Since I first set foot on the big ol' green bus that was the original 'To The Bottom And Back' bus on New Years Eve to hand out condoms, I knew there would be something lasting about it. I thought about what a great concept it was- getting people to and from bars safely in Richmond and not have to worry about driving or getting accosted on the streets while inebriated. Then people started getting on the bus itself. What a fun atmosphere!!! People get on and start chatting away with each other. They start singing with the music, start feeling the community growth in ways that you NEVER see on public transportation. Since that time the bus has grown, now there are 4 buses, covering not only VCU- the largest school in the state, but also University of Richmond- the wealthiest. Absolutely astounding! To cover both sides of the tracks and have people of vastly different social economic classes enjoying the same free service!

In that time I've used the bus many time myself. I've hosted for them by not only handing out condoms- but making sure people get on and off safely and answer the phone to get pickups...now I'm a driver, thanks to them helping me get my CDL, and I also run special projects for 2BnB. All in a year since the inception. Now at the end of that year we will be running a special all day round trip to 'Best Friends Day 9'....it is the end of summer for Richmond (and gaining popularity all up and down the East Coast) and will truly cement us in the hearts of all Richmonders. Thankfully I kept a reserve of 200 condoms from my original thousand...it won't be enough but it should help! To The Bottom and Back has brought school fraternity/sororities to ME, begging to get condoms, begging to be on the bus, and all from that one simple connection. As long as I keep getting condoms sent, I will continue to offer people the opportunity to be safe/have choices in their sexual health. I also will continue to drive until every last inebriated person makes it home safe.

 So I missed UPS's first delivery attempt. Thankfully I have today off and a lot to do around my place so I'll be around to get my condoms today- about time. Now it's time to get proactive about condom distrubution.  I know plenty of cute ideas that I can put my own personal spin on this, but to what effect? I think I'm going to go by the University and the local Planned Parenthood to see if I can get a lot of their materials to hand out as well. I bet most people don't know where to go for Plan B or even just for a STD check. I want to have everything ready when I start handing out.

The other question is one of time. Snow is fast approaching and I think I shall take my efforts out on the first day it happens. Oh yes, everyone will go out and enjoy themselves throwing snowballs and making snow angels, but the cold gets boring pretty fast and soon people will be looking for indoor activites- and I plan to hit them then. 500 condoms seems like so much...and yet so little. With a school of over 30,000 it's just a drop in the bucket, so I'll focus my attention on first year students. Get 'em young right? Thankfully I have the resources of a service fraternity at my disposal and perhaps even the theater department. The trick will be to make a splash. I love being the center of attention, and if it's not me it better well be something I'm doing. There is a local preacher that is always at it in the commons area- perhaps I'll distribute to calm the folks down. 


Heck I have a set of bagpipes- I AM going to get attention- we'll see what happens then!

 I'm seriously  frustrated about being one of the last to receive condoms. With the weather turing for the worst- I had a perfect opportunity to go through VCU and hand out condoms to promote fun, safe, 'indoor' activities to students. Of course I'll get my condoms next week when the weather is 77 degrees and sunny.  Fine yes, I'll have plenty more chances to come later in the winter- but I'd like to spread it out to about 150 condoms a month, and that should tide me through the winter months.