diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard.pm b/lib/CharmBoard.pm
index f8365a7..dac37aa 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard.pm
@@ -12,39 +12,39 @@ use CharmBoard::Util::Crypt::Seasoning;
 
 # this method will run once at server start
 sub startup {
-  my $self = shift;
+  my $app = shift;
 
   # load plugins that require no additional conf
-  $self->plugin('TagHelpers');
-  $self->plugin('Model', {namespaces => ['CharmBoard::Model']});
+  $app->plugin('TagHelpers');
+  $app->plugin('Model', {namespaces => ['CharmBoard::Model']});
 
   # load configuration from config file
   my $config =
-      $self->plugin('Config' => { file => 'charmboard.conf' });
+      $app->plugin('Config' => { file => 'charmboard.conf' });
 
   # set this specific forum's name
-  $self->helper(board_name => sub { $config->{board_name} });
+  $app->helper(board_name => sub { $config->{board_name} });
 
   # load dev env only stuff, if applicable
   if (lc($config->{environment}) eq 'dev') {
-    $self->renderer->cache->max_keys(0)
+    $app->renderer->cache->max_keys(0)
   }
 
   # import Mojolicious secrets
-  $self->secrets($config->{secrets});
+  $app->secrets($config->{secrets});
 
   # import password pepper value
-  $self->helper(pepper => sub { $config->{pass_crypt}->{pepper} });
+  $app->helper(pepper => sub { $config->{pass_crypt}->{pepper} });
 
   ## database setup
   # ? this could maybe be a given/when
   {
     my ($_dsn, $_unicode);
-    if (lc($self->config->{database}->{type}) eq 'sqlite') {
+    if (lc($app->config->{database}->{type}) eq 'sqlite') {
       $_dsn     = "dbi:SQLite:" . $config->{database}->{name};
       $_unicode = "sqlite_unicode"
 
-    } elsif (lc($self->config->{database}->{type}) eq 'mariadb') {
+    } elsif (lc($app->config->{database}->{type}) eq 'mariadb') {
       $_dsn     = "dbi:mysql:" . $config->{database}->{name};
       $_unicode = "mysql_enable_utf"
 
@@ -63,18 +63,18 @@ sub startup {
       { $_unicode => 1 }
     );
 
-    $self->helper(schema => sub { $schema })
+    $app->helper(schema => sub { $schema })
   }
 
   # session helpers
   ## create session
-  $self->helper(session_create => sub {
-    my $self = shift;
+  $app->helper(session_create => sub {
+    my $app = shift;
 
     my $_session_key = seasoning(16);
 
     # create session entry in db
-    $self->schema->resultset('Session')->create({
+    $app->schema->resultset('Session')->create({
       session_key    => $_session_key,
       user_id        => $_[0],
       session_expiry => time + 604800,
@@ -83,59 +83,59 @@ sub startup {
     });
 
     # now create session cookie
-    $self->session(is_auth     => 1            );
-    $self->session(user_id     => $_[0]        );
-    $self->session(session_key => $_session_key);
-    $self->session(expiration  => 604800       );
+    $app->session(is_auth     => 1            );
+    $app->session(user_id     => $_[0]        );
+    $app->session(session_key => $_session_key);
+    $app->session(expiration  => 604800       );
   });
   ## destroy session
-  $self->helper(session_destroy => sub {
-    my $self = shift;
+  $app->helper(session_destroy => sub {
+    my $app = shift;
 
-    my $_session_key = $self->session('session_key');
+    my $_session_key = $app->session('session_key');
 
     # destroy entry for this session in the database
-    $self->schema->resultset('Session')
+    $app->schema->resultset('Session')
         ->search({ session_key => $_session_key })
         ->delete;
 
     # now nuke the actual session cookie
-    $self->session(expires => 1);
+    $app->session(expires => 1);
   });
   ## verify session
-  $self->helper(session_verify => sub {
-    my $self = shift;
+  $app->helper(session_verify => sub {
+    my $app = shift;
 
     my $_validity = 1;
     my $_catch_error;
 
     # get info from user's session cookie and store it in vars
-    my $_user_id = $self->session('user_id');
-    my $_session_key = $self->session('session_key');
-    my $_is_auth = $self->session('is_auth');
+    my $_user_id = $app->session('user_id');
+    my $_session_key = $app->session('session_key');
+    my $_is_auth = $app->session('is_auth');
 
     if ($_is_auth) {
       try {
         # check to see if session with this id is present in db
-        ($self->schema->resultset('Session')->search
+        ($app->schema->resultset('Session')->search
           ({ 'session_key' => $_session_key })
           ->get_column('session_key')->first)
               or die;
 
