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Dating App Experiment
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The Dating App Experiment

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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!

chicago hauntings bus tour
Chicago

Chicago Hauntings Bus Tour with Events & Adventures

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Events & Adventures Chicago dove head first into the Halloween season on the Chicago Hauntings Bus Tour. Chicago Hauntings Bus Tour has been voted one of the Top 10 Ghost Tours in America by Haunted America Tours and was voted the best ghost tour in Chicago by Time Out Chicago.

Members went on a three-hour tour throughout the city, where they learned about all of the dark mojo and paranormal activity that runs through the veins of Chicago’s history. The tour started at the infamous Congress Hotel and stopped at three other iconic locations throughout the night: Death Alley next to the Oriental Theater, the Hull House on Halsted Street, and the Couch Tomb in Lincoln Park.

Events & Adventures Chicago lucked out by getting one of the company’s co-owners as their tour guide!

His grandmother was the housekeeping manager at the Congress Hotel for roughly 25 years, so he had personal tales to tell us along the way. Members also learned that many of Chicago’s ghostly stories are woven throughout the city’s historical events. Much of Chicago’s paranormal activity connects back to events like the Great Chicago Fire and President Lincoln’s Funeral Train. Quite a few structures were built on top of Native American burial grounds, which led to some more creepy vibes.

Embracing the ghost-hunting mood, a handful of members downloaded free EMF detectors to their phones to see if any ghosts were interested in joining the Events & Adventures crew. They did come across a demon named Harriet at the Hull House, but she decided to stay at the location with her ghostly boo.

Members finished out the night by exploring the haunted floors of the Congress Hotel and then grabbing a late-night pizza at Lou Malnati’s. The Chicago Hauntings Bus Tour was a bonding, informative and hauntingly wonderful night for all of the members involved. It brought old friends closer and created new friendships as well. After all, those who get scared together stay together!

With the holiday season just around the corner, we can’t wait to see what other exciting adventures are in store for Events & Adventures!

Events & Adventures Chicago New Year's Eve Party
Chicago

New Year’s Eve in Chicago with E&A

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New Year, New Us!

The party was on this past New Year’s Eve, but whether you believe in making resolutions or not, we can all agree that achieving any kind of self-improvement can only help us live a more fulfilling life.  This past weekend over 150 Chicago singles decided that they wanted to do just that by starting the New Year meeting other singles and expanding their social circles.  So for our 2016 New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball, Events & Adventures chose Townhouse Restaurant and Wine Bar to be the scene of the crime!

Talk was all about the party before, during, and after the event.  Members made their way into the venue wearing their carefully selected masks and formal attire.  New and familiar faces made their way around the room trying to guess who was who, making new friends, and writing their New Year’s resolutions on our resolution board.  After enjoying their favorite frosty beverage and grabbing a slider or two from one of the floating hors d’oeuvres trays, it was time to hit the dance floor!

Every year starts and ends with our New Year’s Eve Bash!

Events & Adventures makes it fun and easy for our members to meet other singles through our interactive events.  At the NYE party, members certainly didn’t shy away from making new connections.  Whether it was grabbing a crazy hat or mustache and hopping over to the photo booth with their friends, trading for their favorite colored 2017 led glasses, or dancing to the tunes of the DJ, by the time 11:59 rolled around many were ready for that New Year’s kiss.

Our New Year’s Eve bashes are only once a year, but they are each more like once-in-a-lifetime experiences.  You never know who’ll meet or what the night will have in store because no one throws a NYE party like Events & Adventures.  There is no better way to start the year than with new friends and great memories—and 2017 is only starting!

Splatter Paint and Water Balloon Fight Events and Adventures Chicago

September 5, 2014
Single Chicago

This had to be one of the most exciting events we’ve done with Events and Adventures Chicago all summer! First we expressed our artistic side with splatter painting a canvas. Some people got very creative and enhanced their art with tape designs and some glitter! We were able to make over 20 paint colors…which allowed everyone’s masterpiece to look different. And just when we were done relaxing with painting…we got some aggression out with a water balloon fight! Almost 450 water balloons were gone within 4 minutes! Everyone had a blast! And practically no one walked away dry… It was a night we won’t soon forget! Thanks all you Chicago Singles!

Water balloon fight chicago singles

 

 

 

In Case You Are Unaware, Chicago LOVES Its Food!

December 16, 2013
Chicago Food

So each month we head out and try a new (or old) restaurant in the city. We usually choose a place that has been reviewed on a local station or in a newspaper. Sometimes we go big and check out places that are even on national TV shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We like to see what the chefs and critics have to say and then go in and rate it ourselves. This week we definitely found a hidden gem! Nestled between two buildings and just below the ‘El’ train tracks is Macello. The street is dimly lit and the noise of the train every few minutes echoes for blocks. From the store front it looks like your average Italian butcher shop. But as you step inside and walk toward the back you are taken in by delicious aromas. The atmosphere is rustic with wooden beams and bright, boldly colored artwork. The brick oven definitely adds a cozy touch. We had a private section reserved just for E&A. The menu had so many scrumptious choices that we all had a hard time deciding what to order. Everything was made fresh right in the restaurant! Most of us ended up sharing and sampling eachothers delicious dishes. We also were in luck because it was ½ off wine bottle night! It’s so nice to meet up after work and share dinner and drinks and talk about our day. We decided that events like this make a long day at work worthwhile when we have something to look forward to at the end of it. There’s nothing like spending an evening with good food and good company. (Especially when the owner sends over a round of delicious limoncellos “on the house” for dessert!)

