“Sticks and stones may break my bones…” was Myra’s daily affirmation as a child. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks in a mostly affluent, small, Midwest town where all the kids looked like clones, dressed in their Izod shirts and khaki pants, Myra did not fit in. Realizing she really did not want to be part of the “in” crowd and that, in actuality, she truly disliked people, Myra chose to spend her free time hanging out at the local cemetery. Here, amongst the silence of the corpses, Myra felt at peace and mused about her future aspirations, some of which included finding subtle yet sophisticated ways to repay all those who treated her with disdain.

Eventually escaping the clutches of her small town and making her way to Chicago, Myra decided to more closely study the internal psychological functioning of human beings. She earned a PhD and became a “head shrinker,” as people liked to call her. Even armed with a greater understanding of what makes people tick, Myra was not completely fulfilled. There was still something missing.

Then, she happened upon a fiery, wise, talented skater who introduced her to the world of roller derby. Myra never imagined a place where, in an intensely athletic and strategic venture, colored hair, tattoos, piercings, incredible diversity, intelligence, and NOT khaki pants reigned. Not only did she feel welcomed and comfortable in this environment, but now she had a physical outlet for all her pent up angst; with roller derby, Myra found a way to hit people…but in a socially acceptable manner. All was good.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones…” was Myra’s daily affirmation as a child. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks in a mostly affluent, small, Midwest town where all the kids looked like clones, dressed in their Izod shirts and khaki pants, Myra did not fit in. Realizing she really did not want to be part of the “in” crowd and that, in actuality, she truly disliked people, Myra chose to spend her free time hanging out at the local cemetery. Here, amongst the silence of the corpses, Myra felt at peace and mused about her future aspirations, some of which included finding subtle yet sophisticated ways to repay all those who treated her with disdain.

Eventually escaping the clutches of her small town and making her way to Chicago, Myra decided to more closely study the internal psychological functioning of human beings. She earned a PhD and became a “head shrinker,” as people liked to call her. Even armed with a greater understanding of what makes people tick, Myra was not completely fulfilled. There was still something missing.

Then, she happened upon a fiery, wise, talented skater who introduced her to the world of roller derby. Myra never imagined a place where, in an intensely athletic and strategic venture, colored hair, tattoos, piercings, incredible diversity, intelligence, and NOT khaki pants reigned. Not only did she feel welcomed and comfortable in this environment, but now she had a physical outlet for all her pent up angst; with roller derby, Myra found a way to hit people…but in a socially acceptable manner. All was good.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

• Tweet