         # check to see if the current session key's user id matches
         # that of the user id in the database
-        $_user_id == ($self->schema->resultset('Session')->
+        $_user_id == ($app->schema->resultset('Session')->
           session_uid($_session_key))
             or die;
         
         # check if session is still within valid time as recorded in
         # the db
-        time < ($self->schema->resultset('Session')->
+        time < ($app->schema->resultset('Session')->
           session_expiry($_session_key))
               or die;
       } catch ($_catch_error) {
         $_validity = undef;
-        $self->session_destroy;
+        $app->session_destroy;
       }
     } else {
       $_validity = 0;
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ sub startup {
   });
 
   # router
-  my $r = $self->routes;
+  my $r = $app->routes;
 
   # controller routes
   ## index page
diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Index.pm b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Index.pm
index 403ec8b..9db6b26 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Index.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Index.pm
@@ -10,15 +10,15 @@ use Mojo::Base 'Mojolicious::Controller', -signatures;
 use Tree::Simple;
 
 sub index {
-  my $self = shift;
+  my $c = shift;
 
-  if ($self->session_verify eq undef) {
-    $self->redirect_to('/')
+  if ($c->session_verify eq undef) {
+    $c->redirect_to('/')
   }
 
-  $self->render(
+  $c->render(
     template      => 'index',
-    category_tree => $self->model('forums')->list_full
+    category_tree => $c->model('forums')->list_full
   )
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Login.pm b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Login.pm
index b99fcbe..906229c 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Login.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Login.pm
@@ -11,19 +11,19 @@ use CharmBoard::Util::Crypt::Password;
 use CharmBoard::Util::Crypt::Seasoning;
 
 sub login {
-  my $self = shift;
+  my $c = shift;
 
-  $self->render(
+  $c->render(
     template => 'login',
-    error    => $self->flash('error'),
-    message  => $self->flash('message')
+    error    => $c->flash('error'),
+    message  => $c->flash('message')
   )
 }
 
 sub login_do {
-  my $self     = shift;
-  my $username = $self->param('username');
-  my $password = $self->pepper . ':' . $self->param('password');
+  my $c     = shift;
+  my $username = $c->param('username');
+  my $password = $c->pepper . ':' . $c->param('password');
 
   my $catch_error;
 
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ sub login_do {
   # check user credentials first
   try {
     # check to see if user by entered username exists
-    $user_info = $self->schema->resultset('Users')
+    $user_info = $c->schema->resultset('Users')
         ->search({ username => $username });
     $user_info or die;
 
@@ -45,27 +45,27 @@ sub login_do {
 
   } catch ($catch_error) {    # redirect to login page on fail
     print $catch_error;
-    $self->flash(error => 'Username or password incorrect.');
-    $self->redirect_to('login');
+    $c->flash(error => 'Username or password incorrect.');
+    $c->redirect_to('login');
   }
 
   try {                       # now attempt to create session
                               # get user ID for session creation
     $user_id = $user_info->get_column('user_id')->first;
 
-    $self->session_create($user_id);
+    $c->session_create($user_id);
 
     # redirect to index upon success
-    $self->redirect_to('/')
+    $c->redirect_to('/')
 
   } catch ($catch_error) {    # redirect to login page on fail
     print $catch_error;
-    $self->flash(
+    $c->flash(
       error => 'Your username and password were correct, but a server
           error prevented you from logging in. This has been logged
           so the administrator can fix it.'
     );
-    $self->redirect_to('login')
+    $c->redirect_to('login')
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Logout.pm b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Logout.pm
index b204b57..6aaf9d8 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Logout.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Logout.pm
@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@ use feature ':5.20';
 use Mojo::Base 'Mojolicious::Controller', -signatures;
 
 sub logout_do {
-  my $self = shift;
+  my $c = shift;
 
-  $self->session_destroy;
+  $c->session_destroy;
 
   # redirect to index
-  $self->redirect_to('/')
+  $c->redirect_to('/')
 }
 
 1;
diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/NewThread.pm b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/NewThread.pm
index 89f330f..e42baea 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/NewThread.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/NewThread.pm
@@ -9,32 +9,33 @@ use feature ':5.20';
 use Mojo::Base 'Mojolicious::Controller', -signatures;
 
 sub thread_compose {
-  my $self = shift;
+  my $c = shift;
 
