Amber Waves of Pain: 2010 WFTDA South Central Regional Playoffs

This weekend I was lucky enough to get to attend Amber Waves of Pain in Lincoln, NE for one day.  We saw some amazing bouts, got some sweeeeeet gear, and hung out with some great fans.  I wanted to share some highlights (including my personal best of list of derby names from this weekend), and also share some links I've found in the last week or so that I think are pretty invaluable.

First: The best intro ever!  (Also the opinion of one of the announcers who's been involved in derby for 6 years).  Houston and Tampa had a dance off in lieu of the traditional skate around or stationary intro, which was amazing!  Words cannot describe it.  There's obviously a lot of love between these pink and black teams.  I hope someone posts a video of this on YouTube (I'll be watching and post a link if that happens).

The best of names list (in no particular order other than they are grouped by team):
Frieda Killigan (25-Life)
Ram ‘em Noodles
--Tampa
Anna Wrexx-It (Size 0)
Princess Lay-Ya Flat
Drop Kick Muffy
--No Coast
Jekyll and Heidi
Hot for Teacher
--Houston
Miley Virus (28 Days Later)
--Dallas
Britches and Hose
--Nashville
Merchant of Menace
Queen Loseyateefa
Amelia Scareheart
--Atlanta Dirty South

REFs
Conan the Vegetarian
The Panti-Christ

For a complete list of derby names (which are only awarded to team members, refs, coaches, and occasional other supporting members who meet specific qualifications, and must be unique) see go to http://www.twoevils.org/rollergirls/.

Some other links of note:
Official Magazine of Derby (you can download their first issue as a .pdf):http://fiveonfivemag.com/
Official Ouchy Care of WFTDA:http://www.drhauschka.com/rollerderby/ (homeopathic, natural, good for you and they work!)
Great tights/leggings: http://www.welovecolors.com
Used skates and other gear from fellow derby girls who have moved on or moved up: Second Hand Roller Derby
Hand-made Customizable Toe Guards: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BabyBitch and http://www.etsy.com/shop/derbyvixen
I got myself some some this weekend (unofficial booty wear of derby): http://derbyskinz.com/ 
(They make custom stuff, including non-derby gear--my hubby might have them make him a motorcycle helmet to boast of his derby widow status.)
I also got some orange toe guards and fun multicolored polka dot on black skate laces from http://www.derby4all.com/