I <3 Hugs

“Show me who you’ve hugged in the past year and in what order and frequency and I’ll tell you what your priorities are.”

— Ancient Navajo saying

Back in January, I posted my New Year’s Resolutions. I later gave an update on one of those resolutions: getting 150 hugs. I am now at a total of 149 hugs and will most certainly reach 150 by the end of the week,1 so I’ll post the update now and update it when I get back.

*Ahem!* I have so far hugged these people:

Number Day Person Relationship
1 January 1 Claudia Cousin
2 January 1 David Uncle
3 January 1 Alegria Cousin
4 January 1 David Cousin
5 January 1 Genaro Grandfather
6 January 1 ‘Gela Aunt
7 January 1 Elena God mother, Aunt
8 January 1 Lupe Aunt
9 January 1 Mom Some lady
10 January 2 Niki Friend
11 January 2 Trisha Friend’s sister that works in a video store
12 January 5 Laura Mom
13 January 5 Moira Friend
14 January 5 Frank Friend, possible arch-nemesis
15 January 8 Jessica Friend of friend who went on one date with me then refused to ever speak to me again
16 January 12 Lily Designer/friendly acquaintance, really nice lady
17 January 13 Doris Friend, we met during the SATs back in high school and ran into each other again much, much later. Crazy.
18 January 13 Krista Photography friend, really awesome chick
19 January 13 Kattie Buddie, had father die this year, very sad
20 January 17 Alethea Lifelong friend, artist
21 January 17 Joshie friend, lover
22 January 18 Malissa Friend from waaaay back in high school, found me through Myspace
23 January 23 Claire Friend..
24 January 24 Sarah Friend
25 January 25 Jackie Friend, ambitious
26 January 31 Seth Friend’s boyfriend, works with friend’s sister, wears glasses
27 January 31 Vanessa Friend, might have just gotten me a job
January Total 27 As expected, most hugs came early. Realized flaw in plan when people started hugging repeatedly in misguided attempt to skew results
28 February 2 Becky …………
29 February 2 Pammy! Friend, one of three that qualify for ! status
30 February 3 Jonathan B. Trust Friend, Gabe the Beaver creator, former comedic partner
31 February 4 Kelly Friend of friend. Hug might not count as it was part of group hug
32 February 4 Sarah Lou Friend of friend, met once, watched “Popular” together, never saw again. Possibly most successful relationship to date.
33 February 6 Dad Relative of some sort
34 February 7 Vicky Friendly acquaintance (FA). Makes me sad, yet annoys me at the same time. Impressive.
35 February 9 Kevin Brother of lady that once hired me/acquaintance
36 February 9 Jennifer Lady that once hired me, Facebook poking pal
37 February 9 Sarah Avatar of Greek Goddess Athena. Favorite Sarah and third favorite Stoltzfus. In a pinch, her last name is a good password.
38 February 11 Paul Friend of brother/brother of friend
39 February 12 Beth Former high school teacher, MESA sponsor
40 February 14 Jenna Annoying, trite, stupid, hoey girl. Has no known mute button
41 February 16 Natisha Former coworker
42 February 18 Brooke Super poke buddy, suspect she might have crush on me
43 February 24 Fiche Former ? Current _
44 February 25 Blanca Old lady that likes to hug people, I guess
February Total   17 Decrease in new hugs as time moves forward makes me reconsider pace of project
45 March 7 Whitney Photo friend… sort of. Sorority chick, mostly
46 March 7 Lorraine Whatever
47 March 7 Sandy! Friend, road trip buddy, most fun/awesome person ever! One of three that qualifies for ! status
48 March 9 Rachel Boss, vegetarian
49 March 9 Theresa Coworker
50 March 9 Judy Coworker
51 March 9 Claire Coworker
52 March 9 Josa Coworker, very nice
53 March 9 Aaron Coworker, does impersonations… constantly
54 March 9 Steve Coworker, Brittish
55 March 11 Jayna X
56 March 15 Trumpie Former roommate, constant friend, nicest guy, great person, funny, creationist bashing, easy to get along with, quarrelsome… The world would be a far, far better place if there were more T-Robs and less enemas.
57 March 15 Cassie Wonderful person, fun. I once drove to Las Vegas to see her2
58 March 19 Stefania Buddie, once liaison for Pix Capacitor, gave me free pizza
59 March 21 Emmy Prize awarded for excellence in television entertainment
60 March 22 Adelay I’ll get myself in trouble if I attempt to write anything here (D’oh!)
61 March 24 Shea Friend. Ditto.
62 March 24 Elexis FA
63 March 24 Kim One of two fun girls that would go around dorms to hang out. Once gave “Dude, Where’s My Car?” as collateral to borrow money for drugs. Hence why I now own “Dude, Where’s My Car?”
64 March 24 Regular Kyle Crazy former roommate of Trumpet Rob. Smart, funny. Leader in April Fool’s pranks. Calls me “Carlyle.”
65 March 24 Ryan Other fun girl that would hang out in dorms. Once flashed me for Mardi Gras beads
66 March 27 Cara FA
67 March 29 Sarah Poking buddy, Trumpie’s GF. Really fun, awesome chick. Am glad Trumpie found someone worthwhile.
68 March 30 Jess Avatar of Greek Goddess Aphrodite. Former roommate, current fun, funny, smart, beautiful, quirky person. Recently sent me a Voodoo doll, regularly threatens to kill me. Utterly wonderful human being, am better person for knowing her.
March Total   24 Leaving job, traveling across country to see old friends is a great way to artificially boost count
69 April 1 Jacki Jess’ best friend, also a wonderful person in her own right.
70 April 6 Bother No relation
71 April 7 Ellie Couch surfing friend, fun, great dancer
72 April 7 Katrina Couch surfing friend
73 April 7 Crystal Couch surfing host, great host, a bit too flirty
74 April 7 K.J. Pool playing chick, seemed very fun and intriguing, not flirty enough. 🙁
75 April 7 Megan Old high school friend, lunch buddy, too fun
