lol at your post... I can honestly say that whatever your problems, I was probably much more wuss.
I would like to congradulate you though. By realizing that you are an AFC, you are already 20 times better off then a dude that is an AFC and does not even know it. Technique, style, look, fear, habits, and attitude are the only things in your way now to pimphood.
I want you to take a load off. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Try to get curious about people rather then fearful of them... people do not attack others for being curious. That crazy guy on the street that talks to everyone, and everyone shudders when he is gone only despise such people because, such people tell us about all of their problems without us asking, so rather, when you become curious enough to ask them about their day, you will see their faces light up sometimes just because they gt the feeling that someone truly cares.
You 've already initiated the coversation with at least a 1000 people throughout your life.... it's nothing you haven't already handled... yuo just forgot that you did that.
Here is what I did at first :
a) keep an eye out for hottie
b) see hottie
c) establish eye contact (if held for 3+ seconds continue else return to a)
d) look away briefly (1-3 seconds) as I begin walking towards her
e) reestablish eye contact say "hi"
and then I would trust my instincts from that point because my brain has already gotten me out of enough trouble to handle from here.
Remember, Initiating the conversation is the hardest part. This is true for simply that it is difficult to find something relevant to say.
good luck... make us proud.