-  my $subf_id = $self->param('id');
+  my $subf_id = $c->param('id');
   my $subf_cat =
-      $self->schema->resultset('Subforums')->cat_from_id($subf_id);
+      $c->schema->resultset('Subforums')->cat_from_id($subf_id);
   my $cat_title =
-      $self->schema->resultset('Categories')
+      $c->schema->resultset('Categories')
       ->title_from_id($subf_cat);
 
-  $self->render(
+  $c->render(
       template   => 'thread_compose',
       subf_id    => $subf_id,
       cat_title  => $cat_title,
-      subf_title => $self->schema->resultset('Subforums')
+      subf_title => $c->schema->resultset('Subforums')
         ->title_from_id($subf_id),
-      error      => $self->flash('error'),
-      message    => $self->flash('message')
+      error      => $c->flash('error'),
+      message    => $c->flash('message')
   )
 }
 
 sub thread_submit {
-  my $self = shift;
+  my $c = shift;
 
-  my $thread_title = $self->param('thread-title');
-  my $post_content = $self->param('post-content');
+  my $thread_title = $c->param('thread-title');
+  my $post_content = $c->param('post-content');
   my $post_time    = time;
+  my $subf_id = $c->param('id');
 
   my $catch_error;
 
@@ -43,9 +44,12 @@ sub thread_submit {
     ($thread_title, $post_content)
         or die "Please fill both the title and post content fields"
   } catch ($catch_error) {
-    $self->flash(error => $catch_error);
-    $self->redirect_to('/:id/new')
+    $c->flash(error => $catch_error);
+    $c->redirect_to('board/:id/new')
   }
+
+  # now send it
+  
 }
 
 1;
diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Register.pm b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Register.pm
index 1591636..86582f6 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Register.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/Register.pm
@@ -11,22 +11,22 @@ use CharmBoard::Util::Crypt::Password;
 
 # initial registration page
 sub register {
-  my $self = shift;
-  $self->render(
+  my $c = shift;
+  $c->render(
     template => 'register',
-    error    => $self->flash('error'),
-    message  => $self->flash('message')
+    error    => $c->flash('error'),
+    message  => $c->flash('message')
   )
 }
 
 # process submitted registration form
 sub register_do {
-  my $self = shift;
+  my $c = shift;
 
-  my $username         = $self->param('username');
-  my $email            = $self->param('email');
-  my $password         = $self->param('password');
-  my $confirm_password = $self->param('confirm-password');
+  my $username         = $c->param('username');
+  my $email            = $c->param('email');
+  my $password         = $c->param('password');
+  my $confirm_password = $c->param('confirm-password');
 
   my $catch_error;
 
@@ -50,9 +50,9 @@ sub register_do {
     # check to make sure username and/or email isn't already in use;
     # if not, continue with registration
     ## search for input username and email in database
-    $user_check = $self->schema->resultset('Users')
+    $user_check = $c->schema->resultset('Users')
         ->search({ username => $username })->single;
-    $email_check = $self->schema->resultset('Users')
+    $email_check = $c->schema->resultset('Users')
         ->search({ email => $email })->single;
 
     # TODO: compress this into something less redundant
@@ -63,18 +63,18 @@ sub register_do {
     ($email_check) eq undef
         or die "email already in use."
   } catch ($catch_error) {
-    $self->flash(error => $catch_error);
-    $self->redirect_to('register')
+    $c->flash(error => $catch_error);
+    $c->redirect_to('register')
   }
 
   try {
-    $password = $self->pepper . ':' . $password;
+    $password = $c->pepper . ':' . $password;
 
     # return hashed result + salt
     ($salt, $hash) = passgen($password) or die;
 
     # add user info and pw/salt to DB
-    $self->schema->resultset('Users')->create({
+    $c->schema->resultset('Users')->create({
       username    => $username,
       email       => $email,
       password    => $hash,
@@ -83,17 +83,17 @@ sub register_do {
     })
         or die;
 
-    $self->flash(message => 'User registered successfully!');
-    $self->redirect_to('register')
+    $c->flash(message => 'User registered successfully!');
+    $c->redirect_to('register')
   } catch ($catch_error) {
     print $catch_error;
-    $self->flash(
+    $c->flash(
       error =>
         'Your registration info was correct, but a server error
          prevented you from registering. This has been logged so the
          administrator can fix it.'
     );
-    $self->redirect_to('register')
+    $c->redirect_to('register')
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/ViewSubf.pm b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/ViewSubf.pm
index 738dd4d..a17ef28 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/ViewSubf.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard/Controller/ViewSubf.pm
@@ -9,23 +9,23 @@ use feature ':5.20';
 use Mojo::Base 'Mojolicious::Controller', -signatures;
 
 sub subf_view {
-  my $self = shift;
+  my $c = shift;
 
