Earlier today during Dawn Guard, we challenged the community to submit their tributes to Paul, who is hanging out on Zeta Shift this year. Here's the winning submission, from MaybeTara:
Congratulations! Here are some additional runner-up submissions from the community:
by Ancient Chaos (pronoun agnostic)
by TeapotMimic
by TehAmelie (she/her)
by Dal (they/them)
by happy_harp (they/them)
Thank you so much to the generosity for many years from JagaSilk! Their tea ceremonies are a highlight every single year, and we're happy to have them back again. We love having them as a sponsor for Desert Bus for Hope.
JagaSilk was created (and is operated and owned) by Miyuki and Jared Nyberg. The adventure began in the summer of 2005, making deliveries from the public transit system.
"Importing maccha began with a little knowledge and a kernel of an idea. As the owners of JagaSilk, we have since been able to visit the tea garden where we import our organic maccha from, have our very own car (lol) and have had the opportunity to work with some very inspiring individuals and places. We hope to remain connected to our roots here in Victoria, BC, while exploring the world. We shall see where this journey takes us."
If you, like us, love Idle Champions, then you will definitely want to pay attention! They have been wonderful to work with and they have gifted our audience a code to unlock multiple characters and prizes in game!
Both of these lovely crafts are up for silent auction right now, but make sure you get in your bids before they go! These end at 10am PST!
First up we have these soft and cuddly Amigurumi based on the four shift banners! There's Zee, Winnie, Flynn, and Donnie. They love to be hugged and may or may not contain cat hair.
Second we have this Pokemon themed backpack! This beautifully detailed drawstring bag is put together with custom fabric, and boasts double resistance to water attacks with its vinyl bottom and waterproof canvas interior! Set it down anywhere and just wipe it clean, inside or out!
We'd like to thank the returning sponsor, Heroic Replicas! They continue their trend of sending RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING props for us to give to you! For charity! FOR THE CHILDREN!
Heroic Replicas specialize in accurate replicas of fantasy, sci-fi, action and adventure props and accessories. They make realistic props from the movies, shows, comics, and video games that make all of us the nerds we are now.
Their team has decades of experience in:
- Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Design
- 3D CAD development with SolidWorks and 3D Printing
- CNC Machining (steel, wood, and plastics) and Laser Engraving
- Mold making – Silicone and sand molds for plastic and metal
- Laser, Water Jet, Plasma and Oxy-Flame profile cutting
- Grinding, sharpening, welding and fitting
- Heat treating, quenching, and tempering
- Carpentry and woodworking
- Leatherworking, hardening, braiding, and dying
- Concrete forms
Every year we like to do art challenges for this year's DB shirt, and today we begin the Dawn Guard version!
As you might know, we loss Paul to Zeta this year. Did he descent into madness, or did he finally get set free from this mortal coil and constant job of guarding the dawn, to ascend into the better place that is....Zeta? That's up for you to decide! So draw us your best tribute to Paul, ex-Dawn Guard, singer of shanties.
Submit your art to contests@desertbus.org with the subject line "Paul Tribute" by 10:30am PST for a chance to win!
Whether you were sleeping, working, solving world hunger, or were otherwise engaged, we have a rundown of the shift!
Zeta had visitors...
The gang gives advice for visiting Japan!
Beej had a breakdown... He's fine?
Paul sings, and Beej performs the dance of the four shift banners
The Littlest Variable is back! In pog form!
Beej went to a club, and we got to hear about it!
We continued on building "lego", and still have no clue what we're building.
Finally, a guide on how to take care of your pet gazebo!
Finally, we wrapped up the shift with lots of talk on architecture, funny Canadian words, and sofa info. Don't say Zeta didn't teach you anything!
And now, while Zeta slumbers, the bus rolls on! Keep your eyes on the stream for Dawn Guard, where I'm sure everything will be perfectly normal. Just as normal as can be. Wait? They do coffee pong? So much for normal...
Thank you so much to one of our wonderful prize sponsors this year, Trakke! From their workshop in Scotland, they handmake weatherproof waxed canvas bags & accessories for travel & adventure.
Crafted with British-made materials, Trakke bags are guaranteed for life; so you can worry about what lies ahead, not what's on your back.
Trakke has kindly donated a wonderful prize lot coming up later in this year's run! Thank you again, Trakke! We appriciate you!!
A new pair of silent auctions just started up! These auctions are running until 10am PST, so while you have a little bit of time, don't wait too long and miss out!
First up, a set of four Amigurumi Shift Jackalopes, donated by crafter Jacob "Moss" Wrestler.
A cute little family of 4 Shift Busalopes, who are all so excited to help the kids! The tallest and softest is Zee, made of velvet yarn and snoozes. They're perfect hug size no matter what age, and they absolutely love cuddles! Then there are the twins made of soft and shiny acrylic yarn and boundless energy, Winnie and Flynn, they both are great friends to play games or read adventure books with. And finally, Donnie! They're a very calm bun, who loves having his ears played with. Donnie has so many different yarns, that he's a perfect fidget companion! Bit maybe keep them away from coffee pong, as Donnie's depth perception isn't the best.
Current high bid is $420.69
Next is a roomy Pokemon backpack, donated by 7 Deadly Stitches, just for you!
Put together with custom fabric, our bag boasts double resistance to water attacks with its vinyl bottom and waterproof canvas interior! Set it down anywhere and just wipe it clean, inside or out!. If needs be, the bag can be hand washed with cool water and hung to dry.
Attached to the front are enameled zip pulls on both outer pockets, harder than an Onyx's shell that compliment the rest of the ensemble cast of characters printed on the body.
Current high bid is $778
Like these? We have plenty more awesome silent auctions coming soon! Check the prizes page here to see what's next!
We have two wonderful silent auctions due to be wrapping up soon, at 2am PST! Get your bids in before it's too late!
First up, we have a cross-stich of the USS Tucson art created by Zeta's own Jen, and donated by SparklesPNW.
This project was made with love, 877 feet (293 yards) of floss and 300 work hours. There is also a hidden glow in the dark element!
Current high bid is $4321!
Next, a full Desert Bus shift set of 4 Gunpla, donatated by Brandon Nguyen!
Each kit comes with some accessories included in the original box. The Master Gundam includes extra hands (sorry no horse or full cloak). The Zeong includes a stand (because it has no legs upon which to stand). The Gyan comes with a shield and beam rapier (as befitting its elegant owner). The ZZ comes with a beam cannon and 2 beam saber parts (and an extra hand for use with the beam saber hilts in the backpack).
Current high bid is $2500.
Only about an hour and a half left to bid on these wonderful art peices!!