Awesome. Your words reminds me of Captain Hernán Cortés who landed in Veracruz and burnt down his ships so his army of soldiers would have no second thoughts about taking the city; it was fight to win or die trying.
And what i can take away from your post is; retreat is easy when there is a second option. I just upvoted & followed, hopefully your doggedness is infectious.
P.S: You have an amazing diary.