-  my $subf_id = $self->param('id');
+  my $subf_id = $c->param('id');
   my $subf_cat =
-      $self->schema->resultset('Subforums')->cat_from_id($subf_id);
+      $c->schema->resultset('Subforums')->cat_from_id($subf_id);
   my $cat_title =
-      $self->schema->resultset('Categories')
+      $c->schema->resultset('Categories')
       ->title_from_id($subf_cat);
 
   my @thread_list =
-      $self->schema->resultset('Threads')->fetch_by_subf($subf_id);
+      $c->schema->resultset('Threads')->fetch_by_subf($subf_id);
 
-  $self->render(
+  $c->render(
     template    => 'subf',
     subf_id     => $subf_id,
     cat_title   => $cat_title,
-    subf_title  => $self->schema->resultset('Subforums')
+    subf_title  => $c->schema->resultset('Subforums')
         ->title_from_id($subf_id),
     thread_list => \@thread_list
   )
diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Forums.pm b/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Forums.pm
index 0877661..3124475 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Forums.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Forums.pm
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ use Mojo::Base 'MojoX::Model';
 use Tree::Simple;
 
 sub list_full {
-  my $self = shift;
+  my $c = shift;
   # fetch a list of all categories
-  my @_all_cat = $self->{app}->schema->resultset('Categories')->fetch_all;
+  my @_all_cat = $c->{app}->schema->resultset('Categories')->fetch_all;
 
   # create a Tree::Simple object that will contain the list
   # of categories and the subforums that belong to them
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ sub list_full {
 
     # fetch all subforums that belong to this category
     @_fetch_subf =
-        $self->{app}->schema->resultset('Subforums')
+        $c->{app}->schema->resultset('Subforums')
         ->fetch_by_cat($_iter_cat);
 
     # add each fetched subforum as children of the branch
diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Categories.pm b/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Categories.pm
index dd5dbaa..a04d810 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Categories.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Categories.pm
@@ -9,18 +9,18 @@ use feature ':5.20';
 use base 'DBIx::Class::ResultSet';
 
 sub fetch_all {
-  my $_set = shift;
+  my $set = shift;
 
-  my $_fetch = $_set->search({}, { order_by => 'cat_rank' });
+  my $_fetch = $set->search({}, { order_by => 'cat_rank' });
 
   return ($_fetch->get_column('cat_id')->all)
 }
 
 sub title_from_id {
-  my $_set = shift;
+  my $set = shift;
 
   return (
-    $_set->search({ 'cat_id' => $_[0] })->get_column('cat_name')
+    $set->search({ 'cat_id' => $_[0] })->get_column('cat_name')
         ->first)
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Subforums.pm b/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Subforums.pm
index f8797ab..a222888 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Subforums.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Subforums.pm
@@ -9,26 +9,26 @@ use feature ':5.20';
 use base 'DBIx::Class::ResultSet';
 
 sub fetch_by_cat {
-  my $_set = shift;
+  my $set = shift;
 
-  my $_fetch = $_set->search({ 'subf_cat' => $_[0] },
+  my $_fetch = $set->search({ 'subf_cat' => $_[0] },
     { order_by => 'subf_rank' });
 
   return ($_fetch->get_column('subf_id')->all)
 }
 
 sub cat_from_id {
-  my $_set = shift;
+  my $set = shift;
 
   return (
-    $_set->search({ 'subf_id' => $_[0] })->get_column('subf_cat')
+    $set->search({ 'subf_id' => $_[0] })->get_column('subf_cat')
         ->first)
 }
 
 sub title_from_id {
-  my $_set = shift;
+  my $set = shift;
 
-  return ($_set->search({ 'subf_id' => $_[0] })
+  return ($set->search({ 'subf_id' => $_[0] })
         ->get_column('subf_name')->first)
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Threads.pm b/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Threads.pm
index 70c5e1f..10a5a35 100644
--- a/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Threads.pm
+++ b/lib/CharmBoard/Model/Schema/Set/Threads.pm
@@ -9,18 +9,18 @@ use feature ':5.20';
 use base 'DBIx::Class::ResultSet';
 
 sub fetch_by_subf {
-  my $_set = shift;
+  my $set = shift;
 
   my $_fetch =
-      $_set->search({ 'thread_subf' => $_[0] });
+      $set->search({ 'thread_subf' => $_[0] });
 
   return ($_fetch->get_column('thread_id')->all)
 }
 
 sub title_from_id {
-  my $_set = shift;
+  my $set = shift;
 
