#NerdsUnite: My name is Alicia and I'm doing 50 dates in 50 states (Idaho: The Tables are Turned)

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Alicia. She's about to embark on a 50 dates in 50 states dating documentary. She's here today to talk about her views on life, love, and all things through her nerdy little eyes. I only have one more thing left to say ... HIT IT ALICIA!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's Alicia Ostarello

One of the most frequently asked questions about 50/50 has been, "Well, what if a guy likes Megan more than you?" Jokes of tag-teaming aside, Meg and I know this is a likely scenario. It was never a matter of if but rather, of when. Answer: Idaho.

 Pre-Boise, the dates have been intimidated by Megan and Beast (our biggest, most reality-TV looking camera), but date #4, Corey, was merrily chattering away at Megs while she set up. And once Corey and I began running (yes, running on a date. Burn calories and find out if pheromones pique my interest. Hot), after some conversation about birth places and roommates and entrepreneurship, Corey very much enjoyed talking about Megan.

 Sure, Megs is one of my favorite conversation topics, too. She's a new friend, and up until we left for this trip, we knew as much about one another as a margarita knows about a snail. And as we figure out how to get tequila and escargot to blend together, I find myself more and more fond of the gal. Part of this trip is not only about the relationships we make with strangers across the country, but the friendship and business relationship we forge together. So at first, it wasn't weird to talk about my ever-growing list of reasons Megan is rad. Until I realized that the more I glowed about Megan, the more Corey did, too.

 Post-run, we moved onto a pub quiz. Corey invited Megan to sit with us, kept trying to ply her with drinks, and at every question turned to her for an answer (which made sense during the questions about history and Monty Python, but not during questions about 80s pop culture and language). He made sure to order enough food for her, not asking what my preference would be — which meant I wound up with a meat pizza in front of me. When I told him I was a vegetarian, he said, "Oh, I did that too for six months!" Which made it seem even more odd that he hadn't thought to ask what I liked to eat.

 Throughout all this, Megan kept trying to get into the shadows as is her way during the dates, and Corey kept bringing her into the spotlight. I kept texting her at every chance, telling her to just join us. I figured we'd all be more comfortable if she were with us — and besides, much as I like dating, I love hooking people up.

 But alas, Megan wasn't as into Corey as he was her — so we bid him farewell, got into Huckleberry Fit, and fell into shocked giggles. Once we were able to mention the incident without gales of laughter, we decided that when we find ourselves in the situation again, we would literally just high five as she became the dater and I became the filmmaker. If the boy seems confused, we'll just politely say, "No worries — we can tell you're into her. Let's just acknowledge it, and hey, now's your chance!"

It’s always an adventure out here. And a learning experience. What did I learn on this particular adventure? Well, speak the truth, even if my date is too polite to do so. 

#nerdsunite

Alicia Ostarello has combined her talents in talking to strangers with degrees in English and Sociology and is currently taking a road trip across the country with one goal in mind: to go on a first date in every single state. Follow her trip and the documentary film being produced about it, 50/50: A Dating Documentary on Facebook at facebook.com/5050ADatingDocumentary.