April Event Manager Chicago

Monday Night Howlin’

December 1, 2013
Full Moon Monday

The night was crisp and clear, and hung high in the dark sky was a dazzling full moon. We had to celebrate this lunar delight, and what better way than at Howl at the Moon! We tipped back cocktails and sang at the top of our lungs with our dueling piano accompaniment. Since we E&Aers were obviously the coolest people there, we dominated the dance floor. We mad new friends and danced the night away! At one point we even stole the spot light when we were invited up on stage to show off our moves! The music was so great that some of the ladies even abandoned their heels to keep dancing! Now that’s what I call having your priorities straight! I think the Chicago club made that full moon proud!

April Event Manager Chicago

Salt Does More Than Just Enhance Flavor!

November 21, 2013

This definitely tops the chart with the coolest thing I’ve done all month…a salt cave! As I walked inside, salt crunched under my feet like sand on a beach and the walls sparkled with salt crystals. We sat back in our reclining chairs and snuggled up in our blankets. We laid back and chatted about our days. Shortly the lights dimmed and calming sounds of the ocean played as we nestled in.  This unique experience was more than just relaxing. The air inside the cave was beneficial on many levels. The components of natural sea salts that filled the air have a concentration which promote several areas of health. Who knew this hidden gem was tucked away right here in our city? After a long, hard day at work, it was great to relax with some friendly E&A faces and try something new!  

April Event Manager Chicago

A Blank Canvas. A Glass of Wine. A Stroke of Genius

November 11, 2013

It’s Tuesday night after a long day of work. Most people head home to put on their sweats and plop in front of the TV all night. Not us. That’s not E&A’s style! Instead, we met up for a relaxing evening of wine, painting and friends! The night began with sipping and sampling the different wines we brought. We relaxed on plush couches and snacked on fresh baked breads accompanied by infused oils and vinegars. We took time to unwind, meet new members and talk about our day. Then it was time for the real fun to start! We each selected our desired photo and attempted to recreate it with paint and a blank canvas. At first it was a bit intimidating, but it wasn’t long before my painting was well on its way! Just when I thought i was stuck, help was close by. E&A had a private painting session which came with two of our very own instructors! Whenever we needed guidance or supplies they were right there waiting to help us. Even if we didn’t need anything at all they were there with compliments and encouragement! And when we were indulged and focused on our paintings, they brought to our attention when the local commuter train pulled up to the station across the street. For those of you that were there, you know what I mean. Let’s just say it was a reminder to take a break, breathe and sip your wine. (We liked train breaks). At the end of the evening it was great to see how many of us chose the same picture to paint and how differently they each turned out. The colors, the shapes, the strokes of the brushes…they were  all impressively beautiful! It was obvious to me how each of our characters were expressed through our art. We all have our own style and uniqueness…And that’s what E&A is all about. Coming together to be who we are!   Some of us have similarities and some of us have differences. That is why the club works! That is why we love it and have a blast!

April Event Manager Chicago

It’s Halloween in Chicago!

October 31, 2013

 Chicago’s biggest event yet!!! And guess who was there? Super woman! Captain Jack Sparrow! And the Energizer Bunny! That’s right…I am talking about the Halloween Bash, and boy was it is FUN!!! Our first annual Halloween Party was so awesome that it carried into the wee hours of the morning! The company was great! The band rocked! The costumes were spectacular! It was so refreshing to see each other out of the ordinary. Dressing up simply makes you feel like a kid again, and we all need that every once in a while! Our VIP loft was perfect for dancing or just relaxing and mingling on the comfy couches. Plus, it was only steps away from the band. We had the best of both worlds! E&A created a night of great fun, friends and memories. We have the pictures to prove it!

April Event Manager Chicago

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night…….

October 27, 2013

 Cue spooky music…It was a dark and stormy night…Well maybe not “stormy” but it was drizzly and cold!  The line was so long that we thought we would turn into zombies before we got to the end, but we didn’t mind too much. We had good company. There were 50 E&A members hanging out and we were on a mission!  There had been a zombie out break and it was up to us to save mankind!  We were loaded onto hay wagons and each assigned a paintball gun. Then we took off into the night.  Things were calm at first but then zombies started coming at us from all sides and it was our job to mow them down with our paintball guns!  There were a few close calls, but by the end we felt invincible!  After that we ventured out on foot through the pitch black corn maze with nothing but our flashlights to protect us!  We weren’t sure if  we would all made it out alive, but we did, and would do it again in a heartbeat! At the end of the night we eliminated the zombies and gained new E&A friends!

April Event Manager Chicago