shared by the many participants and supporters of roller derby nationwide.

I write this not in effort to change your outlook on contemporary roller derby as I suspect that your mind is firmly made up. I will also not regale you with my "pedigree" which serves to seperate me, and many others like me, as exceptions to your characterization of derby fans and participants as the unwashed masses of low-class America. I would just like to suggest that journalistic integrity demands at least some modicum of research prior to the published written word, lest there be nothing seperating your column in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review from Big John's Pitt Superfan Blog.

I bid you good day, and I wish you happy hunting in your Sunday antique shopping endeavors.
Best Regards,
Ryan Jensen
Boise, ID

Dear Mr. Seate,

I'm sure this is only one of several letters you will receive on the
subject, but I found your editorial on the resurgence of roller
derby ignorant and insulting. I don't know who you think we are
(well, I do actually...apparently you think we're ignorant trash),
but my league includes researchers, mothers, EMTs, artists,
activists, and business women. Several of my sisters in this DIY
resurgence have offered to comp you a ticket so you can see for
yourself what you're not getting. I will offer up no such thing.
It's pretty obvious you haven't bothered to actually take a close
gander at what hundreds of women all over the country have re-
created for themselves; creating an opportunity to play a contact
sport, run an organization democratically and collectively, and
build community where we all have a place on the track and can have
a good time. It's also obvious that you have no interest in learning
about it. I'm going to save my free tickets for folks that are
supportive. Now get thee to the antique mall and leave us alone.

Amy Callner

While there definitely is a lowbrow aspect to roller derby culture,
and one that I think most roller derby players and enthusiasts embrace
whole-heartedly, I would argue that there is an equally athletic side
as well. One which is more comparable to football or hockey, than
wrestling. It is part of the sport to knock your opponents down to get
them out of your way. I fail to see how this is unlike tackle
football. And there are occasional fights, but there are bench
clearing brawls in even in that most civilized sport: baseball. It is
part of creating a strong team identity to watch the backs of your
team mates and occasionally a fight can turn the tide of a game by
strengthening the resolve of a team to win.

I urge you to give the modern day DIY roller derby gals a chance to
show you that they are true athletes. I also think you might notice
that the today's roller derby audience is pretty highbrow. All of the
people I know involved in the sport today have their fair share of
brain cells at any rate. As an example I refer you to the blog of
Charm City Roller Girls referee <a
href="http://textureslut.livejournal.com/">Justice Feelgood
Marshall</a>. His coverage of the recent Dust Devil tournament in
Tucson is erudite, while describing in detail the athletic acumen of
the participants. We too enjoy antiquing and Masterpiece Theatre.

Sir,

You know not of what you speak.

If you have honestly taken the time to view the roller derby resurgence for what it is (a female-centric sport that allows women to exercise athleticism and friendly competition while building a solid network of commraderie and friendship) I'm certain you would have used your column and voice to laud the efforts of thousands of women worldwide instead of bashing the concept outright.

Your narrow-minded view of roller derby leads me to believe your mind was made up before ever visiting your local league's event. And I can't help but wonder why you would thinly veil your opinion instead of just saying what's on the tip of your tongue: White Trash. Is it because that would be too easy and you think that by gilding your dead lily your opnion is somehow more valid? Is it because all but mentioning trailer parks yet throwing in "Hee Haw" is too close to likening blacks to ghettos and watermelon?

There are a lot of sports, hobbies and enthusiasts out there that I don't like but I wouldn't waste my time writing negatively about them but I'll make an exception here:

Antique shopping is boring, materialistic and a huge waste of money.

I feel better now and if ever you are in Los Angeles I invite you to an L.A. Derby Doll game as my guest.

Sincerely

Fighty

#35

Los Angeles Derby Dolls

Season Tickets

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 23:44:27 GMT

Get 'em while they're hot!

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/13537

So, you LOVE Providence Roller Derby and want to get into every bout without waiting in long lines or remembering to buy your tickets online for the discount rate, huh?

Well, we've got the answer. This year we're offering season passes!

PACKAGES
GENERAL ADMISSION SEASON PASS -- $45
-Save over $5 on fees
-Photo with you and your favorite Providence rollergirls!
-Wicked cool season pass card with your name on it!
-No waiting in line!
-Much more!

WICKED HOT/IMPORTANT PERSON SEASON PASS (WHIP/VIP) -- $150
-Track side seating--Yes, on SEATS!
-Your very own derby girl wait staff--Never miss a second of the action!
-Goodie bag!
-A photo of you with your favorite Providence rollergirls!
-Save over $5 on fees
-Photo with you and your favorite Providence rollergirls!
-Wicked cool season pass card with your name on it!
-No waiting in line!
-One bout free!

