OFFICIAL BUSINESS: We’re in Bend, Oregon for the day to tell our little story to the good people of the Central Oregon Ad Federation. Our old stomping grounds. Lived here for five winters from 1993 to 1998. Like a little scrub. Snowboarded during the day at Bachelor and worked in my bedroom at night. My nickname was “Dark Cloud.” Friends would open the door to my room and say, “How’s the forecast?” And I’d say, “Too much light. Leave me alone.” And I’d get back to work. That’s how shit went.

I’m excited as hell to be here, and to meet everyone. I’ve got a couple buddies I’ll be squeezing in to the show, to prove to them once and for all that I am a good person. And I take this shit seriously, and not-so-seriously. And I’ve had a hell of a run. And I am trying to make a real career out of this shit. Proof, really. Hell yes.

Okay, I gotta put some pants on and check out of the Phoenix Inn. I used EVERY bar of soap, towel in my room, you know, to get my money’s worth. Lavish accommodations. Big, comfy bed. Slept hard and dreamed about lava caves and goose shit in Drake Park and Bailer and nights at the Evil Sister Saloon and Chad and the Westside Bakery and Fishpaw and other awesome Bend memories…

Today, Bend: AdFed Central Oregon presents: February AdBite: “Tall Tales From A Large Man with Aaron Draplin of the Draplin Design Co.”