The Monthly Challenge

I can honestly say that this was the most fun challenge I've done so far. It took me a while to get used to being out of my comfort zone but after a while, it became enjoyable. And I'm pretty sure everyone else enjoyed it too, including the people who reluctantly accepted my hugs because they "had to."

A weekend or two ago, I went out to brunch with some friends - I think there were 8 of us. After we ate, everybody hugged goodbye. Normally, there's just a bunch of waving goodbye or handshakes, but since it was Friendly February, everybody hugged each other. Maybe I'm being corny, but it was nice and I think it really did bring everybody's spirits up. Or maybe it was the champagne...

You know how when you're around people that are really happy, it makes you really happy too (or sometimes, incredibly pissed off)? I was that happy guy for a whole month. And to my surprise, I really enjoyed being that happy guy for a whole month. So this is one challenge that I'm going to try to continue past February. Or at least until Chris tries to hug me in the bathroom.

The Final Counts:

• successful hug attempts: 37-ish?
• aborted hugging situations: 7
• hugs judged as sub-par: 1
• kisses received in lieu of hugs: 2

February's Friends:

• 2/1: Superbowl party partiers
• 2/2: Superbowl party host
• 2/3: Boy in car
• 2/4: Couple at bar
• 2/5: Guy at Performance Bike
• 2/6: Piss Pal
• 2/7: Bartender's friend at Frank N Hank's
• 2/8: Guy at BevMo buying way too much Landshark Lager
• 2/9: Craigslist date #3
• 2/10: Commissary cashier dude
• 2/11: Dental assistant
• 2/12: East Coast QA engineer
• 2/13: "Joe's Girlfriend's Friend"
• 2/14: Phantom of the Opera guy
• 2/15: UCB line-standers
• 2/16: Building maintenance guy
• 2/17: Trader Joe's cashier
• 2/18: Troubadour line-standers
• 2/19: East coast PM
• 2/20: CL2's museum friends
• 2/21: Tyler @ Incognito
• 2/22: Alex's roommate
• 2/23: Coworker w/ Starbucks
• 2/24: Finance manager
• 2/25: Stacie's Friend
• 2/26: Commissary cashier chick
• 2/27: Account Manager
• 2/28: Manager @ Castaway