Geopolitics

ENJOY the SPECTACLE of LONDON'S WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL. on this £5 tour. This is a short circular walking tour (approx 2 hours) taking in some of Canary Wharf's most spectacular Winter Lights. For 2026, the festival’s theme is ‘Dreamscape’, which promises an ‘an exploratory journey of the surreal and ethereal’. Expect interactive displays, colourful projections and magnificent installations from world-renowned light artists, as well as pop-up food stalls to keep you fuelled along the way. Afterwards there will be an option to head off to a local bar for something to eat/drink to continue the socialising. **Please note that the meetup point is at Canary Wharf Elizabeth Line Station (Exit near Adams Plaza)** The Tour lasts approx 2.5 hours, so please wear warm clothing. The Tour ends at a large pub in Canary Wharf at around 9pmish. When you arrive at the starting point look for the Ken's Events Flag. Cost of Event £5 : To allow for maximum flexibility for attendees, this event is free to RSVP. The £5 fee is only payable when you attend. Free for members and guests who hold the Ken's Events Membership. Please note that it is your responsibilty to keep walkers ahead in view and to follow the direction of the walk. RISKS: Please dress appropriately for weather conditions and carry a bottle of water and necessary medication. In these walks we use; pavements, and cross busy roads. If you require insurance for these walks then you must arrange this yourself. No dogs on this walk or small children please. Please arrive in good time to allow opportunity to use toilets at the start of the walk as there may not be any toilet breaks available during the walk. WANT TO COME ON ANOTHER WALK? For a list of future walks go to[ http://www.meetup.com/KENS-EVENTS-EXPLORE-LONDON-SECRETS/events/](https://www.meetup.com/KENS-EVENTS-EXPLORE-LONDON-SECRETS/events/) All Ken's Events are subject to a disclaimer. Please click here [http://www.meetup.com/kens-events-explore-london-secrets/](http://www.meetup.com/kens-events-explore-london-secrets/) to find out more about Kens Events/Walks and click on 'read more' to see full disclaimer. Please post no pre-event messages unless you are posting something relevant for the whole group and only post photos of other members with their consent. Kens Events also has a Facebook Page, Instagram and Twitter accounts. [http://www.facebook.com/Kens.events](http://www.facebook.com/Kens.events) Instagram Page [Kenswalks](https://www.instagram.com/weekendgreenwalks/) Twitter [@KenEvents](http://www.twitter.com/KenEvents) Kens Events also has a Facebook Group that you can join. [http://www.facebook.com/groups/Kensevents](http://www.facebook.com/Kens.events) RAIN POLICY: Our walks normally go ahead as planned even if it rains. Light rain is not usually a problem . However if torrentail rain is forecast, please check back to this webpage on the afternoon of the event around 4pm for the latest update. Tell your friends you are going! [https://secure.meetup.com/LONDON-MEETUP-SOCIAL-GROUP-KENS-EVENTS/invite/](https://secure.meetup.com/LONDON-MEETUP-SOCIAL-GROUP-KENS-EVENTS/invite/)

SING WEST SIDE STORY! Adults, children & soloists. From week of 5.1. London NW3 There will be 25+ adults on Mondays! ADULTS: Mondays (or every 2nd Friday), 7.30-9.30pm SOLOISTS sought CHILDREN aged 6-11, Wednesdays, 4.30-5.30pm Rehearsals near Chalk Farm tube, London NW3 CONTACT maestromattheww@yahoo.co.uk in advance for full details & payment SEE primrosehillchoirs.com

Join us for the emerging regions wine tasting by [Unwined](https://unwinedbars.co.uk/bars): "A great tasting to discover the up and coming regions for 2026. Taste wines from Japan, Slovenia and Uruguay to name a few!" Tickets are **£22.50**, and are available here - please buy your ticket ***before*** RSVPing to the meetup: https://unwinedbars.co.uk/tickets/tasting-tickets Please be sure to choose **26th January** from the dropdown (and ignore the date further down the page that erroneously says 27th January). When booking, ask to be "seated with Alkesh" in the "Additional Information" - "Info for events" section. This is a public event, so there will be people not from the meetup at the event.

