So you've gotten your object of desire to agree to go on a date with you. Way to go! You probably want to act quickly before they change their mind. Now where should you go to make that important first impression? This week's column will help you answer that question.

There are a couple of different avenues you can take. a) The normal date, b) the bribe date, c) the pseudo nerd date d) the nerd date.

A normal date, for those of you unaccustomed to this activity, is something mainstream. Dinner and a movie. This date is somewhat of a classic. Find a nice restaurant, it doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be a step up from McDonalds. If you do decide on a MickyD's, you should probably stay away from the one where they all know your name. That could convey the wrong impression. The choice of movie is fairly important. A comedy could ease the tension in the date, unless it isn’t funny. An action movie could be exciting, unless your date doesn’t like that guns and explosions. A romantic movie could show your sensitive side, but may be awkward for a first date. A blockbuster may be a good bet. Something with Mel, Denzel, Julia, Tom (either one), or Sandra will work well. After the movie, a nice dessert or night cap at a local bar would complete the fine evening.

The bribe date is also known as the over-the-top impression date. Show your date how successful you are via the carefree waste of those IPO dollars. Start off with cocktails at one of the chi-chi bars in the nearest city. Look for a Ritz or Four Seasons type of hotel. Make a reservation for dinner at a nice cozy restaurant. One with a pompous French name will suffice. After dinner, take a nice stroll around town and head to a dessert bar, preferably one with chocolate (why do they always put raspberries with that?). Make sure you’ve paid off your credit card before the date, so you don’t get one of those I’m sorry but your card is declined speech.

The Pseudo Nerd date is the most popular date for Nerds. This is a date where you don’t necessarily hide your Nerdome, but you also don’t wear it with flying colors. A computer museum is a fun place for most everyone to go. There are usually many interactive exhibits, and there may even be an Omni theatre that shows movies on a 3 story high screen. Resist the urge to explain the inner workings of a computer to your date. If there is an exhibit at the museum featuring your work, casually stroll by it to see if your date is impressed. (But watch out for the celebrity factor with everyone seeking your autograph). A zoo or an aquarium is also a great place for a date. These are places that are fun and have interesting educational value. Have a picnic and bring a board game or a jigsaw puzzle with you. Go to a Jimmy Buffett concert and play scrabble in the parking lot – make sure you bring a dictionary for that activity. Bowling could also go over well. Especially if they have a nice game room associated with the alley.

The Nerd date. This one has to start off at Radio Shack. Take your date shopping with you while you complete the last purchase on that battery club card and get a free D size alkaline battery. Talk about a rush! Then find a nearby science museum or planetarium. Convince your good friend at the local Astronomical Observatory to let you borrow their 25” F/4 Obsession Reflector on an equatorially driven Dobsonian mount to view the heavens. If that doesn’t impress your date, nothing will! If you’re really lucky, there may be an Anime festival at the local theatre, or a Battlestar Galactica marathon on TV. Nothing tops off a good Nerd date like a trip to the comic store or card collecting store.

What ever date you chose, just remember to be yourself and have fun. The worst thing that could happen is you don’t click and you’ve wasted a little money and an evening. But think of the possibilities on the upside…