Exopolitics

Welcome back ramblers, rovers, loungers and loafers and happy 2026! It's a new year, but we're picking where we left off, in the onetime capital of cockney London with its dockworkers and gangsters, the Isle of Dogs - which became the landing-pad for an invasion of alien Thatcherites in the 1980s with the construction of Canary Wharf, which now towers over the council estates and parklands of this misunderstood peninsula. From there we'll head west, looking eventually to end up in the Brutalist wonderland (featured in Kubrick's *Clockwork Orange*!) of Thamesmead, possibly by way of the free Woolwich Ferry service from north shore to south. Meet at Canary Wharf station, out in front of the big curved class canopy. Elizabeth Line services at Abbey Wood will get us home. See you there! Check planned TfL disruptions here - our day should be all clear for most everybody: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/planned-track-closures.pdf A little background on our City Drifting project here: **Now just wait a minute. What the hell is a drift ([dérive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9rive))?** A drift is any unplanned journey through the urban landscape in which participants practice a form of radical mindfulness, collectively exploring new ways of relating mentally, ideologically and materially to the "ordinary" urban environment we all think we know so well. First theorised publicly by Situationist thinker, artist and provocateur Guy Debord in his 1956 essay *[Theory of the Dérive](https://libcom.org/article/theory-derive-guy-debord)*, drifting is a sort of *critique of ideology* done by walking, looking, and feeling. **The urban environment of London is not a neutral space:** it is packed with surveillance equipment, anti-homeless architecture, consumerist [Gruen transfers,](https://www.smartcapitalmind.com/what-is-the-gruen-transfer.htm) crowd management systems and security perimeters, among a thousand other subtle and not-so-subtle methods of population control. Moreover, our everyday relationship to the city and its pathways is conditioned deeply by our habits of movement and our habitual perceptions: our commute to work, to school, our nips down to the shops, etc. **All these routines create what Marxists call a *reified* relationship with the urban environment: through over-familiarity it becomes something seemingly natural, "just there", ordinary, unchangeable - boring.** This boredom and familiarity kills the radical imagination, without which we're fucked. To be able to start to imagine how society could be transformed, we also need to imagine how spaces, buildings, their use, their whole purpose (and who these serve) could themselves be transformed. A necessary step in this process, according to Debord and the Situationists, is the drift. Like the 19th-century gentleman *[flâneur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fl%C3%A2neur),* by wandering the city with an attitude of "fresh eyes", we can shake loose our ingrained sense of what London and its streets are like. **As a collective, we will work to "estrange our senses" and see the streets, buildings and people differently, as if we were encountering them for the first time.** That is to say: these aren't just random walks around London - with the right frame of mind, they will be opportunities to turn the world upside down, if only for a moment! But don't take it from me - as Debord observed: *"In a dérive one or more persons during a certain period **drop their relations, their work and leisure activities, and all their other usual motives for movement and action, and let themselves be drawn by the attractions of the terrain and the encounters they find there.** Chance is a less important factor in this activity than one might think: from a dérive point of view cities have [psychogeographical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychogeography) contours, with constant currents, fixed points and vortexes that strongly discourage entry into or exit from certain zones."* See you on the streets comrades, and remember, as [Raoul Vaneigem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raoul_Vaneigem) once wrote: *"All space is occupied by the enemy. We are living under a permanent curfew. Not just the cops — the geometry".*

**Brisk** hilly walk over sandy heath and woodland paths, bring packed lunch, afternoon café stop, pub at end of walk. **Train**: Take 10:03 London Waterloo, (10:12 CLJ) arrive Milford 10:58. Buy return to Haslemere. **Grading:** Strenuous. For an explanation of the gradings, please see [the FAQ](https://www.metropolitan-walkers.org.uk/walks/faq/) \- please consider both the length and grade when choosing a walk\. **Finish point:** Haslemere **Contact:** Matt 07976 603076 Metropolitan Walkers is part of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity. All welcome for 3 'taster' walks, after which please join the Ramblers - info on the [Met Walkers website](https://www.metropolitan-walkers.org.uk/how-to-join/) **More info:** [https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/devils-punch-bowl-and-thursley-common-0](https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/devils-punch-bowl-and-thursley-common-0)

