Hey Jake ... found this thread and I've been reading through it a little... I'd like to offer some unsolicited insight/advice. I've had a pretty successful history with women.
First, and perhaps foremost, never act like you've been waiting to meet her when you've just met her. A well-adjusted woman won't normally respond well to someone who goes through the effort of making the first date "something special". If you make her a central part of your life before she should actually matter to you ... it doesn't matter how "perfect guy" you act. You don't have to be a ****y bastard ... just live your life like you have one. Don't brag about dating other girls ... but don't act like she's the only one. To summarize, girls really do thrive on you not making it easy on them.
In fact, that's all the advice I'll give you ... don't over think it. When you've just met them, they shouldn't matter very much to you. Have basic considerations of human to a human (and a man to a woman) but really nothing more. Never beg them for a date ... offer up the idea ... if they don't bite then who cares? Women don't want a guy who's easy for them to get ... if you make it easy then their perception is you're not worth very much... If you're chasing them then obviously they are better than you.
Oh ... and the "goth" chicks ... good luck finding a mature, well-adjusted one of those... though some of them are very sweet. Just avoid politics... it doesn't matter how much is going right if an over-opinionated young girl finds out you support the military or don't want to marry a man.