Chronic AEC

I've got it bad. From the ripe age of 13, when I was still stuffing my bra with cotton pads, wore two extra pairs of socks with my Fila sandals, and had multi-colored braces I have been afflicted with chronic AEC, also known as awkward eye contact.

It started in 7th Grade English, there was a boy who had an uncanny resemblance to George Harrison circa "I want to hold your hand". I certainly was not interested in this George Harrison look alike, but he just so happened to sit right across from me and one fateful afternoon we caught each others gazes. After that it was a continual game of glancing up only meet his awkward stare... "I looked at him to see if he was looking at me! and he ALWAYS was"... I give him the benefit of the doubt, he is likely a fellow AEC sufferer. Although 13 year old me with my stringy hair and shiny face may have been a fine site.

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Since then I have been able to avoid repeat AEC with the same person. Unfortunately, in strange new situations it never fails- I will always make AEC with the strangest person in the room. I'm not talking good strange, I'm talking keep your children and small animals away from this dude (or chick) strange. Luckily, the whiplash-esk "I DID NOT MEAN TO MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH YOU!!!" head whip normally stops anyone who would like to capitalize on our meeting of gazes to a swift stop.

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I have learned to live with my condition, but word to the wise look before you leap. Yeah, I couldn't think of any wise words.

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Cheers! It is almost a three day weekend!