A Rabble session is 1 hour of fun and social team games. Each game disguises high-intensity intervals within the rules, giving you an effective, all-body workout without even realising it. We play a bunch of different games at each session (like British Bulldog, Capture the Flag, Dodgeball, Frisbee and many more), and every class is different. Sessions are open to all, no matter your sporting ability. Each game is explained before we start, so there's no need to have played any of the games before. Come solo or bring friends! And stay at the end for the social part! Who knew getting fit could be this fun? **TO BOOK**: It's essential that you book onto sessions via our website, using the link below; due to restrictions on games and preparation times we cannot accept walk-ins, or late arrivals. [https://joinrabble.com/locations/london/](https://joinrabble.com/locations/london/) Use the code **FREEPLAY** to get your first game free! *** We play every: * Monday in Finsbury Park (19:00 - 20:00) * Tuesday in Shoreditch (19:00 - 20:00) * Wednesdays in Elephant & Castle (19:00-20:00) * Saturday in Southwark Park (10:30 - 11:30) * Saturday in Finsbury Park (11:00 - 12:00) * Sunday in Clapham Common - Exact Location is here : https://what3words.com/drums.yards.early We hope to see you playing soon! PS. We've got a group of dedicated regulars, so numbers are often much higher than Meetup might suggest. Sign up at: [https://joinrabble.com/locations/london/](https://joinrabble.com/locations/london/) **Love Rabble**

Wyjście na kręgle🎳 🎳 Zapraszam do wspólnego spędzenia niedzielnego popołudnia:) Zagramy drużynowo, a na najlepszy zespół czekają nagrody. Spotykamy się o 15.30 w środku w All Star Lanes na Brick Lane. Program spotkania: 15:30 - zbiórka, wypożyczenie butów, zamawianie drinków/przekąsek 16.00-18.20 - dwie rozgrywki w kręgle 18.20-19.00 - oddanie butów, podliczenie punktów i rozdanie nagród Od 19.00 - dalsza integracja dla chętnych (zamykają 00.00) Osoby zdecydowane proszę o wpłacenie £26 do 28 stycznia 2026 na poniższe konto: Agnieszka Wojtarek Account 51503260 Sort code 30-98-36 Tytuł przelewu: Kręgle Ewentualnie moze być też Revolut. WAŻNE: 1. Weźcie ze sobą dokument tozsamości. 2. Jeśli chcesz być w drużynie z konkretną osobą daj znać wcześniej. W przeciwnym razie zostaniesz losowo dodany do któregoś z zespołów. 3. Zwrotów nie przewiduję, ale można odsprzedać swoje miejsce innej osobie. Mam nadzieję, że do zobaczenia!🥳🥳🎳🎳

Welcome to our **Free Event - Master the Art of Communication**! Join us at the Church of Scientology **Life Improvement Centre** to learn valuable basics of communication and skills that will help you in both your personal and professional life. During this event, you will learn some fundamentals of communication - what is it, what are the vital parts of the communication formula.... and have the opportunity to participate in these new skills. Hear from trained and experienced communicators, and practice communication techniques in a supportive environment. Whether you struggle with public speaking, conflict resolution, or simply want to improve your relationships, this is for you! Come and discover the power of knowledge and how to achieve effective communication. Find out how you could guide and control communication in your life! Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your communication abilities and connect with like-minded individuals. We look forward to seeing you here!

