So I've never been in the game. And by game, I don't mean the PUA game, I mean any kind of game at all.

As a little background, I grew up in a very dysfunctional alcoholic family. This isolated the shit out of me. I've had one relationship that lasted more than a week. I've had sex with one woman, and that was in high school. I just passed the 12 year mark of not getting laid two months ago. (This is absolutely true. No exaggeration.) Prior to last week, I've never asked a woman out and had her accept. I don't even think AFC begins to cover it.

I was not at all happy with where I was in life and I decided to change what I could. So through therapy and Al Anon, I've done some serious work on myself. I'm finally pretty happy with the way my life is. Sure, some things could be improved, but that will come with time. The one thing that's missing is women, and all the nice things that come with them.

I live out in the sticks, and thus have been trying online dating sites with pretty limited success. I'm told it's a straight numbers game, but, damn.

I found PUAF through PanPan's opener, which has had some limited success. I'm currently sitting at about 5 replies out of 70 sent out. Which, I suppose isn't as bad as it could be but it's still not good. (The vast majority are not PanPan's or I'm sure it would be higher.) That notwithstanding, of those 5 replies, I've gone on a date with one of them. She's a really nice girl, her face (even though I hate number ratings) is probably about 7.5, but her body is like a 4. I'm just not attracted. I sort of feel bad, but after 12 years, I feel like I'm in a position where I can be choosy. I mean, really, what's another couple months?

The whole PUA scene appeals to me for a number of reasons, but mostly because it gives me a framework to start with but I still feel like it will be a miracle if it works.

I'm not even sure what I'm asking here. I suppose the big question is how to see oneself as 'the prize' when one has basically zero experience dating as an adult. Do you successful guys see pick-up artistry as something that could benefit me?

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...and our hearts palpitate anxiously as we soon will lay supine