Final score 208 to 22. The scoreboard, showing 199 to 22, wasn't equipped to exhibit our victory over Long Island Roller Rebels.

I'm sure, as a member of the audience, the bout wasn't as exciting as the last against the Rhode Island Riveters, but there was quite a few good hits. I had at least 5 jammer take-downs, meaning I slammed myself into the jammer and she immediately connected with the floor, which is incredibly fun and gratifying.

Those Long Island girls and refs are a good time! Before I get to the after-party and the after-after-party, I must mention a few things.

1. Our sound was loads better. With the help of AV Technik you could actually hear when Diamond Dan, our fabulous announcer, emphatically yelled "What just happened?! Scuba was in the way! Scuba, what happened?"
2. The band, Edith Jones Project, was incredible. Never have I received so many comments about loving one of our bands. AND they wrote a song for us!
3. The ref crew was the best we've ever had. Psycho Billy, Mr. Rawk, Snarls-in-Charge, Fresh Eddie Fresh and Ian Fluenza joined our already stellar refs. A-Block wants Snarls to be her derby wife, but I might've scored him as my DBFF (derby best friend forever).
4. I must've signed 20-some autographs after the bout. I adore our fans!
5. MRD has never lost a full bout. I just realized this the other day. Holy crap!
6. There's another bout on May 17 against Connecticut! I can't frickin wait.
7. Glenn Jordan wrote one of the best articles written on MRD in this past Sunday's paper. He attended the April 12 bout and is writing about that, not May 3 at www.pressherald.com.

Back to the after-party. I personally didn't ride the mechanical bull due to Captain Mom Bomb's orders, but several of my teammates did. Daisy Cutter held her own for a good 30 seconds, and Lois Blow and Breezey both snuck onto that thing. MRD alumni, Pitts of Rage, actually stood on the bull as if she were surfing on a water buffalo.
And did you know the Stadium serves ginormous bottles of Miller Lite? As soon as I get some photos I'll post one.

After we'd had enough of the bull, we headed to Styxx in search of good dance music. We got no further than the door as they were charging the full cover at 12:30 am. Although we had twenty thirsty people, they refused to drop the cover to $2 a head. Off to Brian Boru...
After a quick drink and dance, we headed to the Clarion where the Long Island girls and refs were staying. I cannot indulge you with the libations that occurred, but let me say - I love those New Yorkers!

That's what Trent Reznor is singing to me as I prepare for tonight's bout. I didn't specifically choose that song. It just so happens to be playing in the NIN mix. It seems slightly appropriate as, yes, nothing can stop me now. But I do care, for the most part.

I don't get all psyched out before bouts. I try to stay in a blissful zone when I'm cleaning and rotating my wheels, wiping off the smudges on my rec specs and loading up my gear bag.

I love bouting so much that I just get excited to play roller derby with another league. I don't care a lot about winning - well, maybe a little. I just get excited to play with my team. When we train, we play against the same rotation of girls every week. Because of this, we know exactly who we can outskate, who we can knock down easiest and all of the jammer's tricks.

Playing a different league is absolutely thrilling to me. I don't know any of their tricks or strategy or anything! Part of the thrill is trying to figure these things out on the track - while still doing my job.

Tonight, we're playing Long Island Roller Rebels with substituted skaters from the Hudson Valley Horrors. I do know a couple girls because last season we played the Hudson Valley Horrors (who subsituted a couple Long Island girls). I know that Captain Morgan (pictured below) will knock the sh*% out of anyone in her way. I know that Pinky Swears was a pretty good jammer. The rest of the girls are a mystery to me.

You can read more about the league at www.longislandrollerrebels.com.

I've got to get back to my preparations for tonight. Where's that bottle of Jameson??

Donate non-perishable items or personal care products at tomorrow's bout (May 3) and receive $2 off the adult ticket price. All donations go to Preble Street Resource Center, a non-profit organization that "provides accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger and poverty, and to advocate for solutions to these problems." Learn more at www.preblestreet.org

On May 17, donate a handbag and receive $2 off adult tickets. Donations go to Dress For Success. "The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life." Learn more about the organization at www.dressforsuccess.org.

Maine Roller Derby is committed to giving back to the community! Help MRD give back by donating at our bouts.

Thank you!