Acidic Camel's BC Diary

[Acidic Camel]

Okay, I've bitten the bullet and decided to try the DJBC. I'm nervous as hell, yet at the same time determined to achieve something with this. Just reading through some of the articles has hit me hard, and it is just becoming obvious that unless I do something I will be stuck inside my shell for a long time to come. So here I am, hoping that at the very least these next eight weeks will teach me to be more confident in all aspects of life, not just with women.

Okay, a little background on me: I'm a student in my last year of university. I turned 20 recently, and have been pretty much relationship-less for my whole life. That's not to say I'm anti-social at all- I have quite a few friends, more female than male in fact. That's probably the problem.

If anything I lack the confidence to interact with people on my own level. I play bass and guitar in two bands and, despite being very confident in my abilities, I feel almost shy about performing. I have no problem playing in front of hundreds of people, but it is interacting with them that I have trouble with. It gets even worse once you stick me in front of just one person.

A friend on another message board linked this site and at this point in my life I feel anything is worth a try. The stuff I read has been very enlightening, and it's great that you guys are doing this

 

[Acidic Camel]

The day's nearly over and I'm not going to accomplish anything else today, so here's the round-up:

When I got up this morning, I decided to get out as soon as possible. I knew my Mum was going into town and that would give me an excuse to leave the house and wander around for a while. I take the bus into town which was also ideal, as people would be passing me frequently here (and everybody stares at you when you get on the bus). This is where my first problem crept up- I managed to maintain eye contact with a couple of people but when they looked away I couldn't help but giggle to myself. I knew they were uncomfortable and it amused me. I probably just needed to get it out of my system because it stopped later on.

I mainly concentrated on EC today, as I wasn't quite brave enough to say 'hi' much. I was suprised with the results though- I got EC quite few times, and it was interesting looking at some of the reactions. More often than not, the girls would look away very quickly. A couple of times I think they even laughed, but looked away to try and hide it. The men were harder- some looked away quickly, while some of them were almost staring me down. Its useful to know, even if it's the women I'm aiming for.

I got three 'hi's today, so it's a start. Tomorrow will be more productive- I have an early lesson and I've convinced my little sisters to go to the cinema which should give me a few good oppurtunities. Actually, writing all this down is very therapeutic- focusing less on where I failed but what I've learned is quite uplifting

 

[Acidic Camel]

Week 1 Days 2-3

Today has been seriously crap. Nothing to do with the BC, I had problems with the band which put me in no mood to be nice to people. Consequently, I only 'hi'd a couple of people today, mostly this morning. Yesterday I about five people, maybe more but a few I wasn't happy with. I'm getting better with EC though, and the confidence I've gained has allowed me to talk to other people better. I'm sure a few acquaintances of mine have been talking to me on friendlier terms this week.

I went out with my eldest brother and sister today, which was both pointless and tiring. Hanging around with a 20+ crowd of 15 year old skaters was not ideal, mainly because most people wouldn't come within 20 feet with them. I'd expected a small group, not my sister's entire social circle . Maybe I should have had a chat with the coppers that turned up to keep an eye on us...

Here's hoping for an improvement tomorrow.

 

[Acidic Camel]

Week 1 Days 4-5

The past two days have been crap and crap. All the enthusiasm I had at the begining of the week has just drained away, I seriosuly don't know what's go into me! I got two hi's over the two days, and I am seriously disappointed in that. I'm aware that there are people reading this, and it kind of bugs me that all you guys have to read is me whining.

Because of that, I've taken up a friend's invitation to a party tonight and I'm going to a gig tomorrow and meeting some guys I know online. Both are good oppurtunities and I am determined not to waste them.

However, I have been practicing eye contact a lot, it's almost become second nature. The amount of people that try to avoid making eye contact with anyone (i.e. walking with their eyes to the ground and suchlike) is incredible...

 

[bonethugmug]

Hey bro, don't sweat it. Believe me, I got stuck on week 2. This was probably because I didn't read the DJ bible beforehand. I decided that I'm going to read the DJ bible and just get my confidence up before starting the Bootcamp again. It really was a shock to me just how hard it was.

 

[Acidic Camel]

Thanks dude, it's good to know I'm not alone. I've been busy for a while, but I'm not going to make any excuses. I ****ed up and I'm going to do this until I get it right.

Tomorrow, I'm starting week 1 again. My aim is ten 'hi's' a day. I have no problem wandering around town in a cardboard mouse costume for Hallowe'en, I don't see why I can't say hi to a complete stranger.

 

[Acidic Camel]

...And four months later, he picks up the pieces.

Yeah, I screwed up. So here I go again, and this time I will achieve something. These next six weeks are my last at Uni, so I am losing very little if I make a complete fool out of myself.

Next week's plan: I've started going to the gymn on Tuesday mornings, so I'm going to start tomorrow. The workout definitely makes feel more motivated, and the early start is great for waking you up and gets you feeling more confident. there should be some good oppurtunities to get a few 'hi's too, so I'm aiming for ten tomorrow. Here's hoping!

 

[Don_Joffe]

Week 2 really isnt hard at all. Why does it seem like everyone is finding these bootcamps so difficult and failing from the word GO? Get it together people, this is 1 of many posts ive read about people who are struggling, go read my bootcamp journal and see how its done.

 

[skeeloo]

you said some guys stared down on you. mabye i was one of them because some guy kept staring at me on the train today

 

[Acidic Camel]

Why does it seem like everyone is finding these bootcamps so difficult and failing from the word GO? Get it together people, this is 1 of many posts ive read about people who are struggling, go read my bootcamp journal and see how its done.

I don't mean to get whiny here, but it is difficult for some of us. I have been incredibly shy and introverted most of my life- I can't even talk to some of my closest friends without panicking. I don't want to make excuses, but saying 'look how much better I did then you' doesn't really help.

I am looking to overcome this- this is why I started again, and I will keep trying, and take whatever advice you are willing to give

 

[Don_Joffe]

Okay you are right I should not be critizing you. Im just astonished to see so many people struggling. Have you read the DJ Bible, H.S Bible, Sosuave website and all its LINK pages? IF YOU HAVE...Your confidence should be HIGH.