Episode eight: 64 days - part 3
Episode Eight: 64 Days - Part 3 from mike ambs on Vimeo.
so this is episode 8. initially we planned on making this 3 parts. first the story of our break-up, followed by the story of our relationship, and ending with the decision for me to continue working on pedal. a few days ago we decided to end it after the 2nd part. mostly because it was getting too long. we plan on adding the 3rd part to a future episode, most likely episode 9.
i have to say that mike and i are both very worried about this episode. i am normally pretty shy and get very awkward in front of the camera.. and although i have a lot of face time in this episode, that's not what i'm worried about. i'm happy to say.. after this episode, i think i'm finally starting to get over that and warm up to the camera. i'm pretty happy with my camera time and our voice overs. so, no.. that's not what worries me.
i can't speak for mike and i'm not sure exactly what his worries are, probably something like, people won't like this episode as much as the last two. but for me, i think of this episode as the story of one of the most important times in my life and i just want it to be perfect, and i don't think that it is. i'm afraid it was rushed, i'm afraid things were over looked, i'm afraid it might be boring.
so.. that's that. i hope i'm wrong. i look forward to your honest comments.
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Beautiful work you guys! My favorite episode so far! My wife and I both watched it together and it inspired a great make-out session afterwards. Thanks for that too! much love, Haddon
9:27 AM, April 08, 2008
@haddon - awesome :)
yay! i love inspiring love!
thank you for commenting.
9:39 AM, April 08, 2008
I like this episode, thanks for telling your story to us.
9:46 AM, April 08, 2008
So beautiful!
btw, I've driven that long desert road at the beginning of the video many times, and I can say with certainty it's one of the most melancholy drives in America. Nice choice. Very fitting.
10:20 AM, April 08, 2008
You wrote in lower case....just how I like it =0)
1:45 PM, April 08, 2008
@lan - thanks man. that means a lot.
@mark - thank you! yes it is... though, honestly it wasn't choice.. just happened that way.
@jeans pants - :) yeah.. figured it's the best way to keep mike and i straight.. plus i like it (as you know) cause it's easy and i'm lazy.
the last one i wrote in word first. so it did it for me.. you know i'd never go to all that trouble myself :P
1:51 PM, April 08, 2008
This is the first episode I've watched and I'm blown away. Amazing. Please don't stop.
4:19 PM, April 08, 2008
Manda, Manda, Manda you really touched my heart. You and Mike are giving so much to us and giving it willing. The two of you are awesome starting from the beginning all the way to however this whole project ends. For two people who I have yet to meet face to face, I can only say I'm glad I "met" you. Believe me I don't say that to too many people.
12:22 PM, April 09, 2008
@thefemgeek - thank you so much. i can't tell you how touched i am that you've stuck with us for so long :) you are awesome. i'm so glad we "met" too!
11:55 PM, April 09, 2008
@Haddon :) I can't believe two people made out because of something I did. Awesome.
@Lan - Thanks for watching :) glad you liked it.
@Mark: Thanks! And yea, that drive is something else - I wonder what it would be like to bike it... it's... very different out there. Reminds me of eastern Oregon.
@Justin: You told me you liked my upper case writing :(
@Anon: We won't :)
@Tiff: That's the sweetest thing ever :) I can't wait to met you, Tiff. You're the best.
2:23 AM, April 11, 2008
I think this episode demonstrates the difference between internet-based productions and formula-based MSM productions. You never get to learn more about the filmmakers in the formula. The story begins and ends in the same "environment". The relationship, issues with it and the eventual breakup have already been mentioned in other parts. I think the viewers by now were curious about what you were talking about.
This episode is a module by itself. If this were my project, I'd make it a detour... Something to the effect of clicking on a link if you'd like the back story, otherwise continuing with the "main" film.
As far as the content, (un)fortunately, "love" is about being selfless. Sometimes, being selfless is being honest that your vision of the future at this point isn't the same as hers and letting her know that so that if marriage, kids, whatever, is REALLY what's going to float her boat, you don't block her from doing that, waiting for you to be interested in the same things. What appears to be a rejection may turn out to be putting her life's goals ahead of his immediate satisfaction and fulfillment.
6:34 AM, April 12, 2008
so Mike and Amanda, well done on part 3's completion, and well done for you guy's to make the episode even though you were going through it at the same time which i couldn't know about,if only i could i wish..
all the best and keep on the pedal :)
p.s i can just imagine it all combined on dvd
12:20 PM, April 13, 2008
The honesty in this episode is heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.
