Although none of us have written anything for Caliblog in quite some time, I felt it was only fitting that something be added today. 5 years ago four friends left their lives in Michigan behind to chase their dreams and take some chances out in California.

Within a year we had already lost Chuck who was like a little brother to me. He decided that his life was meant to go in a different direction and left for Germany and eventually back to Michigan (and we won't even talk about the catastrophe that ensued immediately following his departure).

Eventually, Mike and Amanda no longer saw eye to eye on their relationship and decided to go their seprate ways. Amanda moved out and Mike and I were left on our own. By this time, Amanda had left Caliblog, I had a site of my own, and Mike had Projectpedal.com to contend with. Caliblog, as a site and a group has been on life support ever since. Mike did his best to keep things going, but the burden of his Pedal documentary has required more and more of his attention as time went on, eventually consuming all of his extra time. I would occasionally contribute an entry once in a great while, but nothing to brag about. And with that, Caliblog has been all but forgotten for over six months with no signs of that changing anytime soon.

Now, as I write these words, Mike has packed up everything he owns and is making his way back to Michigan for a "temporary" sabbatical to give himself time to finish editing his Pedal projects. Armed with only a laptop and a cellular phone, Mike is attempting to drive back across the country in a twenty year old station wagon that, to be honest, has seen better days (all the best with that). Hopefully, he'll be back and hopefully he will get everything out this trip back east that he's looking to. Only time will tell. I wish him nothing but the best.

What does that mean for Caliblog? I don't know, honestly. With Mike gone, that leaves me packing my things and trying to figure out my next move. I have no idea what I am going to do, but I'll figure it out. Amanda is still in California. I doubt that will ever change. It may be time for me to hang up my cap and call it a day, though, and go back to where I came from, as well.

Just a few hours ago we had a going away (but coming back) party for Mike at Canter's Deli down in Hollywood with some of his friends. Afterwards, Mike, Amanda and myself came back to the apartment that we started this journey at, watched Mike pack up the last of his belongings, and said our tearful goodbyes. Then we watched Mike drive off as he made his way back home.

Now I sit here all alone in an empty apartment with only the air conditioner distracting from the deafening silence and solitude that this place has become. What was once a four-person, 2 bedroom apartment is now an empty shell of a formerly familial place that we at Caliblog all called 'home'. By next week I will be leaving this place, as well. Putting my things in storage and figuring out my next move. The walls will be empty of the scripts and artwork that once decorated this apartment, the balcony will be bare, and the kitchen will actually be clean. I will turn off the lights, lock the door, drive away for the last time, and the home of Caliblog will be gone forever; a distant memory of a happier time when five years ago, four friends decided to put their lives in each other's hands and become a family, risking everything together. We shared that life with you all and you were there to listen, and for that I say thank you.

I don't know what tomorrow holds for Caliblog, if anything, but I do know that no matter what, from this day forward it will never be the same. I am so grateful for the experiences I've had with Caliblog and all of your kind words and support. Be hopeful for tomorrow and be thankful for yesterday. Thank you all for inviting us into your lives.

Until next time...

For the first time, in as long as I can remember, I feel unwaveringly hopeful about the new direction of our country. I can feel the energy in the air... the last eight years are finally over.


VloMo08 - Nov 4th from mike ambs on Vimeo.

I feel so lucky, so humbled to be alive for this. I will never forgot today. I woke up early, I walked to my polling place, cast my vote, and only 12 hours later, watched every single cynicism I'd grown accustomed to, be crushed by the sudden reality that people can still make a difference in this country.


I am so happy... I can't even begin to properly express it through words. Sweet dreams, world.

In an independent interview conducted before her VP acceptance, Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin mentions the excess of natural resources stockpiled in Alaska, as well as her independent, non-partisan stance on politics today stating, "(Ron Paul's) independent of, like, the party machine, and I'm like, 'Right on!'...so am I. The party machinery, on both sides of the party...Americans are tiring of the obsessive partisanship that gets in the way of just doing the right thing for this country.' Oh, Sarah...What happened to you?

So, apparently, Visa is offering a new service to businesses in search of alternative payroll methods -The Visa Payroll card. They say it will cut costs from paper usage and manpower and be more secure than paychecks. The way I see it, the more of my payroll that is held by computers through a credit, the more opportunities someone has to tap in to that money. If this catches on it's only a matter of time before I don't even SEE my money anymore. It will all be 'credits' just like in the movies.

According to Visa: "The Visa Payroll card is a reloadable prepaid card that provides employers and their employees with a convenient, low-cost alternative to payroll checks. It enables businesses to help reduce costs associated with paper-based payroll processes, including producing, handling, and processing paper checks. It also helps businesses avoid check-related fraud losses and theft. For employees without a bank account, the Visa Payroll card is a valuable employee benefit that helps avoid the high cost of check cashing, while providing convenience and safety.

The Visa Payroll card is welcome everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. So employees can use them at millions of locations worldwide, including Internet and mail order/telephone order (MOTO) merchants, Visa ATMs, and Visa member locations. Adding Interlink® and/or Plus® brand marks on the Visa Payroll card provides expanded acceptance for cardholders."

You can read more about the Visa Payroll card here.