Skater Spotlight: Carmen Monoxide

This Skater Spotlight is on Carmen Monoxide, a skater on team Subpool. She is also the head of Street Team.  Photo c/o Grant Palmer Photography.

LADD: Your real name is Carmen, but what is the story behind your derby name?

CM: I used to carpool with SeñoRita from Fight Crew and her daughter Taylor to practice sometimes.  One day I wasn't there, Taylor kept tugging on Rita's sleeve asking where her friend was.  Rita asked, "Who are talking about?"  Taylor said, "You know, mom, your friend... Carrrmen Monooooxiiide..."  It has stuck ever since.    

LADD: That is amazing…  In what ways have you volunteered with the league outside of skating? 

CM: Hmm, the Health Fair, parades, community clean-ups, Street Team events, special event booths, community council meetings, school presentations, bout shift volunteer, community outreach liaison and some public speaking.        

LADD: What exactly is Street Team?

CM: Street Team is a group of LA Derby Dolls reppin’ our league, getting the word out about our upcoming bouts and training programs.  Street Team is one of my fav things to do, so much fun chatting with people in LA about what we do and why.  It's great when their eyes get all lit up about it, love it! 

LADD: How often does Street Team do events? 

CM: I try to have at least three Street Team events a week for us to do.  Fans can check out our website for where we'll be next.

LADD: Share with us a secret that few people know about you.  

CM:  I'm actually really shy.  

LADD: What hobbies do you have outside of roller derby?

CM: I spend a lot of time buying yard sale/thrift store art, museums and reading fashion magazines. 

LADD: What yard sale purchase are you most proud of?

CM: I scored this beautiful 1950's Sylvania mint condition, never been used, stand up, credenza-like, record player/radio at a yard sale for $20.  It's beautiful!!!

LADD: That sounds great!  You are currently a member of team Subpool.  What exactly is Subpool, and what did it take to get on this team?

CM: I AM!!!  It was a long road but I finally made it, Subpool is a gateway to getting on a home team.  It's an intermediate skill level training program preparing you for advanced team skating.  After being a frequent guest at Subpool practices, my skill level was evaluated and [I was] invited to become a part of the Subpool squad.  It was a glorious day!   

LADD: What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about trying out for Fresh Meat and potentially becoming a Derby Doll?

CM: DOOOO ITTTTT!!!  This is simplistic advice for something that seems so big and scary at first… but then this transformation starts to happen from the inside out… and when you start to see what it does for others, it'll make you wanna ditch that gym membership pronto.  If it's on your mind and you’re thinking about [it], daydreaming even…  Make it a reality… get out there… do it!  You'll be glad you did.    

LADD: You mention a transformation... what sort of changes can one expect in their life if they start doing roller derby?

CM:  I find it feeds an inner strength, confidence, perseverance, thick skin, and a work ethic you didn't know you had in you.       

LADD: How often do teams draft from Subpool and what challenges does a member of Subpool have when trying to be picked up by a home team?

CM: Honestly, I have no idea, I'm really new to Subpool and from what I can gather it's based on what a team needs at the time.  That sparks a draft situation.  In Subpool, you are watched closely, judged and evaluated often from many different people: team skaters, trainers, it can be hard to come with the right mind set… nerve wracking.  So for me, the challenge is remembering that I love derby and to challenge myself to see what I can do to better my game play, not give up… and keep trying.  I have to remind myself that I do this for me and the thick skin aspect.  Judges or evaluators are secondary to the skills I'm learning to get on a team.       

LADD: What is the camaraderie like on team Subpool, when you are playing with peers who may end up taking a roster spot that you were hoping to get?  What is the locker room atmosphere like when Subpool has a game against another team? 

CM: There is no animosity or envy… just encouragement, praise and a Subpool cheering section.  You can't get that in most aspects of your life so it feels amazing getting that from your derby peeps.

LADD: What is your personal game day routine?  Do you do anything particular before a game?

