Jason here is the second character to be based on someone I actually knew in college, but the FIRST to be actually named and designed to look like the individual (Peter's roommate had those details changed for reasons that will become apparent down the road). Jason was the first real friend I made at the school, and the situation here is how we met. Jason was (and still is) one of the nicest people I've ever known, and a crazy talented artist to boot. I'm hoping to be able to showcase some of his actual artwork in a future page if he gives me permission to do so.
So yes! Cheer up, Peter. Things will be fine.