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    August 30

    Tailgate Location and Time Set

    There's not enough room for all of you in the short bus, but come and meet us at the tailgate.

    This Saturday will be the 1st official tailgate of the Urban-Transit bus. If all goes as planned we will be tailgating from noon until game time at the corner of NW 15th Terr. and University Ave. This is where the Burger King used to be and is now just a parking lot. You won't be able to miss the bus. (Note the Map Below)

    Tailgating will include all things Gator (minus the jean shorts*) - Sonny's, BudLight on tap, TVs to watch the day's games, a blender to make your frozen beverages, etc etc. We'll even have air conditioning.

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    * for those of you unfamiliar with the jean shorts reference - our rivals tend to mock the laid back football attire of many Gator fans. We will not mock you for such an outfit, however Southern Miss just might.

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    We hope to see you there - and of course, please bring friends.

    YOU MAY WANT TO BRING A CHAIR TOO...

    August 28

    T-Minus One Week!

    It is crunch time, friends and neighbors.  Football season kicks off at 6pm this Saturday for Florida fans.  Those of us on the tailgate team expect kick off around 11am that same day. Just like the players, we've worked hard preparing for the season with this past two weeks as evidence. 
     
    After getting the bus back from the shop with her new innards, we got straight to work.  That night we installed the bar/kegerator box, rear console, and upholstered seats that you can see in the photo albums.  Megan and I also finished some trim on the stairs and in front as well as finished up painting the dashboard in orange.
     
    About a week ago Megan and I worked on some of the beautification by installing the destination signs on the front and rear to replace the "School Bus" signs.  The front features a Gators logo, while the rear touts this very Web site.  The signs look great!
     
    After spending the week traveling for business with my new best friend, "Kidney Stone," I was very happy to get back to the bus.  Joy and Vince had attached the rear hitch and gathered all the supplies for wiring.  They also did a ton of research on the best process to paint the logos on the sides of the bus.  With that knowledge in hand, we started that project over this last weekend.  After some trial and error we ended up with the driver's side looking amazing!  Check out the photos.
     
    Now we need your opinion.  Should we do the same gator head logo on the other side since it looks so sharp, or should we vary it up with the Gators script logo or some other insignia?  Please feel free to email or leave a comment with your opinion.  We'd love to hear it!
     
    So now we're in crunch time.  This week we need to finish the second logo and get all the electronics in place.  We're planning a scrimage for this Thursday's Sec opener between South Carolina and Mississippi State on ESPN.  That way we can work out all of the kinks before gameday. 
     
    I'll be sure to post some more this week as much will be taking place.  Thanks for your interest!
    August 17

    She's Healthy!

    Our girl is a fighter!  She is fully recovered two days ahead of schedule.  I picked her up today and took her for lunch.  The bus starts right up, idles smoothly, and has more pick up than ever before! 
     
    This is a real boost to our schedule since we can do some of the minor things planned for the weekend tonight and tomorrow night leaving the weekend for wiring electronics.
     
    Just wanted to give the update.  More to follow. 
    August 16

    Surgery is Underway

    I stopped in to Tuffy this morning to visit our baby.  It looks like she puked an engine.  Her hood is wide opened for all to see, which must be embarrasing!  Thank god they put her under first.  Anyhow, the old engine is officially out and the new one will be hoisted in today. Then we should have her back for the weekend to start her recovery.  She is still expected to be 100% by game one.
     
    I want to say thanks to the Aiellos for donating to help us pay for this engine!  We really appreciate it.  Anything you can spare will help us so much, and will help you get a few free beers come game day!  Thanks for anything you can do from money to ideas.
     
    August 15

    Moving Forward Even Without an Engine

    Things are really starting to fall in to place on the bus as the deadline rapidly approaches.  This weekend saw the completion of the bar/kegerator enclosure.  With that done, who needs anything else?  In addition Megan and Joy completed the tint job which looks great!  Vince and I spent last night and will spend another night this week on the back cabinets.  They are all built now and just need a piece of trim, the door attached, and to be stained and sealed to match everything else.  So now the seats and table are locked down on the bus and the other two components will join them soon.
     
