Like Bees and Dogs, Huggers Can Smell Fear

They say bees and dogs can smell fear. Whether or not that's true, I don't know. I do know that huggers can smell fear. The fear of non huggers. 

With Valentine's Day being last week, you might expect to see my hug count sky rocket. It didn't. No one got hugs for Valentine's Day. 

However, I did meet Fred's (his name is really Fred, no need for privacy here) family for the first time over the weekend, and that did require some hugging. One at the beginning of Saturday evening and one at the end. Both your typical hug. One may have involved a back pat because nervousness took over. I can't recall. I should have written it down. Talk about an awkward time that would have been.

What happened the next day is what makes me 100% certain huggers can smell fear. Fred's sister-in-law gave him a giant bear hug, then looked at me and smiled and said, "yes, you're getting one too." It's like she knew that although I was smiling on the outside, I was cowering in fear on the inside. She had no idea I wasn't a hugger. She had no preemptive warning. She could smell the hugging fear, and she was not going to let me get away. Turns out, the hug was fine. It was a side hug. Those are always easier. It's like you don't truly have to commit to the hug. You're still free to duck out if need be.

Day 17 of Month 2 (day 48 in total), and I'm at 18 hugs.

Windshield Graffiti

While out of town for a client meeting, I left my car at work for 3 nights. I came home to graffiti of the worst kind thanks to one coworker. I guess this is better than the other pranks he had planned for my car.

Client meetings are usually hug-a-thons at the start and finish. This go around was different. One hug at the beginning upon arrival. And one hug, from a different person, upon departure. Both were one armed, pat the back hugs.

As I enter day 7 of month 2 or day 38 for those of you not doing math, I'm up to 14 hugs. Actually, make that 15 hugs. I did get an unexpected face full of armpit when I was hugged by surprise on Super Bowl Sunday. Speaking of bad at math, I thought for sure I was on hugs 21-23. After some quick calculations, I overestimated my hugging activity, a mere 15 hugs it is.

I blame this on 2 things.

1. It's winter, it's cold, and I don't get out much. And when I do get out, I'm so bundled up I can't move my arms enough to hug someone even if I wanted to. It'd be more of a coat covered chest bump.

2. The thought of becoming a hugger was much more exciting at the beginning of this project. I have since remembered why I never liked hugging to begin with.

A goal is a goal though. By day 365, I will be able to hug without a cringe on my face.