Make New Friends

The theme for this week is *“From First Conversation to Friendship.”* This week, we’ll have fun trying out **simple ways** to turn a first hello into a **real friendship**. Through **activities** and **conversation prompts** you’ll get to **meet others**, **share** **stories**, and see what connections **naturally** happen. There's **no right or wrong** — just a **relaxed space** to **chat**, **laugh**, and **connect**. Bring a pen and your **journal**, and get ready to meet new people and maybe make a **friend or two**! We’d love to have you there! Meeting point: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/U3oaqAs5gAoz5EKV6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/U3oaqAs5gAoz5EKV6)

Jewellers can hire a desk in our workshop to make or finish off their own pieces. This workshop is self run, you need to attend a health and safety induction before working daily unattended. Basic jewellery making tools are provided and some consumables such as flux, borax, tumbling polish, lathe polish and some drill bits. Aprons and safety glasses are provided, tie up loose hair, wear enclosed shoes. Please email claw.creative.studios@gmail.com for any questions or inquiries. Clara Carija, Director CLAW CREATIVE.

MUST TAP “ATTEND” (PLEASE SPECIFY NUMBER OF GUESTS). FREE ENTRY if you attend with a friend! Come make new friends from Asia and other countries! This event takes place in a DEDICATED AREA of the venue. LAST ENTRY STRICTLY AT 6.30PM

オーストラリア人と英語を練習し、オーストラリアにいる他の日本人と友達になりましょう。このイベントでは、世界中の人々と出会うこともできます。イベントはバーで行われるため、食べ物やアルコールを注文できます。スペースに限りがあるため、参加するにはこのページで返信する必要があります。ゲストの人数を記入してください。会場が満員の場合は入場できませんので、時間通りにお越しください。instagram.com/eventsinmelb でフォローしてください。 最終入場は午後6.30時です。

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

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your cheeseboard and coaster, use the *MEETAMC10* coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Unleash your creativity at our Resin Art Workshop in the heart of Melbourne! Join us for a fun and interactive session where you'll learn the art of resin pouring from expert instructors. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, this workshop is perfect for everyone. You'll create stunning, unique pieces to take home and enjoy, all while surrounded by like-minded creatives. Our workshops provide all the tools, materials, and guidance you'll need to bring your vision to life. Discover the mesmerizing flow of resin, explore vibrant pigments, and watch your art evolve into a glossy masterpiece. Each session is designed to be both educational and relaxing, making it the ideal activity to unwind, socialize, and spark inspiration. Spaces are limited, so book your spot today and dive into the colorful world of resin art with us!

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your lamp, use the MEETAMC10 coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Join us for a hands-on workshop where families can learn the art of creating beautiful Turkish lamps together. This unique and engaging class will guide parents and kids through crafting intricate and colorful lamps. No prior experience is required, as our expert instructors will provide step-by-step instructions on design, assembly, and decorating techniques. This workshop is perfect for families and friends to bond, unleash their creativity, and take home a stunning handmade craft that can brighten any room. Come discover Turkish lamp-making's magic with your little ones in a fun and supportive environment. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you'll lose track of time and end up with a beautiful lamp to take home!

St Kilda Festival is this weekend, & I'll be going to hear/see Jessica Mauboy (on stage 6:45pm), & Sneaky Sound System (on Stage 8:00pm), this Sunday 15 Feb. This will be Meet-Greet/connect Hosting Only. I will **not** host once we met. - Chris CC Assistant Organiser. I also can't be definite re my Arrival Time, at Meet Point. (due to Trams terminating at earlier stops than usual, & bus diversions). The PLAN: Meet at Clock Tower along The Esplanade (Upper Esplanade). \- Clocktower alongside road; between Hotel Esplanade & Palais Theatre\. Meet Between approx 6:15-6:30. [Unsure if I'll arrive by 6:15, but should arrive by 6:25]. As I have a spot I like to sit, but is a long way from Stage - But hear well & can still see stage (just), Others may like to go to & into main area. Main area is standing only & quite crowded; tho good to see artists close. Of course, are welcome to join me at 'My Spot' :) if wish to. It's also good spot if want to grab anything from food & drink vans, & enjoy while the artists are on. \*\*That area is **not** a licensed area, so **no** alcohol permitted there. Fenced off area adjacent to Beach Stage/Main Stage is licensed. I will not be responding to direct msgs via Meetup. (Keep having issues with direct msgs showing up on/in the app, on my phone). I will post comment when I arrive at Clock Tower. I will wear a navy & burgundy cap. You make like to Post comment when you arrive, for other members to see. Or, if prefer not to, until Host is there, just reply to my comment, when I post I'm nearby/on my way. I'm posting this only on St Killda 3182 Group. However, may have a few people joining me from/after an earlier event, or/& may have a few from a social group (external to Meetup) but have connected via Meetup. Getting there by Public Transport: https://transport.vic.gov.au/disruptions/disruptions-information/article/routes-16-and-96-service-changes-from-8am-to-last-service-on-sunday-15-feburary-2026. [The Service Changes list basically detail how to get to St Kilda. Nearest terminating stops, to the Clocktower (if coming from or via CBD) \- St Kilda Station\, on 96a trams\, & Park St @Fitzroy St\, on 12a trams\. Then 7-10 minutes walk along Fitzroy St & The Esplanade (Upper Esplanade). Parking. All Fitzroy St, Esplanade (upper), Jacka Bvd (lower esplanade), Acland St, & more, including parts of quite a number of side streets Are ALL Closed This Weekend. Longer hours duration park spots i know require access via those streets.

