Tag Archives: events and adventures vancouver

Dating App Experiment

The Dating App Experiment

The Dating App Experiment

As a single staff member of one of the Events & Adventures clubhouses, I decided to do a bit of an experiment with myself. Like a lot of people, I’m a dating app user; as a person dating in the 21st century it often feels like there aren’t many other options. As a simultaneous member of Events & Adventures, I started to compare and contrast my experiences with my online relationships and the ones I was seeing develop at Events & Adventures.

I’ve been on the classic apps like Tinder and Bumble and have tried some of the more obscure apps like Hinge and Coffee Meets Bagel. They each have different layouts and specialties that make them seem like lights at the end of a tunnel filled with fellow singles. In the end, each app seems to turn out to have a similar end: possible dates and little connection.

 

The Findings

Dating apps turned the very real and emotional experience of dating into a very numb and robotic game. I’ve found myself mindlessly swiping through people without even looking at them. The sensation of matching with someone seems to create more of an endorphin boost than an actual opportunity for a true connection.

I’ll never forget when I matched with a guy and mentioned meeting up for dinner with him pretty quickly, trying to bypass the small talk and make something out of a match that seemed promising. He agreed, we set a time and location. The next morning, he was gone. He deleted our match and seeing as that was the only form of contact I had with him, there was no way of getting in touch to see what happened.

The experience stung, but a part of me accepted it because we hadn’t even met. How could I hold this guy accountable when he was only a picture on a screen?

I’ve gone on my fair share of actual dates through these apps too. I’ve even been in short-term relationships with some of the men I’ve meet. The large majority of the time the connection I thought I had with these guys online didn’t come through in person. If we did actually have something in common, there seemed to be a pressure to put a definition on whatever we had right away, which ended up scaring one of us away. When you make dating the primary focus of any activity, there’s an expectation of trust and vulnerability almost instantly. How can you put that kind of pressure on someone you barely know?

Having heard friends express similar frustrations, I know I’m not alone in my dating app woes. I even hear us wondering aloud if there is something wrong with us because of our lack of success.

 

The Solution

Having experienced Events & Adventures for the last six months, I honestly believe it’s not us but the online dating system that’s to blame. Unlike the forced nature of online dating, Events & Adventures creates an organic environment for members to have fun being themselves.

Are you filled with random facts or a board game connoisseur? You can guarantee there’s a trivia or game night coming up with Events & Adventures. More of a sports fan? Every club has at least one viewing party or pickup game on the books. Are you a whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, or adrenaline junkie—or do you want to be? Events & Adventures has you covered there, too.

And the best part? Other people are doing all of these things with you. You’ll be able to build connections with people that have similar interests and have the opportunity to see these same people on a weekly, or even daily basis, without having to plan the get togethers yourself.

All of the romantic relationships I’ve seen develop between Events & Adventures members have come out of the weeks and months they have spent together at Events & Adventures events. When people have the chance to develop friendships, those friendships turn into trust, and that trust can very easily blossom into something more substantial like commitment and love.

Our members have the chance to cultivate relationships with each other without having to worry about defining their experiences, romantic or otherwise, because that’s not what Events & Adventures is about. Our goal is to help people live a life they love, and that definition is different for everyone.

As a self-proclaimed wallflower, I’ve really had the chance to soak up all of the wonderful benefits Events & Adventures provides its members. In a world so fueled by instant gratification, Events & Adventures slows things down and gives its members the change to enjoy their lives with friends, new and old. So why keep staring at a dating app filled with what-ifs and maybes and come have some promised fun with Events and Adventures? You never know where it might lead until you give it a try!

Valentine's Day remembering the 80's

Valentine’s Day in Vancouver 80s Style

It’s that time of year when love is in the air–Valentine’s Day. That day when many people exchange cards, candy, gifts, or flowers with their special Valentine, while others feel social pressure from all the newly engaged sharing their pictures on social media. Whether you love the idea of Valentine’s Day or think it is just another overpriced commercial holiday, one thing is for certain—it can be a very lonely holiday if you are single. However, it definitely doesn’t have to be lonely, and you don’t have to pretend like it’s any other day just to get through it, either!

