I'm hoping to attend Fat Girl Speaks in Portland, Oregon on June 9th. Are any of you interested in coming? I think it is going to be an amazing event. I've submitted my application to be a performer. I've written some funny poetry about being a fat chick and I would be thrilled to read my work at that event. I'm still waiting to hear from them but I'll let you know as soon as I do.

I'm not just interested in attending a fun, cool weekend event where outspoken and creative women get together to celebrate their curves...although that does sound great doesn't it? Another reason why I want to go is that I love the Pacific Northwest. I've enjoyed being in Vancouver, Canada and also Bellingham, Washington and I have actually cried at the airport at the end of my trip. I wanted to go home to New York but I felt so sad about leaving that area. I feel completely at home there. The people are relaxed and groovy and the weather is perfect. I really like that rainy climate. And the air! It's so clean - I found out how good it feels to breathe. Heaven.

The thing that impressed me the most about the Pacific Northwest is that the people are really groovy and easy to talk with. They also have a different set of criteria (from New York City and Los Angeles) when relating to each other...especially about body types. I saw women of all body types wearing sexy clothes, wearing exercise clothes, wearing business clothes and they all seemed more relaxed to my eyes. I didn't hear my friends who live in that area complain about the size of their thighs or wonder if anyone would ever love them unless they lost a few pounds and the men were happy to be with a happy woman. They weren't just looking for a chick with buns of steel. Maybe it's all that clean air that's responsible for all that clean thinking?

My husband and I have discussed moving to that area and maybe we will in a few years. For now...I am really happy to have another Pacific Northwest trip in my near future. Let me know if you are planning on being at Fat Girl Speaks. I hope to meet some of you!