7:19 PM, April 14, 2008
@Bill: Yea, we figured our relationship had become, as some people called it, "the elephant in the room", so we wanted to begin to address it. Plus it plays a huge part in the later episodes and how things went down during the trip.
@Phil: Thanks, it was a difficult episode for us to work on. I can't wait till it's on DVD also :) it will be exciting.
@Maggie: Thank you for that comment - I think "heartbreaking and beautiful" was something we were hoping for.
12:11 AM, April 15, 2008
Mike and Manda,
To give you a bit of context, my wife and I have travelled through a few continents, recently working in Malawi with HIV/AIDS organizations and Andrea recently got back from Cambodia where she spent some time with a friend who does sexual health/AIDS clinics (vanderherberg.com). I do GIS for the Ontario government, we own a cafe together in Peterborough Ontario called the Silver Bean, and I'm planning a trip around Lake Ontario in July with friends(rideforafricycle.com) for an organization call Africycle (africycle.org). My wife and I are happy. We love each other from the depths of our beings and watching you and the reasons for your breakup make me sad. Not upset or angry, just a bit confused as to why you would breakup. Marriage is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Mike, your experiences and what you've learned don't have to shape your future with Manda. Maybe I've missed something. Maybe you're back together. But what you guys have is love, and what I see keeping you apart is a misunderstanding of what marriage could mean for you. I don't know. I've only watched episode 7 and 8 from a forwarded email of a friend, but I want to engage in some form of conversation with you. You realize that you care deeply for eachother and that there is more adventure to be pursued beyond yourselves. Talk to me, I'll challenge you and learn from you. (vanderherberg@gmail.com)
-Michael VanDerHerberg
8:23 AM, April 23, 2008
Hi Mike,
Your filmmaking inspires.
You've been looking at the wrong marriages though if you think "everyone eventually leaves."
That's sad.
Both Carol and I grew up looking at the right marriages including most importantly our parents.
Sending good thoughts your way.
--Steve
6:02 AM, April 24, 2008
I must say, i found this episode a bit boring. Mainly becasue i think it is too long and it fades away from the idea started at episode 7: the beginning of the journey.
If this part 3 would have been posted 2 or 3 episodes before i think it would be better.
7:28 AM, April 26, 2008
@Mike: Thanks for the comment - all I can say is... keep watching, there's a lot we have yet to get in to :)
@Steve Garfield: Thank you so much! I can't tell you how flattered I am to hear that coming from you.
As for my views on marriage - I know, they are sad. But I can't shake them.
@Mac: You win some, you loose some.
But this *is* the core beginning of the journey we are going to be talking about in 64 days. These episodes aren't about the cross country bike trip we followed. It's about what we went through, as a couple, as friends to do this.
So... my biggest regret with the episode is that we cut out an ending that I think better tied it back to the trip.
10:33 PM, April 28, 2008
Check this.
New Four Eyed Monsters, Episode 9 - Shock.
12:21 PM, April 29, 2008
@steve garfield - we watched episodes 9-13 with arin and susan at SXSW. they are amazing. arin and susan are brilliant. i have to admit.. it was hard to watch with mike.. and then hard to keep working on our own episode about our relationship... hard to make them different when they are so clearly similar. i admire susan's honesty. i aspire to be so great.
4:25 PM, April 29, 2008
Amazing||
Please continue to update. The sincerity of your vlogs touch my heart and inspire me creatively. I recently lost my thankless job as a graphic designer for a radio station. I was working 9 to 5 and putting in extra hours only to find out that I had been hired only to launch their new website. I was laid off 2 wks after discovering that my wife and I are pregnant.
I had decided that being an artist is no way to raise a family.
I was dead wrong four months later I am drumming up work and living my original plan.
After discovering your project and your vlog I feel like I have made the right choice.
Thank you for going ahead of me and providing me and my family with the confidence to dare to pursue the impossible and live outside of the routine.
5:58 PM, May 23, 2008
Hey Evan :)
Wow - thanks for the great comment, it's always really nice to hear from new people. Congrats to you and your wife! Going with what makes you creatively happy is always the right choice... we will do our best to keep the updates coming :)
Keep in touch!
7:54 PM, May 30, 2008
What is the title of the song at the beginning of episode 8? Great work. I am preparing for the 2009 Race Across America. I look forward to enjoying all the episodes.
Cheers-R
7:25 AM, June 27, 2008
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