April11
Yesterday I attended a Fatshion Swap event in San Francisco. I had heard about it on Tumblr.com and immediately knew I’d have to go. It’s so very rare that these things work with my schedule. I got all dolled up and headed out a bit later than I had planned. I had one of those weird moments when you know there’s a chance that you’ll be way over dressed or made up and I’d walk in a everyone would be in jeans and pony tails. Well, that didn’t happen. Ha! I did have a helluva time walking up the hill to the venue from where I parked in my outfit because of the wind insisting the world see my undergarments. I did make it though and was greeted by some lovely fats!
I handed off my clothes for the swap and gave my donation at the door. Part of me expected a stamp on my hand or the typical club “no in & out privileges” talk. None of that though. The moment I walked in I was slightly overwhelmed until I saw my friend
Nicole off to one side chatting with
Marilyn Wann. How fucking cool is that?! Way fucking cool, I’ll tell ya! And everyone looked amazing! (Nicole was kind enough to take some pictures and I shall post them once I receive them. She’s a very busy gal and so we will have to wait patiently together.) I believe that there was champagne and cupcakes, but I arrived terribly late and so there was not much in that arena by that time. No worries, I had plenty to see and do and chat and just good times!
What I could not get over/handle/understand was that there were so many gals coming up to me saying how they loved my outfit and even asking for make up tips…from ME?! Twilight Zone!!! Cannot be real! Yet somehow, it was. I never dress up or wear make up. The outfit I wore came together by sheer accident and my make up was easy because it was the infamous and classic Clinique “Black Honey” collection. Ha-ha! But I was a-glow from the compliments. You could not have asked for cooler or nicer gals, I swear!
After some chatting and seeing what I could find on the size 20+ table (I scored a cotton skirt) I turned around and there was
Jessica in a see-through black mesh dress with ivory lace collar smiling right at me! What a bizarre moment that was. I’d never met or spoken to her before and usually only see her on Tumblr, so to suddenly be right in front of her smiling, rosy-glowing face? Fabulous! She is just as lovely and amazing in-person as she is online. Myself, Nicole, Jessica and a bunch of other gals (sorry ladies, I remember some of your names but not all…it was too much fun!) headed out to lunch once we were done at the swap. We talked and ate and laughed so very much. It was a true delight!
I feel that I made some new friends. I felt so welcomed. I felt that I was a part of something very special. And let me tell you, walking along Divisadero in San Francisco in a procession of glamorous looking fat ladies? All eyes were on us! At one point Jessica began waving at the on-lookers and I just couldn’t keep the smile off my face. What a sight we must have been?! What a fantastic and fabulous and fucking bad ass fatty sight we must have been?! Ha-ha!
I did feel a twinge of sadness sitting there with these lovely gals. You see, I thought of so many of you who couldn’t attend this fat event. I thought of specific friends I have made through this blog or Fatshionista or just all over the ‘Sphere, ya know? And I just thought, well, I thought to myself that I needed to enjoy it all the more so that I could somehow absorb it’s core goodness and give it right back to all who have been so kind and helped and supported me along my fat acceptance journey. I realize that there is no way I can beam such loveliness through the internet, but I assure you it’s being sent out right to you at this very moment. Huge rays of fatty-love, shining out from within me and straight into you! Can you feel that? It’s the love! Ha-ha!
My point (I have a point?), is that fat events are so very worth the effort put into organizing and attending them. I know it’s not always easy to get out of our lives and routines for such things, believe me I know! But damn, there is nothing like that feeling! This swap was such a fun and eye opening experience for me. I just wish it didn’t have to end. That none of us ever had to go to a job or a home or any of those lifey things. No, we would just exist in a realm all our own and laugh and laugh! But reality is what it is and here I am at work. I feel hung over, but not from my pint of pear cider. I feel a bit worn out. Because I know how special yesterday was and I think I am somehow mourning the fact that it’s over and who knows what tomorrow will bring. We have to enjoy each moment as much as we can and be grateful for having these amazing people in our lives (online or IRL).
I have no doubt that another swap will be organized and I will attend. There’s also NoLose in Oakland this Summer and hopefully another Cupcakes & Muffin Tops (clothing swap organized by Big Moves Bay Area) later in the summer, too. I have my monthly fat meet up on the second Saturday of the month at my cafe (for now). And who knows what else is brewing out there?! If you can, please go to these events, it’s such an opportunity to meet and relate and enjoy the company of those who would never hate or judge you. Why? Because they themselves have dealt with all of that, too. There is this unspoken bond. There is a special sparkly something that just makes these things so worth it. And if there aren’t any fat events near you, organize one yourself! There are so many fats who would love to help you do just that!
Thanks,
<3
S
