Here is a list of questions we're often asked about this blog...

Hunh? What gives? Did you people want us to throw money at your sorry keesters or sumthin'???

Sorta... but not any more. We started off just blogging about WANTING to try and get a bus... then we switched because people said we should TRY to get a bus... but at last run, we didn't succeed so we kinda gave up. We're still bloggin', but the bus isn't an "objective" any more.

Does that make sense? If not, look to the right on this blog... there's a bit more detail in the description of this blog about the whole mess.

#1: What's with the bus?

Short story? Okay... We (really, my whole family,) are trying to obtain/own/rescue an old double decker bus. It'll take $20,000.00 (American) to do this and we don't have the funds.

If you're interested in the long story (which is, I think, pretty interesting), click here to read that.

It's pretty important to us... but we've given up "schilling" for it...

#2: Okay, fine, but I'm noticing that much of the posts have little to do with this bus...

That's because, a while back, we were kinda... well... told off. Effectively, and not so nicely, we were "told" by many that this seemed like a "cyber-begging" situation and was really annoying to people... So, we've turned it into a "standard type blog" with loads of stuff... news, thoughts, diaries, whatever... It's now a sounding board for us as well as being about trying to obtain the dream.

We wanted folks to have a good reason to be here on the ol' blog...

#3: Politically, are you left or right?

This ain't a political blog... and both Sue and myself don't toe any party lines... we do vote, but we vote on issues and the abilities of our local representative... we're neither left nor right... not even really centre... we simply look at the issues and work from what we believe works and what doesn't... and there's good points to BOTH sides.

...but again, this IS NOT a political or religious blog.

#4: What's all this weirdness here with the paranormal? Are you a woo-woo or something?

Yes, Sue and I have both been called woo-woos.

We ACTUALLY believe that people feel they experience what is considered paranormal phenomena. We've been looking into it for over a decade through our groups, ParaResearchers, Torontoghosts, Ontarioghosts, GHRS Canada, and PSICAN... and we both have a thing called "The Paranormal Blog".

Here's the rub though... We WORK within the confines of PROPER scientific principals... and are friends with many at Skeptics[sic] Canada and other "sceptical" organisations.

We also work with SEVERAL accredited (properly) scientists, professors, and other folks within the scientific and research communities.

...but...

We also work with groups and people that are FIRM believers in the paranormal and supernatural.

We feel the evidence shows that "weird stuff happens" and where people get lost and confused is what is the causation of these things... Many people act on "faith" with causation (either pure belief or pure non-belief), but since there's no empirical evidence to say things AREN'T happening and none to show things ARE happening, that's what we work on... trying to find answers...

What sets us apart is we're willing to debunk ourselves, call it as we can prove it, and most importantly, say those three little words that so many in our field cannot bring themselves to say... "We don't know."

#5: This is all fine and dandy, but how did your "quest for the bus" go?

Pretty dreadfully, to be honest... but it was a learning experience.

#6: AHA! I see through all this! You're only out for money! CHARLATANS! SCOUNDRELS!

You got us... we were out for $20,000.00 (American) to get our bus... nothing more...

Granted, if someone had said, "Well, I'll get you the bus, but NO MONEY! That'll teach you!", hey, we would have been FINE with that!

Honestly, our goal was the bus... I mean, if I wanted to "shill", "con", or "grift", I'd aim a LITTLE higher than $20k USD.

#7: If you were too poor to buy the bus, what made you think you could have looked after it?

Good question!

To make this a VERY short answer...

- We went through some REALLY bad financial times.

- They are not over, but things have improved dramatically.

- Despite the improvement, for the next little while, what we have HAS to pay down debts from this bad time.

- Soon, this won't be the case, but to save $20k USD would take several years... and in that time, chances are, the bus will be scrapped, carved up for other purposes, or will simply rust to pieces. (For the record, though, we ARE saving a little towards the bus.)

- When we set up this online plea, we did find two people who said they would be happy to properly store the bus (indoors) while we SLOWLY work on things... or wait until we can afford to. At least, in one of these storage spaces, it will be safe and sound.

- We've sourced out and gotten quotes to ship the bus from it's current location (in California) to Toronto... and may even have someone with a flat-bed willing to do it "at cost"... just 'cuz.

- We've also built up a small network of people who are "enthusiasts" and can help repair the bus and give tips.

So there you have it... a slow process, but a sure process... we'll get there... if we can get the bus.

#8: So, you would have used the bus for tours?

No... it would have been nice, but we looked into it and taxes and insurance would not make it a profitable idea.

It would have been for "personal" use...

#9: Then you would have used it for the weird paranormal work, right?

No... it would be a little difficult to be "discreet" in such a vehicle. Most of the folks who contact us are already worried about us showing up in a hearse of "old ambulance", so no, it would not have LIKELY been used for our studies.

#10: Okay... well then, what WOULD you use the bus for?

Honestly, personal use!

We would have kept everything together to allow for a COMPLETE restoration (to it's former London Transport glory), but for us, it would be something to cruise around in to places we like to visit for small trips... and re-enactments and what have you.

Our plan was, after we were done (or could no longer afford to... or were too old... too sick... to tired... whatever...) we would have donate it, restored, to one of the museums we work with or have worked with for them to use... and preserve.

BONUS FAQ: Where the heck is/was this bus you were questing after?

As of writing this (June 2008) RLH 3 is currently in a barn in Santa Rosa, California where it's being used as a very large garbage container.

The bus' fate is uncertain... she'll most likely be sold for scrap soon... alternatively, she might be sold to be "carved up" (beyond restoration) with her top removed and/or access put in for restaurant equipment or the like.

Again, at the time of writing, the current "owner" is currently not online... so we didn't have communications as such, and were relying on a gentleman in Santa Rosa who's a bus enthusiast to send us news and information...

We hope, as of now, "our bus" finds a good and proper home.

BONUS FAQ: Is this like a Who retirement concert? Will you try to save the bus again?

Never say never, but without a firm and workable plan... without an indication that indeed, we COULD do it, no... I will not be "re-starting" the plan of rescuing "our bus".

More might be added here IF we notice a lot of the same questions being asked...