Week 14

   I have found myself in a completely different dimension; a strange world that I either created while tripping on hallucinogens or this place actually exists. It smells like Christmas trees outside. Strangers walk at a relaxed pace and offer unforced smiles. I see huskies everywhere. And there are bearded men in flannel by the dozens. And when I say 'bearded men', I'm not referring to the scary bearded men like the ones I've encountered in Ashland-where it looked as if they were smuggling snacks for later under layers of coarse, uncombed hair attached to their chins. No, the beards are nice here and clean cut too; I could of sworn I just saw the Brawny Towel guy walk past me. There are little boutiques that smell like Anthropologie- fresh floral scented candles and new clothes. There are art studios available for rent in old industrial buildings conveniently located by a bakery that permeates the scents of fresh croissants and cappuccinos.  There is beer, lots of beer, and breweries by the river that not only serve IPAs by the tap, but fresh lemon kombucha. And there's seafood paella, margaritas and tacos- tacos just as delicious as the tacos served in the Mission District in San Francisco(seriously,I'm not exaggerating). The only thing that is missing here is rap music or dancing, there is not a place to get down and dance like you're in 'funky' town.

   Yep, there must not be a big dancing vibe here, but it's the middle of Oregon, that shouldn't come as a surprise, right?  I came to this conclusion  my first night in Bend while I was wearing a dress. My friend Noelle and I heard about a local band playing at Mcmenamin's, a unique and trendy bar/movie theater/spa place. We sat down at a table and saw the American folk band, Juniper and Gin, playing with heart and soul, yet there were no other spectators dancing or even merely bobbing their heads! Was I in the twilight zone, and the people were replaced with aliens that had never heard of music before? Why was nobody dancing to such awesome music...especially with such a hot and bearded lead singer? After the band finished their set, I was determined to talk to the band and flirt with the lead singer..why not? I was in a dress! Turns out the whole band was pretty awesome and we all headed to a local bar that was clearly Oregonian because there were flower pots made of mason jars hanging off the wall. I decided after a few local beers and talking to Jason, that hot lead singer(who was a gentleman and unfortunately married with kids) that Oregon was awesome regardless if there wasn't much dancing. But maybe the lack of body-gyrating and gettin'-jiggy-wit' it  people just meant they needed me in this town, and I should just show the Oregonians how to shake their arses?

   But... then....as soon as I came to this unfortunate conclusion, and accepted it, I was quickly enlightened at the next bar. As we walked in the door, the DJ began to play Biggie's Hypnotize. followed by even more 90s old school hip hop. They do play rap music here! Maybe this place really is a figment of my imagination: trees, huskies, beer, climbing, bearded men in flannel and old school hip hop?

  And it didn't stop there. I was content with just some rap music blasted over DJ speakers, and really couldn't ask for much more.  Ever heard of that group, Blackalicous?? Yes, Blackalicous was in Bend. Blackalicous was in Bend. At 8 pm on Sat night I looked at my iphone and saw the posting and by 10 pm Noelle and I were dancing at the front of the stage in a tiny bar listening to their swift beats. There weren't many people dancing mind you, except for one girl named Bronzy that was indeed in her own world. But apparently I wasn't the only one that was surprised to see Blackalicous in town, because Blackalicous themselves were surprised to even be in Oregon, but fate brought them to me.  And with such an unexpected destination for hip hop I don't think the lead singer was ready for my moves either. While he was rappin' to Candy Rain, he jumped off the stage and started dancing with me. As I was grinding my hips he had to stop the music, and compose himself, explaining to the crowd he couldn't handle my moves. Yep, watch out Blackalious, some girls in Oregon do know how to dance..well, I'm from California, but soon I'll have all of the Bend-ians crumping and twerking..It is so going down!

Bending and breaking it down in Bend!