We would like to thank one of our returning sponsors this year, Invincible Ink! Invincible Ink is a tiny circle of independent artists and game developers based in Australia whose work focuses on inclusivity, diversity and cute anime junk. Some of their games include Senpai! Notice Me, Cafe Romantica, Lily x Blade, and Queer Coding.
Thank you again, Invincible Ink for your generosity to Desert Bus!!
Night Watch got into the lab coats! They could be anyone! We are going to teach you so many things tonight, you cannot possibly be prepared. We certainly weren't.
Let's start by dusting off the vocabulary of evolution. Carcinization is a form of convergent evolution whereby, due to similar ecological pressures, all snack become crab. Homologous structures are physical features in species with a common ancestor who have adapted that same feature into very different functions. This is a critical concept to understand in the ongoing debate about whether dogs have arms and how centaurs would be the big spoon.
Even while we sort out these essential mysteries of the universe, of course, we are still raising money for charity! We raised $700k in the course of a single sentence.
And we let out a primal scream at $718(k).
Another frontier of discovery that has long fascinated humankind is space. Are we alone in the universe? Are there aliens in outer space? How about aliens on the route from Tucson to Las Vegas?
Once we opened our eyes and started to ask questions, we started to become aware of many strange visitors. These two called themselves ""Soraya" and "Alex." It is possible that they traveled here on the ship Soralex. They seemed friendly.
Other visitors were more mysterious... at first. Once we figured out how to communicate with our third strange guest, we found them to be quite willing to engage in trade! We trust it was mutually beneficial, er, somehow.
It is of course inevitable that humans too will one day travel through space AND that we will do it in super-cool giant robots called gundam. To get a head start on the future, our assembled panel of experts taught us everything about the Science of Gunpla. Please review this lecture carefully, as it will be on the test!
Isn't it astonishing how much you can learn by studying and embracing science? You don't even have to become a weirdo who keeps jars of strange fluid in their home (but you can, if you want to). You just have to watch the Science?! channel and open your mind to the possibilities.
However, science cannot explain what is happening here.
Like sand through an hour glass, so are our silent auctions. And these particular silent auctions only have a little over an hour's worth of sand left! At 2am PST, they will no longer be within your grasp!
The first of this pair of silent auctions is a Dinosaur Baby Quilt, donated by crafter Ms. Jesse!
Measuring at an approximate 54inches by 55inches (137cm x 139cm), it was made using 100% quilters cotton in assorted blues and greys, two layers of cotton batting, and a plaid cotton flannel, it is very cozy for whatever use you put it to. There is even a chance it contains actual dinosaurs through the use of polyester thread.
Current high bid is $1,800.
Next, a themed Battletech Omega Shift Mercenary Star mini set, donated by BaachicLitNerd!
The miniatures are plastic and painted in roughly two dozen shades of acrylic paints, and the base is wood with cork, epoxy, and PLA 3D printed elements, as well as various types of flocking. The shift-colored crystals on the mech bases are 3D printed resin. Best admired by young mechwarriors from afar due to small pieces.
Current high bid is $1,888.81.
Embiggen! More! MORE! EMBIGGEN I SAY! Don't stop gathering magic to embiggen these Oversized Oaths of the Gatewatch cards until they are at least half a Jordan tall. Play any of these cards in a tournament and you will wipe your opponent off the table - not necessarily because these card are unbeatable, but because they are literally one meter (3ft) tall. Not much room for your opponent to counter when you've literally blocked the whole play space.
Donate $5.44 or multiples thereof for a chance to bring these home and maybe build a kitchen table out of them.
Legacy Books Press explores the corners of history that are lesser known or misunderstood, publishing everything from ancient history to the modern history of, let's say, video games! They've been a sponsor of Desert Bus for Hope since 2016 and we love having them. Thank you Legacy Books Press for your support!
This is a BIG OLE GUNDAM. At 14" (35.5cm) high, the Perfect Grade Unicorn Gundam is tall enough to stare down a cat (if you have any cats nearby). It also has three forms that it can shift between: "Unicorn," "Destroy," and "Destroy Unchained."
This rare edition is officially sold out through all Bandai channels, so winning it here might be your last chance to get it! Donate $7.90 (or multiples thereof) before 9:45pm for a chance to bring it home and scare the bus out of your cat.
The items available in this secret auction will give you the sweetest dreams of dinosaurs and big giant robots. But only if you act before 2am PT!
Dinosaur Baby Quilt
Current Bid: 1,234.56
Battletech Omega Shift Mercenary Star
Current Bid: $1,720.00
You awaken in a cabin in the woods. The room is dark, lit only by dim candles and a strange white glow coming through a thin, rectangular slit in the door. A figure with swirling orange eyes peers at you from the shadows.
"If you want this Inscryption Playing Card Deck, sacrifices must be made..."
Please offer sacrifices in the form of donations: $6.39 or multiples thereof will get you a chance to win this giveaway. No daggers or pliers on the bus!
Earlier today in Alpha Flight, we challenged the community to create greeting cards celebrating a day of peace between the Desert Bus shifts. Here's the winning submission, by Haley (she/her):
Congratulations! Here's some additional honorable mentions from our community...
Submitted by Hilford (he/him)
Submitted by teapotmimic (she/her)
Submitted by Adzy (she/her)
Submitted by DoomsdayLLC (they/them)
Submitted by Lindsay (she/her)
Submitted by Painted Puffling (she/her)
Submitted by SoapToaster (she/her)