Top Ten Reasons To Expand Your Social Circle Beyond The Office

Dating in the workplace is a fairly common occurrence. Bill Gates, Barak Obama and Angelina Jolie all met their current spouses at work. But for many, the office scene has its pitfalls. Here are ten good reasons to ditch the cubicle crew for some active leisure time with Vancouver's most successful singles club:

10. Fresh Faces

• The turnover in companies these days is fairly low. It's more likely that a position is eliminated, than the company hires a new applicant. As a result, the same faces are seen around the office and at the social events after work. For single folk, this limits the options available. At Events and Adventures, new members are signing up each week. This increases the chance of finding Mr. or Mrs. Right.

9. Secrecy

• You find someone in the office that you share some chemistry with, but you don't want the others to know you're dating, so you agree to keep it secret. Let the games begin. You shouldn't have to hide your relationship from anyone. Dating outside the workplace reduces your need for hiding your love.

8. Jim's Crab Cakes

• Staff social functions can be fun and important for team building, but after awhile, those crab cakes get really boring.

7. Human Resources

• You can't date anyone above you in management and you can't date your subordinates. The HR manual is filled with rules and regulations for office romances. Why even bother? You've worked hard to get where you are. Don't jeopardize it with a rule slip.

6. Circus Class

• Your last office social was a book club meeting on "The Secret." Love Oprah, but really, time outside of work should be designated for fun activities. This month Events and Adventures is hosting a circus class at the Circus West Performing Arts Society. Learn trapeze, have some trampoline fun and try your skill at the unicycle.

5. Smart Phones

• The paparazzi are everywhere. Social media and camera phones can catch and publish your most vulnerable moments. Trina, from Marketing, is tweeting your every move. She must be jealous…

4. The "Cheers" Syndrome

• Sure, every now and again, it's nice to socialize in an environment where 'everybody knows your name.' But even a few beers won't help Norm's stories. Meet new people at every event when you attend an E&A function.

3. Trust Games

• Why not paintball or rafting? Something with a little adrenaline please!

2. Separate Worlds

• Keeping a healthy distance between your work life and your social life is always a good idea. Mix the two and it might feel like you never leave the office.

1. Water Cooler Mondays

• Avoid being fodder for the post-weekend gossip circle.

Moonwalk

Winter in Vancouver can be a gloomy experience for newcomers to our city. It's not all that cold, temperature wise, but with the moisture, some find the saturated air colder than the -15° temperatures in Calgary. But for Vancouverites, it's all about picking your spots, knowing what's available and finding the right people to adventure out with.

Last week I signed up for a 'moonlight walk' along the seawall. The weather forecast called for rain, but by the time Thursday evening came around, the clouds had cleared and the air was noticeably warmer than the weeks prior; A perfect evening for a moonlit stroll.

We met at Science World and I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout; It looked like I wasn't the only one who was dying to leave my apartment.

Our host introduced us all and made a valiant effort to remember all of our names. There were a few new faces and few old ones (friends from before).

By the time we got going the moon was completely visible. Gorgeous! We headed west along the South side of False Creek, heading towards Kitsilano.

We walked in groups and talked about our interests, our work and the club itself. I broke off for a few minutes and took in the night on my own.

But we weren't exactly alone on our urban hike. There was actually a ton of people on the seawall. Mostly runners. At one point, just past the Cambie Bridge, a massive running clinic bore down on us. It was like the running of the bulls, with less immediate danger and more Lululemon. I was definitely more comfortable with our group then the Jugo-juicers.

We reconvened as a solid unit just before Granville Island. Then we made our way to First Avenue and crossed Burrard Street. A few blocks later, we were standing outside our destination: TheSunset Grill.

Inside a small Celtic band was playing. Our group had a table at the back reserved and we spent the next hour enjoying live tunes, watching Olympic highlights and talking with new and 'old' friends.

We left after a round of small plates and headed back into the winter night - a glorious night for the so-called 'city of gloom.'

Ten Things I Love About Being Single in Vancouver

It’s fun to be single if you’re in the right circles. Since I joined Events and Adventures, I’ve been having the time of my life, meeting active, fun-loving singles in their element and trying new things every week. Here are my top ten adventures so far.

1. Night Sledding At Cypress: The more the merrier.

We hit the slopes at Cypress with toboggans and tubes for an evening event that’s 100x more fun in a group. We linked our arms and legs to create crazy chains and laughed like kids again. It was a good way to get up close and personal without any of the awkwardness of dating.

