No, I’m not dead, and I haven’t developed writers block because the election is over.
With the holidays coming up, I’ve been doing less writing and a little more “autoblogging” than normal because I’m doing more reading than writing these days. It’s not like my schedule is going to improve, but when I have the chance, I’ll share whats on my mind other than the lines at Toys R’ Us. (Sam’s first Christmas, daddy is going all out, not that she’ll know what any of it is… It really is more fun to give than to receive.)
Speaking of family, one of my wife’s endearingly bad habits is watching what I like to call “train wreck TV”. These “reality” shows (mostly on VH1 and MTV) range from the merely ridiculous (“Rock of Love“, with Bret Michaels… Wait a second, you mean to tell me that the lead singer of a hair metal band needs a reality show to meet women?) to the completely deranged (“Next“, where contestants earn money for each minute that they “survive” in the presence of the most vapid and shallow member of the opposite (or not) sex than MTV’s producers could find.)
But the all time champion in this arena is a show called “The PIckup Artist“ Take a dozen or so “losers”, given them a makeover, Hollywood style, and then watch them take advice from a self-styled “Pick up artist” named (get this) Mystery, along with a few random and forgettable sidekicks with equally ludicrous names. (Seriously, I’d like to see this guy in action… “Hi. My name is Mystery.” followed by the inevitable snickering and giggling from his “target”. Of course, in Hollyweird, such a line might actually work, and such a name might actually be genuine.)
What really kills me is that these coaches actually display a keen grasp of psychology. They really do understand what the “mating dance” is all about, and they’ve refined such a “mysterious” (pun intended) art into textbook science. I found myself learning something in spite of the repeated snickers and snorts from me and my wife. What did I learn?
- Take care of yourself and your appearance. If you don’t look like you can take care of yourself, how is any woman going to expect you to take care of her?
- Be relaxed, happy, and confident. Sounds easier than it is sometimes, but nobody wants to be with a downer.
- Pay attention to hints, both verbal and non-verbal. If she isn’t interested, stop wasting her, and your, time.
- Don’t be “too interested”. Nobody wants a person who appears desperate.
Of course, there are finer points to each of these, and the show goes into these subjects in nauseating detail, but I have to give credit where it is due. In the midst of reality-tv crap land, someone is actually taking time to espouse points that are applicable to normal, healthy adults.
One might think that these points are somewhat obvious. If you are one of those people, take a second and give your significant other a squeeze and take comfort in the fact that you have already succeeded in the mating dance. Remind yourself that you were once that “shy guy” or “shy girl”.
Anyhoo, that’s all for me on a Monday. I’m going to go play with my kid before I go to work.
Pick up Artist is running by the game. Inner Game is absolutely vital in leaning pickup. You have to be the attractive guy and not just fake it. Inner Game contains one of the most important and obvious part of any interaction: Confidence.
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