Infant Anchors

A number of my closest friends became parents this year. It was the year of the baby and it was also the year I witnessed the disappearance of my social clique. 

I love babies - don't get me wrong - but there is something that happens to your friends when they become parents. Suddenly they forget they have a life outside of the child. Their wee one is their primary focus and their personal life fizzles out to nothing. They gain a bundle of joy and you lose a social companion.

This is totally understandable. Bringing up a child takes a massive amount of time and energy; socializing should be secondary. They are now responsible for a little human's life, so they put their own life on hold.

Without sounding too selfish, it kind of stings to lose your friends to parenthood. You are suddenly without a hiking partner, your weekly dinner date is forgotten and your relationship counselor takes a maternity leave. You are still the best of friends, but it's hard to secure quality time together.

This is the situation I found myself in about six months ago. I was overjoyed by the little ones that were popping up, but at the same time, my weekend activities became non-existent. I developed an undesired affinity with my couch.

So I took some initiative. I joined Events andAdventures and got out of the house. I signed up for an assortment of events and had some wicked times with a wide mix of Vancouver singles. I went tubing, attended a cooking class, had a night out at the theatre, went bowling, laughed my face off at two different comedy nights, worked on my golf swing and skated with some beautiful ladies at the Robson skating rink.

Now I am the envy of my friends. I still make time to hang out with them, but the E&A social club has given me an excuse to celebrate my freedom and create a whole new social network.

I know there will be diapers aplenty in my future, but for now, it's all about having fun with other active singles.

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. 

Ten Awkward Speed Dating Conversations

To be a fly on the wall for some of these conversations would be epic:

10. "You look just like my sister."

Flattering? Not really. I'm sure his sister is a beautiful woman, but no one wants to be compared to a family member. Gross.

9. "I left high school early."

Sure… "I guess you weren't being challenged...?"

8. "Do you have life insurance?"

Red flag! "Next."

7. "The cream cleared up everything."

Honesty is important. But there are limits.

6. "And when I got my fourth cat, I figured, why not five?"

More than one cat and you're basically throwing in the towel.

5. "I'd have to say the Love Guru. Favourite movie."

Yikes. Even Mike Myers was ashamed to be associated with that piece of garbage. And he wrote, directed and starred in it.

4. "Well I'm still on probation for another 8 months."

The jail yard neck tattoo should have been your first clue.

3. "The best part about living with my parents: access to the fridge."

There is no right way to end that sentence. 

2. "It's not really a fetish, more of a requirement."

Flashbacks to Pulp Fiction: "Bring out the gimp."

1. "Kids? Hate em. Vile little things."

Not wanting kids is one thing. Hating them is another.

At Events and Adventures, all the potential applicants are screened. You can't just walk off the street and become a member. When you meet people at an activity, you know they have their life in order.

They chose the same event as you did, so you definitely have that in common. They still might hold a place in their heart for the Love Guru, but at least you both enjoy rock climbing. 

Apply for a membership and start meeting legitimate contenders.