*I wrote this a few weeks back.  Its a rant on newbieness and confusion.*

At some basic level we are all moths happily enthralled by that pretty bug zapper over there.  And when I saw Atom's new side padded, Kevlar knee pads I was drawn in like a nerd to . . . Kevlar.  Seriously, Kevlar, seriously.  All-in-all Atom's Elite pads are about as shiny as knee pads get, and if you have drooled over them as I did no one can fault you.  I was ready to save up for them, since my knees are not in the best repair and I want to do all I can for them.

*I wrote this before our Derby Names were due*

Every Wednesday I drive my Fresh Meat sister, Mantis*, to practice.  We tend to talk non-stop on the 30 minute drive because she is awesome and excitable and young, so we can talk about anything.  Even with a world full of topics we always end up at the same place, Derby names.  It seems from the first day, wherever two or more Fresh Meat gather . . . Derby names will be discussed.  Turn around toe stops may still intimidate us, but from what I gather, picking out a name scares the crap out of us.

So far I love falling.  Probably because it is the most natural physical thing a person can do other then breath.  Falling was also the first skill I felt comfortable completing, and now I look for any chance to do a 180 knee drag.  Really, its a rush for me.   But as much as I adore gravity tipping me over, there is nothing which compares to my obsession for practical application.  This weekend I got to put those suicide fall drills to use.