**\*\*\*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!

Hey, mates! If you're looking for a 5v5 pickup game on a Sunday evening, we have one **from 6-7 pm at East Caulfield Reserve**. To join us, download the Stranger Soccer app and register for free. Use the code **WELCOME** to book your first game for free if you're playing with us for the first time. Book your slot now and get involved!

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.

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Good Cafe](https://goodcafeeaston.com/)!

*Happy Hour fans?* Each month, our group is going to try to meet at some of the best happy hours around town! This month, let's meet for drinks and small bites at **[Rail Craft Kitchen](https://www.railcraftkitchen.com/menu?menu=happy-hour#1)** in Dublin on Frantz Road. *Happy Hour is 3-6pm weekdays*. Every drink or shareable is only $6.00! **Happy Hour** is inherently social. It’s a time when people come together to unwind and enjoy each other’s company. For many, it’s a way to catch up with friends, network with colleagues, or simply meet new people in a relaxed setting. The casual atmosphere of happy hour encourages conversation, making it easier to bond over shared interests and experiences.

November Book Club: Birding to Change the World by Trish O’Kane This is a book about finding healing, purpose, and a path to activism through birdwatching after the trauma of Hurricane Katrina. The memoir follows O'Kane, a former investigative journalist, as she transitions from a life focused on human rights to becoming a passionate birder and environmental educator, weaving together personal narrative, the science of bird life, and grassroots community organizing to save a local par

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **Join the Columbus City Brunch Club and make new friends!** Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier. \* Discover new restaurants in your city, together. \* Curated lunch venues with good food and vibe. \* If you hit it off with your group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards. **Note:** RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) is only a placeholder. This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

As you may or may not know--I didn't until late last year--Aristotle wrote extensively on "friendship" in the Nicomachean Ethics. After 69 years the concept of friendship still creates questions and uncertainty. I had close friends in high school and for a few years after high school but our interests diverged and people moved all over the country so it was hard to maintain connections. * So if I/you haven't talked with a friend for several years, are you still friends? Are we friends who meet at Drunken Philosophy or Omnipresent Atheists? * Can you be friends with someone with whom you have virulently divergent political views? Sartre and Camus could not. * Aristotle regarded friendship as essential to a good life, not merely an added "bonus." Do you agree? * In the Nicomachean Ethics (Books VIII and IX), he claims that wealth and power are meaningless without friends. Trump has wealth and power but seems to have no real friends, but wealth and power seem meaningful to him in perverted ways. Can you have meaning in your life without friends? * Do men and women view and maintain friendships in different ways? * Aristotle categorizes friendship into three types, based on what forms the bond: * **Utility**: Based on mutual benefit, but this type is fragile and ends when the usefulness ceases. * **Pleasure**: Based on shared enjoyment (e.g., humor, hobbies). Common among youth but fades as interests change. * **Virtue (The "Complete" Friendship)**: Based on mutual respect for each other's character and goodness. You wish good for the other for their sake, not yours. * **Key Principles of "True" (Virtuous) Friendship:** * **Permanence**: Virtuous friendships last a lifetime whereas those based on utility and pleasure are fleeting. * **Reciprocity**: Requires mutual goodwill; secret or unreciprocated affection does not qualify. * **The "Second Self"**: A true friend is "another self"—their virtue helps you understand and improve yourself. * **Time and Intimacy**: Deep ("complete") friendships are few, built on time and shared experiences. * **Self-Love and Friendship:** * Good friendship starts with being a friend to yourself. * They distinguish shallow egoism (chasing honors) from real self-love (pursuing virtue). * A virtuous person’s pleasant self-company allows them to be a stable, good friend to others. * Aristotle argues that one's social circle ultimately reflects one's character—a view with striking relevance today. Well--the Drunken Philosophy social circle certainly reflects good character!

Welcome to Casual Boardgames, where we enjoy classic tabletop games and social deduction games while bonding over good food, drinks, and great conversations. 
We started this group to meet new people and make new friends, and bonding over games in a relaxed atmosphere is a great way to do that. We currently meet near route 23 and Polaris Parkway, and this is close to areas like Powell, Lewis Center, Worthington, and parts of Westerville and Columbus. 
Feel free to bring your own games or play one of the many games our members bring. If you are inexperienced, we will help you learn. 
Here are just a few examples of the kind of games we play. 
Tabletop/board games: Splendor, Catan, Azul, Dominion, 7 Wonders… 
Social deduction games: Code Names, Chameleon, Werewords… 
IMPORTANT: 
1. While we love playing a variety of games and competing, we are not just about the games. We interact and talk while playing, and this leads to a lot of laughter and fun. If you just want to compete and focus solely on the game, then this is probably not the group you are looking for. 
2. Many people join groups like this and never (or rarely) show up after weeks or months. If you join and never really come, we will eventually remove you from the group as a courtesy to our members. Why? Because limiting group conversations (on the app) to regular members makes communication and planning much easier. Also, while it may be rare, it protects members from people who join because they are interested in following a person instead of having a real interest in our group. If you get removed, it is just because you haven’t come, and we follow this protocol as a courtesy to our regular game players.