Want to know how P-C's night went!

Well, she's making me breakfast right now...

Yeah, no.

It was fun, although the gender balance was wonky as fuck because seven or eight women paid and never showed up, so there were, I think, six women for the twenty-some-odd men. And I do mean odd, as there were a couple of those incredibly socially awkward nerds that were a little uncomfortable to talk to. Most of the guys seemed pretty normal, though. And one guy was really hot, which didn't seem fair. (They said that because the gender balance was wonky, we could come to the next event for free.)

There was an icebreaker during registration, Nerd Bingo, where you tried to fill out your Bingo card by finding people who fulfilled certain categories like "Has written fan fiction" or "Knows at least 3 different programming languages." This was basically the only one-on-one time, and it did give everyone an excuse to talk to each other and learn things.

The first girl to walk in had a Hec-approved haircut, and now that it wasn't all guys, we could begin our Bingo game in earnest. We looked at our Bingo cards and tried to figure out what the most strategic row, column, or diagonal to go for would be. What could we do for each other? I asked if anyone was adamantly opposed to the Kindle—

"Yes," she said. But then she noticed that it also said Nook, and she had a Nook. It was about being adamantly opposed to eReaders in general.

"I was," I said, "until I got a Kindle."

"Me too!" she said, and touched my elbow. Was it unconscious? Was it flirting? Was it friendly? I DIDN'T KNOW.

As we went around trying to fill out our cards, we discovered that we were the only two people in the room who would admit to crying when Dobby died. Since we were both going for the diagonal with that space, I gave her that one (you could only use each person once), and I switched her twice because that was the space I needed from her most. Even after we got our Bingo, we continued trying to fill up our boards since it was an excuse to talk to people.

Then they had a little competition to see who was the biggest nerd, and two guys walked away with plastic lightsabers. Then it was time for games! They suggested we sit boy-girl-boy-girl, which...wasn't really possible. They had to seed the tables with ringers (the organizers); one table actually only had one eligible woman.

The gaming was fun, although I didn't really feel like I got to know people that much better. A little, but not a lot. I was at the same table as Princess Dobbycry for BuzzWords, which took us about ten minutes to figure out how to play properly (and they hadn't taken the cards out of the shrinkwrap or anything, which was irritating). At te next table was a girl I thought was cute but hadn't gotten to talk to much during the icebreakers and didn't talk to much during the game either since it was Telestrations, which we did enjoy because I am terrible at drawing things (it was fun to hear the girl next to exclaim, "WHAT!" every time I handed her a new drawing). And then I broke out Zombie Dice because we didn't have time to play another round before the interstitial trivia. I gave my Improv Mad Libs Apples to Apples performance at the table full of ringers, so that didn't work out. But out of the three games I played, that was the one where your personality really came out. They were playing Werewolves over at Table 1 (with Princess Dobbycry), and I think that was also probably a better game for getting to know people.

At the end, they had a drawing from the completed Bingo cards for the grand prize, which was Telestrations. And the winner was....Princess Dobbycry! They reminded us that they didn't do any matchmaking themselves, but no one had the room reserved after them, so we were free to hang out.

I congratulated Princess Dobbycry on her prize, which she knew nothing about, and explained what it was. We chatted about Werewolves and Mafia. One of the organizers said that if she wanted to play it, they could clear one of the tables, so she (continued...)

( continues...) agreed. The remaining folk gathered.

She tore out a sheet of paper and asked if people minded writing down their contact information in case we wanted to get in touch for any reason. At first, there were only a few of us, and we just wrote our stuff down on sheets of paper passed around, but as more people joined, it got kind of messy until she just gathered them all up and said she'd e-mail the info to everyone, as someone had suggested. I made a point to memorize her e-mail address anyway. I think I remember it correctly.

We played a couple rounds of Telestrations. People made noises about dinner, but I wasn't sure whether there was a strong consensus or a group outing. I hung around for Princess Dobbycry and walked out with her. I asked her where she was off to. She had to go back and turn off her yogurt machine because otherwise...I don't know how yogurt machines work. I said that although she had my contact information as part of all the sheets of paper, I wanted to give her my number on an individual basis. I handed her my card.

We walked down the street. She asked me what my hobbies were, and I realized I don't have any interesting or unique hobbies. Unless theatre counts, so I told her about that, along with the regular stuff. I asked about hers, and she liked reading and baking. Finally, she went her way and I went mine.

I know, I know. I was supposed to ask her for her number on an individual basis. I meant to. I wanted to. But it felt too pushy and forward and I'm new at this game. She hasn't e-mailed the contact information yet, so maybe she'll forget and I'll never hear from her ever. Unless I did remember her e-mail address correctly. I think I forgot all the advice you guys gave me except to be myself, which is the only thing I'm good at anyway, I guess. So I feel like I've failed and disappointed you guys.

So I feel like I've failed and disappointed you guys.

Dude, this was your first Nerd Dating event, right? It sounds like a success, especially given the skewed gender ratio.

Success doesn't have to be Definite Future Girlfriend. I think the fact that you went and had fun (it sounds like you did) and chatted up Princess Dobbycry qualifies as a social success.

It's like -- argh, I can't remember, are you a baseball fan/baseball knowledgable? -- it doesn't have to be a home run, especially your first time at bat. A base hit is pretty good. t edit (Which I don't mean as a "first base" metaphor! Yikes!)

And you definitely weren't the dude who streaks the field during the 7th inning stretch, so big plus there.

I know events like that create expectations of I Will Meet My Awesome Nerdy Partner, but even if that doesn't happen, it sounds like a nice time.

Besides, 24 hours haven't even passed -- give her some time to send that e-mail. Haven't you seen Swingers?

Seriously, there's no failure and disappointment, my friend. You went, you had fun, you chatted. It's all good.

Oh, Shir, thank heavens. Glad she's okay.

Truth be told, I'd be calmer now if I could speak with her directly. I know she's alive (and ill), but nothing more.

So I feel like I've failed and disappointed you guys.

And I now feel confused, as if you were writing one thing and I was reading another.

You went to an event that had some really weird gender balance. You had fun. You managed to be yourself in weird situations. And you walked out with someone, which sounds like a great ending to an interesting night, even if you didn't ask for her number. And hi - as a person who prefers the call the other side first, I always feel better when the choice and the initiative are in my hands.

I don't see disappointment nor failure there.

Sounds like a success to me, P.-C.! You went, you had fun, a girl talked to you, you didn't step in the guacamole. All good.

(Which I don't mean as a "first base" metaphor! Yikes!)

What's getting touched on the elbow? A bunt?

"Me too!" she said, and touched my elbow. Was it unconscious? Was it flirting?

Elbow touches are definitely mild flirting. A touch to the arm during conversation is considered Level 1 Intimacy.

What's getting touched on the elbow? A bunt?

Not just a bunt. But bunting for a base hit.

Let's put the baseball metaphors away. What it means is that you can email her once you get her email address.

And you might get an opportunity to take her out. To something like your Mission Tour, and Bi-Rite ice cream. During the day.

That's a low key kind of date.

Seriously, there's no failure and disappointment, my friend. You went, you had fun, you chatted. It's all good.

What Steph said, 100%. And as a woman, I will take a number more readily than I will give my number, from a safety standpoint. Even if nothing happens, it's like interviewing for a job that you're not even sure you want. It's good practice.

What smonster said.

Shir, tons of ~ma for your friends. I hope you're able to talk to her soon.

There is no energy to be found today. I just took a nap, and I already feel like I need another one.

By offering your contact rather than asking for hers you showed tact and consideration.