Top Ten Creepy Elements of Tinder

Online dating is weird enough as it is, but a new app has taken it to the next level. 'Tinder' combines all the shallow subjectivity of Hot-or-Not with the all of the random pervs you find on Chatroulette. The creepy hook-up tool proves how absurd the world of online dating has become.

Personally, I like to meet people in casual settings and see if there is a spark. I would never agree to go out with someone after viewing a random photo and texting briefly. Gross.

To show you just how absurd the app really is, I compiled this list of the Top Ten Creepy Elements of Tinder:

10. Judgement Night

• The app asks you judge people on five photos from their Facebook profile. You have two choices: 'X' or '<3'

9. Facebook Friends

• To increase the creepiness, the app demands full access to your Facebook 'Friend' and 'Like' lists. It then shares the common elements with your potential matches. "Yes, we're both friends with Joe from Squamish."

8. Distance Between

• A stalkers delight. The app also uses your cell location to tell your matches how close you are. Now they have your photo, a list of common friends and a general idea of where you live.

7. Night Owls

• The 3 am, "so how you doing," text is always a sure sign of a creeper.

6. Sadness Confirmed

• Over use the app and you receive this message: "It doesn't look like there's anyone new around you." Subtle...

5. Finding Your Ex

• Then there's the chance of coming across pictures of your ex.

4. Group Photo

• What? Who? Which one is it? This is a case for Carmen San Diego.

3. Second Question

• First Question: "So, how are things?" Second Question: "Want to bump?" The creepers have very limited conversational skills. That, or they like to get right to the point.

2. Hijacking

• The app stays open on your phone. Leave your cell on your desk and by the time you come back from the washroom, your co-workers have lined up three dates with the a warlock, a paste-eater and some dude named 'Muscles on Muscles.'

1. All in the Family

• And the ultimate creep factor: being matched with a relative. Shudder…..

Keep it real and meet real people at real events. Try Events and Adventures and eliminate the creeps.

Ten Awesome Events for the Month of March

Wow! We are already into March. This year is flying by! We'll be playing beach volleyball in no time.

But seriously, March - Tons of wicked stuff on the E&A calendar. Here are my top ten choices:

10. Circus Class

• Tackling the trapeze? Yes please! Afro clown wigs are optional. "Dud dud duh duda dud dud circus…"

9. Harrison Hot Springs Weekend

• Spend a night away from the city in the pampered luxury of the Harrison Hot Springs Resort Hotel. There are five mineral springs to dip into, a spa, tours available and gardens to meander through. Get your Zen back and meet some new members. Should be an amazing weekend away!

8. St. Patrick's Day

• Time to don the green. Malone's Sports bar will host Events and Adventures St. Paddy's Day celebration.

7. Jug Island Beach Hike

• I've done a lot of hikes around Vancouver, but I've never even heard of this one. From the calendar description, the views will be breathtaking.

6. Giants Game

• Currently third in the BC Division of the WHL, the Giants will take on the first place, Kelowna Rockets. Let's hope the juniors put on a better show than Tortorella's Canucks. 

5. Anthropology

• The history of our native peoples is on display at the museum of Anthropology. Their expansive collection of artifacts makes this museum a must-see for new residents. My favourite piece is the Bill Reid carving "Creation."

4. Taste of Commercial Drive

• I'm thinking this is like a pub-crawl, but with food. And with all the amazing restaurants on the Drive, it should be to die for.

3. Bartend Course

• E&A is hosting back-to-back sessions of this incredibly popular night of mixology. Hoping to pickup a few flair tips.

2. Lafflines

• I love live comedy. One of my favourite events so far has been the comedy night at Havana's. Fingers crossed that the comics at Lafflines can live up to Graham Clark's troupe. Side note: Watching comedy with a group of friends is exponentially more entertaining than watching it on your own.

1. Go Kart Racing

• The 'Somewhat' Fast and the Furious. I've collected a small arsenal of red shells and banana peels for this event; be warned.

First For FUN!

The 2014 Mercer Quality of Living Report has ranked Vancouver’s quality of life first in North America. One of the factors that lead to our dominance was our recreational potential. The city's proximity to outdoor adventure is what keeps us at the top, year after year. We may pay more for our groceries, our property taxes, even our services, but we also get to live in the land of outdoor opportunity.

Events and Adventures is the ultimate facilitator for taking full advantage of Vancouver's 'quality of life.' Their calendar is a perfect example of all that is available to Vancouverites. In what other city could you tube on the mountains, hike on the beach and golf on the greens, all in the same week? If you really wanted to rush it, you could actually squeeze them all into the same day!

Even in our winter months, when Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal (the other three Canadian cities that made it into the top five in North America) are shivering from the cold, Vancouver is still a-go-go!

What's hard, is keeping up with all there is to do. Again: E&A to the rescue! Their events coordinator searches out and finds the fun for you. Keep your mind on your work during the 9-5 and when it's time to play, your activities are all there waiting for you. Don't worry about bookings, reservations, minimum numbers - you already have a spot amongst a dozen other fun singles ready to live life to the fullest.

Why live in a city where 75% of your wage goes to living expenses, if you can't actually LIVE! Let's get out there and make use of these beautiful facilities that are literally right there at our back door.

Mountains. Ocean. Parks. Trails. Yes please!

Membership Rewards

I'm five months into my membership with Events and Adventures and I can't say enough good things about the experience. It's been awesome! 

I'm no longer sitting on my couch on Fridays with a bag of popcorn on my lap, watching Netflix. Now, it's all sledding, dodgeball and comedy nights. I'm doing things I would have never done on my own and I'm exploring the city in the process. I'm also taking a lot more risks, rock climbing as one example. 

Through the club, I've met dozens of singles my own age - Interesting people, who share my interests and who are always up for a laugh. There have definitely been a few ladies that have caught my eye. Its been easy to talk with them. Something about sharing an experience that makes people loosen up and drop their everyday inhibitions.

At all the events, there have been great hosts. I kinda thought it was weird to have a host at the beginning, but I didn't really understand the role they played. Now I realize the hosts are what make the events so stress-free. They have a list of members attending, they introduce everyone and they genuinely make it a more comfortable, seamless experience. Forget worrying about reservations and coming up with elaborate date nights. It's all done for you.

Their calendar is published at least a month in advance, so you can plan your social time well ahead of the events. They offer directions, suggested attire and even the opportunity to bring a friend along. It also lets you signup last minute. Friends bail on dinner plans, check the calendar, oh sweet cosmic bowling tonight!

Overall, I'm out of my house more than I've ever been. I'm meeting new people each week. And I like the feeling of belonging to a club that is all about having random adventures. Have I found love, not yet, but it's all about the ride.

Here's to enjoying life in your thirties as a (dare we say) single adult.