Quote: Original post by frobYou can take free or inexpensive classes on just about anything: Drawing, ceramics, photography, writing, storytelling, crafts, woodcarving, gardening, cooking, nutrition, underwater basket weaving, fitness, martial arts, fencing, swimming, finances, recreation, first aid, birdwatching, and just about anything else.

You forgot an important one [smile]

Quote: Original post by CodaKiller
I really don't understand why people like to read story books, they simply bore me and don't seem to have any useful information.

What was the last book you read?

Quote:
I really don't like much music.

What music do you like? You must like some, or how on earth would you expect to be able to write it, as you proposed earlier in this thread?

Quote:
I watch movies once in a while and I enjoy them but I'm not really that interested in them honestly.

What was the last movie you saw, and what did you think about it?

Quote:
I like video games because I enjoy them and like making them.

That sounds like something a five year old would write under his interests section. It basically boils down to "I like games because I like them" which isn't exactly a conversation stimulating point of view. What do you like about games that you don't find in other forms of entertainment?

Quote: Original post by CodaKiller
What can I do to hold normal conversations with people, mainly girls?

Get rid of your computer and grow up.

Quote: Original post by CodaKiller
I am unable to hold a conversation with anyone because the only things I am really interested in are video games and programing.

Send out an LFG (looking for girlfriend) on WoW or Everquest?

Hm, if your inability to socialize is as bad as you're saying it is, you might want to go to a psychologist, if only to see what they have to say. They'll probably have helpful advice on what you can do and give you some perspective. They probably have had other clients with similar problems, and can relay thier experience to you. If you are attending a university they might have a counseling center that offers free or low-cost sessions with professionals.

Random personal advice:
1) In conversations, Ask lots of questions. Questions make you sound interested and engaged (even if you aren't). "Oh, what's that?" and "So then what happened?" and the like can get you far.
2) Talk about your interest less than you want to do. I used to go on and on about what I liked for way to long because I didn't understand how much the other person really cared (much less than I did). I had to learn to catch myself from getting too technical or long winded- the lesson is to keep it simple, and keep it short, but don't hide it.
3) Do some research. You don't have to read books, just know something about them. Read the Wikipedia article on Twilight, for example, as it's the big new thing, especially among girls. Use Wikipedia like Cliff notes for pop culture. Someone mentions movie X or singer Y? Google that shit.
4) This one's hard... find a friend who shares your interests but is more "normal" (for lack of a better word). Having a friend who knows how to act with most people but who understands how you are different is a big help, because they can form a sort of bridge between you and everybody else. You can learn how to socialize from them without feeling totally out of place.

Quote: Original post by CodaKiller
I would prefer a girl who shares the same interests as me but they seem to be in high demand with none in stuck.

None in stock. If you read more, you might actually know the right words.

Deciding that you want a girl who shares the same interests as you sounds like you don't want to have to expand your own interests. That's a losing formula. Part of the joy of meeting people is that they introduce you to new things, and that you share things they aren't already familiar with with them. If you become a couple, you'll eventually settle on a pattern of things you both enjoy doing, but if you've already decided that any girl must fit within the existing contours of your life, well...

Quote: I will likely never have a close relationship if I limit myself to girls who only enjoy video games and programming.

Indeed.

Quote: I really don't understand why people like to read story books, they simply bore me and don't seem to have any useful information.

So don't read "story" books. Read history books. Read biographies. Read non-fiction, scientific accounts, introductory academic literature, philosophy...

Quote: I watch movies once in a while and I enjoy them but I'm not really that interested in them honestly.

Watch documentaries. Watch great TV, canceled/concluded shows on DVD...

The point is, seek out information that serves as a starting point for conversation. Video games are a starting point, but if all of your conversation revolves around one topic you end up being a rather planar and boring person. Diversify your conversation.

Quote: Original post by nobodynews

Quote: Original post by frobYou can take free or inexpensive classes on just about anything: Drawing, ceramics, photography, writing, storytelling, crafts, woodcarving, gardening, cooking, nutrition, underwater basket weaving, fitness, martial arts, fencing, swimming, finances, recreation, first aid, birdwatching, and just about anything else.

You forgot an important one [smile]

Dancing.

In my opinion, it's fairly absurd to want a girlfriend whose interests are precisely your own. In fact, that sounds a bit like a recipe for disaster. In my experience, in any great relationship you both need to have enough common ground that you can find plenty of time to spend together, but you also need enough disparity so that you can each maintain a sufficient amount of independence. This is true even in marriage: many successfully married people have strong bonds with their partners while simultaneously maintaining their own career, hobbies, and interests that their partner does not necessarily share.

Most people are neither purely introverted nor purely extroverted. The fact that you want companionship implies that you, too, are not purely introverted. Most people enjoy spending time with others in group activities (where the group could consist of as few as two members, you and your girlfriend), but they also enjoy occasionally having time to themselves to pursue individual hobbies or interests. The exact distribution varies from person to person; some like more time to themselves and less in groups; others like lots of time in groups and relatively little time alone. But I've never known anyone who literally wants to be either always alone or always in a group.

More generally, the solution to your problem is to get out into the world and stop isolating yourself. The more social experiences you participate in, the more stories you'll have to tell at future events. Just be open and honestly interact with people. Most importantly, stop taking it so seriously and have fun.

Quote: Original post by jpetrie

Quote: Original post by nobodynews

Quote: Original post by frobYou can take free or inexpensive classes on just about anything: Drawing, ceramics, photography, writing, storytelling, crafts, woodcarving, gardening, cooking, nutrition, underwater basket weaving, fitness, martial arts, fencing, swimming, finances, recreation, first aid, birdwatching, and just about anything else.

You forgot an important one [smile]

Dancing.

Excellent class.

Back in college I took a simple dance class along with my then-fiance. I seem to recall the only males were me, two married men with their wives, and one male dance major who was the TA. There were also about 15 unmarried females.

Ok, you like video games but you're not too keen on books/music/movies.

What else have you tried? Have you ever tried any sports? And I don't just mean football/basketball/tennis/whatever. Try scuba-diving or rock climbing (both are really good ways to meet girls, btw, since you need a partner).

Finally, you have to make a decision about what will make your life better. Are you happier playing games without a girlfriend or would you be happier with a girlfriend but with less time for games (and trust me, unless your girlfriend is also a gamer, there will be less time for games). Neither is inherently better, you just have to decide which is best for you.