Catch me ridin' derby

All 9 derby drivers (one is hidden in the van), 4 derby teachers, & LaRae, standing in front of the van we smashed

I drove a derby car, and I CRASHED a derby car (yes on purpose). A radio station here, Planet 94.1, does these "Learn with LaRea" (a super cute DJ at the station) classes. I heard on the radio that LaRae was going to let us learn how to drive a demolition derby car, and I decided to enter. She said 29 people signed up and 10 of us were picked (only nice showed up and how they picked I don't know I just care that I was picked woowhoo). We met at the Washington County Fairgrounds where they have the fair each August. The ten of us, LaRae, and several derby drivers (who loaned us their cars and donated the  van for us to crash- thanks guys) started by listening to Matt (the man in charge of the derby) give a brief introduction about derby cars, how they are welded, where their gas lines and batteries are placed etc etc. They told us that you always want to try and hit "squarely" and direct hits to driver side doors (in real derbies) are penalties. They talked to us about certain derby rules and "etiquette" and even the money you make from derby racing. They also told us that "against all instinct you have to keep your foot on the gas the entire time when you make a hit". One lady piped up and said, "So we have to follow through huh?" We all laughed, but that honestly is exactly what you need to do. They said you don't want to use the brakes or stop when hitting other cars because the inertia goes back up through your neck if you do. We were all provided neck braces and helmets after signing three waivers (yes three). I also offered everyone ear plugs-- I may quit to be a derby driver now, but I'm still an audiologist at heart.
Then the fun began! They rotated us between doing figure 8 racing and derby car smashing.  The derby cars we were using to smash the van, had to take breaks so they wouldn't over heat, but it was also nice to kinda go back and forth. We got to watch everyone go though so it was very fun.
The following video is the tail end of my Figure 8 race- my sister got there just in time to catch part of it (though this only shows when I started losing haha)

I did figure 8 racing first. I honestly was rockin' it and beating the guy I was going against until he hit me the second time (we hit once right at the beginning, but it didn't hurt at all and was fun). With the second hit, I had to back off him or I would've hit the tires marking the course, so he pulled in front. NEVER BE IN THE BACK! You literally are eating dust, and it's just not as fun as being in the lead. I was only in the back for about 2 runs around the tires but still. The guy I raced against gave me a high 5 after and said "You rocked that!"I told him the same! It was so much fun! You just floor it (only braking slightly before turns) and you feel like you're going super fast, yet the car is solid enough I never felt like I would tip over taking turns quickly. This was so much better than any go-cart/ bumper car driving I've done hahah.

Next came my turn to smash a van with a derby car. I would've preferred to smash with the truck, but it kept having accelerator issues so they had a few of us toward the end just run the car. I climbed in, Dukes of Hazard style, and then the derby guy started to instruct me- "Keep your thumbs up and out (like you're giving a thumbs up) so they don't break. Keep your foot on the brake so it's out of the way (left foot in derby cars even though it was an automatic) but accelerate through the van and don't hit the brakes till after you've crashed into it. This is forward, reverse, and neutral, you'll want to go forward (hahah yes he said that). Try to keep your head back and as much of your body against the seat as possible. K?! Ya ready?" I said, "I think so" and then started my run.
Well, I turned slightly to try to line up but derby cars don't drive like regular cars and that slight motion made a big motion. I started driving toward people, and I saw Matt jump up and over the fence- sorry for the scare guys!
The below video you see Matt running and hear him say I almost ran them all down). My sister and my roommate were filming these from two different perspectives

When I got back to the starting line, the guy came over to re-instruct me. He was super calm and there was no "you're a terrible driver, and you could've killed someone" judgement in his face nor was there any "Wow you're a stupid sissy girl" looks either hahha.
He asked, "Did you feel like the car just kinda did that to ya?"
I said, "Yea I just barely turned it, and it went!"
He said, "OK. Well, this time line yourself up first and then just go straight." (still not said with any hint of 'duh' in his voice- such a nice guy!)
In the following video you see the same thing from a different view and then the derby teacher re-instructing me.

I went back to the starting position and tried again. This time, I lined myself up slowly at the starting line, then I floored it. I didn't take my foot off till I had actually hit the van and even a little while after that. I ended up kinda "hopping" to the side of the van. SO MUCH FUN TO CRASH A CAR (on purpose) into something! It's totally not my car I'm crashing, and the owner of the car you smash into has donated their car just for that purpose- so it's so so so fun!
The videos below are the actual "hit" aka me smashing into the van

In the following videos people help me because I'm bleeding. In the second one, the guy I raced against in figure 8 is asking me," Did they (meaning 94.1) lose a listener?"  Certainly not! I had a 
great time!

