Clueless

I have only been in one relationship, and unfortunately it ended due to poor communication, and several misunderstandings. I'm really not sure what kind of guy I am. I consider myself to be a good person, but lately I just don't know anymore. I have been going through a tough time for the past few months, because I still have feelings for my ex. I am trying to figure out who I am. I go to college, and I work part time. I keep thinking to myself that I should have met someone by now. I am shy when it comes to woman, but I do my best to hide it. It has been very difficult to find someone that shares the same interests I do, and that would be anime, or gaming. I don't just want any girl, I want someone special, and I do not know how to go about finding her. I have so much to give, but nobody to give it to.

I seriously don't think you are in that bad of a state. Last time I was at Anime Boston I saw many Otaku. You guys just have to be more open to talk to random people. I know you Hirako don't go to cons no more because of her. But our really have to ignore that do it anyway man. Trust me one or two will turn your way. You are really easy going and not intimidating at all. There's just bound to be someone like that. Lyson I hope you are not hidding too much. When we don't act like our self and try to hide a part of our selves we tend to come out looking fake. Avoid that as best as you can. Just has that way you feel without falling apart. It will be alright what's the worst that can happen right? Remember also, if a girl isn't blindingly hot she is bound to be nervous too. So keep that in mind and make it easier for them.

@Endless: there's additional factors besides her: 1) I have a very limited income right now due to being cut back down to part-time in March 2012. Therefore, I can't go to any cons, though I might be volunteering for CampAnime since it might mean free admission and lodging. Being part-time also means I lost my health insurance through work and the multiple times I applied for MassHealth, the state rejected it because they were going based off what I made as a full-timer (which in their eyes was still too much). 2) I know the job market sucks no matter where you go, but after all the BS that's been going on between me and the state for health insurance and jobs, I'm thinking of moving to a new area and starting over. Cali or any west state is at the top of my list since most otaku seem to be over there.

@Lyson: I don't know (and you don't have to tell me if you don't want to) what part of MA you live in, but most of the otaku I know/knew live in eastern MA. I'm over in western MA, roughly 2 hours away from Boston. The few otaku in my area are mostly hippies and artists who are kind of full of themselves and won't go outside their inner circle of friends. The closest otaku friend to me lives about 30-40 minutes away.

Try going to a comic book store in the area and asking a girl there ( if you can find one)about a manga or game? Idk, i think that trouble finding people that share our interests and overcoming shyness is the reason most of us are on here.

What I think, is that aside from talking to a girl and such, another way to go about getting to know one is to just slowly feel out the waters. I'm the same way quite frankly, it's not that I'm shy, but I'll admit I have trust issues, but that's a story for another day.

I forgot I created this thread, but thank you for all the replies. I am no longer clueless, and have been on several dates with several different women since.