Let's get together to reinforce and make new connections in the Low Carb \| Keto \| Carnivore community\. This meetup will be an informal time for all of us to socialise, commune, share and network. Basically, have a great time and make some new friends. 1. Connect with other Low Carb \| Keto \| Carnivore Members\. This is particularly important if you're new to Low Carb \| Keto \| Carnivore \- it helps you stick to it when you have friends and a community around you with the same goals\. 2. Swap notes on your Low Carb \| Keto \| Carnivore experiences or learn from\, get advice\, and tips from other members\. Location: Ibis London City - Shoreditch 5 Commercial St London E1 6BF A £1 voluntary donation towards membership costs would be very appreciated. Looking forward to catching up with you again or meeting you if you haven't attended one of our past events!

***Slow down and use intuition to navigate urban spaces to uncover the hidden treasures which lurk just out of sight.*** Many of us live disconnected from the flow of the world around us. By quieting the mind and focusing on the liminal space between thought you may find a more spontaneous way to navigate your life leading you to the hidden treasures which lurk just beyond sight. Join me, and I will ease you into the art of listening and hunting with discernment, not hunger.

Step away from the screen and join us for our Offline Women Hangout at the Reading Room. We are meeting to unplug and enjoy a few hours of unstructured time together. There is no set agenda or forced socializing. We simply gather to exist in the same space, screen-free. The Reading Room inside the Wellcome Collection is a unique mix of a library and a gallery. It is filled with over a thousand books and curious historical objects. Unlike a standard library, this is a social space where talking is welcome. It is specifically designed for movement, conversation, and discovery. **What you can do** * **Explore**: Try out the various activities stationed around the room, from creative prompts to interactive displays. * **Read**: Pick up any book from the open shelves or bring your own. * **Create:** Bring your journal or sketchbook to capture thoughts (note: the library allows *pencils only* to protect the books). * **Relax:** Grab a beanbag on the stairs and just exist and people-watch. * **Socialize:** Engage in low-pressure conversation with other Offline Women in the social zones. Spots are limited to ensure the group remains small, intimate, and everyone has a great time connecting face-to-face.

Join me for a new regular walk... **The Gardens of South London & Vegan Delights** \~ Nature, food & Walking 😊 **JUNE ; Gardens, parks, Vegan potluck picnic, & Thames walk 😊** We'll gather from 11.30am to 11.45ish, outside Kennington station \~ Bring, or buy, vegan picnic food to share 😊 We'll explore gardens and parks, picnic in Kennington park, and afterwards, head down to the Thames, via Vauxhall Gardens 😊 See you there 😊 \~\~\~ DETAILS \~\~\~ Each month we'll explore the gardens & parks of South London, have a vegan potluck picnic lunch, or find a vegan or vegan friendly place in colder weather, and later, weather permitting, head down to the Thames via Vauxhall. The route may vary slightly each month and we may go west or east down the Thames later. Latecomers, we can meet you by the café in Kennington park, or I may post a restaurant name or pub we may be in. Looking forward to exploring South London & enjoying vegan delights 😊

**Whether you’re brand new to board games or just looking for a cosy way to meet people, this night is designed with you in mind.** We run our board game night twice a month, always in the same venue, and with the same familiar hosts. Our aim is simple: create the kind of event you enjoy so much that you want to come back - and maybe make a few new friends along the way. **Please use the link below to sign up to this event.** [https://dplsk.eventcube.io/events/93264/board-games-at-finsbury-park/](https://dplsk.eventcube.io/events/93264/board-games-at-finsbury-park/) **⭐ What Makes This Event Special ⭐** **The Venue:** Blighty is cosy, colourful, and just a little bit quirky — like the living room of your eccentric aunt. It’s worlds away from the noise, crowds, and sticky tables of pubs and bars. **The Games:** We currently own 55 games, including favourites like Articulate, Codenames, and Secret Hitler. Every game is hand‑picked for maximum fun and easy learning. **The Hosts:** They are some of the loveliest people you will ever meet on Meetup. It doesn’t matter if it is your 1st time or 100th time coming to the board game night, they will always make you feel welcome. **🎯 Who This Event Is For 🎯** This night is perfect for people who are new to board games or just want something light, social, and easygoing. * You don’t need to know any games beforehand. * You’re welcome to come alone or with a friend - either is completely fine. This is not a hardcore gaming night. You won’t find Dungeons & Dragons or Magic: The Gathering here. **💷 Price — £5 per person 💷** Your contribution helps us keep the event fresh and fun: * We buy new games every month to expand and update our collection. * Any games we no longer need are donated back to the community through regular giveaways. Please note that tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable. **📍 Where & When 📍** **Address:** Blighty, 35-37 Blackstock Road, Finsbury Park, London, N4 2JF **Google Maps:** [https://maps.app.goo.gl/p7X7u8VLoijfujS6A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/p7X7u8VLoijfujS6A) **Nearest Tube Station:** Finsbury Park Underground Station (approx 5 min walk) **Start Time:** 5:30 PM **End Time:** 9:30 PM If it’s your first time, we strongly recommend arriving before 6 PM so we can help you settle in and match you with a great game.