CM: Everyone has a different way of getting ready for a bout so the atmosphere is a lot of things: upbeat, serious, silly, giddy, nervous, nauseous… but it's great because we end up talking about it with one another, laughing, putting each other at ease, it's cool.  I plan my bout-fit, make-up (if I have time), eat a wonderful breakfast, tidy up my house, watch a kids movie, then listen to my special derby playlist on the way to the Dollesuem and continue to listen to music up until the bout starts.  :D 

LADD: What are some of the songs in your derby playlist?

CM: 100 miles and running by N.W.A., Elephant by Tame Impala, Beat Down by Steve Aoki & Iggy Azalea, The Boss by James Brown, and Stranglehold by Ted Nugent are some on that list.

LADD: What was the last book you read?

CM: The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green by Joshua Braff

LADD: How do you feel about flat track roller derby?

CM: Love to play it!!!  So much fun, you can go backwards… aghhhhh!!!!

SKATER SPOTLIGHT: WRECKONOMIC STIMULUS

Skater Spotlight on Wreckonomic Stimulus, co-captain of your Sirens!

LADD: You have one of the most unique roller derby names.  What is the story behind your name and number?

WS: It's a play on the economic stimulus package of 2009, which was estimated to be $787 billion (my number). Basically, I'm a little nerdy for politics and economics.

LADD: In what ways have you volunteered with the league, outside of skating and being co-captain of the Sirens?

WS: I was Head of Finance for a while, League Secretary before that, and I've done lots of Street Teaming.

LADD: What has been one of the biggest influences in your skating development?

WS: Other than Trixie Biscuit (my fave trainer for all things stopping), I would say that breaking my left leg (twice) has had a huge impact on my development as a skater. It forced me to slow down, take care of my body, and really evaluate what derby gives me. In the end, I decided that derby was worth the pain, but I've definitely had to make some modifications since then.

LADD:  Did you have any skating experience prior to joining the league?

WS: Nothing beyond roller rink birthday parties and skating in my grandparents' driveway while listening to a pretty sweet Walkman… (before you ask, Paula Abdul)

LADD: Share with us a secret that few people know about you.

WS: I once asked STEFCON what Sonia SotomaYOLO's name meant. She started telling me about the Supreme Court Justice, and then I said, "No, I know who she is. What is YOLO?" That tells you all you need to know.

LADD: Yikes!  Although given the choice, I'd rather live in a world where I didn't know what YOLO was either.  Do you know who Kanye West is?  He's talking about running for President in 2020...

WS: Hahaha!  Yes, I know who he is. Please tell me you're kidding.

LADD: I wish that were the case.  What hobbies do you have outside of roller derby?

WS: Reading, mathing, playing pool.

LADD: What sorts of things do you read?

WS: Lots of stuff! Right now I'm reading three books: The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré, and The Orientalist by Tom Reiss.

LADD: The Sirens are trying for back to back championships, but were recently handed the first loss of the season by the Varsity Brawlers, a team on a quest for their first championship.  What are your thoughts on this year's Varsity Brawlers?

WS: VB are really looking good this season, but Sirens love a challenge.

LADD:  How do you feel about the word "bae?"

WS: I don't know what that is. See "YOLO" above.

LADD: Hannah Barbarian and Lil' Red Fight 'Em Good are the two latest rookies to join the Sirens.  How are they blending in with the team and what unique skills were you looking for when drafting them?

WS: Well, we haven't scared them away yet, so I'd say it's a perfect match!

LADD: This year the Tough Cookies are rebuilding with a lot of new faces on the team.  How do you size up their team? 

WS: Cookies have some amazing veteran skaters and some really exciting new recruits, so there's really no telling what they can do -- especially with a couple retired Cookies helping on the bench.

LADD:  If you could choose a super power, what would it be and would you use it for good or evil?

WS: My super power would be -- knowing when someone was lying and using it for good of course!