Existentialism

Hi everyone, come and watch the Australian Open Men's Tennis Final here in Melbourne at Fed Square. It will on the big screen. We will have a large space organised with picnic blankets etc. Bring a comfortable seat or blanket, snacks, drinks etc. The game starts at 7:30pm. Please message me directly if you are unable to locate me as the leader or the Meetup group.

There will be a cap of 18 players, allowing 3 teams of 6. Games will be played to 15 points.
 These games are intended to be played at an intermediate to advanced level. 
$8 per person if you wouldn't mind! 😁🙏 
Account name: Tam Nguyen
BSB: 067873
Account number: 12770014
Or
PayID: 0481463419 *Make sure to attach YOUR name!* RSVP opens each Sunday at 10:30pm Only those on the “going” list can play. See you on the court! ***** Disclaimer: By attending this session, you acknowledge that you are participating at your own risk. The organisers are not liable for any injuries, accidents, or personal loss that may occur during the session. Please play responsibly and look out for each other. 🙏

To join this trip, visit http://roc.org.au/trips/trip-info/?trip_id=5754 and click 'Join trip' at the bottom of that page. Splitter dolerite cracks, Beautiful seaside granite, spectacular sport crags, mega mountainous adventures. What more could you want? Tassie has it all. Once again, I'm putting out the feelers for anyone interested in a week or two of absolutely huge adventures in Australia's most rugged and diverse state: Tasmania. Connor Mackenzie on "Beowulf" (17), a classic sea cliff traverse in Freycinet National Park. (Alex Holroyd on belay) ___________________________________________________________________________________ For this trip, you must be at minimum a sport leader, and it is highly recommended that you are a trained trad leader with the club. Whilst there is a LOT of sport in Tassie, the real bread and butter is in the amazing trad lines, and it would be hard to centre a trip around purely sport climbing. Do not worry at all if you are not leading above a certain grade, Tassie has something for all! The plan is to have a week or two to explore what the island has to offer. Bring some cars down on the boat, share the costs between us. The cost will come out to about $500 - $1000 per person depending on how long we go for/how many people will come down. _____________________________________________________________________________________ This year I am feeling adventurous. The previous two years I spent time mostly exploring the easier to reach places, Mt Wellington, Paradiso, Cataract... (see website for more details - http://roc.org.au/trips/trip-info/?trip_id=5754) See you all there! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ How to join this trip, run by the ROC (RMIT Outdoors Club): Step 1: If you're not already a member of the RMIT Outdoors Club (roc.org.au), goto the link and sign up (https://roc.org.au/how-we-work/how-to-join/). Membership is $35 for students, $70 for non-students (half-year memberships are also available) Step 2: Sign up to the trip via their site (http://roc.org.au/trips/trip-info/?trip_id=5754) to secure your place, and so we've got your details for the trip Step 3: During the week prior to the trip, the trip organiser will get in touch (usually via email) to organise car-pooling, and finalise the trip details ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Equipment / What you need to bring; If you need camping/cooking/sleeping equipment for overnight trips, the gear-room at the RMIT Outdoor Club has everything you might need as well (https://roc.org.au/how-we-work/how-to-hire-gear/). As a bonus, membership also includes access to discounts at climbing gyms, gear and other bonus goodies! (roc.org.au has more details!) Please read the description above for specifics on equipment required - as a minimum, the climbing gear needed for outdoor trips includes a harness, climbing helmet and climbing shoes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ About ROC: Find out more about us, and what we're about here: https://roc.org.au/how-we-work/ Check us out on Facebook here; https://www.facebook.com/groups/RMITOutdoorsClub/ ... or https://www.facebook.com/groups/638757456179118/ for our climbing specific group Feel free to jump onto the facebook group and let us know if anyone has any questions -- the trip leader (see the link at the top of the page) is always happy to help

MUST TAP “ATTEND” (PLEASE SPECIFY NUMBER OF GUESTS) FREE ENTRY ONLY IF YOU BRING A FRIEND. Calling all introverts! Meet other introverts in Melbourne and make new friends in a safe environment with board games to help break the ice! Feel free but not obliged to socialise! ALL WELCOME! LAST ENTRY STRICTLY AT 6.30PM

