AA is everything, isn't it? If you don't play, you can't win. And that's the most important lesson I've taken from The Game. Knowing the rules and strategies doesn't mean squat if you aren't willing to implement them. For my entire life, I've chosen to keep my pride and not risk rejection.

Now, I'm not going to lie. For the most part, I'm considered to be an attractive guy. I've slept with exactly 30 women - not one rated below a 7. People who know me assume that I'm a ladies man and/or player - and I don't correct them. On occasion, with the right mix of vodka and cheap lighting ... I'll easily strike about a conversation with a lady and play it off like I do it all the time.

But the truth is ... of all the women I've slept with, there's only been a handful of whom I haven't met online! Hell, if it wasn't for websites like myspace, I'd have little experience at all. I've become dependent on the format - pictures, well-thought out written messages, and rejections that cause zero internal turmoil. But in the field of reality, I'm ill-equipped.

And what sucks is ... I know I'm capable. I have the personality. Hell, I graduated from college on mere likability alone. I'm in shape, handsome, and humor is probably my greatest asset. But, unfortunately, as much as I hate to admit it ... my confidence varies with each day. I fear rejection. Period.

I'm 27-years-old. The last time I approached a woman was approximately 4 years ago. I was at the mall and saw two gorgeous Spanish girls heading toward the escalator. I was well-dressed and confident ... but I was still hesitant. I walked towards them from behind (what was I thinking?), and I slowly felt the air leave my lungs. I wanted to turn around and leave, but my target just looked too good. The exchange went like this:

Me: "Excuse me, my name is Paul. And I just had to say I think you're absolutely beautiful."

Her: "Thank you."

Me: "May I ask how old you are?"

Her: "Nine-teen."

Me: "Oh, I'm twenty-three. Am I too old for you?"

Her: "Smiles. No."

Me: "Well, I don't want to take too much of your time. Here's my number. Call me if you'd like."

Whew, I couldn't believe I went through with it. Afterward, I felt like I had just gotten into a car accident. You know, that nerve-filled shaken feeling. And, man, was I bad! I didn't even get her name.

Two days later, I was in the car with another girl (I met online), and I received a private phone call. I picked up, and it was her! I told her I was with a friend ... and asked if she could call back later. She said, "okay," but never did.

I mean, at least she called. But for whatever reason, that painful feeling I got as I approached the two earlier in the week just wasn't worth the satisfaction of a mere call back.

Anyway, it's pretty simple. I love women. I see attractive women everywhere I go. I'd like to be better at striking up a conversation. Getting a phone number. And not giving a crap if it doesn't go well.

If I don't learn these things, I fear I'm going to one day be 40 years of age and have about 100 internet lays under my belt. It's not normal. And I want better.

If this post doesn't earn me a free membership, be sure to know that I'll join anyway. I'm committed to seeing this thing through.

wow brad, thanks alot, cant wait!

AA experiences?

I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but I used to be the smart kid in class. I was always considered a nerd, and my social confidence took a blow. In a one on one, I could talk to the girls I was interested in and get them interested in me, but walking up and talking to them was not something I did often. When I did, I'd have to psyche myself out about it a day or so in advance, and even then my words would get jumbled.

For instance, I used to hang out with this girl that was my neighbor. She was really cute, and we'd do everything together, just like best friends. I was walking her home one night, and we were alone, so I said something like "I think we should take our friendship to the next level" or some lame line like that. I don't think it came out quite right, because she said "what?" in a confused-sounding voice. I said "nevermind", and got rid of all of the pressure. Totally ruined any chance with the girl, totally AFC.

Anyways, I've been in the PUA scene less than two months, and already I've noticed some MAJOR differences in how I feel/act around girls. I've also been helping out friends when they need a clever/C&F reply to a text

A free membership would be cool. I'm also a freelance graphic/web designer if you need any help with anything!

Awww, nuts....and I just remembered a great AA story I had back a couple years ago.

Let me know if you're still accepting stories for application.

_________________
Lo' there do I see My Father.
Lo' there do I see the line of My People, back to the beginning.
Lo' they do call to me, they bid me take my place among them.
in the Halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live forever.

Don't know if this is too late, but I thought I would give it a shot.

I do have approach anxeity. There have been times when I have just thought about going out to approach people and that would put a knot in my stomach. I don't have any good AA stories, however when I'm in a group a lot of times I'm quiet. More times then not and I don't like it.

