There are many influences that brought this blog to fruition. The most important one obviously being the occurrence of the events in this story. The second great motivation has been my perusal of a brilliant blog by Allie Brosch called Hyperbole and a Half ; the method of story telling she uses has forever changed how I think about and present humor. The final and most personal influence has come from my sharing of this story with friends, family and even strangers at times...laughing beyond control with others, especially when it is at my own misfortune, is a strangely wonderful feeling.