Hi and thanks a bunch!

And the self-consciousness gets mitigated by having a friend to focus on or banter with. Makes things a lot less awkward.

Get someone to go with you! Roommates, colleagues, even far-flung friends from Furcons. Most are happy to check your form and offer pointers.

Plus going in a group forms a social compact and forces consistency. Making you less likely to back out and keep at it.

Please shoot an invite at me and make it hurt.