Another imminent failure here. The truth is I just don't really want it anymore. It's not really a 'forever alone' sort of giving up, I just want other things in life. If there are chances, I'll try them, but I have to admit my heart's not in it.
Success sounds minimal in the thread, but I hope those still in the game stick at it. I'll repost if anything new comes up, but otherwise consider this the end for me.
As I'm not at university for the year, there is little to no scope for social interaction. My social circle at home is not one conducive to success: my friends skip across gender and sexuality boundaries seemingly arbitrarily, promote sensible drug policy as a smokescreen for a recreational life brimming with cannabis, salvia, ketamine, nitrous oxide and any other substances they can put to good use. They're actually really nice people, but they probably don't believe me when I tell them I'm straight. They're also very eccentric generally (one friend of mine described them as 'bohemian'). So finding a potential date within that social frame is frankly impossible; introducing a more normal girl to them would not go well either.
A few of them are also polyamorous, and oddly some of those in their 'network' have indirectly expressed an interest in me. But it's something I am not pursuing - I'd rather stick with monogamy. I did not find them attractive and the relationship would have been dysfunctional and short-lived. Imagine trying to share multiple girlfriends with male friends of yours (plus their own lesbian partners), and perhaps you'll see what I mean.
After calling back at university to sort some admin issues I arranged a meeting with a college friend - somebody who I had developed feelings for about a year ago. As irony works, as soon as I had realised what I felt, she was soon off the market (and still is to this day). It coincided with - and exacerbated - a period of heavy depression which was the reason I decided to suspend college. For the record, she knows nothing about any of this. Anyway, while I was nervous about meeting up (so much unsaid, dreading awkward silences etc) the meeting turned out remarkably well and we spent over an hour in conversation talking about pretty much anything. It seems the feelings are still there, but since we get on as very good friends I'll just try to put them to one side. I don't know how she feels (and as she's not single it's not relevant), but the dynamic between us is pretty distinct. Nevertheless it's put me off looking for anyone else, kind of like a perfectionist's philosophy: if they can't be as good as her, it's probably not worth pursuing.
So for now I'll just make do with living. I'm still job-hunting but that should resolve itself soon. I'll still make plans with the anarchists, although date prospects are innumerous and best avoided. Aside from that, I'll learn to draw and work on my languages. OKCupid's tirade of homolust can die in a fire.
If other girls like my college colleague exist, they'll have to wait til after Christmas; even then, watching that damn dub will take priority.
That's all. Polite sage for accidental life story.