76 April 8 Hector Old high school friend’s husband. Awkward.
77 April 11 Starlit Friend’s ex, ex friend
78 April 13 Eggroll Asian… Hey! She calls herself Eggroll!
79 April 14 Negro Now I’m just messing with you
80 April 15 Renne Negro’s GF, once walked the walk of death with us
81 April 19 Mario Little cousin, loves me despite (or because of) my constantly dropping him on the head as a child
82 April 23 Miguel Brother of a former BFF (sans the second F)
83 April 25 Kyle Frank’s brother, has broken more bones than not
84 April 25 Tina Friend’s GF, once tried to make out with me in a pool
85 April 27 Jessy Former part of lesbian duo, currently an alcoholic
86 April 27 Vanessa Person at Jessy’s party, never to be seen again (this is common)
April Total   18 Return to New Mexico with reinvigorated sense of purpose only to be crushed by life yet again
87 May 4 Cow Lesbian friend’s gay cousin, possible evidence homosexuality is genetic
88 May 4 Sam FA (High school)
89 May 12 Bridgett FA (High school)
90 May 12 Vinney FA
91 May 12 Heather FA
92 May 15 Mikey Philosophy boyfriend
93 May 15 Vincent Philosophy friend, current competition for grad school
94 May 15 Cassandra Oldest Journalism friend
95 May 19 Master Kim Tae Kwan Do blackbelt, funny
96 May 30 Enrique Uncle, belated birthday hug
May Total   10 Hugging spree lowers as does morale. New hug project has me track when and how often people hug me for six months. Results to be posted later.
97 June 5 Alyne Former PREP head, short lady. Once gave me a TI-83 calculator for free
98 June 14 Meagan Photography FA
99 June 16 Luz Elena Aunt, Mormon
100 June 16 Dr. Christian Brother’s best friend, smart guy
101 June 23 Jose Luis God father, uncle
102 June 23 Yazmín Cousin, Myspace fanatic
June Total   6 Summer months and lack of outside contact make me sad, but studying for GREs makes me sadder
103 July 1 Stephanie Second grade friend
104 July 1 Kris Former part of lesbian duo, friend?
105 July 2 Shawn Breeze Friend’s GF, friend, fun
106 July 2 Liiiiiiz! Also called Bow, friend, one of three people that qualifies for ! status
107 July 3 Jenny Second grade friend, sister of high school friend
108 July 8 Billie Jean Not my lover, met once at lesbian friend’s party then never saw again. Surprisingly common occurrence, actually
109 July 20 Claudia Same as above
110 July 20 Bruce Freelance photojournalist, former professor, friend, Web design client
111 July 21 Casey Cute Chili’s waitress, thinks I’m funny
112 July 21 Tiana Chili’s hostess, underage
113 July 21 Patty Cousin
114 July 21 Joaquin Cousin
115 July 21 Joaquin Uncle. D-bag.
116 July 28 Genaro Uncle, we are not at all alike, damn it!
117 July 28 Ivana Niece, very affectionate, wonderful person
118 July 28 Oskhar Nephew, funny, cool kid, is really fun, too
119 July 28 Karla Cousin (favorite or second favorite depending on the year), character in my novel, love and miss her
120 July 28 Irene Aunt, surprisingly concientious, best meals I’ve had all year were prepared by her hands
121 July 28 Gabo Cousin
122 July 29 Tercia Aunt, Brasileiro
123 July 29 Luciana Cousin, fun, albeit snarky. Finally becoming a person I could consider a friend
July Total   20 Family is generally more affectionate than strangers on the street. Trip to visit them provided much needed hugs. Highlight of year by far.
124 August 4 Gerardo Uncle
125 August 9 Lalo Guy who has a crush on my cousin
126 August 12 Eddie Friend of cousin, camp buddy
127 August 12 Vero Friend of cousin, camp FA
128 August 12 Ariana Friend of cousin, camp buddy
129 August 23 Linda Friend, friend/arch-nemesis’ brother’s roommate/lover
130 August 27 Summer Broadcaster FA
131 August 29 Pam Professor
August Total   8 Nothing to say
132 September 16 Jessica Friend of friend, fun, cute, but never seen again
133 September 17 Karla FA (High school)
134 September 18 Orpha FA (High school), brother’s ex
135 September 22 Bonnie Mother of friend
136 September 22 Jackie Daughter of Master Kim
September Total   5 Lull as I write writing sample
137 October 2 Sterling Friend’s brother
138 October 4 Jonathan American
139 October 4 Megan Studious girl, boyfriend killed himself3 last year
140 October 7 Kylene Lesbian friend’s friend, ran into at a club then never seen again. Surprisingly common
141 October 7 Laura Sister??? Well, that’s half right…
142 October 7 Stephanie Cousin of friend/arch-nemesis’ girlfriend
143 October 7 Claudia Same
144 October 8 Mo’ High school BFF (sans the second F)
145 October 11 Anabel Friend/arch-nemesis’ girlfriend
146 October 28 Sandra Girl at party
147 October 28 Nancy Girl at party’s sister
148 October 31 Crystal Friend/arch-nemesis’ brother’s roommate/lover’s sister
October Total   12 Unexplained statistical anomaly made this a productive hug month
149 November 7 Eileen FA (High school), I knew her as Linda before the… incident
150 November 21 Alberto Uncle: crude
151 November 21 Jorge Uncle
152 November 21 Cata Step-grandmother
153 November 21 Jorgito 17 y.o. 1.5th cousin with own business
154 November 22 Vanessa Little 3/2nds cousin, so cute I knocked her tooth out.
155 November 23 Adryana 17 y.o. 1 and 1/2th cousin, really cool and fun
156 November 23 Andres No comment
157 November 25 Lupe T. Second aunt, very cool, friend on hi5
158 November 25 Claudia One and a halfth cousin, birthday is the 28th
159 November 25 Alexandra Three halfths cousin, cool, but with hidden attitude
160 November 28 Kassidy High-school friend
November Total 12 Another Navajo saying: if low on hugs, go visit family
161 December 15 Joanna Friend of a friend: she graduated that day
162 December 15 David Old friend, must e-mail soon
163 December 28 Yanira Sister-in-law
December Total 3 Not anomalous at all