It all depends on certain aspects. For one, it depends on my mood. Sometimes, I'll be in a great mood, and just having fun and don't really care about anything. That's usually when I'm most social. Secondly, it depends on how big the group is. Larger groups means less likely that I'm going to talk because I dont' know how to get in on the conversation. Thirdly, It depends on if I know the people or not. Though this could go both ways. If I know the majority I may be quiet because I don't want to look like a fool infront of them. Or I may be inclined to be more outgoing because I know more of them. On the flip side, if I don't know the majority I may either get really shy and not put myself out there, or I may get into that mind set of not caring and just having fun.

One of the things that has always bothered me. Is that when I'm out to dinner with my family, a lot of times I don't talk. I don't know how to get in on a conversation. Everyone always seems to start talking before I do and I just don't know how to get in to add my two cents. In the past, if someone would ask my opinion, i would always back down and say "I don't know" either because I didn't like being put on the spot, or because I didn't want to create conflict. Now though, I'm trying to state my opinion more when asked.

PUAlife.com sounds like a great idea and I'm sure it will help a lot of people overcome AA.

_________________
Men fall in love with their eyes. Women fall in love with their ears.

You know its funny, I've learned so much, yet I can do so little because simply put, I don't have the balls to approach. At least for my daygame. It has more to do with my own insecurities than the fear of rejection. I feel like all the dedication I put into learning NLP, MM, SS and DYD is almost useless because I'm unable to approach 75% of the targets I say I want to. I can't say I'm as behind as others that posted, but this would be a great opportunity for me, I hope to learn from someone now instead of study and practice by myself. I also feel like it would be a great opportunity to get to personally know some of the mods as well.

P.S. I wont share any particular AA stories because they all have the same tragic ending.

_________________
I'm addicted to facing my fears.

Just saw this,

Truth is I have known PUA for quite a bit of time but because of AA, I feel I am not even close to what I should be at this point! When I am alone and about to go somewhere for potential sarging, I always feel confident and know I can do it but when I get there, that confidence get shot right out the window . Even after reading quite a bit about inner-game.

Now I have got to make amends, especially because I am going to a camp in a few weeks and there I absolutely CANNOT let AA take a hold of me again! Totally kills the whole experience and makes me feel pathetic. Definitely need help, PUALife.com seems like my only hope!

I got another one from a few hours ago.

I'm working on completely ridding myself of AA, and so I'm starting to go up to complete strangers and introducing myself, etc. I'm trying to find out what people look for in a first impression, and how I'm presenting myself right off the bat.

First set today, I sat down for a half hour trying to overcome my AA. Finally got over it, and had a cool conversation.

Second set was five or so minutes later. Passed by once, and then approached with no problem.

Third set was easy, just started talking and went into my thing.

Three is all I got in, but just the difference from the first set to the third was pretty awesome.

wow. my first post and i had to happen to find this thread lol.

well i don't know how i can put this into terms that will represent how i need this.

i truely believe we ALL need something liek this, because everyone gets AA at some point and depending on the person, the amount of AA you get is different.

I wouldn't call myself a loser or something, but i'm a third year in college now and every single day i get annoyed and depressed about how my college experience is sucking badly. i go to a school where there aren't that many HB's and when there is one, i NEVER talk to her. i guess you can say i'm a HUGE AFC hahah.

the sad thing about my story is that out of these 3 years of college, i manage to meet about two girls in which both show little to no interest for me from the get go.

I don't believe i'm ugly and i have a very high sense of fashion just because fashion is actually kinda like a hobby of mine. I kind of put up an intimidating look because i guess you can say i look mean at first. I am usually a very nice person, but without opening or approaching the girls, no one would know that!

i came to this forum to learn and get over my AA and not be a AFC anymore, but theres so much knowledge and everything that i get a little lost and confused. I've just finished reading magic bullets, halfway through mystery's venusian, but even with the books knowledge i have no way to get over this AA. I go to the gym at least twice a week and i'm in pretty good shape as far as fitness. I'm on a lenient diet so that i can raise my self esteem, but it doenst seem to work very well.

the strangest thing is that mos tpeople wouldnt see me as an AFC. i played 4 years of football in high school and was pretty confident in those years, but college is completely different. it DEMORALIZED me.

hahah i'm glad you made this thread! consider me or not, i'd at least wanna thank you for this forum to help me out. i will definitely start posting and try not to shit thread as soon as i understand the game more.

Hey brad, I am really looking forward to being part of PUAlife.com. I'm a tired of being an AFC and will put in a lot of effort, because i truly want to succeed.

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Even the wise man dwells in the fool's paradise.