The Great Weird-Off: Keep Austin or Keep Portland Weird? A Hilarious History
Ah, the battle of the beards and the brews! Austin and Portland, two cities that wear their weirdness like a badge of honor. But when it comes to the slogan that screams "we embrace the unusual," which one reigns supreme? Buckle up, truth-seekers (and fans of fantastic flamingo lawn ornaments), because we're about to dive into the delightfully quirky origins of "Keep [City] Weird."
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| What Came First Keep Austin Or Portland Weird |
Austin: The OG Weirdos?
Hold your microbrews, Portland peeps. The phrase "Keep Austin Weird" first surfaced around 2000, with a librarian named Red Wassenich sparking the flame. Legend has it, he called into a radio station to donate and declared, with unwavering conviction, that the station helped "keep Austin weird." Talk about a librarian with a wild side!
This offhand remark struck a chord. Soon, bumper stickers plastered cars, urging folks to fight the bland and support local businesses. Red became a local hero, even creating a website and guidebook to celebrate Austin's unique flavor.
QuickTip: Skim the ending to preview key takeaways.
Portland Crashes the Weird Party
Fast forward to 2003. Enter Terry Currier, a Portland record store owner with a keen eye for a good slogan (and maybe a touch of wanderlust for Austin's weirdness). Inspired by the movement down south, Terry brought "Keep Portland Weird" to the Rose City. Did it catch on? Let's just say, Portland's quirky charm took to the phrase like a hipster to a fixie bike.
Here's the thing: there's a friendly rivalry between these two cities. Austinites might scoff, claiming Portland's just a copycat. Portlanders, ever the underdogs, might retort, "Hey, we do weird our own way, with a sprinkle of artisanal cheese on top!"
QuickTip: Scan quickly, then go deeper where needed.
The truth? It doesn't matter who said it first. Both cities have embraced the message, fostering vibrant communities that celebrate individuality and creativity.
So, Who Wins the Weird Award?
There's no trophy for weirdness, folks. The real winners are the artists, musicians, and dreamers who keep these cities abuzz. Whether you're sipping on a craft margarita in Austin or browsing a vintage clothing store in Portland, you're part of something special.
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
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Frequently Asked Weird Questions:
How to be Weird (the Austin Way): Grow a luxurious beard (optional: braid it!), wear a pair of well-worn cowboy boots, and fiercely defend breakfast tacos as the most important meal of the day.
How to be Weird (the Portland Way): Rock a meticulously curated collection of vintage band tees, master the art of brewing your own kombucha, and be prepared to engage in a deep conversation about the existential angst of taxidermy squirrels.
QuickTip: Break reading into digestible chunks.
How to Decide Which City is Weirder: It's a close call! Visit both and see which flavor of weird resonates more with your soul.
How to Keep Your City Weird: Support local businesses, embrace the unexpected, and never be afraid to express yourself (even if it means wearing a giant chicken costume to the grocery store).
How to Start Your Own "Keep [Your City] Weird" Movement: Get creative! Design some funky stickers, throw a block party celebrating local artists, or write a song about the beauty of your city's eccentricities.
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