In going home for one weekend, I found out I am going to be in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia with the Brandywine Roller Girls. I guess it is that time to talk about one of my passions- roller derby ! I have been playing roller derby for a year now and it has been a constant joy in my life ever since I started. For those who don't know what it is- to sum it up a largely women's sport in which players skate around on a track and hit each other- yes- full body contact ! Besides the actual games, rules, and actual sport itself, a whole community is formed around the world of derby- so its basically a cult. One of the main characteristics of this is picking one's roller derby name- it may seem strange but just think in terms of wrestlers picking their names and personas- why should they have all the fun? Anyway- each roller girl picks a derby name and it can be as crazy and out there as you want it to be... I took the name Schizo FRANic because I am crazy for Fran Drescher- I even skate around with a picture of her on my helmet and my number is #302: the involuntary committment code- pretty nifty huh? Check out our roller derby league http://www.brandywinerollergirls.com/ and see for yourself- my team is the Spell Razors :)
After attending a Temple roller derby practice at the tennis courts on November 14th the sound of sirens filled the night- typical after the sun goes down... EXCEPT- that there was actually caution tape and reporters right outside of J and H, blocking me from getting inside. Even when I was allowed past though, I stayed outside trying to gather the facts- ya know being a journalism major and everything thought it would be some good experience. Channel 3 reporter, Todd Quinones and Channel 6 John Rawlins were reporting.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=8432013
Later that night, when I was back in my dorm, my roommate and I watched the Diane Sawyer interview with Gabby Giffords. It was very inspirational and optimistic- that woman is a true hero. Her book written by her and her husband Mark Kelly titled "Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope" will definitely be added to my Christmas list this year.
Yesterday (November 17th, 2011) was the greatest day of my life… I traveled all the way from Philly to NYC BY MYSELF !! to see my idol - I have been watching Fran since I was four on The Nanny and my admiration has only grown from there. She is a singer, actress, diplomat, cancer survivor, author and so much more. Everyone go out and buy her new book Being Wendy- although a children’s book it carries a powerful message to be true to who you are and to embrace your uniqueness and creativity- who better to advise this than Fran- who is the definition of “a jack of all trades” and is an amazing and dynamic woman. I can now die happy that I have met her:) meanwhile her parents Morty and Sylvia are absolutely 100% the most loveliest people… so sweet. I had a personal connection and conversation with them immediately. 
Highlight- her laughing from behind a closed door- that is when you know Fran Drescher is in the building and also just her saying my name - I feel so validated !
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