See, I do follow instructions...minus...keeping as far back as I can..I guess. I broke my nose and some say I probably hit the steering wheel, but I think I would remember if I hit it ya know? And I don't...I'm thinking maybe my helmet popped up when I kinda "hopped" hitting the van? It didn't hurt at all (to be honest I've felt worse during a nose break...this is my 5th time I think...well at least 5th) but as soon as I stopped and kinda started driving back I felt the blood coming down my face. One other lady had gotten a minor scratch on her forehead earlier, and I felt badly for her, then I had to come along and smash my face. She did tell me later it made her feel better (glad to oblige her) so I guess I did service as well as have fun in breaking my nose this time. Best way I've ever broken it haha. Everyone was super concerned and nice about it, but I felt fine and didn't need all the fuss, though it was sweet that total strangers kept checking in with me. Seriously such a nice group of people! LaRae gave me a Planet 94.1 shirt to bleed into (hahah) and then several people were giving me wet wipes and helping me out of the derby car etc. They got me a foam mat to sit on, and Matt told his son to hold up a shade while I sat there (such a cute, good kid to do that!) to block the sun. My sister, who was there with one of my nephews taking photos and videos came over and LaRae asked her if she was with me and she said, "Yeah- she breaks her nose all the time though. Don't worry"- that made everyone laugh (sad but true though). 
I honestly felt fine, and didn't think it was really broken till the blood was cleaned up and I could see the bend. Good thing I have a few ENT friends. I called two of them. Paul first and he let me know that he and Steve are up in Salt Lake, but then I called Andy, who  said he'd see me and snap my nose back in place. I went for a visit to him. He said the outside was just a minor break, but that my septum was significantly broken. He wants the swelling to go down and then if we don't like the way it looks on the outside and/or the inside he will squeeze me in for surgery. It's gonna be a quick one- about 30 minutes (not like last time). He was super nice about everything, thought it was an awesome story of a nose break, and said I can pick what time I want to go in "so it doesn't screw up [my]schedule". Super nice of him but darn my nose! I actually had the thought that maybe I was supposed to be an audiologist, not so much for others, but so I can have easy access for as many times as I've broken my nose hahah! Joking!

LOVE THE DEMOLITION DERBY! The real derby takes place the week I get back from Guatemala, but as soon as I can get my tickets this year I will, and I think I'll wear my Planet 94.1 t-shirt as well even if the blood stains don't come out hahah.

Total side note of funniness- so my friend, Mallory's, brother-in-law was the main guy, Matt, in these videos and pictures helping us. Matt is also in charge of the derby this year, and he asked his friend Mike to help with the derby. Well Mallory set me up on a date with Mike a couple months ago (he's nice but no lover connection there sorry people) and he and I talked about the derby on our date. He'd never really been to one, but I've gone both years I've been here in St. George and in Arizona several times. Who doesn't like smashing cars or seeing them get smashed?! I let him know I got picked to do this learn with LaRae, and he was excited for me. Mallory's sister was there watching us learn and made the connection that I knew Mike and Mallory then she told Matt. Matt said, "Ohhhhhhh you are that Natalie. OK!" (They saw my name on the entry list but weren't sure. Anyway, random world of connections. I bet they'll never forget me since I broke my nose hahah.

Time to cut the strings

So making an apron was not something on my list of "have to do's" this year, but I mentioned to my friend, Laura, that I had this fabric I bought almost 3 years ago to make an apron, and I still hadn't made one. She teaches family and consumer sciences (FACS), which is similar to Home Ec. but with more sophistication (like...she's teaching sex ed too haha). She's super Martha Stewart crafty and is one of the best cooks ever. Anyway, she said, "We should make you one after dinner sometime!" So- we did! =) It  turned out super well, and I'm grateful for Laura's help and Kristina donating some extra fabric (made it reversible!) and her sewing machine to my cause, but the apron is absolutely not the most important thing that occurred that night.

emotional moment

While working on this, Laura got the call from her realtor- the offer she'd made on her first ever home got accepted! She's gonna be a home owner! Laura was crying and super excited. We discussed all the fun things she gets to buy and experience. I'm so so happy she got the house she really wanted. I remember when I purchased my house and how "adult like" I felt. It's a huge commitment, and it's scary but exciting all at the same time. I know she'll love it. Congratulations Laura soon to be mortgage holder (and extra thanks for helping me with the apron).

measuring for pockets

Father's Day Golf Tournament

This last Saturday my dad, my five brothers, my sister, Katie, and my nephew, Ashton, all went golfing for the now annual Johnson Family Golf Tournament. Yes, it is an official tournament (there is a plaque up on the wall in dad's house), but we all know dad's gonna win and he did this year as well. He was the only one under par, and he won this year for the longest drive and closest to the hole. My nephew has never been golfing before so he went with me and Katie; however, after the third hole, we realized he actually had some natural golf talent and sent him to play with his grandpa, who could actually give him pointers and wouldn't slow him down. Ash ended up beating all my brothers except Bob. Way to go Ash! I score 90 and Katie 97. That wouldn't be too bad except that was for only 9 holes haah. We honestly didn't do too poorly with driving it and once on the fairway, our main problem was putting sheesh! We all had some sweet shots though so we were pretty happy haha. It's been a long time since I golfed, and it was fun. I still think we should get another plaque that say "Most Challenged" and list the person with the highest score...that way the plaques don't just have dad's name on them over and over (though Bobby got his name on their for longest drive last year-woo!) Afterwards, we went back to the house and had a Father's day BBQ. It was nice to see everyone and chat. We all started sharing stupid jokes around the table and my step mom had to take a break because her jaw started hurting her from laughing so hard! It was a super quick trip but it was great to spend a little bit of my time with my dad and the rest of the fam. I also fit my sister with a hearing aid (she hasn't heard out of it for approximately 23 years) so we'll see how it goes. It was definitely a fun time!

 

 

Joey....

Joey's Ball in a tree...

Joey's club in a tree