SCHEDULE
Sunday, April 15th -- Brokeback Boutin'!
NERD vs TEXAS Rollergirls' Hell Marys
Rhode Island Convention Center

Friday, May 18th -- Asphault Assasins!
Home Teams TBA
Bank of America City Center
(Rain date: Sunday, May 20th)

Saturday, June 30th -- Southern Discomfort!
RI Riveters vs. NC Carolina Rollergirls
Rhode Island Convention Center

Friday July 20th -- Summer Shovin'!
Home Teams TBA
Bank Of America City Center
(Rain Date July 22nd)

Friday, August 24th -- Derby Inferno!
Home Teams TBA
Bank Of America City Center
(Rain date August 26th)

Friday, September 21st -- Rumble in the Urban Jungle!
CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT!
Home Teams TBA
Bank Of America City Center
(Rain date September 23rd)

VENUES
Bank of America City Center
(formerly, Bank of America Skating Center)
2 Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI 02903

Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC)
1 Sabin Street, Providence, RI 02903

its kinda cold out

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 16:39:23 GMT

i'm gonna be busy busy busy

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:18:11 GMT

1. derby
2. school
3. work
4. house!

1. Derby will be getting more intense - especially when the weather warms up and we can practice outside (outside practices = more practices per week). I'm getting better, but I still need to work on my hitting/blocking. Hitting more than blocking, but still need improvement on both.

2. I need to be able to focus on completing these two classes. I really need to graduate in May - I won't be able to handle taking another class or two. I want to be done with school mostly so I can do other things with my time.

3. Work is getting busier. Well, lately its trips to Albany for classes. Or down to New Haven, CT until 2 in the morning...

4. Ryan and I are going to be moving into his great uncle's house. Once the renovations are done. Demolition is this week, this weekend we'll start framing out the new rooms and setting other things up. We should be done in a couple of months (done enough to move in - meaning the floors might not be in, but no big deal). Its gonna be pretty sweet once we're done. We're taking before & after pics, so those will be up somewhere at some point.

So if I seem to be missing for the next couple of months, I'm probably in my cube, on skates, or covered in paint. Yay!

avoiding the new cap bank proposal I should be reading...

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 15:26:25 GMT

70 Things

1. Initials:
KIC

2. Name someone with the same birthday as you:
Everyone and their mother has a birthday in February, so there are plenty of people who have the same bday as me.

3. Last thing you ate:
Mom's pumpkin bread... mmmmmmmm

4. For or against same sex marriage:
Definitely for. Why would I want to deny my friends their happiness?

5. Boxers or briefs?
depends on how they look on the person ;)

6. Last person you hugged?
Ryan :)

7. Do you believe in God:
nope

8. How many U.S. states have you been to:
NH, VT, ME, CT, RI, VA, WV, MD, NJ, NY, OH, MI, PA, IL, IN --> so I guess that's 15

