This weekend I went to an outdoor party expecting to see some folks that I know via meetup.com. I hadn't rsvp'ed or anything, so I wasn't expected, I just figured I'd show up, have a couple beers, listen to the band and maybe mingle a little bit. I hung out for a beer, saw a couple people I knew but didn't really feel like hanging with, and was starting to get bored. The band was good but the venue wasn't really a pickup scene nor did it seem conducive to chatting with strangers (mistake number one on my part - "talk to everyone")

I had a second beer, hoping some people I knew would show up and, about halfway through the beer was figuring I'd just head home and watch the game. Out of nowhere this cute girl (HB7-7.5 - Ann) comes up to me and asks me if I'm alone. She then tells me that she and her friends are heading out in a boat for the parade of boats fest (a Christmas thing around here) and there's a seat open if I want to join them. I agree and find myself with 3 HB7-8s (Ann, Betty, Carol) and the ship's owner (Skipper). We get to the boat - a 52' sailboat - 3 BR, 2BA, nice galley - and I'm invited aboard along with another single guy (Bob) and 2 other couples. We head out on the harbor, the drinks are flowing, hors d'oeuvres are served,and we crank the Christmas music.

I decide I'm going to flirt my ass off with the single girls and spend a good amount of time going between Ann and Betty (Carol is quieter and a tougher approach - besides, my skills were being stretched with the first two plus staying in good with the guys on board). I'm being the fun guy - cracking jokes, dancing to the music, using a little sexual innuendo here and there. I'm probably drinking more than I should but, so is everyone else and, in the end it didn't seem to hurt me. Still, I know my game is best only 1-2 beers into the outing.

After 3 hours at sea we head back to port. Some folks leave for other engagements but the 3 gals and the skipper are still up for hanging out so we go to the marina bar for another beer. At this point, a 4th HB7 arrives - Donna. Although I was having good success with Ann, I realize she's pretty high maintenance should we get to a relationship stage so I'm hesitant on pushing too hard with her. I ended up chatting up Donna at the bar and then we head back to the boat for a last drink (Skipper wants to do a shot of Jack with someone and I comply - keep the guy with the $700K boat happy). The girls are digging into the Ghiradelli chocolates that are aboard and I do some teasing (grabbing the good ones and doling them out based on some compliance tests). Ann takes some good sexual ribbing from me and notes (with a smile) that I'm fresh. I'm sitting next to Donna and my kino, which is a very weak part of my game, is working well - arm touches and the occasional knee grab. Finally we all start heading home and I #-close both Ann and Donna and also kiss-close with Donna.

I get a text about a day later from Donna and I reply back that I'm going to a special dinner/drinks event happening at one of my favorite places downtown. I use the advice I've received here (thanks Cheddar) to just tell her I'll be there, she should come, it will be fun. She agrees. A little bit later I get another text saying she has to work until 6:30 and then has a Christmas party later. At first I was down on myself since I was hoping for an F-close. Then I reframed it that, despite her having a bunch of stuff to do she was making time to meet up with me for a drink. The event was great - I know both bartenders and a couple of the other regulars so I have some social proof, plus I wasn't standing alone, aloof, when she walks in but actually engaged with other folks like the fun guy that I am.

We chat for a bit. I use emotionally charged discussions rather than job interview stuff (what do you do for fun when not kite boarding? What are your favorite parts of Christmas? What do you do that would be considered adventurous). I do find that I'm talking a greater percentage than I probably should (based on PUA materials) but it doesn't seem to be hurting me. Since she has a time restraint, I already knew I wasn't getting much this night, but I was having a good time. We agreed to get together again tomorrow for dinner and a Christmas play (a comedy - I think it's a short one). Will try to bring her back to my place afterward for dessert (I made an award-winner for an event this weekend and still have some leftovers) and a Christmas movie, with the plan to escalate to F-close.

Pros - continuing to improve my use of kino and definitely see the value in it. Also being more open talking sexually and using innuendo. Made use of social proof to lower concerns that I'm a creeper.

Cons - Drank more than I wanted to going into the night. Didn't really hurt - just a self-control thing. Didn't number close the other 2 girls and I think I could have - even if I just use them as wings/social proof going forward. Talked too much, but at least I talked about emotional things rather than work, etc.

TL;DR - randomly picked up by some girls, sailed and drank myself to 2 #-closes and a k-close and had a good, albeit short 1st date with the k-close girl. Showing progress implementing PUA theories.