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

Polarity Reflexology (PR) Certificate Course: (2026) February 21-22 March 21-22 April 25-26 May 30-31 June 27-28 Students must attend all 5 weekends to receive Certificate Classes run from 8:30am-5:30pm each scheduled day Information & Registration Link can be found here: [Polarity Reflexology (PR) Certificate Course](https://www.gafee.org/#/polarity-reflexology-pr/) *[Global Academy for Energetic Education (GAFEE) is Registered with the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools and is authorized to teach Diploma and Certificate Programs. (Registration #2091)](https://oh.edvera.com/directory/institutions)*

Evolve exists to connect women entrepreneurs connect with one another, serve one another, and help one another overcome challenges in marketing, sales, networking, and professional development. [Add to Calendar](evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com) What to Expect: \~ Welcome team to greet you, introduce you to others, and make sure you feel a part of the group from your very first meeting \~ Welcome & Introductions: 15 second introductions \~ 15 Minute Speaker Spotlight: Member speaker who shares a bit of her story, how she got to doing what she does, and a tangible tip she uses to gain success in her business. No hard selling...no expectations. Simply giving the group an opportunity to get to know her and her journey. \~ 20 Minute Break Out Sessions: Small groups is where we connect best. Extroverted and Introverted alike get the opportunity to share on a deeper level and learn from one another. \~ Take Aways: Hear what the other groups talked about and share resources to grow yourself and your business \~ Grow Time!: Do you need a specific connection to a person, company, or industry? Share it with us! We love to open our networks to one another and grow together! Guests are always welcome. Please contact Mentor Director Donna Schomer at Donna@EvolveWomensNetwork.com for more information. We'd love to meet you!

Let's check out a Popular Astronomy and Science Based Film at COSI Science Center on their HUGE 360 Degree 4K Spherical Dome Screen Theater, in which is touring the nation and has already sold over 10,000 tickets! COSI is one of the leading Science Centers in America. Alan Watts was one of the Most Influential Amateur Astronomers of the 20th Century and held fascinating views of the Galaxy. Tickets are only $33 plus a small fee and taxes and can be purchased here: [Trust the Universe: Immersive Dome Show](https://www.sphericalpictures.com/tickets) PLEASE purchase tickets for the 8:15 PM Feature on Friday, February 13. There seem to be at least 10 tickets left, possibly more. We should be able to sit together in the same row or at least in the general section. This is an exciting chance to view actual footage of the Solar System on a Large 4k Resolution Screen plus added in Cosmological and Astronomical Related Philosophy! We will plan on meeting at about 7:50 PM by the Atomic Cafe on the first Floor of COSI, where the Movie Theater is located, in order to give us time before the show starts to purchase refreshments. Parking is available at the COSI Garage and in the area on side streets and adjacent garages. We can also walk somewhere in the area and get food afterwards, if anyone wants to do so. Thanks and hope to see you come out!

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!