Events & Adventures has got the cure for the Valentine’s Day blues. The best thing about Events & Adventures is you never have to feel alone. With over 30 events per month, you will always have something to do—even, and especially, on Valentine’s Day. This year for Valentine’s Day we are going back all the way back to the 80s for one night only with our annual Valentine’s Day Bash! If you love Footloose, Top Gun, The Goonies, Dirty Dancing, or Ghost Busters then this is one party you don’t want to miss. Events & Adventures staff and members will be pulling it all together to make the event like stepping out of a DeLorean and re-entering 1985.

This is How E&A Does Valentine’s Day in Vancouver

With 80s attire, tapas, a mac and cheese station, champagne upon arrival and a live DJ, this will be the Valentine’s Day bash to attend in Vancouver. Valentine’s Day doesn’t just have to be about the love between two people but the love of a community of people, the pure enjoyment of new friends, new connections, and maybe even a new significant other. Events & Adventures has been hosting the Valentine’s Day events for almost 10 years, and we make sure all members leave with memories that will last a lifetime.

Have You Ever Tried Arial Yoga?

yoga

Do you remember your gym class teacher or coach always saying to yourself or teammate when you were younger, not to say you couldn’t do it, because chances are you could. Well, the saying of the night at our Ariel silks class a couple weeks ago, was just that….”I can’t do that?”. And as if that coach was standing right there, we sure could. The night was filled with laughs and things most of us had never tried. Starting with making a simple knot in our silks, to trying an upside down move hanging just from one leg. Jen from Tantra Fitness was amazing, warming us up with some aerobics and then teaching us some mind bending moves. We even got to hang in our own cocoons and relax for a bit when we were finished. Truly an amazing workout and tonnes of fun!! We all went out for a bite to eat afterwards and enjoyed each other’s company for a while longer. Thanks girls for an amazing event.

Ambrea Event Manager Vancouver

A Gourmet Feast!

Cooking Class

Seeing that we have already celebrated Thanksgiving here in Canada, it was fitting that we visited Kitchen Riddles in Burnaby last night and made a gourmet feast of our own.  Getting instruction from Chef Ben and being looked after by owners Antonio and Morgan, we surely dined in style last night!! While some of us do cook and have some chopping skills, not all of us knew the fancy names of certain dicing techniques, nor did we know how easy it was to make our own ricotta, (and cheaper).  We started by dicing and chopping mushrooms, shallots & garlic and added Ricotta to make our very own ravioli stuffing.  Next, getting our pasta thin enough to make ravioli, all kinds of shapes, some stuffed more than others, but all delicious.  Topped with a arugula salad we took our plated upstairs to dine together in candlelight!! Once we were finished our main, we made our way back down to the kitchen to learn how to make a delicious and rich, melting Chocolate Lava cake, of course with hand whipped cream flavoured with Bailey’s.  Now the pictures tell the true story – we are really big goofballs when it comes to cleaning up bowls and spoons with deliciousness all over!! Couldn’t have been tastier or more fun!!  We all left with full tums and a little more knowledge of how easy it is to cook really yummy food…Yum – Yum

Ambrea Event Manager Vancouver

An Amazing week in Vanvouver!

Vancouver Flying

We’ve had an amazing week in Vancouver, despite it getting dark way to quick and it being a little frosty in the morning, we’ve been having a blast. Friday was a good one – getting to be the only ‘kids’ in Science World, 400 adults got to playing with balls, boats and blocks even some beer goggles and some bean bags. This place is truly a children’s wonderland, and when you put a bunch of adults in front of all the interactive learning games, the fun never ends!! Throw a little challenge in and the laughs are endless too! On Sunday we also took a thrill ride over our country on simulated ride located at Canada Place. Another group of 30+ came out to enjoy the scenes from across our country and then we all spent a lazy afternoon mingling at a local joint nearby. I can never get over the awesome things we get to do day in and day out in this city, and it’s pretty cool sharing the experience with amazing people!!

Ambrea Event Manager Vancouver

Awesome Saturday!