9. How many of the U.S states have you lived in:
2 even though I hate one of them and wish I didn't

10. Ever lived outside of the US:
nope

11. Name something you like physically about yourself:
uhh, my hair I guess

12. Something non-physical you like about yourself:
I am usually optimistic.

13. What's your dad's name:
Ron (or Ronnie if you're one of the 19283720934 relatives)

14. Why are you still up?
cause I'm at work - otherwise I might have still been sleeping or just getting up

15. Who made you angry today:
hmmm no one

16. Favorite type of Food?
Pasta, apples

17. Favorite holiday:
Thanksgiving

18. Do you download music:
Yes

19. What illegal things have you done:
something that involves a can of spray paint...

20. Where would you want to go on a first date?
anywhere I'll be able to laugh and have a good time

21. Would you date the person who posted this before you?
duh, me and my sister go on dates all the time

22. Has anyone ever sang or played for you personally:
nope

24. Do you like Bush:
NO

25. Have you ever bungee jumped:
nope

26. Have you ever white-water rafted:
nope

27. Has anyone 10 years older than you ever hit on you?
haha yes

29. Have you met a real redneck:
hellooo... I'm from NH

30. How is the weather right now:
windy, cold

31. What song are you listening to right now:
Secret by Howie Day (on Pandora)

32. What is your current fav song?:
there are lots...

33. What was the last movie you watched:
hmmm half of Farce (before I fell asleep)

34. Do you wear contacts:
nope

35. Where was the last place you went besides your house?
Ryan's apartment

36. What are you afraid of?:
not graduating in May

37. How many piercings and tattoos do you have?
3 piercings, no tattoos (yet)

38. How many pets do you have?
none

39. Have you ever loved someone:
hmmm... I think soooo... ;)

40. What turns you on?:
someone who can make me laugh

41. What do you usually order from Starbucks:
nothing - I avoid Starbucks

42. Have you ever fired a gun:
yes

43. Are you missing someone:
kinda, but I saw him 3 hrs ago so its not too bad :P

44. Fave TV show?:
House

45. Do you have an ipod?:
no cause I don't like them. I have a Phillips gogear :)

46. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celeb?:
haha yeah right

47. Whats your mom's name:
Nancy

48. Who would you like to see right now:
Heatharrr

49. Favorite band of all time (ONLY ONE):
DMB

51. Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to be doing?
probably

52. Favorite flower:
daffodils

53. Butter, plain, or salted popcorn:
lightly buttered and salted

54. What books are you reading:
supposed to be reading for classes, but of course I don't

55. Have you ever ridden in a limo:
yup

56. Has anyone you were really close to passed away?:
not super close

57. Do you watch MTV:
haha, yes even though they're all trashy shows

59. Whats your favorite hobby?:
sewing

60. Do you like Michael Jackson:
sometimes

62. Favorite basketball team:
ummm... the Generals haha

63. Favorite cereal:
I'm a big fan of the Crispex

64. Do you drive:
Yes

65. What's the longest time you've gone without sleep?:
a loooong time

67. When's the last time you went bowling?
sophomore year?...

68. Who was your last phone call?:
Ryan

69. Last time you were at work:
right now

70. Whats your favorite state to be in:
New Hampshire!

oh, the cable engineering humor

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 21:02:35 GMT

A National Grid employee's bank account is like a pumping plant chart.

2 posts in one day ... must be a slow day at work :P

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:43:52 GMT

I haven't had a real update in over a month... but maybe nothing has been going on.

Classes started - I have 2... and a half. A management class, a math independent study, and I'm in the FE review course.

In the management class you need a 16 (out of 100) to get a C... silly management students and their silly classes.

In the math independent study, I have to learn this one chapter on my own... I thought it would be a review of the class I failed but its not so this is a lot more challenging than I thought it would be, but my advisor is wicked nice so I might be ok (hopefully I won't have to beg for an A at the end of the semester).

The FE review course I have realized I didn't really need to pay for. I could have just gone in the other door the first night of the class and I would have been fine - you only had to sign in that first night. Ugh. Hopefully my boss will reimburse me for it (he said I might be able to).

Derby is going well even though I don't get to go to practice nearly as often as I'd like (thanks to having that management class on Tuesday nights). Last week I didn't go cause I was sick. Last night I could only do 1/2 of the practice cause I started to get dizzy (so still a little sick from whatever that stupid thing was that I had all week). Dukes said I looked good, though so that was cool. I need to clean my wheels from going to the Boston practice a few weeks ago - the place they practice in was filthy and I think its affecting the grip of my wheels (there's dirt in the grooves).

My birthday was this weekend - I had a few people send me IMs or whatever, my and Ryan's family sent cards/gifts, and Ryan took me to Boston for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory (I had never been) and then the Bruins game (they won in overtime so it was a good game). So I'd say it was a very good birthday. :)

Ryan and I are in the process of looking for a place to live for June (but hopefully sooner cause Worcester sucks). There have been a few places that we've really liked, but when we go to put a deposit down or say that we want it, we can't for some reason or another. Either people are faster than us at claiming these places or there's something else preventing us from getting it. Hopefully something will come up soon.

I went to Ikea for the first time last weekend... and I love it. I bought an awesome table to use for sewing and a teapot (the table because its fricken sweet and the teapot cause my old one had a leak in the bottom - not too good when I have an electric stove). For some reason my table isn't on the Ikea website, so sorry - no pictures.

I have my FE review class tonight... I'm seriously thinking of skipping so I can clean my apt and do a few other things I've been meaning to do... thats kind of bad considering I paid for the course, but then again I might be reimbursed for it. :P Besides, its mechanics tonight which is easy for MEs haha

Derby bout schedule

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 15:54:04 GMT

Here's the schedule so far:

April 15th @ the RI Convention Center -- RI Riveters vs Texas Hell Marys
May 18th @ the outdoor skating rink in downtown Providence -- Home Bout (teams TBD)
June 30th in Providence -- RI Riveters vs Carolina Roller Girls
July 20th @ the outdoor rink -- Home Bout (Teams TBD)

I've been told that I'll probably be able to skate in the May 18th one. (Last night Dukes said I looked good! - even though like 10 minutes later I had to stop cause I was getting dizzy from still being not 100% healthy...)

I will not be on the Riveters this year (its the travel team that you have to be super good to be on) so the April and June bouts I definitely will not be in but will probably be enlisted to be a beer or merch girl...

yesterday sucked and today also sucks

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:44:04 GMT

:-/

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:19:39 GMT

Can it be May 5th right... now? That way classes would be done and I'd be moving out of my apt soon... (and I could get back into a regular derby practice schedule!)