Hi everyone! (pre-pandemic information) If you like to play modern board, card and dice games, and to meet new people, then join us on Monday evenings from 6pm until the pub closes around 11pm. Feel free to bring your own games if you have them, but don't worry if you don't as regular members will bring some along. And of course, we'll teach you how to play them if you don't know already. You work late? No worries - you can join us any time before closing (11pm), so if you don't arrive at 6pm (attendees tend to arrive around 6:30 or 7pm), don't worry :-) Everyone comes and goes when they like, so it is possible that you may be the first to arrive or the last to leave, Please write in the comments what time you expect to arrive at the pub, so we can try to avoid anyone having to wait alone for long. We are a relaxed and friendly group, made up of both natives and foreigners, of locals and those living further afield, happy to welcome newbies and regulars. Events are free to attend, but it is respectable to the public venues we hold them at if you can buy at least one drink or some food while you are present, just like anyone else at the pub would do. If you would like to contribute towards the costs of running of this group, feel free to buy the host(s) a drink of their choice when you see them, for which they'd be very grateful. This saves money that can be put towards the Meetup subscription fees and buying the games that we all play. The George is a reasonably-priced 'local' pub in the Docklands, near Canary Wharf, just 1 minute walk from Crossharbour DLR station, or about 15 minutes walk from the Canary Wharf Jubilee line station. Various TFL buses stop nearby. Don't forget to join our group on Facebook for games news, articles, memes, gossip and banter: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Tabletop.Gamers.London.Docklands/

Join us Monday 26th January for some of the season’s most impressive illuminations in Canary Wharf and a social evening. As well as lights to be admired from afar, there several interactive exhibits that allow you to be part of the art. Canary Wharf Winter Lights has been running for a few years now and it's a real treat every time. It's a great chance to explore an area that many Londoners might not normally venture to. Plus, with the Elizabeth, Jubilee, DLR and Uber boats, there are plenty of transport options. We will finish at a pub for a chance to chat and socialise. Meeting location: Canary Wharf, Jubilee line entrance/exit (top of the long escalator opposite *Revolut building (formerly Reuters) at 6.00 pm.* Host: Jo (07990567582) Meetup fee: £6

Flow Yoga In-Person and Online Mondays 6.45 - 8.00 am Start your day with a yoga flow class Learn to cultivate more kindness to yourself as you experience how to free your breath, relax your body and calm the mind with mindful movement, breath awareness and relaxation techniques in one of the more picturesque yoga locations in the borough, overlooking the River Thames. Booking essential please email [caroline@justenjoyyoga.com](https://momence.com/Just-Enjoy-Yoga/Flow-Yoga-(In-Person)/20657441) or go to [https://www.justenjoyyoga.co.uk/yoga-richmond](https://www.justenjoyyoga.co.uk/yoga-richmond) and click on the booking link

Faced with tyranny and violence, can an artist really hope to make a difference? Does human creativity truly have the power to change our world for the better? Ai Weiwei is living proof that it does. Raised in a labour camp and later beaten, surveilled and secretly detained for 81 days without being officially charged by the Chinese state, Weiwei has dedicated his life to the struggle against corruption and oppression of all kinds. As a conceptual artist and activist fighting for justice, he has become an icon in his own lifetime, renowned world-wide for his work promoting freedom of thought and expression, compassion, and humanitarian values. In conversation with internationally renowned journalist Stephen Sackur, Weiwei will share his personal experiences of censorship at the hands of the state, and show us how authoritarian regimes across the globe suppress freedom of thought and expression. Importantly, he will show us how censorship and self-censorship affect liberal, democratic countries in hidden, pernicious ways – and issue a rallying cry against complacency. Those who control the narrative control the future: Ai Weiwei is here to help us fight back. **All tickets to this event include a copy of Ai Weiwei’s new book, *On Censorship* (RRP £12.99).** I’m seating at the Stalls Block E Row: B Seat: 2 After the event, we’ll meet to share impressions at the Red Lion pub in 48 Parliament St. [https://share.google/Ndfpw4Gb5pUq3MOlS](https://share.google/Ndfpw4Gb5pUq3MOlS) You can buy your ticket here: [https://howtoacademy.com/events/ai-weiwei-on-censorship/](https://howtoacademy.com/events/ai-weiwei-on-censorship/) Join me on: [-www.meetup.com/gaia-libros](http://-www.meetup.com/gaia-libros) [-www.meetup.com/gaia-livres](http://-www.meetup.com/gaia-livres) -[www.meetup.com/persian-culture](www.meetup.com/persian-culture) -Instagram: @persian_culture_

