I'm fine approaching girls, chatting, flirting. I've recently lost some weight, and I'm watching how I dress and present myself, so I'm more confident than I have been in the past, though I still have plenty of way to go. A lot of this has to do with the way I was raised, and that I'm friends with a lot of girls- so I'm comfortable around them as friends, but nervous when it comes to more. I inevitably 'open' with a girl, only to hesitate when it comes to an opportunity for kino, or a #-close.

Examples from this weekend: I went to an event Sunday night- a regular get-together/concert in my neighborhood, attended by lots of hippie-types, including very attractive 'hippie chicks' (one of my types!). At one point, I find myself chatting with a group of girls, and later, with one of them (a solid 9/10, if you like that system), by the fire. She's smoking, so I don't get too close, but we have a nice conversation (we're both into film and theater), and I feel like I'd love to see her later. But, I freeze up, and instead of asking for her number, ask her what TV station she's working for, so I can look more into it. I'll probably see her at another event, so I feel like all's not lost, but I could've gone farther, with the confidence.

2nd example: I'm at the DMV today. Not the kind of place you hit on girls, so this took me by surprise. My number is called, and I go back to the window, where I'm greeted by a woman about my age, HB8. She's very friendly, and I'm not quite sure if she's flirting or not, but she comments that she likes the dimples in my ID, which I still have (my smile is a big winner with the ladies...!), and is less formal and bureaucratic than any DMV employee I've ever encountered, so I 'assume attraction', and try to hold eye contact (something I've become much better at- It definitely works, especially with a nice smile!). She asks for my phone number for forms, repeatedly, and I feel like making a comment to the effect of "you can use that yourself, if you like", but again, I freeze.

Any input is much appreciated! Any additional info I can provide that would be helpful, I will. If this is too much of a beginner topic, I'll move it on over to AskSeddit. Thanks.