Was feeling excited since the weather was nice out during the day but turned cold at night.

Txted a bunch of people I knew and might like to hang out with, one got back to me, two ignored which was discouraging but hey I'm out of town and haven't talked to some of these people in a few years, so I tried not to feel too hurt when they didnt respond.

Luckily, one friend whose doing well who I havent seen since high school was able to meet for dinner which was great to catch up.

I asked him to come get drinks with me at a bar but he had an early morning. No problem, I decided to go out and have fun myself.

I went to check out a new hipster bar which was supposed to be good but saw a line and got discouraged and headed back to my car to leave. As I was about to fire up the ignition and leave, I said fuck that! and set a simple goal: you can't go home until you talk to 5 girls.

So I went to an club I used to frequent when I lived in the area. Luckily, I recognized the bouncer who worked there so that was cool. It was kinda dead and I wasn't feeling the music so I left and headed back to the check out the bar and see if the line had died down.

So I went back to the bar. The line was still there but there was a smoking hot blonde in line, her conversation was extremely vapid.

There was also some woman behind me doing some drugs for the first time with her friends which was amusing.

Got into the bar, ordered my drinks and found myself next to the woman and had a little small talk and she tells me shes 45+ and loving life.. I try to be as polite and possible wish her a happy birthday and leave.

I see blonde girl on the way out but dont have the balls to talk to her at the moment because talking to 46 year old was depressing as fuck. (#1)

Im thinking I should go home and then I realize if i do ill turn into that and old woman going to a hipster college bar for far too much longer than I should.

** Realization: I should approach and go after girls I like and exit convos thats are soul draining, got nothing to lose

So I go to the club to dance it out. The club is more bumping and I get in relatively quickly thanks to the bouncer recognizing me.

I grab a drink and scope out the scene and walking around trying to get a feel for the music

Realization: draw positive attention to myself dont look like im sulking.

Proper posture, leading with chest out through crowds and eye fucking and essential club game. I learned eye fucking from my ex -- seriously the best non-verbal communication there is.

There this groups of cute girls, doing some limbo shit and I start dancing near them, getting a few looks but still approach anxiety, grab a drink talk to a girl at the bar (#2) she looks depressed as fuck so I'm like not worth it.

Hit up the dance floor again, see same group of girls, I say fuck it and ask one to a dance off, she declines but says her friends interested (the tall one that looks like a cuter version of my ex and who I really wanted to go after). (#3) Things are good shes grinding up on me and then I move to escalate and move my hands to her hips and then she moves away and looks at me with her friends and says something.. I lose frame and I'm like "err.. ok" and leave to dance with someone else.

Go around club, dance a bit with some other girls, not really feeling it. Then I see tall girl dancing with some taller dude and when she catches my eye she really starts grinding.. now in the past I would have gotten super upset, but I'm like "fuck it". So I go to the cutest girl in my path and I chat her up (#4) and then we decide to do a dance off.

Now, I used to pop n' lock and recently started taking latin dance classes and I'm motivated partially by alcohol and partially to incite jealously.

Realization: Don't hold back, if I have awesome skills, use em! It up to other people to handle their emotions and step their game up.

We have a dance off and the friend moderates, I clearly win and the friend says we have to call it off due to interference (some girl bumped into her)

I'm like "sure sure". Like an idiot I just leave again..

Realization: After you do the hard work, convert and escalate. I should have gave her a hug, thanked her for the dance off and pivoted the convo or started dancing with her.

Things are getting late, last call. So I'm about to head out and then see a hot dog stand. I'm waiting to get some food and I notice dance-off girl w/ friends. I don't say anything to her shes talking to some neck beard dude and she doesnt seem interested but seems more interested when she sees me. I overhear the convo, sounds boring as fuck. I start talking to one of her friends randomly about her nail polish and asking her what color it is and rattling off random pantone colors I rememebr. She tells me she a professional salon something and then my foods ready. (#5) I think she realizes I'm shooting the shit to increase SMV with her friend and she leaves to talk to their mutual friend. I get my food and go to grab condiments and right next to them and I over hear them saying "hes much better than the current guy she dating" and I dont know who their referring to, but it means if I cant even get a cute, but low quality girl then I really need to step up and improve my skills.

Anyway, I wanted to have a good time and I did. Left with a smile on my face. Of course, it would have been great to hook up but it seems I haven't earned the skills yet. Still working on fundamentals and understanding underlying emotions / reasons and adapting my beliefs vs reciting PUA lines and tactics, which has worked in the past.

tl;dr 1) When a girl grinds on you and then you put your hands on her hips and she feigns outrage - ASD or fitness/shit test?

I think shit test - proper way to handle is amused mastery -- stand firm and tell her to get that booty back here

2) How to escalate/continue after demonstrating value?

In my situation, I think I could have hugged the girl, thanked her for the dance off and pivot convo to something else or ask her to dance with me

Next goals: dance/have fun without having to drink as much

increase # of approaches

improve conversational skills