I tried to become a true fat man, and failed. My metabolism found a way to somehow work against my fantasy of becoming a disturbingly massive physical presence. In the course of a six-month period, I was only able to accumulate a disappointing thirty pounds. So, I did the next best thing - I faked it. I got some big clothes and packed them with cotton batting. The real beauty of the costume is the way it induces sweating. It’s really authentic looking and awesome!

My goal is to challenge the world as a fatso. I want to pave the way for oversized others to feel comfortable in an otherwise skinny equals fashionable, over-manicured, stupid-hipster-whitebelt world that is trying way too hard to be pretty.

I have lived the fat dream in strip clubs, dive bars, scenester rockshows, and on the job site. I even went to the Blues Festival. While I wasn't nearly the only fat man in that crowd, I was the only one dancing and, to no avail, trying to start the wave. People don’t know how to deal with fat in action.

The public’s response is always the same: a lot of staring, pointing, and name calling. It’s sort of like being a drag queen. But I think fat’s a lot of fun. I think fat’s the new skinny!

-- as told to Jen Lane