Octavia Melody.

Well, now I find myself in a difficult situation.

I had originally chosen 'Philharmonica' from the amazing story Allegrezza. I had just seen it become common enough in other fics that I assumed that's what the fans agreed on. But now with this new information I turn to you, my readers, with a question.

Should I go through my story and replace every instance of 'Philharmonica' with her new last name 'Melody'?

Or while we're on the subject, perhaps something else? I've seen other interesting instances of her last name, for example Crowley who used the name 'Octavia Baroque'.

Post what you think down below. I'll go with the most popular answer.

I said I'd take it easy on blog posts, but this is just too cool.

That's right! My Vinyl Scratch one-shot got the ol' MST3K treatment! I always kind of wondered when and if something like this would happen. Go ahead and read the riff here.

Big thanks to Atlas_Nebula! That was awesome! I'm going to have to do more cute one-shots like that story. And not like... you know. Yeah.

Now I'll take it easy on the blog posts (if nothing else comes up).

On April 8th, 2012 (according to Fimfiction) I had first published the prologue to the story Room 213. We are creeping up on that time again and so I'd like to say a few things.

First, the story itself has reached over 1,000 thumbs up and over 1,600 favorites. Every time I update, I see it in the featured box. This is incredible. Thank you all so much for the support. I read every comment and check out every user page of those who follow my work.

Now, I'd like to answer the question that's probably on a lot of people's mind: What the hell takes you so long!?

A few things. I'm juggling a couple jobs at the moment, a minimum wage grind + helping the family business (no relation to any of my works). There are also personal projects I work on, mostly drawing. I hope to make a living off of my art one day.

As for things I do as Whirring Gears, I've been doing some art for the Sensual Fiction General, banners and what not. I also have more stories going, my collaboration with Kody910 and Shylock, but also another story I hope to be able to release the first chapter of soon. I'm afraid burn-out has set in as I've been working more on Shylock and the other story as I have Room 213.

I also have my hands in a couple different pony-related pots. To keep this blog post appropriate, I won't go into too much detail. I've been doing some more questionable drawings with a certain theme under a different name and will soon be doing stories as well. Chances are, you will not see anymore clop on this account. Got a different outlet for that as well as many different plans for it. I won't say the name here, but I think it'd be easy to figure out with a little searching. If you're really curious, feel free to send me a PM and I'll tell you who it is.

Just remember, they are for clop and Whirring Gears is for romantic feels.

Now for the big news and what I hope will motivate me to my goal: Room 213 will be updated on Monday, April 8th 2013.

If not, well then... I'll let you guys choose my punishment. It'll be put up to a vote in a blog. So the timer's ticking and I'm going to keep writing. Also, I tweaked my back and am on some pretty heavy-duty medication.

Just goes with my mantra: if you're going to fail, do it spectacularly.

To get the April Fool's thing off of there (all your jokes were horrible, I loved it), I have a little something that a good person I know did first but I want to do as well.

I have a twitter account now.

I'll post little updates about when I write, how I write, and how much I write. Plus, some details about other pony-related activities I'm currently working on. Not for typing #YOLO when buying a scone at Starbucks, I promise.

Happy April Fool's Day everyone! A time for pranks and laughter. Pinkie Pie would love it.

I had some plans for tricks to pull, but I decided against them. Instead, I think it'd be great for anyone interested to share some jokes on this joke-filled day. So ready those riddles, puns, and groaners and post your best!

A man walks into a butcher's shop. The butcher greets the customer and says, "Hello! We are having a special on beef tongue today, can I interest you in any?"

The man says, "Ew, no! That's been in a cow's mouth! That's disgusting!"

The butcher shrugs and asks, "Alright then, what can I get for you?"

The man replies, "I'll take a dozen eggs."

So I just caught wind about stuff going on in my home state.

Bit of background about myself: I am a huge hippy. I believe in a lot of natural things, but above all else, food. I hate CAFOs and big business meats and will support local providers any chance I get.

HOWEVER, there is a bill in Indiana going right now. You can read an article about it here and here, but here's the long and short of it:

It will be illegal for people to take pictures of big farming operations without their knowledge.

These farms usually try to hide what they do due to the reality of it. Poor conditions for the animals, terrible treatment of them, sickness, disease, pollution; the list goes on and on. The only reason the public gets light of any of this information is due to these undercover operations. Making it illegal will make it easier for these people to hide their unsafe practices. People we're supposed to trust with our food.

Not only that, but it would also make it illegal for the actual workers to come out and complain. Not just with the treatment of the animals, but with the unsafe industrial practices that puts the workers themselves at risk. Whether through injury or sickness.

Worst part? They didn't even let the people weigh in their opinions at all. The chairman Don Lehe was asked if they were going to allow public comment.

His answer was one word: nope.

These 'ag-gag' bills have always been a problem. Big politics keep trying to push them through. We need to take action. Please, please, contact your local representative. Tell them that you are opposed to helping cover up the poor conditions of big farming.

I'm sorry to abuse the voice I have like this, but this is something I feel strongly for. I am shaking right now, I'm so mad.

Spread the word, if you would be so kind. Please. For our right to know how our food in the United States is being handled.

Sorry to check the story boxes for this, but it affects my stories and I want to ask as many people as I can. I'll keep this short, though.

As you know, I write. As you may not know, I also draw. I've drawn the banner for the SFG and some other works with more planned. I want to get faster at both of these things.

I've researched on the web and there's a lot of saying of practice, practice, practice, but I already do that. With my stories, my art projects, and my real life, there are only so many hours in a day. My usual bedtime is now five in the morning, but I'm still not satisfied with the amount of content I produce in that time.

I'll keep on practicing, but in the meantime, does anyone know of any tips or tricks? I would definitely appreciate it.

Hey watchers! Just a quick note to say that the collaboration between me and Kody910 now has a second chapter!

Step Up, Don't Suck

Also, I wanted to get rid of that poll about the already posted first chapter of a story.

As I've talked about before, I've been planning to get multiple projects going to keep myself from getting burnt out on any one thing. I have Room 213, my collaboration with Kody910, and another such project that is either ready or soon to be ready.

I've run into the same problem as I did with Room 213 that I have a rather small prologue ending on a cliffhanger. Now that I have a few more watchers (600+ WATCHERS WOO!) I figure it'd be best to put it up to vote again.

Should I...

A: Release the cliffhanger prologue as soon as I can?

B: Wait until the first real chapter is completed and then release both?

About this story... It's not going to be the super happy feel good fic that Room 213 is. Quite the opposite, really. So keep that into consideration. I'm headed for work, so I will be back to see what people think later tonight.

Thank you all for your support thus far and I hope that you will find this new story as entertaining as the others I've written.

Yep! Me and Kody910 are writing a story together! Maybe the first of more projects between the two of us.

Here is the userpage!

Here is the story!

So go on and give them your watches and favorites. Also watch Kody because he's a cool dude.