>>44 Don't try to use alcohol to get chicks, that's how disaster wreacks your life.

I understand that it's difficult for you to get over your shyness and approach women, but in your case I see two ways: 1) spend enough time with people doing some activity that you're both interested in. This should foster enough familiarity that the gap between you is so small that you can jump over it. 2) meet someone through a paid website. This allows you to exchange written words before meeting the person, so that once again you have enough familiarity to encourage you to go all the way.

And besides, congratulations on managing to get out of the basement, you have my cheers!