    All that is left is to get the logo on the bus and get the AV wiring done.  There is no doubt we will make it in time now!
     
    Another bit of good news came last week when we reserved our parking spots right along Newberry road.  We will be in the parking lot just east of the Florida Book Store on the corner of 15th and University.  For those of you that remember it is where the burger king was before it became a sports bar before that became a parking lot.  I'll give more directions closer to day one.
     
    Finally, the state of the engine address...we decided to bite the bullet and get a new one.  That way we get a warranty and piece of mind.  The new Jasper engine is being installed by the capable hands of the Tuffy staff and should be back to us by the weekend which will leave us plenty of time for the remaining work.
     
    We're considering a poker tournament to help raise some funds for the engine...let me know if you're interested by posting a comment.
    August 07

    Floating in a Sea of Beer

    The title can mean only one thing...the kegerator is up and running!  I've spent the weekend "testing" her out.  Have a beer, adjust the pressure, have a beer, tighten the tap handle, have a beer, check the door seal, and so on.  Needless to say, I've had a few.
     
    In addition to the completion of the kegerator, I've also completed the table top for the inside of the bus.  Now we have something to sit around in route to and at the stadium.  It is complete with a Gator logo.  I plan to have pictures up shortly, once I find the camera cord. 
     
    Please don't forget to donate to the engine fund.  The bus is still in the capable hands of Tuffy's.  We should no more tomorrow as to its general state of well being.  I'll keep you posted!
    August 03

    Help a Brother Out!

    We need your help to get the bus running for the opener!  Any donations from $5 to $5,000,000 would be greatly appreciated!  Please help us by donating at our paypal account linked below.  Each donation earns you a free beer at the tailgate!
     
    August 02

    Anybody got four grand I can borrow?

    So it needs a new engine.  That's the long and the short of it. I'm not going to beat around the bush.  She's crapped out. Something about timing and gears and chains that I don't understand.  Frankly I'm glad I don't.  If I did I'd probably be crying even more right now.
     
    I went and visited her last night.  She's sitting behind the mechanic's.  She was resting pretty comfortably, but she was pretty heavily sedated.  She had a long day of people probing her, and needed some rest.  I read her her favorite book, The Little Engine That Could, and though she was asleep she seemed to calm down.
     
    So here's what I need from you.  There is no question we are just too far in to this thing to quit.  That said, do I have four grand lying around for a rainy day?  No.  So I need one of two things: your money or your ideas for getting other people to give me their money.  Here's what I've come up with so far.
     
    1. Bikini Car Wash.  Who wouldn't stop to support several bikini clad women and a bus painted with a Gator logo?  However, this idea has essentially been "poo-pooed" by the wife.  Enough beer could cause a change of heart though.  We'll see. There is a documented history of success with this plan.  Just read that link or look at the pics below. 
    2. Bake Sale.  Only drawback here is that there aren't many legal ways to make a brownie worth $100 each.  Which brings me to my next idea...
    3. Bikini Bake Sale.  Nuff said. 
    4. Donations on game days.  We're planning to put up a bucket on game days for those who are partaking in the festivities, but again this won't get the job done on its own.
    5. Corporate Sponsorship.  The good people at Tuffy's have agreed to a small price break in return for a logo on the rear of the bus.  Don't think we're afraid of whoring ourselves out for more logos.  The party will be much better if the bus can make it to campus as opposed to tailgating at the mechanic's shop.  That's worth a few logos and the feeling of selling yourself.
    6. We could sell cookie dough or magazine subscriptions, however first graders seem to have a real strangle-hold on that market. 
    7. Sell our souls?  I doubt even that would cover the expense.

    I want to hear your ideas. Please use the comment feature to let me know how we can put together the money.  Any ideas, as long as they involve bikinis, are welcomed.  Also, thanks to all for the flowers and condolance cards.  It means alot the the bus and I.