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO TAKE PART? You just need to RSVP using the button on this page, and show up on Sunday. That is true for both DMs and players. You must be 18+ to attend. If this is your first time or looking to join a game, please find the Sunday Hosts Edward or Jason on your arrival. We will point you towards a game you can join. **Unless you have spoken to Jason or Edward beforehand about reserving tables/rooms at the pubs, you are NOT allowed to do so. I cannot state the importance of being able to rotate the availability of the rooms with other attendees/general pub goers in case the Pub needs them.** **The rooms should only be used by attendees who have a group plus DM or attendees who are DMing on the day. Otherwise I will assign you to the tables around the pub. This is non-negotiable.** TIMES Please ensure you arrive between 12:30pm and 1.00pm. **If you arrive later than 1pm, it may not be possible to find you a game.** I'VE NEVER PLAYED BEFORE, IS THAT A PROBLEM? Nope! You do not have to have previous experience of D&D or another tabletop role-playing game. We will have newbie-friendly games on Sunday. WHAT DO I HAVE TO BRING? Nothing. If you have dice, paper and pencil, and a Player’s Handbook, then bring them, but it’s not a problem if you don’t. We can lend you everything you need including a pre-generated character. I'M NOT FROM THE UK, THAT ISN'T A PROBLEM, RIGHT? Actually, we have loads of members from other countries; at times, we’ve had more ex-pats than Brits. We get a lot of people joining who’ve just moved to London from another country, left their old D&D friends behind, and who are looking for a new gaming group, so you don’t need to worry about not fitting in. The one catch is that your English does need to be OK. You don't have to be perfectly fluent, but roleplaying’s a language-based activity and if your listening isn't decent you may have trouble following what’s going on. Lots of our members speak more than one language, but we can't guarantee that we can place you in a game with someone who can interpret for you. DUNGEON MASTERS We are always on the look-out for DMs. If you would like to run a game, please PM Edward_w or Jason Sia. HYGIENE & ANTI-COVID GUIDELINES If you are symptomatically ill or suspect/know you have caught covid in the last 10 days but are asymptomatic, please do NOT attend. Please wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth and/or a face shield whenever possible. This is not a rule, merely a request. Please avoid sharing food. Please wash your hands and/or use hand sanitiser gel frequently. Please maximise social distancing where possible and keep social mixing to a minimum. If you test positive for covid after attending an event, please contact Zander the Meetup Organiser, immediately. If possible, please let Zander know your Dungeon Master's name. If your venue has stricter rules than those outlined above, please follow those rules. **VENUES AND MONEY MATTERS** There is no charge, membership fee or subscription. However, a collection tin may be circulated by the Organiser/Assistant Organiser/Host towards the running of the Meetup. There is a recommended donation of £2 cash per attendee (DM or player), but contributions are purely voluntary: you are under no obligation. We do not track or record who donates what (and for that reason, donations by Paypal etc are not accepted). **The venues are businesses and, as such, rely on us spending on food and drink while we are there**. Our continued use of the venues is dependent upon it. Please spend as much as you reasonably can; if you are thinking of having lunch at your venue, please do. The venues have vegetarian and vegan options. Please do NOT bring drink from outside except tap water in a transparent plastic bottle. Please do NOT bring food from outside. Bringing food or drink (except tap water) from outside can result in you being permanently banned by the venue's management. Guide dogs are absolutely fine. Other dogs and pets may not be permitted subject to the discretion of the Pub Staff & Organisers. If you have any questions, please post it in the comments below or PM Edward_w or Jason, the Sunday Hosts.

