Cute dogs are chick magnets and great conversation starters, just sayin
Maybe do a few sets of some pushups and crunches instead of dumbells a couple of times a week, it'll improve your back, shoulders and chest more than just curls and also isn't time consuming.
I get that meeting new ppl in a dating scenario is difficult to feel comfortable in for many reasons. Because of that I always found that being in a group setting with (male) friends I'm already comfortable with and can banter, and mixing that up with a group of girls who I may not be as comfortable with, was a sure way to get the banter and convo going bwteen myself and the ladies, and feeling good and having a fun night. But at a certain point in life that can become a difficult situation to set up.