Slammylou Harris...25 Questions: Stalking Your Favorite Rollergirls

Another one for my home team!  

I couldn't have a complete interview series without including Slammylou Harris.  I first saw Slammy skate in late 2009 when I went to my very first NRG bout.  Of course, what originally caught my attention was her clever little name choice, and then I got hit with my very first derby crush seeing her with her crazy-long limbs tearing through the pack as a jammer...she's such a talented and graceful skater.  I officially met her in person the night I shattered my leg, and was so hyped up on adrenalin and so in shock that my foot was on crooked that I didn't fully realize at the time that it was Miss Original Derby Crush herself helping me get my skate off.  All that said, I hereby admit that she's one of the reasons I began/continued skating, she's pretty rad and I owe her a debt of gratitude (and I'm too squirmy to tell you that in person, Slams, so I hope you enjoy reading it!).

Name: Slammylou Harris

Number: 99


Circa 2009 (she's part spider monkey)
Photo credit unavailable.  

1. What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with?

Began skating with the Tragic City Rollers of Birmingham, AL in May 2006.  Moved home to Nashville in 2007 and the Nashville Rollergirls have been the team and league in my heart ever since.

2. How long have you been skating (derby)?
5 years, 8 months, and 9 days.

3. How did you discover roller derby?

I knew literally nothing about modern derby when I decided I wanted to be a part of it. I had just graduated from college and was trying to figure out what I was gonna do with my life (how little things have changed) and as little as I knew about the sport, I knew that this would be a rad group of ladies to get involved with. I wasn't wrong.

4. List your most notable derby injuries...

Torn ACL/PCL/LCL.  Repaired and good as new with a hella sexy scar on top. 

5. What was/is your oddest non-derby injury?
My jackass older brother shot me in the head with a BB gun once.

6. How did you select your derby name and number?

Nobody calls me by my full name.  I am Slammy or Slams.  When I came back from injury last season I toyed with the idea of going by my real name but EVERYONE I know outside of my family calls me 'Slammy' so it would just be weird.  Also, I live in Nashville and people seem to get a kick out of Slammylou Harris.  I'm #99 because I am obviously build like a linebacker.

7. When not being a derby badass, what do you do for work (company can be kept anonymous)?

I work at a restaurant for monies and am still trying to figure out what I'm doing with the rest of my life.

8. What are some derby names that you find particularly funny/clever?

I'm kind of over derby names.  There is just so much more to be impressed with in this sport than a clever name.  But I did chuckle when I heard 'Baller Shot Caller' at South Centrals this past year.  And 'Bob Loblaw' makes me smile everytime I hear it.


9. What is your non-derby first name?
Elizabeth, but I have convinced more than one person that Slammy is short for Slamantha.

10. If you could have chosen your own non-derby name, what would it be?

Eliza

11. What are your non-derby hobbies/activities/hidden talents?
People have other activities in their lives besides derby?!?  I read, put together jigsaw puzzles, and watch episodes of the Golden Girls like it's my job.  Because I am 75.

12. Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?
Record covers and conquests.

Photo credit unavailable (if it's yours, let us know!)

13. What was your favorite Holiday or Birthday present received as a kid?
Barbie Dream House

14. Who was the object of your most embarrassing teenage celebrity obsession?
Jared Leto as Jordan Catalano.  The crush faded with the emergence of the eyeliner.

15. Which celebrity would you like to be friends with?
Miranda July

 16. Do you have tattoos? What, where, and why?
No.  Still searching for the right one.

17. What is something that most people don't know, or would never guess about you?
I'm a pretty open book.

18. What movie(s) can you watch over and over and never get sick of?
Ladybugs.  Dirty, Rotten, Scoundrels.  Waiting for Guffman.





 19. I can't leave the house without...?
My toothbrush

20. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Bourbon Balls from Christmas.  Everything else is super, mega healthy.

 21. What is your most over-used word or phrase?

"Have you met me?"--when people act shocked at something I do or say that seems completely in character for me.

22. What is the last book you've read?

I am concurrently reading "The World Without Us", Ron Paul's "The Revolution", "S&M 101" (yes, you read that right.), and the last book of the Hunger Games trilogy.

23. Very first set of wheels?

My cozy coupe

24. What is the biggest life hurdle that you have overcome?

I am absolutely sure that I have not completely overcome my need to be right and have things done my way, but I am better at dealing with my control issues now that I was a year ago.  Playing a team sport has definitely increased my ability to take a deep breath, step back, and not fly off when things are not done exactly according to the plan in my head.

25. List 3 things that you plan to accomplish in 2012?

Travel somewhere not for derby, go back to school, Champs 2012.