What do people do for that these days?
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What do.
Some things that might help out here:
Protip: When asking someone out, whether it's a casual thing or someone you really like, you can get good results by implying that you've already got plans and then inviting them to join you. Example: You have a coworker you'd like to take to some new Pho restaurant (or whatever). Instead of saying, "Would you like to go have lunch with me at Pho Shizzle?" which implies that you're trying to make plans around them and their lunch habits, instead say, "I'm gonna go have lunch at Pho Shizzle. Care to join me?" The idea being that you're ALREADY going there, but they can come if they like. You're giving off an inclusive and friendly vibe by implying you already have plans but you'd like their company. You're also removing any pressure from them, because they don't feel like they're going to ruin your day by saying no (which some people just don't want to deal with). If they DO say "no", simply say okay and carry out your plans anyway, reinforcing that air of confidence, and ask again some other time. It seems puerile and stupid, but it WORKS. Human psychology at its finest.
Protip: You will NEVER have as much control over others' opinion of you as you do over your own actions. If you want people to appreciate you or notice you, YOU are the one who has to improve. Ignore others and their opinions. Take a little time to pay attention to the things like grooming, hygeine, etc., start an exercise program to help your appearance a smidge, that kind of thing. Once you're feeling better about yourself in general, you'll feel better around other people. That, my friends, is confidence. Start in small ways, focus on improving yourself for your own sake, and everything else WILL come around on its own. A self-confident nerd is an attractive nerd.
Protip: For Beard's sake, DON'T EVER try to find a long-term relationship at a bar, no matter what your gender or preferences. If you're a male, you should know that the crowd of man-whores scoping the "scene" to hook up with random bar trash have been playing that game a lot longer than you have, so you've got fierce competition over girls that you probably didn't want in the first place. If you're a woman, you're basically limiting your options to the kinds of guys who try to find women at a bar, e.g. man-whores trolling for bar trash. Don't do that. Looking for a relationship at a bar is like an outdoor seafood market in the middle of Nevada: You might like the selection now, but there's a REASON it's so cheap. Stay away, you'll be healthier. For better results, try meeting people at everyday places. Coffee stands, grocery stores, school, work, etc.
Hang in there, fellow Dorfers. You got this.