The talk explains how Israel’s nuclear dominance strategy and Iran’s deterrence efforts turned a shadow conflict into the 12-day war. **Speaker: Or (Ori) Rabinowitz** Israel’s long-standing effort to preserve its regional nuclear monopoly has been shaping its confrontation with Iran and other regional nuclear proliferators for decades. By situating Israel’s counter-proliferation strategies and Iran’s pursuit of nuclear deterrence within a shared historical trajectory, this talk will explain how a persistent shadow conflict evolved into open confrontation, detailing the dynamics that laid the groundwork for the 12-day Israel–Iran war. ### **About the speaker** **Or (Ori) Rabinowitz**, a Chevening scholar, is a tenured Senior Lecturer at the International Relations Department of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. As of September 2022, she is a Visiting Professor and Visiting Scholar at Stanford’s CISAC. Her research interests include nuclear proliferation, intelligence studies, and Israeli-American relations, and she holds a PhD in Department of War Studies from King’s College London, an MA in Security Studies, and an LLB in Law from Tel-Aviv University. She was awarded numerous grants and fellowships, including two personal research grants from the Israeli Science Foundation. In 2020, she was a member of the Young Academic Forum of the Israeli Academy of Sciences and Humanities. We’ll have a discussion after the lecture at the university’s café. Reserve your spot: [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-israeliran-12-day-war-tracing-the-road-to-conflict-tickets-1978857172071?aff=erelexpmlt](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-israeliran-12-day-war-tracing-the-road-to-conflict-tickets-1978857172071?aff=erelexpmlt) Do you speak French and would like to be part of a reading group and other events in French? [https://www.meetup.com/gaia-livres/](https://www.meetup.com/The-London-French-Club/) Do you speak Spanish and would like to be part of a reading group in Spanish? [https://www.meetup.com/gaia-libros/](https://www.meetup.com/London-Spanish-Club/) Or join my eclectic English book club: [https://www.meetup.com/gaia-books](https://www.meetup.com/gaia-libros/) instagram: @persian_culture_ -Whatsapp group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EZk35ZbJZ6W6wwyHyuxoS2](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EZk35ZbJZ6W6wwyHyuxoS2)

**DETAILS** Dungeons & Dragons from 7pm every Tuesday at The Hollydale Peckham. Nearest overground stations are Nunhead and Peckham Rye. We have a WhatsApp group for bulletins and questions: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/GslOlhbdqUxJqC2soVGGNF](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GslOlhbdqUxJqC2soVGGNF) **JOINING OR CREATING A GAME** The club has a drop-in game that always has space available. If you are a Game Master and want to set up your own game, please message Liam. You are free to use the space to host your games if you already have a group. **NEWCOMERS WELCOME** You don't need any previous experience with D&D to join. Dice, a character, and a place in a game will be provided to you! **GROUND RULES** You must be 18+ years old. The Hollydale Tavern is child and dog friendly, but is not currently wheelchair accessible. You are expected to maintain basic hygiene. If you have any issues, please contact Liam or Saffie, who can be reached via the WhatApp group.

Keynote Speaker Roger Hallam: Co-Founder of Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil Friday 30th January 2026 6PM–8PM Frontline Club, 13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ Book tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/entropy-and-the-death-drive-why-humanity-cant-stop-destroying-itself-tickets-1858260460059? There is no later. This is later.”Cormac McCarthy, The Road\* We know the planet is burning. We know capitalism devours everything. We know war, genocide, and ecological collapse demand action. Yet collectively we persist in the very behaviors that guarantee our destruction. Why? Psychoanalysis has long understood that the drive toward destruction operates not only externally but within us—in our institutions, our politics, our psychic economies. Roger Hallam’s activism embodies the urgent conviction that catastrophe is already here, and only collective courage offers hope. In this discussion, Hallam joins psychoanalysts David Morgan, Anna Harvey, and Hilary Lester to explore how the death instinct and psychic entropy manifest in climate collapse, political paralysis, and late capitalism’s compulsion to consume its own future. What forms of protest, mourning, or radical solidarity might resist this drift toward planetary extinction? Roger Hallam is co-founder of Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil. A former organic farmer driven to activism by climate-related crop failures, he completed a PhD at King’s College London on civil disobedience and social change, becoming a leading strategist for non-violent direct action. Dr Anna Harvey is a Senior Lecturer whose work bridges ecology and psychoanalysis. Dr David Morgan\*m is a Training Analyst (BPA, BPF), psychoanalyst, and convenor of Political Mind Seminars. Hilary Lester (Chair) is a Training Analyst for the Society of Analytical Psychology and supporter of justice for Palestine.