Welcome to Melbourne Volleyball Academy! 🤗 **[[WHAT]]** This session will be broken into 2 halves, 1st half is training and the 2nd half is games. Please arrive on time as we will start exactly at 5:30 PM. Our intention is to have this training be the 'next step' after our beginner-level training at North Melbourne Community Centre. We will be focusing on learning what specific roles on the court entail, improving 'volleyball IQ', breaking bad habits, and building better techniques. **[[WHERE]]** The session will be held as State Netball Hockey centre. Please enter via the main entrance (the entrance with the larger parking lot), we will be on Court 3 & 4, please ask the person at the front desk if you need directions. **[[WHO]]** The training is intended for social volleyball players at the intermediate level or 'B' level (for more details on volleyball levels, please visit our site here: https://melbournevolleyballacademy.com.au/skill-levels-explained). Players are expected to: * pass freeballs and serve receive consistently * have some knowledge of 5-1 (1 setter all around) or 6-2 (back row setter only) systems * help others and have good sportsmanship If you are a high intermediate (BB) or advanced player (A) you are more than welcome to join but you may find our open play sessions for BB/A level players more suitable. For players that are at the beginner level, we suggest attending our training on Fridays at North Melbourne Community Centre 6-9PM as beginners may find the drills and level of play too difficult. Players will be asked to attend a different session if their play is deemed unsafe or if they are not of the appropriate skill level. **[[HOW MUCH]]** $21 card payment will be collected on the day via square (EFTPOS) payment. **[[WHEN]]** The stadium is booked for 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM. However, feel free to come early and stretch as the stadium is open earlier. **Last-minute dropouts and no-shows will have a zero-tolerance policy going forward.** All players are expected to **update their RSVP at least 24 hours** in advance if they are unable to attend. This applies to players on the going list and the waitlist. **[[THINGS TO BRING]]** We ask that you bring: * Water bottle * Appropriate footwear for indoor court shoes - netball shoes, volleyball shoes, or basketball shoes would be suitable. * Wear contacts or sports glasses if possible. **[[OTHER DETAILS]]** Only those on the “going” list are permitted to play. If you are on the waitlist, or not registered at all, you will not be permitted to play.

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your ceramic, use the MEETAMC10 coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** **Ceramic Paint & Sip Workshop - Melbourne** **Hosted by Art Masterclass** Unleash your creativity at our fun and relaxing Ceramic Paint & Sip Workshop! Whether you're a seasoned artist or have never touched a paintbrush before, this workshop is perfect for all skill levels—no prior knowledge is required. Join us for different sessions every day, where you can personalize your ceramic masterpiece while enjoying a glass of wine in the heart of Melbourne. Book your session today and experience the joy of art in a fun and social setting!

MUST TAP “ATTEND” (PLEASE SPECIFY NUMBER OF GUESTS). FREE ENTRY ONLY IF YOU BRING A FRIEND. This is an extremely popular event so please RSVP EARLY to avoid disappointment as PLACES ARE LIMITED. Please arrive on time at 5.30pm as NO ADMISSION WILL BE GRANTED ONCE THE VENUE REACHES FULL CAPACITY! LAST ENTRY STRICTLY AT 6.30PM

Join Jane outside Brighton Baths for a 1 hour return walk towards Elwood. Then relax with a coffee and chat at the Brighton Yacht Club. Parking is free if you have a Bayside beach parking sticker. Otherwise try your luck for 2hr free parking in Chelsea or Grosvenor streets. In case you need it my mobile is 0401779137

SOLE LATINO A brand new salsa dance studio in Prahran, Melbourne 🇦🇺✨ Whether you’re stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or ready to level up, we’ve got structured classes to guide you every step of the way. 📅 Salsa classes every Tuesday & Sunday 🕺 Partnerwork & Shines 🔥 From absolute beginner to intermediate 📍 HD Entertainment Level 2 34 King Street, Prahran 3181 SOLE LATINO A brand new salsa dance studio in Prahran, Melbourne 🇦🇺✨ Whether you’re stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or ready to level up, we’ve got structured classes to guide you every step of the way. 📅 Salsa classes every Tuesday & Sunday 🕺 Partnerwork & Shines 🔥 From absolute beginner to intermediate 📍 HD Entertainment Level 2, 34 King Street Prahran 3181 Enter from Mount Street Our Sunday Class: SALSA PARTNERWORK 🕕 6PM – 7PM 🔹 SALSA ESSENTIALS (Absolute Beginner Level) Absolute beginners welcome — no experience needed. First Time dancing, this class is recommended to be taken for at least 2 months. 🔹 SALSA FOUNDATIONS (Beginner Level) Build strong partner work, turns & transitions. This class is recommended to be taken for at least 2 months. 🕖 7PM – 8PM 🔹 SALSA RHYTHM & POLARITY (Intermediate Level) ✔️ Musicality ✔️ Longer combos ✔️ Better connection For dancers ready to sharpen technique and flow ✨ Price: ** Casual : $20 (any Class) ** Starter Pack 7 Classes $105 (Only Salsa Essential/Absolute Beginner) ** 7 Classes Pass $125 (Only Tue& Sun Classes) ** 14 Classes Pass $220 (Tue - Fri - Sun - Social + Free Member) More info : solelatinosalsa@gmail.com +61 431 346 212 0477778612

