'Til the Next Big Show...

Andrea "Dre" "Wiley One 1982" Wiley and I have been friends since the moment I moved to San Francisco. Although I wasn't sure we'd get along right off the bat, since the girl is so absolutely cool - and I was, well, not - we bonded over busy Medjool nights of high maintenance, tapa-consuming guests.

You see, Dre has this outgoing Bay Area style that's colorful and vibrant, with cool high sneakers and insane Halloween costumes, not to mention her undying devotion to being in attendance of each and every worthy show that came to the Bay Area. Lest I forget her collection of Simpsons (and other) memorabilia, her love for hiding easter eggs and having us search for them dressed in pimped out fur coats, and her innate ability to talk to everyone she meets with ease. I was a bright-eyed SF newbie who looked up to the confidence and vigor for life that Dre so candidly expressed minute by minute.

That is Dre in a nutshell. She, just like the colors of hoodies and high tops she owns, is the definition of an epic friend. Recently, Dre informed the world that she has been fighting breast cancer. At 28 years old. Living without health care down in Venice Beach, she has documented her story for the world to see.

In each and every minute of her first two videos shown below, you'll see the strength and comedic relief of the Dre I've grown to adore shine through in the only way this woman knows how...unedited, and bursting with a love for living life everyday.

This one's for you, Dre. Stay amazing.
-Sonja