**\*\*\* YOU NEED TO PURCHASE A VENUE TICKET. PLEASE SEE BELOW \*\*\*** WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO TAKE PART? **1\. You *must* RSVP using the Attend button on this page.** That's true for both DMs and players. **2.** You must be **18+** to attend. **3\. YOU MUST REGISTER AND BUY A VENUE TICKET** [HERE](https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arcadiagames.co.uk%2Fmeetup%2Fp%2Fjan31-grk59-d747e&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cf91955e6bb684e9be06508de53430988%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639039744551656847%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2Y%2B8B%2FBdARHgd6M7C5HjdNtRzMgIWN8edTQY4I472Ag%3D&reserved=0)**. Venue tickets are £6 per person (for players and DMs).** If you don't have a card for online purchases, please PM Zander, the Meetup Organiser as soon as you can. The Arcadia site may say that your event doesn't have a DM, but don't worry, it will. That just means that your DM will be a Meetup DM, not an Arcadia DM. **4.** Please **check in with the Arcadia** **team** behind the bar of 'The Tavern', a communal room on the first floor. Then find **Zander**, the Meetup Organiser in 'The Square', another communal room on the same floor. You'll then be assigned to a game. TIMES Please ensure you arrive **by 12.30pm** (at noon for DMs). If you arrive late, it may not be possible to find you a game. If you're part of a group of two or more, you all have to be 18+, RSVP for yourselves (no 'plus ones') and arrive just after 12pm on the day, not 12.30pm. If you arrive at 12.30pm, you'll still be able to play, but may be placed in different games. DO I NEED TO KNOW THE RULES OF D&D? DO I HAVE TO BRING OR PREPARE ANYTHING? **You don't have to have any knowledge of D&D's rules or have previous experience of D&D or another tabletop role-playing game.** You don't have to bring or prepare anything. We can lend you everything you need including a pre-generated character. If you want to bring or create your own character, please just after 12pm and discuss your character with your assigned DM. Please respect their decision in the unlikely event that they say you have to use a pre-generated character. They may have story or rules reasons they can't disclose. DUNGEON MASTERING We're always on the look-out for DMs. If you'd like to DM, please PM Zander in the Organiser list ASAP. VENUES AND MONEY MATTERS The venue is a businesses and, as such, relies on us spending on food and drink while we are there. Our continued use of the venue is dependent upon it. Please spend as much as you reasonably can; if you're thinking of having lunch at the venue, please do. The venue has vegetarian and vegan options. The venue accept payment by card, cash, Apple Pay and Google Pay, so please bring one of those. Please do NOT bring drink from outside except tap water in a transparent plastic bottle. Please do NOT bring food from outside. Bringing food or drink (except tap water) from outside can result in you being permanently banned by the venue's management. HYGIENE If you're ill or suspect you're coming down with a contagious sickness such as covid or flu, please do **NOT** attend. If you're unwell, you may be asked to leave. DOGS AND PETS Guide dogs are absolutely fine. Other dogs and pets aren't permitted. \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ If you have any questions not answered above, please PM Zander, the Organiser.