Dale Gnidovec, Curator of the Orton Hall Museum of Geology at The Ohio State University, will be presenting a program he has wanted to share with us for a long time: Plate Tectonics. His description of his program: Continents on the move - Nothing in Earth history makes sense without moving continents - it tells us why mountains, volcanoes, minerals, and fossils are where they are. This talk examines the evidence for continental drift, why it was disbelieved, and explains how the more-encompassing theory of plate tectonics was developed and eventually proven. Dale is an energetic, incredibly knowledgeable, and very entertaining speaker and this will be another wonderful program by Dale. Hope to see you there! Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.

**First Gathering: Love as Transformation** Reading: **The Forty Rules of Love** by **Elif Shafak** We begin Men, Meaning, and Madness with a novel that treats love not as sentiment, but as a force that disrupts, humbles, and reshapes the self. The Forty Rules of Love explores love as discipline, surrender, and moral risk. It asks what happens when certainty breaks, when the ego is wounded, and when meaning is found not through control, but through transformation. This gathering is for men interested in serious literature and honest inquiry into how love shapes character, responsibility, and the inner life. Discussion will be guided by questions rather than summaries. The aim is depth, not debate. Come having read the book or engaged with it seriously.

***(She loves me!)* A Brief History of Quarry Trails** [Quarry Trails Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/) traces its origins to a vast limestone quarry operated by the Marble Cliff Quarry Company starting in the early 20th century. The site, located along the Scioto River west of downtown, supplied crushed stone for local construction projects and roads throughout central Ohio. Operations peaked mid-century, with massive excavation creating deep pits and steep cliffs that reshaped the landscape. By the 1980s, demand declined, and the southern section of the quarry closed (with the northern section of the quarry remaining in operation to this day by a separate company), leaving behind scarred terrain and abandoned equipment. Environmental concerns arose as the area became a dumping ground and off-road playground for locals. Columbus Metro Parks began eyeing the property in the 1990s for potential reclamation into public green space. In 2015, Metro Parks acquired the initial 180 acres from the quarry's owners, marking a pivotal step toward transformation. Thrive Companies, a local developer, partnered in the deal to build adjacent housing while funding park improvements. Cleanup efforts removed tons of debris, stabilized cliffs, and addressed water quality in the flooded quarries. Planners envisioned a mix of adventure and preservation, incorporating the site's industrial remnants as features. Community input from nearby Grandview Heights and Hilliard residents shaped early designs. The project gained momentum with state and federal grants supporting habitat restoration. The park officially opened its first phase in November 2021, featuring 3.5 miles of trails, a waterfall overlook, and climbing walls on the quarry faces. Visitors quickly embraced the unique terrain, with mountain biking loops and a 25-foot waterfall drawing crowds from across the metro area. Metro Parks added a canoe/kayak launch on the Scioto River, connecting to the city's broader trail network. Dog parks and picnic areas rounded out the amenities, making it a year-round destination. Expansion continued with land acquisitions pushing the total toward 600 acres. By 2023, the park hosted events like guided hikes and birdwatching tours. Ongoing development includes a planned adventure center with zip lines and more extensive single-track trails set for completion in the coming years. Metro Parks collaborates with conservation groups to plant native species and monitor wildlife returning to the reclaimed quarries. The site now serves as an educational hub, with interpretive signs explaining its quarrying past and ecological recovery. Local schools incorporate field trips to study geology and restoration science. Quarry Trails exemplifies Columbus's shift from industrial reuse to innovative urban parks. It stands as the newest addition to the Metro Parks system, complementing favorites like Scioto Audubon and Highbanks. Today, Quarry Trails continues evolving, with future phases adding connections to the Olentangy Trail and more water access points. Annual visitor numbers have surged, boosting nearby businesses in the evolving west side neighborhoods. The park's success has inspired similar reclamation projects elsewhere in the region. It highlights how Columbus balances growth with green space preservation. Residents enjoy a one-of-a-kind spot that honors the area's gritty history while offering modern recreation. Quarry Trails remains a testament to community vision and adaptive reuse in our city. ***(She loves me not.)