Limerick for Jazz Hands

Do you remember the first night that I saw your show?
I didn't like your sister 'cause she dressed like a hoe
We drank coffee and vodka and we didn't say hi
'Cause we were so drunk by the end of the night

Trying To Pop-Punk

You took another girl to my hometown
You played her notes, you showed her around
And I guess that it's all the time
I just liked the way you said my name

It wasn't perfect, but it was worth it
Looked past the flaws in our design
Thought it was our time; but you weren't on time
I'll drown all my sorrows in red wine

Second Song

Title: Writer's Block


There's a time when I remember
When you looked at me like that
And to think this last December
All I fell for was your laugh
And Sometimes I almost call you
Expect a smile in your voice
But before I let it go through
I recall who made this choice

And there's days that I wake up
And I expect to see you there
But all I feel is the ache
Of another's loveless stare
And I know I had a reason
To leave your sorry ass
I just wish that "in the long run"
Meant that I moved on too fast

I wrote down our story
With the ending that I dreamed
Now that it's over
It's fictional it seems
And I can't seem to edit you
out of the book
Now that you're gone,
Where's the love that you took?
I described your eyes
Not that way it fell through
Didn't write down the lies
'Cause I thought they were truth
And I can't seem to edit you
Out of it now
Even though we've both changed
I can't just can't figure out how

There's a time when I remember
When you looked at me like that
And to think this last December
All I fell for was your laugh
Sometimes I almost call you
Expect a smile in your voice
But before I let it go through
I recall who made this choice

And there's days that I wake up
And I expect to see you there
But All I feel is the ache
Of another's loveless stare
And I know I had a reason
To leave your sorry ass
I just wish that "in the long run"
Meant that I moved on too fast

The First Real Song

Title: Someday

When I can fly again, it’ll be alright
Try to pretend that everything’s just fine

I’ve been stuck in this bed for 3 damn weeks
And I, didn’t know that I could get tired of sleep
But I,
Gotta get away
Gotta run away
Someday, someday
Gotta get away
Gotta run away
Someday, someday

And I thought that I should see you
But then again, what do I know?
Didn’t realize the song you sang was, just for show
And I know that I’ll get over you
Baby, you ain’t no thing
Didn’t realize that heartbreak would be the song you’d choose to sing
Nah nah nah
A-Nah nah nah, nah nah nah
Nah nah nah

I’ve been stuck in this bed for 3 damn weeks
And I, didn’t know that I could get tired of sleep
But I,
Gotta get away
Gotta run away
Someday, someday
Gotta get away
Gotta run away

Someday, someday

When I can fly again, it'll be alright
Try to pretend everything's just fine
When I can fly again, there’s a million things I’ll do
But when I can fly again, it’s damn sure not to you

College Cheer Tryouts

    I would just like to take this time to offer some first-hand advice for your first college cheer tryout. When I tried out, I had trouble finding what I was looking for as far as what to expect. I have been a cheerleader for about 8 years now (I think that makes me officially...old) and a cheerleader at The University of Texas at Arlington for 3 years. (UTA, go Mavs) There are 3 things I think are important to understand about your first college tryout.

One, being open and inviting.

    This may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how much your body language and typical behaviors can be misinterpreted by a new team. You are being judged on more than your skills, and the ideal "rookie" is willing to try new things and accept criticism. Even if you have vast experience with a skill, things are done differently in college and you need to be able to cordially accept constructive criticism from older teammates.
    And don't let being intimidated by someone allow you to put them on a pedestal. Remember that everyone is the way that they are for a reason. Everyone is fighting a battle that you may not understand, but that they have struggled through and grown because of. Your veterans have been in your shoes, and have seen many come and go through the team. The way they treat you comes from their experience and their perspective. But their opinion of you is not yet determined, and they may be skeptical of your loyalty or work ethic initially. Don't take this personally. You can prove to be a great teammate by being willing and able.
    College cheerleading involves new aspects that aren't even legal in all-star or high school. You will be asked to try something that terrifies you, and it's okay to be scared. However, if you refuse, you will not receive positive feedback from your team. (Particularly if they're a shoulder stand)* Ask questions, as many as you need to understand. And be honest about your fears, and your veterans will talk you through them. Be open and willing and honest.