What makes someone truly “from” a country or feel that they belong there? For many, it’s about living there, contributing, and building a life. For others, it’s about where you were born or how long your family has been there. Lately these ideas seem to drift further apart - and some people also feel that it should be more fixed, e.g. tied to things such as ancestry and appearance (e.g. skin colour). We will discuss... 1\. What should matter most: living there\, contributing\, shared values\, language\, or something else? Why? 2\. Why do some people focus on appearance \(e\.g\. skin colour\) or ancestry? What concerns might sit underneath that? 3\. What happens to trust in everyday life when people strongly disagree on who belongs\, e\.g\. at work\, in social life\, in public? *Join us for a relaxed group conversation where we explore the real life, the grey areas, and how our different cultures and backgrounds shape our views about key topics.* *Expect real talk, no judgment, and a chance to hear how others see it.* **\*Come for the discussion, stay for the friendships. Our weekly discussion series brings together thoughtful people for honest conversations on relationships, life, and society—with warm social vibes before and after.\*** **WHAT TO EXPECT:** * Good vibes only: we chat big topics in a chill, respectful way. No arguing - just open-minded exchange. * We warm up with casual socializing (come solo or with friends!) * The topic starts around 7:45/8pm, wraps around 9:30. * 🍕 There's pizza, drinks, milkshakes and snacks available at the bar (incl plant-based options) * And most people stay until late for drinks and mingling! **DISCUSSION FORMAT:** **Our group conversations are open and flexible - there is a very soft guided flow to ensure we focus on the main questions, and to ensure that everyone gets a balanced opportunity to speak. Here's a typically structure, but we adjust on the day depending on the turnout:** \- Introductions and thoughts *(\~5 mins).* \- Group breakouts per question *(\~20 mins x 3).* \- Final round of opinions *(\~10 mins)*. \- Mix and mingle\, make new friends\, get drinks etc *(\~until late)* **EVENT ETIQUETTE (Rules & expectations)** \- Debate the topic\, not the participants \- no personal attacks\! \- No phones\, no interrupting\, no bystanding \- Always follow the moderator/host instructions and guidelines **WHAT IS WORLD CITIZENS?** We're one of London's longest-running and largest communities. Since 2012 we run socials, cultural activities and stimulating discussions to foster meaningful exchange and learning among London's global professionals. They are inspired by MUN (Model United Nations) and salon discussions and offer a more relaxed and social evening version. **LOCATION DETAILS** What: Discussion session followed by social/networking When: Tuesday, 7:30pm until late. Where: Curzon Aldgate (bar area), 2 Canter Way, E1 8PS Closest stations: Aldgate East, Aldgate, Tower Hill/Gateway Cost: Pay for your own meals or drinks Hosts: We have a rotating team and the actual host of each event varies. Our regular members can also help you out with basic matters. *NOTE: like most guests, our volunteer hosts also attend after work and may happen to arrive after the start time. If you are punctual or earlier than our hosts, we highly appreciate this! Please feel free to start socializing already and/or get something to eat or drink - that’s the point of our events anyway. Our regular members can also help you out with any basic matters.* **\*Our other weekly events\*** \- Friday evening socials every week \- Saturday afternoon cafe in Chelsea \- Canary Wharf socials every other Wednesday \- Outdoor fun \(hiking\, kayaking\, etc\) every weekend \- Dining\, cultural and travel activities on\-demand **JOIN OUR TEAM!** We're all volunteers, so if you enjoy organizing activities or events in your spare time, while meeting great people every week, send a message to our team account "TP"! **DISCLAIMER** We are a 100% volunteer-run team. Though we have high standards in planning, this is a private informal activity so we cannot be liable for any damage or inconvenience. However, we put safety and comfort first. We take all complaints seriously, and take severe action against any harassment, verbal or non-verbal, and anti-social behaviour, towards our guests or team members. We collaborate with the police when needed. We take photos and videos which may include you to help promote the community in line with GDPR Data Protection law, as well as stock photos from Pexels or Unsplash. We may restrict or prioritize guests at our own discretion for safety, quality and logistics reasons. While our team's decisions may not be perfect we ask that you follow our decisions first and raise any disputes to discuss with us later and privately. By attending you understand, agree with and respect all terms of this disclaimer.

