Hi guys! Apparently I'm a hopeless nerd and I'm looking for study buddies)) Big fan of CrashCourse and other educational channels on Youtube. I really want to find people passionate about learning new things so we can explore and discuss stuff together (documentaries, videos, lectures, Ted talks and what not) Best case scenario, we create a group of like-minded enthusiasts and do video chats on a regular basis. A book club is great as well, btw. 'Still works' case scenario :) , a good ol' language exchange is also fine. I'm a native Russian speaker, interested in improving my French, Spanish, Italian, Finnish and English (I guess). Thinking of taking up Swedish and German.

Inspired by a profile here on Italki. What do you love and hate about your country and people?

I love the resourcefulness of Russians - out-of-the-box thinking and creative use of duct tape work magic)))

I hate the fact that too many are superstitious and believe in psychic powers.

Could you recommend good Spanish and French music? I'm learning Spanish and French and music is one of the things that motivate me the most. The problem is all French and Spanish songs seem to be about love :) and I'd like to find something with more meaningful lyrics. Romance is ok, but only when it's among other topics an artist sings about. Take Leonard Cohen, Dave Matthews or System of a Down, for example. They do mention love, still they've got a lot to say about current social issues.

The more the lonelier?

OK, here's the thing. Over the years I've tried different language exchange sites and I started to notice this pattern: you come to a new place online, you see thousand of people (including native speakers you are hungry for) seemingly eager to strike up a conversation, you get excited, you write to some you think you've got something in common with and... nothing. Best case scenario - they reply but after a couple of messages the conversation dies off. You try again and again -> the same result, you get upset and a bit paranoid thinking of Einstein and his definition of insanity. 

Is it just me being absolutely untalkable to, unlikable, boring and socially weird or is there some secret to it I'm just not getting? 
I see lots of profiles here on Italki with people having 200-something friends and I'm like: 'Why even bother texting - they either have too much on their plate already what with trying to keep up with so many chats or they just friend everybody and I'll be just another number - added mindlessly and never talked to'.
Soo... :) What's up with that?

Italkers who have managed to make it here - how did you do that?)