Twenty-Two

This was a good year for me. For those who know me well, and there aren't many people who really do, you know that I haven't had it so easy since I graduated high school and left for college. But then again, who really has it easy anymore? Even with all the pressures surrounding me about my future and my family, I keep chugging along. That's what life is about: living. And I can say that for my 22nd time taking a trip around the Sun, I got to live a lot in the past 365&1/4 days.

Recently, I've been talking with some friends about goals and how important I think they are. Even though I say that, in all honesty goals are one of the things I have always and continue to struggle to grasp. However, this past year I've accomplished several goals. Some that I knew I was going to have to do, some that I had lurking in the back of my mind, and some that I really didn't even think I had, but I got to live them out.

This year I returned to school after taking two off since Drexel. After consistent nagging from my parents and a little motivation I decided that I want to get a degree. I'm currently studying for an A.S. in Behavioral Science with the plans to transfer for a B.S. in Sociology or Psychology... or both. I haven't made up my mind yet. All I know is that it is expensive and that it takes up a lot of time and money. Huzzah. Anyway, for the first time in my life, I achieved a 4.0 GPA. That's the first time with straight A's since elementary school. Suffice to say it felt really good.

I have continued to pursue wrestling and have evolved a lot since my fourth anniversary in the ring. It is amazing how a little persistence pays off. I've been around the world three times now and two of them were because of wrestling, and the other, well, wrestling went and found me.

This January I made a trip to Israel to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Alex Habbart, a kid, now a man, who I have known literally since his birth. And, for what it's worth, I remember what it was like to be thirteen. The world is yours and you don't even realize it. But I know, the smart man that he is, he will appreciate the experiences that I was so fortunate to share with him and his family throughout his entire life. It was an amazing trip, exhausting at every turn, but ultimately worth every second.

And as luck would have it, the trip truly was a return to the homeland. I've never felt personally connected with Israel, even given its historic background and my upbringing. That was until I got to meet people there who had the same passion that I do, in wrestling. I spent the entire night with the guys over at the IPWA, the only actual wrestling promotion in the entire country. I didn't know what to expect.

Two guys picked me up around ten o'clock at one of Israel's nicest hotels wearing biker shorts and wrestling shoes. I'm sure the bellhop was entertained. We drove into the night through Tel Aviv's Grand Theft Auto-like streets into a small business district and came up to an old run-down looking office building. This reminded me so much of CZW's old school in New Jersey.

I ascended some stairs and was greeted by some of the trainees before walking into a small boxing gym with a ring in the middle. Low ceilings, blue walls with boxing posters strewn about, a small kitchen in the corner. Some of the guys there knew me from my work in America. I was flattered. I threw on a pair of PJs, borrowed some nasty boxing shoes, and joined in on a training session. I was amazed at how much these guys actually knew even though they hadn't been taught professionally in almost a decade. A decade of training themselves based on bits and pieces of knowledge and these guys still showed up every week to only put on three shows a year. The amount of dedication they showed, the pride they carried, and the humble nature they all were so eager to share hit me. Never had I felt like I've taken the opportunities that I've been bestowed in the business for granted, until that night. They just wanted to learn from me. A kid who at 22 only had five years in the business with a few trips under his belt, and they wanted to learn from me. So, we had practice until two in the morning. They showed me around Tel Aviv for a bit, took me for a Moses Burger (AWESOME!), and then dropped me back at the hotel. It was something that I hadn't expected. I felt like I had a home in Israel.

CZW was bought out by DJ Hyde. Zandig abandoned the company until a couple weeks from now. Who can blame him? The dude is a walking car accident. It's not like he ever really cared about us anyway. We weren't HIS students. We were the product of something much better. All because we didn't embrace his beliefs.

And another thing, aside from my ventures to Israel, and a sweet trip to Chicago, I've achieved my first singles championship in CZW. And I did it all alone. Without anyone else's help. It's a tough feeling to have faith in a person only to be let down. But it goes without saying that it really is all about survival of the fittest. Sure I could go on and on with evolution puns, but who needs that, right? All that needs to be said is the right man is the Wired Television Champion. The smartest man in the company to be exact. I just bid my time and took it... something I'll be doing much more from now on. I think our trainers would be proud of me.

So, a big thank you to my many fans across the globe. You've made 22 great! And to the people who can't stand me, you have no idea what you are talking about. A great man once said, you cannot deny talent. The proof is in the pudding, don't you think?

See you for 23.
- GULAK