For those regular readers, I apologise in advance... but there's been a weird sorta upswing in interest in our little blog and dream over the last couple of days, so I need to re-hash a few things... If you're an "old timer" to "The Old Green Bus", you may still want to have a read, but it is kinda "old territory"...

I 'spose it bodes well I have needed to answer these questions several times over the last four days...

...fingers are always crossed!

WHAT'S WITH THE WHOLE BUS THING?

Quickest way to relate this...

This is an old bus currently stored in a barn in Santa Rosa, California. I found it on a lark through a web-search a couple of years back.

We experienced some really rough financial times and this bus became a focus for us to kind-of "forget our problems" when things were really tight... basically, we'd talk about what we would do and where we would go with the bus.

Times got better (and are better,) but there's no way we could buy the bus on our own... and no outlet to "borrow" or get the cash... and we COULD lose the bus to it either being scrapped or "carved up" beyond restoration or use.

That's why we're here... trying to find any way to raise the money to make a dream come true AND to save the old green bus.

Details about this are here.

Why this is SO important to me personally is documented
here.

The "history" behind it's importance to me personally? Click here.

HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

$20,000.00 is the going quote... $8,000.00 to buy the bus, $12,000.00 to ship it to us in Toronto, Ontario.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST TAKE OUT A BANK LOAN?

Sadly, during the bad financial times mentioned above, our credit rating got shredded... we ARE rebuilding it, but it would take literally years to get into shape to buy the bus.

WHY DON'T YOU BORROW THE MONEY FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY?

To be honest, our friends and family combined really couldn't lend us that kind of money... and to be even more honest, it would take us, at present and with tackling our old debts, five or six years to repay that loan... so it's not really an option.

SO YOU EXPECT PEOPLE TO JUST HAND YOU $20K?

No... not really... we DO have a small "contribution for the dream" thing happening... but we've raised $361.00 to date (over the last year and change,) so although there IS a chance that gifts through this MIGHT help our dream to fruition, we're trying as many other avenues as possible.

Right now, the one getting (apparently) most people's attention is an old one I thought of... but finally got around to "posting" the whole idea... advertising on the bus AS it's being shipped to Toronto. Click here for that thought...

We also have a Cafe Press shop (see the side-bar) and are ALWAYS open to ideas, suggestions, and ANY help anyone can spare!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH THE BUS?

Well, a lot of people assume we'd "run a business" with it... which is not true... mostly because the insurance and licensing would make such a thing practically impossible.

The current plan is...

A: Get her running... which could take months or even years.

B: Convert her into a "mobile home" or "camper". We did some insurance work, and this would be the most cost-effective way for us to be able to drive her and keep her going.

C: Use her for a "family fun vehicle"... but keep her in as excellent condition as possible... ensuring re-restoration will be possible (see below).

D: When we're ready to "retire", convert her BACK to her London Transport glory (as best we can) and donate her to one of the museums that Sue and I volunteer for when we can.

DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL?

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have doubts... BIG doubts... but honestly, one way or another, yeah, I think we'll do it.

To be honest, I have to do it... or truly, "die trying", to be a little dramatic. The reason? Click here.

Things can be important to a person... but when they become something special to his whole family and those he loves most, it's an overriding thing that one NEEDS to make happen... or, as stated, he needs to go down fighting trying to make happen.

There you have it... Of late, these have been the questions I've been fielding... Sure, I know it's in the FAQ for this blog (see the "Rosetta Stone" on the side-bar) but I'm hoping as a "regular post" on a usually heavy-traffic day, it might answer some of those questions from those that ask... or haven't asked yet.

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our pixel ad site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...