Day 1065: It’s Black And Gold Forever
July 27, 2008 - Filed Under big easy rollergirls, blogistas, family & friends, new orleans, rising tide conference
The FYYFF: It’s Black And Gold Forever fundraiser party for the Ashley Morris Memorial Fund was set to start at 8pm. Nothing starts on time here, but I was worried about being horribly late when D and I entered One Eyed Jack’s at a quarter to ten. Fortunately for us, the Arena Bowl crowds, the sudden and heavy rain and the general Saturday-night-in-the-Quarter rodeo had snarled up traffic so badly that half the talent hadn’t yet shown and the opening act had just gone on. Jewish Standard Time sounds a lot like Indian Standard Time, yet another reason for a HinJew merger.
Walking on Chartres to One Eyed Jack’s, D and I received a free concert from Huey Lewis, whom we heard was playing at or outside the Hard Rock Cafe. “The Power Of Love” followed us into the fundraiser. Once officially wrist-banded, Jeffrey, Menckles and I sauntered into the main area to find the bloggers on the right hand side of the room, while the Rollergirls and their posse lined the opposite wall. I think Jeffrey likened it to a school dance, the sexes segregated to either side of the dance hall, while I pretended we were the Jets or the Bloods and stepped onto Rollergirl territory to see if a fight would immediately ensue. No one noticed; all eyes were focused on the stage as Supa Saint prepared to go on.
Things soon got going. Oyster spoke on behalf of Rising Tide, after which Ray re-read his What Is Ashley Morris? to thunderous applause. Hana, Ashley’s statuesque and strong widow, thanked all of us for being there and helping out. Hana and I both noticed that every time we’ve done anything Ashley-related in the last few months, it starts to pour outside. We’re both not superstitious, but the coincidence is a bit funny-eerie.
Bloggers I ran into, in order of encounter: Ray, Loki, Oyster, Jeffrey, Tim, Liprap, Michael Homan, Celcus, NOLA Cleophatra, Adrastos, Mark Folse, Patrick, Dangerblond, Bec, Cade Roux, Candace, NOLADishu, DB, G-Bitch, Mr. Clio, Christian Roselund, Becky Houtman and Humid Haney. Jason Berry was there, as was LisaPal who brought Huey Lewis over from his concert. If I didn’t mention someone, no offense.
Following the speeches came the auction and raffle. Oyster bid on and won a dress for Lovely, one freshly stripped off a member of Fleur de Tease. Haney got his wife a necklace created by Niki Fisk, a local jewelry maker, who just so happens to have attended high school with one of my cousins. Glad to know she is still in New Orleans. Mark Folse won one of Ashley’s cigar ashtrays.
I have crappy luck when it comes to winning anything, so imagine my surprise when I got not one, not two, but three pieces of art at the raffle. My booty includes a painting of a voodoo doll by Varg, Who Dat by Rex of NOLA Rising and Frankenstein which looks like the work of Tard Monster by Unknown Parts. I’ll have to check with The Dingler.
The night ended with D, Folse and me at Fahy’s, where Katie didn’t beat D and me for not showing up in eons. Fahy’s was where I first met Ashley Morris on Ash Wednesday 2006 and asked him where he blogged and what he had written. “Oh, you know, FYYFF and Sinn Fein.” “That’s you?” I responded, “you’re great.” Ashley smiled and said, “Here, have a cigar.” With a bad cold, I declined his offer, but had to smile. FYYFF and Sinn Fein, Ashley, we will never forget.
Day 1047: Hollywood’s Run By …
July 9, 2008 - Filed Under big easy rollergirls, government, movies/tv, new orleans
The military? Boy, won’t my father-in-law be surprised.
L.A. Times | The Iraq war movie: Military hopes to shape genre
After the Vietnam War, movies like “Apocalypse Now” and “Born on the Fourth of July” helped cement an image of psychologically damaged Vietnam veterans.
… With the country now enmeshed in another long, unpopular war, [Army Lt. Col. J. Todd Breasseale, who is deployed to Wilshire Boulevard] is hoping to influence a new generation of filmmakers in order to avoid repeating the experience.
… With military assistance, moviemakers get access to bases, ships, planes, tanks and Humvees. Military leaders also offer script advice. And unless a filmmaker agrees to address any problems, the Pentagon generally opts out.
Hmmmm.
The military has also been involved in a local production recently - that of the 2009 Big Easy Rollergirls calendar which is currently in the works and coming soon to a finer establishment near you. One of the shoots for Rollergirls Through Time took place in the World War II museum, where a Rollergirl/model was taught how to salute by a museum volunteer. (You’ve got to love a Gal in uniform.)
Day 1034: A Fundraiser For The Ashley Morris Memorial
June 26, 2008 - Filed Under aid, big easy rollergirls, blogistas, new orleans
This just in from the Big Easy Rollergirls:
Save the date! Dirty Coast Press, The Rising Tide and the Big Easy Roller Girls Present: FYYFF It’s Black and Gold Forever: A Fundraiser for the Ashley Morris Memorial, Saturday, July 26 at One-Eyed Jack’s. It will be a night of bands, auctions, raffles and fun! You can still donate and view pictures at RememberAshleyMorris.com
Spread the word.
Day 997: Roller Derby On ESPN
May 21, 2008 - Filed Under big easy rollergirls, movies/tv, new orleans
Featuring our very own Big Easy Rollergirls
Day 633: Big Easy Rollergirls News
May 23, 2007 - Filed Under big easy rollergirls, new orleans, photographs
Pictures from the last bout of the first Big Easy Rollergirls season are here. Alas, Fortuna did not shine on New Orleans this past Saturday evening: we lost to the Memphis Roller Derby Allstars (thanks mostly to this little piece of supersonic) and Victoria Van Doom ended up in the ER with a torn meniscus. The $500 raised for the Injured Skaters Fund at the bout will prove quite useful as Vandal O’Riley nicely recovers from several broken leg bones and shredded tendons. I make this rollergirl experience sound extremely tantalizing, don’t I? No worries - next season sees the debut of Mrs. Ashley Morris (at which time I expect all of your computer-chair-bound behinds out there at Mardi Gras World).
Lest you could not make it to regular season bouts and thus feel badly, the Big Easy Rollergirls are throwing you a party this Friday! Come join the rollergirls as they celebrate the end of their inaugural season, this Friday, May 25th at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins (Warehouse District) in The Metropolitan Big Room. There will be music, a cash bar and rollergirls and refs from around the country for the annual Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) conference. The doors open at 9PM, the awards start at 9:30, and the fun lasts all night! Let the rollergirls show you their appreciation for making this such a fantastic first season!
Vote and watch the results: Don’t miss the first annual Fleur de Wheel-Lis Awards at the Rollergirl party, hosted by Nutty McGillicutty. Who will win Chief of Skate: Rollergirl most likely be the president of the United States, The Flair Award: Best Dressed Rollergirl, Rollergirl You’d Take Home To Mom? You can go online now and vote for these categories and many more. Hurry! The polls close at midnight this Thursday.
