Bout Day: Preparation

So, today's the day. I slept the sleep of the just (apart from being woken up at 6am by the rats demanding breakfast. the bastards are getting cunning), have had an extremely relaxing morning (I'm still in my PJs) and have eaten a suitably well-balanced breakfast (and a mug of filter coffee so big I could drown one of those noisy bloody rats in it). I've spoken to my parents back in the UK (hi mum!), though mostly about the immigration and visa dramas that turned this week into a horrible ordeal (but this blog is not really the place for that, needless to say having a good night's sleep last night was VERY welcome). I feel as prepped as I'm ever going to be, so I thought I'd make a post about it.

I'm pretty good at packing, as most people who've moved around a lot are. I am a note-taker and list-maker and after one scrimmage where I forgot an elbow pad, I decided that for bout day I'd make a proper list as otherwise I'd forget SOMETHING.

This is what I do in staff meetings on Friday morning when I'm not writing strongly-worded e-mails for my right to stay in my adopted country. 

So, skate bag first....

I love my skate bag. I spent about an hour and a half hand-sewing the "Roller Derby" patch. I wore my motorcycle gloves to push the needle through. 

All the gears!

It doesn't look it, but it shuts so perfectly that you'd think the bag was designed for skate gear, instead of chihuahuas and copies of "Mindfood".

So far, so good. I pack this baby three times a week. Now onto the difficult bit. 

And that's all you're getting of the uniform until after the bout, folks....                                                                               

 That's everything! Not bothering with an afterparty outfit, figure I'll wear my uniform or jeans and a t-shirt depending on how things go. Just heard that the bout has TOTALLY sold out, I've got just over three hours till team meeting, and there's one more thing I need to do....

....get out of my pyjamas and get ready. Will take pics and such throughout the night, will report back when the hangover weasel has exited my brain.