Maybe I'll push Learning to Laugh Again Part 2 back and just get Chrysalis Part 2 out instead. Maybe that'll get the gears turning.

I guess I'm feeling temporarily ponied out. I suppose that could be a consequence of being part of what was essentially the brony version of the Micheal Richards Laugh Factory incident, lol.

In light of my writer's block, I've been watching 24 on Netflix, and playing a lot of The Old Republic.

And I got a job interview on Sunday afternoon. I applied to this place two and a half months ago. Hope I can get it and balance a second job.

To Prince Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!

Alright, let's put things into perspective, now that all parties that were involved have made their apologies and done their respective damage control.

On April 18th, I found a tweet of Purple Tinker's linked by the Bronies facebook page, lashing out at current BronyCon staff for mentioning praying in their sympathies to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. Quite obviously, it got my blood boiling. I lashed right back out at her, as did others. Then, hours later, I discovered that I would be sharing a room with her at Trotcon this June. That's when things descended into chaos.

Over on the RoosterTeeth forums, I began making LGBT jokes. These were purely for the sake of conversation and joking, and were never meant to be taken as legitimate hate. I also don't believe they reinforce negative stereotypes at all. That is my view, and it is likely not changing. My actions that night brought me within a hairbreadth of getting permanently banned from the site. Being a proud Sponsor member of RoosterTeeth for over seven years, I am immensely thankful that did not happen. Over previous years, I have avoided trouble by adding troublesome users to the block list, usually only one or two at a time; something I had not been doing recently. If I ever return to the MLP topic on RT, I will probably need more than one hand to list who I will be blocking. There are several users who have proven they are more trouble than their conversations are worth.

Why do I make jokes like that? Because it makes people laugh. I absolutely love making people laugh. I have made family, friends, and entire restaurant tables of bronies laugh with a spur-of-the-moment one-liner. My unbelievable success with Letters of a Disgruntled Friendship Student has proven time and again that I have a bit of comedic blood in me. So when it is my goal to make as many people as possible laugh, I automatically disregard the minority. That also, will not change. Let's say I tell an edgy joke to a group of 100 people. If 60 people crack up, and 40 people tell me that's not okay to joke about, I'm siding with the 60, every time. The same thing happened on the RT forums. Five people were laughing, three people were telling me it wasn't okay.

Over the past two years, I have come to absolutely despise political correctness with a passion. Because to me, it is saying to our society to go out and look for things to be offended by. It says to our society that if something offends you, you should do everything in your power to get your way, and to change everyone's viewpoint to match your own. It was political correctness that destroyed Derpy Hooves, and unfortunately, it was political correctness that made Purple Tinker believe she had to come to RoosterTeeth, and create an account just to confront me. Not too long after that, I made myself scarce while moderators stormed in and cracked down, censoring nearly all of the conversation at my request.

So I make a public apology for three things. First off, it was wrong of me to lash out at her for her views on public prayer. It was also hypocritical, seeing as how I also made my views of accepting crude jokes quite public as well. Secondly, bringing up Tinker's transgender identity in the first place was wrong, and for that, I also apologize. Lastly, I want to apologize for the disgustingly coincidental timing of all this taking place on the Day of Silence movement, which I was completely unaware of. Had I been aware of that, and kept a cooler head, none of this would have probably happened.

But as I still believe every single joke in existence is at the expense of someone or something else, I won't change my opinion of the jokes I made that night. I also won't apologize for believing that people need to learn to get offended and keep walking.

To wrap up, to those of you who have been wondering; I cannot give a 100% answer right now, but as of now, yes, I still want to attend Trotcon. I have been told that Tinker and I will no longer be in the same room, and hopefully we will be able to avoid each other and enjoy ourselves.

After this, no more details will be given.

Long story short, I pulled some crap I probably shouldn't have last night, and ended up crossing swords with the wrong brony.

Suffice to say, I am not prepared to deal with the retaliation of an overly-opinionated, self-righteous control freak who thinks they can moderate every damn thing said about them on the Internet.

I  have done everything I can in terms of damage control, and am currently inquiring to a possible refund for my Trotcon sponsor badge, in case this bad blood does not disappear.

So I'm going dark for a few days, people. See you when I see you.

I work for the most wonderfully amazing person in the world.

As you may know from an earlier entry, the right front tire on the car, that had a sidewall puncture for over 6 months, finally blew last night. I wasn't able to remove the lugs to change to the spare, but luckily, this had happened only three quarters of a mile from my apartment, so I was able to slowly limp it home.

I was fully prepared to bike to work today and attempt to get home before the thunderstorms tonight.

But then my boss made a call, had a local tire place come and get my spare put on, drove to the shop, and replaced the tire.

And paid it in full.

I'm so glad she worked from home today, because I don't think I would've been able to look her in the eyes without breaking down.

Tonight, approximately one hour ago, I experienced my first flat tire. Neither I nor the gentleman who stopped to help were able to loosen the nuts to swap out for the spare. Thank the stars this had happened only a half-mile from my apartment, and I was able to very slowly limp it home, and I don't believe I damaged the rim either.

So long story short, I, like you, no longer trust wheels.

- Jake

But seriously. This happening the same day that I confirm a carpool to Trotcon? Fate.

Thank God this happened a half mile from home, and not on the way to or coming home from Columbus.

Today I learned that I'm friends with some freaking amazing Chicagoland bronies.

I realized this when they're ready to deviate 50 miles from their route to get me to Trotcon in two months.

Your faithful student,

Jake

Pfft...why don't I ever get a free ride...

...and so far, it's helped greatly with outlines. I've hit a bit of a writer's block due to RL events, so this is helping my turn the gears a little bit.

So I've been working at it, bit by bit, and thought I'd give you guys a little tease.

Well, turns out I was correct in my prediction. While some came close, none got it right on the money.

WWE (2)

Burn It To The Ground - Nickelback

Metalingus – Alter Bridge

Guitar Hero / Rock Band (6)

Hangar 18 - Megadeth

Symphony of Destruction - Megadeth

Through the Fire and Flames - Dragonforce

Play With Me – Extreme

Welcome Home – Coheed and Cambria

This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race – 30 Seconds to Mars

Films and TV (7)

Humans Being – Van Halen

The Kids Are Back – Twisted Sister

Dreams – Van Halen

Freebird – Lynard Skynard

Burn – Mad At Gravity

Go Go Power Rangers – Ron Wasserman

My Way – Limp Bizkit

Games (4)

Getting Away With Murder – Papa Roach

Blow Me Away – Breaking Benjamin

Live and Learn – Crush 40

Open Your Heart – Crush 40

Family, Friends, Co-Workers (5)

Life is Beautiful – Sixx AM

Enter Sandman – Metallica

Thunderstruck – ACDC

You Shook Me All Night Long – ACDC

For Those About To Rock - ACDC