Ulpan

So my first day in Ulpan(Hebrew school) was last Thursday. I walk into my class that is already packed, and announce that my name is Zacho. (My teammate had called me it earlier, and I liked it) Within the first 3 minutes of class, half of the students get up and leave. I ask, in broken hebrew, "Afo ha'studentim?". The teacher explains that they have gone to singing class, and that I can join them if I want. Being brought up with Herzl camp songs as my soul music, I couldn't resist.
I knew every, single, song. Not only that, the teacher gave me a solo for Aveenu Malkeinu that I got to perform in front of the entire Ulpan this morning. Very exciting things here, it was by far the largest audience I have ever had for a vocal performance, if I dare call it that. It went off without a hitch, and now I am thirsty for more. It reminds me of when I first got behind a microphone and recorded. I am going to explore this more with my free time-that is if I can ever get enough of these Israeli beaches.
It's not what I do, it's how I do what I do...

Much love,
ZP

Switch

When I first began this blog, it was purely to vent. I was looking for an outlet to express life and everything in it. I had just graduated college and was looking for something to do, and in my boredom decided to start writing and sharing my life publically. I no longer write to vent. Instead I write with the full knowledge and awareness that I have something important to share. Perhaps I've already reached the pinnacle of my blogging heights, and if that is the case it is no matter, I will continue to write. I like to think I have only scratched the surface of what could be a lifelong relationship.
I receive comments on my posts from a number of people-some funny, some serious, and others are of the kind that warms the heart. People who actually feel what I am writing. Thanks to all of you. I now write not to vent, but to share, and hopefully to create a connection and experience between me and you.
I ran to the other side of the world to start my life anew, and you know what, nothing has changed-except my attitude. The tabloid papers here got wind of my story the first day I was here, and things are just as crazy as they have ever been, minus one huge thing. I don't care what others think. After soul searching, reading countless books, writing endless memos and spending more time in my head than a 25 year old ever should, I have my life. That's all. Pretty simple. I make of it what I want, others will have their opinions, but mine is the only one that matters.
Do what you like, and like what you do.
Oh, and read Dr. Suess, that man was onto something.
Much love,
ZMP

The Israeli Way

This country had Ruach(spirit), I gotta give it to them. I just went to the Israeli National Basketball Team's game against the Czech Republic in Tel-Aviv, and it felt like a college basketball play-off game from start to finish. They have a student section that literally cheers the entire game long, and they make more noise(not more than the Barn, obviously) than most of the arenas in America, and they sustain it! It is an entirely different feeling when a country has one team to cheer for. I could literally feel the Israeli pride rushing through the crowd(it's that tingling one, you know) as they built their lead to 10, then 15, 20, all the way to 35, and still not a single person left the game! In America, blow-outs are a natural reason for early departure as the game has lost it's competitive edge; whereas with this crowd, the fever pitch only heightened with every increase in the lead. The people were on their feet cheering at the end, as Israel walked off the court with a 35 point mauling of the Czechs. I was very impressed, and also inspired as I thought that one day perhaps I could play for this team. Who knows?
I did experience another extremely Israeli moment when I went to get food at halftime. As I was paying for my hotdog and soda, I was bum-rushed by 6 children, who like most Israelis, have no concept of waiting or what a line is. Rather than forming lines and waiting, martial law seems to rule in these situations, and thus the loudest and strongest survive. Good for me, not so much for many others.
My game is feeling strong, and I am anxious to begin week 2 in the holy land.
Also just finished reading "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. A must read in order to find the divine in yourself and others. What better time to enter Heaven than now? Just think, if it's there, you started early, if it's not, then at least you had a lifetime to enjoy it as you imagined...

Peace and much love,
ZMP

Israel

I have now been in the holy land for 3 days. My game is on, and my team is awesome. I am the oldest player on the team, and thus, at 25, am the wiley old veteran. I like it. Most of the guys on the team speak Enlgish, some better than others, and most of the people here also speak some form of my native tongue. I have signed up for intensive Ulpan classes where I will be learning to speak Hebrew, so that I don't stick out any more than I already do. (Israelis are not the tallest of people)
One thing I had forgotten about Israel, since my trip when I was 16, was how natural Israelis think it is to argue with one another. The simplist thing, such as using a coupon at a grocery store, breaks into a heated debate without the slightest hesitation. Then everything is fine, no hard feelings. It really forces you be on your toes, but also to take everything with a grain of salt.
I am getting an apartment tomorrow, and hopefully a car and cell phone the next day. I was thinking today that I could see myself making a career out of this. I mean, it's either play basketball, or get into finance-ha!
Shalom from the Holy land!

Much love,
ZP

Hoops

I signed a contract this morning, and have a flight to Israel booked for Sunday. This is exactly what I wanted to be doing, and it is finally materializing. Crazy how things work out sometimes...

Republican fools

Did anyone just watch this? Talk about the most awkward possible ending to a political event ever. McCain literally froze at the end, only able to say,"Didn't we choose the right one?" I personally, would like a president who is able to make a bit more of an event out of such an occasion. Then they just shuffled off stage like they were being shooed out of a classroom. How bout a little crowd raiser?

How about when the crowd starting yelling, "Drill baby drill!"? Really? I can't help but laugh at how disgusting obvious they are. This was 30 seconds before Giuliani praised Palin for stopping oil companies from drilling in Alaska.

How many times do you think McCain and Palin talked before he made her the VP choice? I'd say once, twice tops.

My personal favorite quote of the night, which probably pissed off a good 1/3 of world population, was when Giuliani asked which side of being an Islamic terrorist would be more embarrassed about the other side, and he said, "the terrorist". Ummmm...correct me if I'm wrong, but why would a terrorist be ashamed to be a member of Islam? He knew he said it wrong too, and the crowd didn't seem to care as long as they had something to be fake-happy about.

I'm looking forward to the debates.

Obama '08

ZMP

Attitude

It's a funny thing attitude. Seems no way a little thing could make such a huge difference. Today, during a run through central park, I remembered my attitude, and with it came an intense sense of self. It is back. I am not gay. In fact, I may just be as straight as they come. I faced my demon, in a BIG way, and have come out the other side a stronger, more confident man. I am taking a job in NYC, and will be learning what it means to be on my own. I will also be training this next year in hopes of playing sports again next year. It could be something, it could be nothing. Either way, I am making it on my own, and that feels just great.

NYC baby, I'm here to be a part of it.

Much love,
ZMP