Steel City gets the Pink Slip

This Saturday, November 21st, the Carolina All-Stars will take on the Steel City Derby Demons from Pittsburgh, PA in our charity bout headliner. Pink Slip, who has served as Carolina’s Director of Marketing on the board of directors, will be helping skate the All-Stars to victory this weekend.

Q: What brought you to the Carolina Rollergirls?

PS: I think the universe was pulling me toward it. Though I was in many ways the least likely person to play a contact sport, I kept “bumping into” roller derby. I felt compelled to tryout.

Q: What do you do to pay the bills and buy the wheels?

PS: I work as a senior designer at a credit union where I get to design print materials and develop campaigns for the organization.

Q: What is your educational background?

PS: I have a BFA in fine arts with a concentration in graphic design.

Q: What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you on a date?

PS: Even when it happened, one of those horror stories from Seventeen magazine popped into my head. I was on a second date. We went to a pizza place. Things were going well. We were talking and laughing. I opened my mouth to say something and a very audible burp escaped. It took me completely by surprise. I thought my date would be disgusted, but he wasn’t. I think it worked as a sort of an icebreaker. We’re all human, right? A little more than year and a half later, we are still dating. So maybe we should all try this.

Q: What are your favorite places to eat here in the Triangle?

PS: I’ll do almost anything as long as there is a promise of food at the end. Play a bout against angry Amazons? Free burrito afterwards? Okay. I’m there. But when I’m just relaxing, I love sushi and I always enjoy Sushi Thai. I’m always up for North Carolina barbeque, with slaw, please.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure?

PS: I’ll admit it, I like to watch cheesy movies. Usually they are romantic comedies. But sometimes an unknown drama from the eighties really hits the spot. Overacting is a must!

Q: Is it more important to win or to give it your all and learn something?

PS: When I was in art school, we had to design a board game. In my game there was a card you might draw that would end the game. You would lose on the spot. But as the instructions said, it was really about the journey, not about winning. Having no regrets is winning. I still feel that way.

Q: So you’ve got three free tickets you can give to anyone, living or dead, and they’ll come to the next bout. Who do you invite?

PS: I’d like to see how my paternal grandfather would feel about derby. He died before I was born, but something tells me that he would appreciate it. I’d also invite Conan O’Brien because I think he’d like it, plus I’d like to meet him in person. My last fantasy guest would be Dolly Parton because I think she’s wonderful. And imagine her at Dorton Arena!

Q: What was your first impression of skating at Dorton Arena?

PS: The first time I skated at Dorton was during a scrimmage. There was no audience there yet, but it absolutely took my breath away. It’s a gorgeous venue and it looks so different when you are down there on the track looking up. Just skating at Dorton meant I had passed one of the goals I had set for myself. The first time I jammed and made it through the pack, I felt exhilarated. It was such a rush that for a moment I wasn’t sure where I was. I remember touching my helmet to make sure it was on my head because I couldn’t feel it. There’s nothing like skating on your home track and we are lucky that Dorton is the place we call home.

Q: Where would you want to travel if given the opportunity?

PS: I really want to go to Japan one day. I find its culture fascinating because it’s so different from ours. It also looks like a beautiful country. I’d also love to go to Australia or New Zealand because those people look like they know how to have fun.

Q: Have you had any major injuries because of roller derby?

PS: I’ve had lots of scrapes and bruises. The bruised ribs felt the worst, but the injured nose freaked me out the most.

Q: Do you have any pets?

PS: I have a cat named Ruby and I love her sooo much. You would, too if you met her. She already loves you.

Q: What is the scariest thing you have ever done?

PS: I’m not known for being a risk taker, so trying out for roller derby was pretty scary.

Come cheer on Pink Slip and the Carolina All-Stars this Saturday, November 21st, in the Charity Bout double header. Doors open at 5pm and the opening bout begins at 5:15.  Purchase advance tickets online and save some money for a drink at the after party!