Without extrapolating TRP's metaphorical origins too much, I'm starting to empathise with Cypher a little. Now that I've been shown the shallow, emotionally driven, erratic but disappointingly predictable nature of women, I can't help but feel a yearning for the way things used to be. I miss being completely mystified by women, the excitement felt when I finally got one of them to go on a date with me, the constant infatuation with a single person, the crushes that lasted weeks, and the heartbreak and disappointment when it all came to an end.

But now I've had the reality shown to me, been given the tools and the knowledge, I can't help but be disappointed. Was this really all I needed to do? is it really this easy? This formulaic? this mind numbingly inane? I want to taste this steak without knowing it's fake, I want to be able to tell this girl that I love her without knowing it's all just a manipulation to lock me down, but I can't, there's no making a deal with Mr. Smith, Mr. Nice Guy, this is the reality, it just is.

I've got a long road ahead of me, but at least now I have a path to take, thanks for listening.