-  return ($_set->search({ 'thread_id' => $_[0] })
+  return ($set->search({ 'thread_id' => $_[0] })
         ->get_column('thread_title')->first)
 }
 
diff --git a/templates/index.html.ep b/templates/index.html.ep
index dd6b09d..01e03b3 100644
--- a/templates/index.html.ep
+++ b/templates/index.html.ep
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 % layout 'default',
-% title => $self->board_name;
+% title => $c->board_name;
 
 <% my $cat_header = begin %>
   % my $_cat_id = shift; my $_name = shift;
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@
 foreach my $category ($category_tree->getAllChildren) { %>
   <%= $cat_header->(
     $category->getNodeValue,
-    $self->schema->resultset('Categories')->
+    $c->schema->resultset('Categories')->
       title_from_id($category->getNodeValue)) %>
 <%
   foreach my $subforum ($category->getAllChildren) { %>
     <%= $subf_item->(
       $subforum->getNodeValue,
       $category->getNodeValue,
-      $self->schema->resultset('Subforums')->
+      $c->schema->resultset('Subforums')->
         title_from_id($subforum->getNodeValue)) %>
 <%  }} %>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/templates/layouts/default/_header.html.ep b/templates/layouts/default/_header.html.ep
index a59b778..e864acd 100644
--- a/templates/layouts/default/_header.html.ep
+++ b/templates/layouts/default/_header.html.ep
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 my $userControls;
 
 # TODO: once implemented, put username + profile link first
-if ($self->session('is_auth')) {
+if ($c->session('is_auth')) {
   my $username = '';
   $userControls = "<a href=\"/logout\">logout</a>"}
 else {
@@ -10,5 +10,5 @@ else {
         "<a href=\"/login\">login</a> |
               <a href=\"/register\">register</a>"};
 %>
-<a href="/"><h2><%== $self->board_name %></h2></a>
+<a href="/"><h2><%== $c->board_name %></h2></a>
 <%== $userControls %><br /><br />
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/templates/login.html.ep b/templates/login.html.ep
index ffa4c1c..61c2fea 100644
--- a/templates/login.html.ep
+++ b/templates/login.html.ep
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 % layout 'default',
-% title => $self->board_name . ' - Login';
+% title => $c->board_name . ' - Login';
 % if ($error) {
 <p style="color: red"><%= $error %></p>
 %};
diff --git a/templates/register.html.ep b/templates/register.html.ep
index 710b299..c4cb544 100644
--- a/templates/register.html.ep
+++ b/templates/register.html.ep
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 % layout 'default',
-% title => $self->board_name . ' - Registration';
+% title => $c->board_name . ' - Registration';
 % if ($error) {
 <p style="color: red"><%= $error %></p>
 %};
diff --git a/templates/subf.html.ep b/templates/subf.html.ep
index b8b94f7..3fa2a59 100644
--- a/templates/subf.html.ep
+++ b/templates/subf.html.ep
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 % layout 'default',
-% title => $subf_title . ' - ' . $self->board_name;
+% title => $subf_title . ' - ' . $c->board_name;
 % my @thread_list = @{stash('thread_list')};
 
 <% my $thread_item = begin %>
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 </div>
 <% end %>
 
-<a href="/"><%= $self->board_name %></a> » <%= $cat_title %> »
+<a href="/"><%= $c->board_name %></a> » <%= $cat_title %> »
     <%= $subf_title %>
 <br /><br />
 
@@ -20,6 +20,6 @@ like to <a href="<%= $subf_id %>/new/">make one?</a>
   foreach my $thread_id (@thread_list) { %>
 <%= $thread_item->(
     $thread_id,
-    $self->schema->resultset('Threads')->
+    $c->schema->resultset('Threads')->
         title_from_id($thread_id)) %>
 <% }} %>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/templates/thread_compose.html.ep b/templates/thread_compose.html.ep
index 9aa2310..f747fff 100644
--- a/templates/thread_compose.html.ep
+++ b/templates/thread_compose.html.ep
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 % layout 'default',
-% title => 'New thread - ' . $self->board_name;
-<a href="/"><%= $self->board_name %></a> » <%= $cat_title %> »
+% title => 'New thread - ' . $c->board_name;
+<a href="/"><%= $c->board_name %></a> » <%= $cat_title %> »
     <%= $subf_title %> » new thread
 <br /><br />
 <form method="post" action="/board/<%= $subf_id %>/new/">