* A Briefer History of Valentine's Day** The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to ancient Rome and the festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February to honor fertility and purification rites. During this raucous event, young men drew names of women from a box in a matchmaking lottery, often leading to pairings or marriages. By the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I officially replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day on February 14 to Christianize the pagan holiday. Although several early Christian martyrs were named Valentine, the most commonly associated figure is a 3rd-century Roman priest who secretly married couples against Emperor Claudius II's ban on young men marrying, believing single soldiers fought better. Legend claims Valentine was imprisoned and later executed on February 14, around 269–270 AD. The romantic associations with Valentine's Day emerged much later, during the Middle Ages. The pivotal moment came in the late 14th century when Geoffrey Chaucer, in his poem "Parlement of Foules" (c. 1381), linked St. Valentine's Day with courtship, writing that birds chose their mates on this date. This literary connection spread rapidly among the English and French nobility, transforming the saint's feast day into a celebration of romantic love. By the 15th century, lovers began exchanging handwritten notes called "valentines," often containing verses or simple declarations of affection. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine's Day became increasingly commercialized, especially in England and later the United States. The introduction of printed valentines in the 1840s, pioneered by Esther Howland in America, turned personal notes into mass-produced cards adorned with lace, ribbons, and Cupid imagery. Factories began producing elaborate cards, and the tradition of giving flowers (especially roses), chocolates, and jewelry took hold during the Victorian era. Today, February 14 is one of the most widely celebrated secular holidays worldwide, generating billions in spending on cards, candy, flowers, and romantic dinners. While still officially the feast day of Saint Valentine in some Christian traditions, the modern version has largely shed its religious roots in favor of universal expressions of love and friendship. From ancient fertility rites to global commercial phenomenon, Valentine's Day has evolved dramatically over two millennia while retaining its core focus on human connection. ***(She loves me!)* Map of the Park** Here is a [Map of Quarry Trails](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Quarry-Trails_JUNE-2025_1980px-Web.jpg). ***(She loves me not.)* Summary** For this hike, we'll do a loop of the park. This will be about four miles. Now, this won't be one of our longer hikes. However, in my experience, Quarry Trails tends to wear people out more quickly than other parks. I suspect this is because most of the trails are either paved or heavily graveled (no surprise at a park which abuts an active stone quarry), with some elevation changes along the way. ***(She loves me!)* Where We'll Meet** Quarry Trails has multiple entrances, but none of them are connected internally within the park. So you must drive to the correct one for this event. Set your GPS to [2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2319+Quarry+Trails+Dr,+Hilliard,+OH+43026/@39.9998462,-83.0873077,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891dd76f5eedf:0xf1cb9d34c1069580!8m2!3d39.9997868!4d-83.0872621!16s%2Fg%2F11y17k0ms5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), or use the map pin I've provided here. Do not just type "Quarry Trails" into Google Maps and expect it to take you to the correct place. It probably won't. We will meet in the parking lot of the Lake Area. The best entrance to this parking lot will be your first left off of Quarry Trails Dr after Gunnison Dr (which will be on your right). I recommend taking a few minutes and looking at Maps before you head out to make sure you know where you're going. ***(So walk with me...)* Restrooms and Water Fountains** There are a few port-a-potties sprinkled throughout the park (including two at the parking lot we'll be meeting at), and the Park Office, roughly in the center of the park and which we'll pass twice on this hike, has restrooms and a water fountain. This is the only water fountain, though, at Quarry Trails. ***(At Trails Quarry!*)** **After the Hike** Afterward, we'll head over to [Johnnie's Tavern](https://johnniestavern614.com/) for [drinks](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhAulLarLYZC3hY_vRGwoakV!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSzkwnMN29-lrgzp50Rzeaq5jXCGM1xLS1poH0Mc52-E9NYBvdS99ei7zGmlAYJZyk8OeNW5YvS7agj8M2Bom4ri1m_-NcJiT-LQUDphkS-SB5Vq8JhO-8NSP-_m80HeLz4-pGhjrwhuBKSv%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and [food](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhB5lD4Uly_4O9BjNH4r3ywB!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSy7tQcc7CtCeuUAKwEVJoxtOs8Ycohjy3mGZZOC_kJVdB8wEaGuC4-p5z_jxn2JnpmSEkh_HG7Aok_ZPEgmK57rEBqNIPH8J5tiyAP5vbrRYkUso_fKTkW5vJc47UusNoGiRzs2Vf0m1JcV%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). Its actual address is [3503 Trabue Rd, Columbus, OH 43204](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3503+Trabue+Rd,+Columbus,+OH+43204/@39.9932491,-83.090227,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891c4d6199677:0x1fda03b0add81e7c!8m2!3d39.9932491!4d-83.090227!16s%2Fg%2F11c14yf3m6?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's only about a five minute drive from where we'll be parked at Quarry Trails. We should be at the tavern by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to meet us for drinks.

Let’s meet and discuss whatever comes to mind about one of Tennesse Williams’ most famous plays.