Hey Mike, you are a very lucky person to have all these people around you, from afar and very close, who really care about you. Life has its ups and downs, for all of us, and we humans can learn a lot from both the highs and the lows. It boils down to this: you are a pretty talented writer/editor and you have a diamond in the rough. You're involvement in Project Pedal is very personal, perhaps too much. My advice: get focused, bring someone completely new into this project, to assist and motivate you, and get this project finalized within a fixed timeschedule. Then move on with your life, perhaps start a completely new project.

Hey Ivan :) Thanks for the comment - and I *do* feel very lucky to have so much support.

And I think I agree with you saying that my involvement is perhaps *too* personal. I know it's slowed me down in the past - but it's also helped me come at it from a specific approach that I was told by a lot of people wasn't the ideal way to go (story-wise).

But at this stage in post - I could use a great assistant editor to pick things apart with me. Thanks for the idea, Ivan. I'll be thinking it over the next few days.

Do it man! I think it is a good plan. You are going to fucking rock the last stages of Project Pedal. Can't wait to watch this thing on the big screen! GOOD LUCK!

Hey Erik :) Thanks! Nothing like a great pep-talk to get my blood going. Hold onto yer' butts.

Good Luck man. Sometimes you got to go Postal, get away, delve in the craft. I tell you now this journey is only just beginning.

Thanks Gabe! Well, hopefully I don't end up going postal - ha, but I'm all for the getting away and delving stuff ;) I believe you're right about this being the beginning - I have a lot more I'm anxious to accomplish after For Thousands of Miles - this film is just the first baby step.

Hey man... good luck. I can attest it's very difficult to immerse yourself into the journey of finding and writing a documentary narrative when you're working and juggling life responsibilities. So hole up in Michigan, do some woodsheddin' and piece together that pedal puzzle.

Hey Chuck! :) Thank you - I can't tell all of you enough how much easier this whole experience has been so far because of your words of encouragement.

MIKE & AMANDA, you guys totally got ripped off in the Babelgum competition. Your doc. was so awesome and touching, and meaningful, and existential, I wanted it to win. c'est la'vie.

MIIIIIIKE. Glad to see a new vblog. My hat's off to you. I'm simultaneously in awe and fear for you moving back to Michigan too. Without a doubt, such a momentous decision takes some big juevos my friend. Yes you will be saying goodbye to the glitz and glamour, perpetual sun, friends and associations in L.A. But on the other hand, you will be traveling back to your roots, your motherland, the place that started it all, and hopefully find rejuvenation, time, strength and rekindled motivation to forge ahead on this sucker.

Small word of advice, that you already know. Don't let it drive you crazy, or instill misery in your life. What you've got is a beautiful piece of art, in the rough. A cherished labor of love, blood, sweat, and tears. It may not sell out at blockbuster, or be downloaded more than the next Cannes opener, but you will have done what very few of us amateur's ever get to do. That is no small feat indeed. You are an inspiration to our craft. The fact that you are committing yourself to uplifting your life to tackle this project is proof enough that you are a filmmaker. So please, for the love of art itself, get this production in the can so you can move on to your next great opus.

Zach :) Thanks so much for the great comment. Babelgum was a bummer - especially two years in a row, but those things just make you stronger... make you work harder for what you want.

I hope you're right about this place - I'm still living out of boxes and stepping over piles of half-packed milk-crates... but I'm getting settled into the new HQs and I'm anxious to get to work.

But really - your comment is really great, Zach. I'm very flattered - I will be coming back to what you wrote whenever I'm feeling in over my head. Here's to moving forward!

rock on with life Mike. go big!
love!

Thanks Hedge! I hope I get to see you on sunday!! Ahh. We gotta meet up before I leave.

All the best in Michigan for you and Amanda on Pedal. And if help is needed, however small, be sure to vlog, blog or tweet it!

Thanks David - and don't worry :) I'll keep everyone updated!

Best of luck Mike! I think you'll look back at this years from now and realize it was a good decision.