Let’s meetup at Cafe Istanbul for the last day of Restaurant Week. You get three courses for $30. This is the menu: https://614now.com/rw-menu/cafeistanbul-easton

Communication is everything in life! You are only as successful as your ability to communicate. \- What if you could confidently talk to anyone? \- What if you had the ability to calmly control every conversation? \- What if you could close that sale\, ask for that date\, make new friends\, repair problematic relationships\, get that raise\, or effortlessly express any idea with confidence? You can! The secret to success relies on your ability or inability to effectively communicate. Attend a free seminar and gain a better ability to communicate. Hosted by the Church of Scientology of Central Ohio 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215 For more information, contact Rhiannon, the Event Host at 614-221-5024

## Details \#\# Learn Infrastructure\-as\-Code \(the FUN Way\) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: DevOps Columbus - Azure CBUS - Columbus HashiCorp User Group** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint DevOps Columbus, Azure CBUS and Columbus HashiCorp User Group meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. \#\#\# What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time \#\#\# Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐

Wouldn’t it be nice to find a way to overcome your feelings of anger so that you not only control them, but you no longer have the urge to lose your temper in the first place? And how about being able to shake off resentments, persistent annoyance, or even feelings of vengeance? We’d like to invite you to an event on how to overcome anger and resentment. We will show you why people have trouble controlling their temper and where resentment comes from. Flaring anger can ruin a meeting, a relationship, an opportunity, or just about any aspect of life. Worst of all, outbursts towards our family can create hurt that lingers throughout a lifetime. You want to have a civil conversation, and you’ve vowed that you wouldn’t lose your temper, but a few minutes later, the anger flares up. Maybe you’ve realized that being angry doesn’t get you what you want so you internalize it. Or maybe you avoid the knockdown, drag-out fights, but stewing in resentment is exhausting and takes an emotional toll. In this event we show you how to get to the root of your anger so that it stops being an issue to you. You’ll also learn why people harbor resentments and how to move on. Don't continue to struggle, make a difference in your life, and join us for this local event. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there. This Meetup is sponsored by your local Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center.

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

**Photography 101: Discover The Photographer Within** **Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your camera? Then this beginning photography course is perfect for you!** This beginner-friendly photography class is your gateway to unlocking the power of your camera and developing a confident artistic vision. This course offers an engaging and practical approach to essential techniques and creative principles for impactful photography. We will explore the use of camera settings, composition, and light to tell a story that evokes emotion in the viewer. **Through hands-on exercises and insightful lessons, you will learn to:** * **Master Your Camera:** Learn fundamental camera functions, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, so you can confidently control exposure and creative effects in any lighting situation. * **Compose Captivating Images:** Explore and apply classic composition principles like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing to create visually appealing and impactful photographs. * **Harness the Power of Light:** Understand how different light sources (natural and artificial) affect your images and learn to manipulate them to create mood, texture, and enhance the overall quality of your photos. * **Control Focus and Depth of Field:** Discover how to effectively utilize depth of field to isolate your subject and achieve captivating background blur (bokeh) or ensure sharpness throughout your landscape shots. * **Work with Lenses and Filters:** Explore the impact of various lens types and focal lengths on photographs and learn how filters can add creative control and protection. **This class provides the foundation needed to confidently create high-quality images and begin a photographic journey, regardless of the camera used.** **Prerequisites:** * A camera (film, DSLR, or mirrorless) that has manual controls is required. Hands-on exercises make having the camera in class highly beneficial. You will need at least one lens to evaluate the results of control exercises. * You may attend this class in one of two ways: 1. With a class voucher provided by your retail camera store 2. Purchasing a seat in the class

CHANGED to WEDNESDAYS COLUMBUS RECREATION CENTERS require membership fee to play. Register & Pay at the desk when you arrive. $5 day pass is available. I have some extra pickle ball paddles and balls if you don’t have one. Definitely bring your own paddle if you have one and bring some balls if you have them. Legal Stuff: The event hosts/Organizers are just fellow member volunteers. By participating in any event, you assume all risks of liability and injury inherent in these activities. You are responsible for your own safety and for determining if you are in condition fit to participate. You are also responsible for knowing and abiding by all laws and rules during your participation in any event.
 Photos & or Video: by attending these events you acknowledge photos and or video may be taken and used on this and other platforms.