An absolutely awesome day of events we had on Saturday! To start a beautiful walk to Rice Lake in North Vancouver – a little cloudy but not too much rain.  We were given some background information on the great things that BC fisheries are doing to help increase interest in fishing and also how they are helping endangered species and preventing invasive species from our freshwater lakes and rivers!!  We were a little cold, but seeing a fish caught made everyone realize why we were there for!!  Nothing like being out in the elements with great friends and scenery.  Off to a nearby pub to warm up, and then a few of us were off to the next event.

Our beloved Canucks lost horribly to the Kings but this didn’t dampen spirits either.  Lots of ideas were collected and events for the upcoming season were discussed as we watched the game and had our monthly Member’s meeting!  We had great food and stayed passed the loss to continue building friendship and enjoy each other’s company.

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Let’s Play Some Games!

Imagine playing board games and getting loud and laughing so hard you can barely hear across the table!!  Every month we visit a local pub and have our own private space and do just that,  It’s one thing to play board games like Pictionary and Cranium, and Apples to Apples with close friends, but with strangers?  Those new faces aren’t strangers for too long.  There isn’t a better way to meet and learn about someone new, than to be tangled with arms locked, trying to build a block tower.  It’s not only fun to try it, but watching is a riot.  Last week at our Games Night, a group of members decided the questions for Cranium just weren’t as fun and tried playing with just the interactive, acting and team questions.  So much fun!!   Come out to the next one if you can make it!

Ambrea Event Manager Vancouver

Eating in the Dark and our Annual Halloween Party!

What a wicked weekend we had starting with a fantastic meal and event in the Dark!!  That’s right the Dark!!  A restaurant concept that has taken off, The Dark employs wait staff that is seeing impaired and they lead you to your tables and serve you, all while sitting in total darkness.  The best part, although the food was delicious was the great conversation as you tried to figure out what you were eating.  Most of us ended up eating with our fingers, as trying to manage utensils and not knocking everything off your plate was a little difficult!!  Then to top off the weekend we had our annual Halloween Party.  It always  amazes me to see the great bonds that are made in this club and new relationships beginning to blossom.  We had a terrific band rock the house and play music that had everyone singing and dancing the night away.  In between sets we had even more tunes and since we had our very own beer pong girls, it was only fitting that we played the song Solo Cup for them.  Great music, great food and of course the best of friends!!  It was an awesome night to party and celebrate Halloween in the Harbour.

Ambrea Event Manager Vancouver

 

Whitewater Kayaking Vancouver

 This weekend a small, brave group of souls took part in an ultimate Canadian Fall Adventure!!  We had a blast on the Chilliwack River for over 4.5 hours of paddling white water in inflatable kayaks..What a thrill.  Fly fishers adorned the sides of the “Wack” as the annual salmon spawn was happening at the same time.  Fish jumping and campers alongside the roaring river, we paddled our hearts out over the rapids, trying to stay in our boats and smiling all of the way.  After dinner at the resort most of stayed by the campfire until we retired for the night to our tents, sleeping like bricks, after such an amazing workout and day in Beautiful BC wilderness.

Ambrea Event Manager Vancouver

Volunteer Work and Circus Class Vancouver!

We sure lucked out on the weather last Saturday – all geared up for rain and all of our layers a group of us drove out to a volunteer farm to help harvest vegetables for local food banks.  We sorted potatoes and pulled carrots for the good part of the  afternoon and although the crawling on the ground, and digging wasn’t the easiest of tasks the muscle aches were a small price to pay, knowing that we were helping others that aren’t as fortunate. 

If that wasn’t a good enough work out for the day, some of us headed out to Circus West for a night of flying and jumping and team building exercises.  We all got the chance to climb up 15 feet to a trapeze swing and conquer some fears of height.  Swinging and then falling backwards to dangle by our feet before coming back down to the ground.  Some of us mastered juggling and some super tricks on the trampoline and we all got a chance to try out the unicycles, and some new pyramid techniques.  After we went out for a bite to eat and ended up watching an amazing belly dancing show.  What a great end to an awesome day.

Ambrea Event Manager Vancouver