Dear jwbm
I used to be very shy but with years passing by I lost my shyness.
I thought I was ugly and was ashamed to talk in public.
but now I know that I am special and I am not shy any more.
Join some club or something so you meet people.
What is the worst that can happen if you talk to someone and ignores you.???
try another one and will accept you as a friend.
What you think of yourself is what people see from outside.
So realize you are special and they will see you in that way.
It works, if you show confidence they will see that and you will attract others.
Join a web page for meetings
Practice and try to talk to girls on the web.
You will get some replies and you can acquaintance some girl and once you are comfortable you can chat with her in person.
Love is a game, you like some they will not like you, some will like you and you will not like them, until you find someone that you and and they love you.
It is not easy but it happens.
Drinks will not help you to overcome shyness!
But will make you worse!!!
Is in your head that causes you to block.
Maybe go to a shrink if that is persistent and can not overcome it.
If you go out of your comfort zone you will find life is amazing!