150 Hours of Bus

How would you like to drive a bus for over one hundred hours? Through a desert? That pulls to the right? And you can't stop? And it can stall on the side? It sounds awful right? Well, what if it was with a bunch of your friends? Will all kinds of goofy hats and costumes? And phone calls from friends that you work with? And guests that show up every now and again? And you're supported by a bunch of different businesses. And you keep a running video feed and chat with the internet? And it's for a good cause?

This is what Desert Bus for Hope is all about.

In 2007 the group behind the popular video series, Loading Ready Run, started a charity drive for by playing the horrible game Desert Bus for as long as they had supports and donations. They broadcast their self-induced torment to the world to help raise money. They've been doing this every year since, raising nearly one million dollars in six years, and bringing in countless celebrities and personalities to help their cause.

The reason I bring this up is because Desert Bus for Hope is happening again, right now. This is the first time I've actually watched it, but it's been incredibly entertaining. But behind all the crazy voices, ridiculous hats, and generally goofy acting, I really appreciate what they are doing.

The organization that they are raising money for is Child's Play. This charity was founded by the guys behind PennyArcade. The goal is to make the lives of hospitalized children better by providing toys and games for them. They are also out to crush the stereotype that gamers are all antisocial, maladjusted, adult children. And the results speak for themselves. Child's Play has raised somewhere over 12 million dollars to date.

The Loading Ready Run crew might not be known for being the smartest comedy, but they are entertaining. They've been working and growing for years and now reach a wide audience. And what are they doing with their influence? They're working to better life for others. The reason I want promote their work is for the same reason Child's Play was instituted.

The world of gaming is as wide and varied as that in TV or film. There are good people. There are stupid people. And unfortunately, the stupid people seem to get a lot of the recognition. But the community has a deep soul to it. First and foremost, we are all human. We are not some monstrous entity made of immaturity and Mountain Dew.

I would invite you all to check out Desert Bus for Hope and consider supporting then. If nothing else, you can enjoy their antics. But I hope you see the real reasons behind it all. They've already spent over a day playing.

I'm so getting quarantined for all this steaming.

Just something to chew on.