Went downtown today in hope of overcoming AA.

I needed to find a classy peacoat so that was going to be an opener to kill my nerves. I approached a two set. HB5 and HB6, at a bus top requesting some advice as to where I could find myself a classy peacoat. while talking to one who was very polite, the other one gave me a critical search and seemed very disinteresetd. when I mentioned classy she laughed (at me most likely,) and I thanked them and went on my way.

I found the mall and asked some more HB's for the store I was looking for. After each one i had less and less nerves. And I found that they only kicked in after the approach since they were all so short. I approached a 3 set from out of town and they showed interest, I could have kept it going but I bailed to play it safe. I regret it now, obviously. What was I thinking?! They were from out of town for crying out loud!! What a door they opened and here I was bailin on the set! However this is my thinking at the end of the day, not quite then. I was feeling really good about the approach just because I didn't word it in a one question ender like "excuse me, do you know where I good find a peacoat for a gentleman like myself?" Grrr.. Better than nothing.

Moving on.

I had no luck finding myself that classy jacket and here I was walking around in one I bought at Value Village! I dressed up otherwise, to be able to judge how well a peacoat would look on.

On the way I hit a bookstore. I felt I'd have the most luck there. I love reading and can talk about it forever. I kept in mind a video I saw of Mystery. He said "you say one thing and that THING is interesting, however you say ten things in a row, then YOU are interesting." So this was my spot. I spoke with one girl asking her for a recommendation as I was there on a whim with a desire of something to read. We spoke of books however I was not at 100% confidence and she could clearly tell. I made her laugh a few times and she wished me luck in finding a book I liked. I purchased Rules of the Game .

I moved on to the the main shopping street in hope of having more luck there. I went in to a store and there was one coat that stared at me like nothing I've ever seen before. It was so fitted and just my size. The only one left. I bought it right away and went and put in on at a Starbucks to see if it would have any result as opposed to my VV class. I felt sharp. Tip top. There was an impact. Girls would turn their heads unlike 10 minutes ago when I was walking in the opposite direction. Approaches already in the bag, and the weather getting unbearably cold, I hit the bus. It's a solid forty five minute ride on a packed bus, so with no time constraint I felt it awkward to approach any girl, especially an AFC in front of so many people. However I had a conversation with my brother on the phone about literature, russian, clothing, and dining which really turned a lot of heads. I felt awkward but I faked my composure the whole way.

Back in my city I hit up a Starbucks. As I walked in the girl eyed me up and down. My fitted clothes definitely make an impact. I'm a skateboarder so I am used to wearing the baggiest pants and shirts. I'm done with those. Whether it's the clothing or the confidence boost, it works for me. The girl at the bar walked over in attempt to help me with choosing my tea. I smiled and talked to them asking them about their day, taking no opportunity to turn the conversation interesting... yaaa I know I know. It was first day and I should have stepped it up regardless. Limiting beliefs are no excuse. Yet they were both smiling and enjoying my presence. I bailed and met my friend at the mall. We both wanted to head home immediately but I said. Okay... One last approach. I was getting used to it!

An HB8 with a nose ring walking in my direction. I cut off my friend in conversation (he understood.) And begin:

Me: Excuse me, I need a second opinnion.
HB8: Sure.
Me: I bought this jacket today and..
HB8: It looks good! Where'd you get it?
Me: Zara's, I have no idea... is that a nice store?
HB8: Ya absolutely.
Me: Okay I'll give you a little spin.
Her laughing and me with a light hearted chuckle spin around. She takes a very careful look and reasserts her opinnion.
Me: Well thank you for that. It means a lot! What's your name?
HB8: HB8
I give her a light handshake.

Here is where my day could have ended with me feeling GLORIOUS. So I say...

Me: Well thanks for your opinnion. Have a great day, HB8.

Hmm... She had IOI's and I had nothing to lose. All in all, I'm content with day one. I haven't opened up Rules of the Game, however that was a great start to taking action. I regret not going for the # close, and her face flashes through my mind in regret that I didn't ask that simple question with nothing to lose! My friend gave me a pat on the back knowing that I have been building up the courage to start approaching and we headed off home.

Conclusion: It takes some warming up, however by the end of it I was so careless about the girls' opinnion of me that I feel my second day will bring a lot of progress. I demand myself at least one # close, and if not that at least 5 attempts at one from different angles. Today was a great day for me. I may be going out tonight as well. The AFC within says you've done enough, however another voice inside me is saying "NIGHT GAME NIGHT GAME NIGHT GAME. GO GO GO!"