Two, push and encourage everyone else on the team.

    This is a team sport, and even more so, this is more about the general success of the team than your own. College cheerleading revolves around encouragement from within and a spirit that comes from the heart. That's what wins national championships. Even if someone isn't your favorite teammate, a kind word during practice can change their whole day. You will be surprised when these same people remind you later on how much it helped them, and later on they will repay the favor when it comes to the routine.
    And you need friends on your team. Don't reject and put down your teammates, plain and simple. You never know who you will need on your side later on. And remember, dead mat hurts your body. It just does. And until college cheerleading adopts spring floors, we will all hurt equally and awfully. Try not to downplay others injuries when they complain. Imagine yourself in their shoes, and remain cordial.
    Yell for someone when you see them in need, and they will return the favor.

Three, wear spandex.

    This is something that was not explained to me before I tried out, and I showed up in Soffee shorts. No, nobody is going to make fun of you publicly, but you will stand out. Nike pros are the most comfortable in my and my team's opinion, but any will work. (I recommend black, if you tumble, and if you do, you know why)
    If you don't feel comfortable, by all means, wear what you want. I like to wear spandex workout pants to practice, when I don't have to do some form of thigh stand in a pyramid. But I'd wait to do this until you're certain your coach accepts wearing pants to practice. Just know that the college cheerleaders at every tryout I've been at wear spandex to tryouts and practice.




I hope that this helps someone, somewhere. Thanks for the read. Good luck at your tryout!





*position in college pyramids at the bottom, where a person stands on your shoulders. The "top-top" flyer is then thrown on top of the mid-layer flyer.

Broken Ankle Blues

                What really hits me hard, even after all this time, is days like today. I woke up early, but skipped class because my broken ankle is killing me. About a month ago, I did on a tumbling pass during cheer practice. I landed that tumbling pass in a crack, and both dislocated and broke my ankle. Not to be a sad sack, but I also broke my hand back in November, stunting in cheer practice. It really sucks to work so hard for something and it stay just out of your reach. It’s a lot like how I feel on my scooter every day, because I can’t walk for a few months. Sometimes I try to roll through somewhere or over something, and my wheel gets caught wrong, and I have to stop and readjust and continue. That’s how my life feels right this second. I tried to be the best I could, and my hand caught me up. I worked my ass off and did hardcore workouts for two months on top of practice, came back stronger, and I seem to have gotten caught up again. And here I am, currently readjusting my life and getting back on the scooter.

                So today, I made it to practice. I worked the radio for roughly two and a half hours, watching girls in spandex and black shirts with the blue emblem for our university proudly on the front, doing things that are absolutely insane. It isn’t the girls that I like to watch, though. The boys impress me more every time I watch, with their sassy motions and mouthing the words to the music, all while completing skills I could never dream of being able to do. (And I’m a tumbler.) The looks on their faces are priceless; they have the biggest expressions you’ve ever seen. This feigned excitement while they are pushing themselves physically to the max is what makes it so entertaining to watch. That’s what you look for when you’re judging, their energy. A good team, a nationals winning team, puts a smile on their face and makes you want to watch them make what they do look easy. It’s amazing, but for me, it’s hard to watch.

                I’ve always been of the mindset that, if I want something done right, I need to do it myself. Not to suggest that I’m not a team player. I am, and I couldn’t do anything without my team. It just makes it hard to watch my team do the routine that I had been a part of, and was thinking about how to improve every day, without me. They are strong and dedicated, and we will win as a family…but it’s hard to claim that for myself. I won’t be able to be a part of the feelings I know are part of the experience, because I’ll be speaking in second person. I don’t want to have to say “You can do it,” because I feel like I can do it… but then again, I can’t walk.

Nobody is looking at you, but me

Now darling, don't you worry
This town is not a jury
Just mind your business and do as you please
Because nobody is looking at you, but me

And please don't become antsy
If you aren't what someone fancies
There's more to your eyes than what they perceive
Because nobody is looking at you, like me

And baby, don't go hiding
When paranoia starts biting
Just know that no one is even tall enough to grasp the branches of your tree
And nobody is looking at you, but me




-SZ
2/26/15