… I was going to make a chart and graph, but after manually typing all of those entries in, maybe I won’t.
Today I am thankful for… hugs

  1. I am going to visit family this week (I’m leaving tomorrow, so all posts until Sunday will be pre-written. Yey for timestamps!) [↩]
  2. at Caesar’s Palace, it was a great show 😉 [↩]
  3. Not in self-defense [↩]

Related posts:

  1. 2019 Book List
  2. Road tripping
  3. Wow, that took a dark turn at the end…

7 Comments

  1. Wow! I hope you were keeping that in a notebook, and not doing that from memory. Because if you say you have a memory like that, I’ll be convinced that you’re a robot. And while I pride myself on my free-thinking (for a Christian anyhow), I don’t associate myself with people of a robotic nature. It’s just not natural.

    But good luck on getting that last hug, Robot Man!

  3. I hugged my parents last night. I also hugged my brothers recently. I hugged my best friend pat last night, and rosemary the night before. Italians are naturally affectionate that way. Sometimes the hugs happened with kisses on both cheeks, too. I think you should keep a log of kisses as well.

  4. I like me some kisses as well, but I only get them when I’m in home country with family (one cheek only and only with M/F interactions).

    Although, presumably if I knew Italians, I would get kisses from them too.

  6. Wait…I’ve known you since high school and you owe me far too many pizzas to count and I’m just “friend”? 😡 I’m taking my hug back! If that’s somehow possible…

  7. Hey, if it makes you feel any better, extra descriptions are generally a bad thing.

    Besides, I only started giving more descriptions later on in the list. It’s nothing personal, I assure you.

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