Wow, I'm surprised there aren't that many folks from the Toledo area posting here. It's not exactly a small city after all.

But yeah, Toledo's my home town and I'm about eighteen myself. I've had a couple friends go on about pickup in the context of books, etc. But it never really caught my interest. But I've finally decided to give it a go, learn new things, and at the worst come out of the whole experience with an interesting story.

You see, when I was in high school, I didn't really care about going out and picking up girls. Truth be told its still not exactly high up on my spare time list, but hanging out in college and searching around for a new group of friends I've realized that despite the leaps and bounds of social progress I made in high school, I've still got a bit of work to do. I need to build my confidence much more than I need to learn to pick up girls. And I think tackling the thing that baffles me the most is probably the best way to do it.

I'm not one of those shy guys who spins his tongue into knots every time a girl acknowledges his existence, I've almost never had that problem. I'd say, however, that I've always felt myself to awkward or plain to jump into a group of strangers and start a conversation. But, in that rare situation I get a boost (read 'help') I can hold my own in a conversation, make people laugh, and make them feel comfortable. It's not a terrible deal really, but I want to rid myself of that dependence on others. So there, sticking point number one. I can't get things started.

Moving on, I'd have to note my inability to gauge attraction in the opposite sex. I'd say, seventy percent of the time I just start to over-think things and I panic. But that other thirty is straight up, flat out, social density. Example; a girl I dated in high school once spent three weeks trying to make it obvious she had feelings for me. This even involved me hearing my name come up in an argument she'd had, rather loudly, with an ex. The whole ordeal culminated with the girl pinning me to a wall and kissing me before I actually put two and two together. I swear, thats the most extreme example. Really. Sticking point, numbah two.

Overall, I think I look at a foray into the world of pickup not as a way to score or impress people...This is for me. If I don't push myself to get over my anxieties in SOME way, all the work I've done, all the pushing I've already put myself through, it'd all be a waste. Not to mention I'd feel as if I'd somehow let down the friends I've made in all that time, the people who helped me go from that dorky, fat freshman to a (mostly) confident, somewhat witty, and happier person. Its something I feel like I should at least try. Hell, what've I got to lose?


Here's to hoping shit doesn't suck and maybe, just maybe, having some fun! Anyone in Toledo let me know, we'll talk!

Pi