2. Gourmet Cooking Classes: You never know who you’ll meet.

We rolled out the fresh pasta at Kitchen Riddles and went home with our bellies full. Great instruction, a gourmet meal, a glass of wine, and some naughty flour handprints made for an imaginative evening in the kitchen.

3. Calvinball is in a league of its own.

Wallyball is a crazy version of volleyball. Just like Calvin and his Tiger, the best times are had when you throw the rules out the door and focus on the fun. It’s so much easier to meet someone new when you both have your hair down.

4. Taste Testing Oil? Yes, Oil. And things you’d never think of doing alone.

The Vancouver Olive Oil Company let us sample their unique diffusions. They paired our spot tests with a priceless education on the origins, health benefits and cooking secrets of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

5. Holiday Themed Parties are always better when you’re single.

We took the 'hideous sweater theme' to the bowling alley over the holidays. My Christmas flair definitely shone brighter than my lane skills. This event was well attended and I was able to meet a number of single women. Must have been the sweater.

6. Double Bounces for the fun and fit.

Jumping on a trampoline on your own gets boring quickly. Add a dozen singles and you have a party. Throw in a handful of rubber balls and that party turns into a dodge-ball laugh factory.

7. Sugar By the Spoonful: Just me and the ladies.

What a magical night out at the theatre. The cast of Marry Poppins transported us back to our childhood. I was one of the few men who attended this event; loved the ratio.

8. Exotic Dining with friendly new faces.

My first event with Events and Adventures - a night of shared plates and friendly conversation at the Banana Leaf. We had a great time. Since then I've been hooked.

9. Practice Swings and casual dating. Talk about multi-tasking.

It’s never a wasted evening when you have a chance to do what you love anyway. The sexy singles I met who shared my love for the game - that was icing on the cake.

10. Latin Laughter. Because you’re more attractive when you’re having fun.

The perfect combo pack: a wonderfully cooked Latin meal and two hours of comedy. We competed for prizes, interacted with the comics and laughed until it hurt.

Every week I write about being Single In Vancouver, BC. Check out it, you might relate.

Holiday Savings

Your pocketbook may be feeling a little lighter this month, as you shop for holiday gifts for friends and family, but don't let your lack of funds slow down your dating calendar. There are a ton of, dare we say, cheap options for dates over the winter months. Here are few ideas to inspire Vancouver singles on a holiday budget:

1. Robson Square Ice Rink:

Skating is a great idea for a date. Lots of people, small space, plenty of post-skating activities in the area and it only costs $3. If you bring your own skates it's free! The rink is super small, which gives the date a more intimate vibe. It also means less pressure if you're not the greatest skater. If you are a pro, you may want to hide your skills.

2. Bike Lights

Try a different spin on the vehicular Christmas light tour. Bundle up, throw some dollar store Christmas lights on your bikes and tour the cities brightest light displays. Finish with the giant tree at English Bay. You can grab a hot chocolate at the Davie and Denman Starbucks and walk down to the beach for a quiet end to the evening.

3. Downtown Shopping

Two birds with one stone - suggest a shopping date. Even if you hate shopping, having someone else along to help you pick out gifts for your family is always a plus. Share a few laughs over joke gifts and bond over family Christmas stories.

4. Hike to Hollyburn Lodge

Take a winter walk through the forest to Hollyburn Lodge on Cypress Mountain. The fully licensed lodge has live music on the weekends and long tables for meeting new friends. Spend the walk getting to know each other, before entering the lodge; the noise level can be a little high on the weekends. Make sure to bring a headlamp or a small flashlight. If you do have a few more dollars to spare, try the Chocolate Fondue Tours offered by the Cypress Mountain Nordic Area.

5. Art Gallery Tuesdays

Admission to the Vancouver Art Gallery is 'by donation' on Tuesday nights after 5pm. Show your sophisticated side and take a stroll through the VAG. Winter exhibits include the Korean textile based artist Kimsooja and the multi-media artist Antoni Muntadas.

6. German Christmas

The German Christmas market is a great spot to take in some classic holiday cheer. Entry tickets are only $3 during the weekdays and $6 on the weekend and evenings. Try some sausage and Glühwein and wander the craft tables. Take a ride on the carousel for only $3 and show your date the kid inside you.