I'm fascinated with tarantulas. I'd love to have the courage to touch one.
We used to have a rosy haired tarantula named Mata Hari. She was one BIG spider, about the size of the palm of my hand. I had to take her out and move her to a bigger cage when we first got her, so I HAD to pick her up. I wasn't scared of her, I know they are harmless. But still .... it was just the "heebie jeebie" factor ... her body was so BIG. It took me a couple days of touching her, then petting her, then letting her walk over my fingers, then my hand, before I could finally get enough courage to pick her up.

Once I did it once, it was nothing. She was very sweet and placid, and just liked to sleep on people, because we are warm.

It's only icky the first time.