Seriously?

So, I suppose it happens to the best of us. It had to happen to me at some point. Just had to. I think about Shania in times like this. Not the whole fucktard bastard cheating on you deal, but the whole "I'm a successful, (mostly) independent, guy who suddenly gets hit by this bus"

My bus is obviously figurative.

Ray's gotten hit by the love bug, methinks.

Here's the thing. My brain--totally losing the war this time. I mean, every other time that I've had any kind of interest in someone, the brain has shut it down in short order. I mean, sure, the interest remained for a while, but the brain really killed any chance of anything happening.

For once, though, my brain is totally and completely outmanned and outgunned. It might last for a few more days, at best. But really, it's going to lose. In fact, the brain was successful with this same certain someone (No names yet...there are readers who may know about whom I am talking, so I can't take any chances yet...) last year. But the brain failed to extinguish. It lost a couple of battles, but it looks like it's going to lose the war.

That's really scary for me. I've never seriously considered acting on these impulses, and when you're 16, it's supposed to be awkward. At 22 (ish), you're supposed to be more refined. But me? Not really. I've got the jittery school-boy nerves. I've got that whole "I'm absolutely terrified of rejection" thing.

So, dear friends, I need some advice. And for a change, I'm going to be explicit.

So, basic details: yes, we have conversed on multiple occasions both via internet and in person. No, I have not managed to scare off anyone yet (ALWAYS a plus with me). No, I absolutely refuse to do dinner and a movie, because you don't even talk or look at each other for 90 minutes, por lo menos.

Ok, so, here are the tfour questions to which I NEED answers ASAP:

1. How do I do the whole asking out thing? (i.e., do I make it clear that I want this to be a date, or do I go with the whole "hey, do you want to go hang out here" thing?)

2. What would be the ideal first date locale/theme (correct word?)?

3. FASHION ADVICE: How do I do my hair, clothes, etc. so that I look impressive, but not over-the-top? I want to look competitive, not disinterested, but I don't want to look creepy either.

4. Or should I just give up now?