Self-Defense

'KAFKA ON THE SHORE' by Haruki Murakami 'The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Kafka on the Shore follows the fortunes of two remarkable characters. Kafka Tamura runs away from home at fifteen, under the shadow of his father's dark prophesy. The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. Their parallel odysseys are enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerising dramas. Cats converse with people; fish tumble from the sky; a ghostlike pimp deploys a Hegel-spouting girl of the night; a forest harbours soldiers apparently un-aged since WWII. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Murakami's new novel is at once a classic tale of quest, but it is also a bold exploration of mythic and contemporary taboos, of patricide, of mother-love, of sister-love. Above all it is an entertainment of a very high order.' ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PLEASE NOTE:** This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate. Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then! Best regards, Sandra

📍 Hilversum Station, 10:30 → finish at Baarn railway station (~17:30) We meet inside the station near piano. 🚶‍♂️ ~10 km total | ~6–7 hours | relaxed pace with sketching stops 🎯 Main destination: Kasteel Groeneveld We’ll walk together through nature from Hilversum to the castle (~7 km), making several short sketching stops (15–30 min), with a longer session near the castle. After that, we continue ~3 km to Baarn station. There’s a café at the castle (coffee, sweets, late lunch), but we’ll arrive later — bring your own food/snacks so you don’t get hungry. Bring along: * Sketching materials * Water * Foldable chair or blanket (there is no guaranteed seating in forest) * Comfortable walking clothes * Extra layer (it gets cold when sitting still) * Sandwich or snacks to keep energy going No pressure on skill level — all styles welcome. Come for the walk, the nature, and the sketches 🌿✏️

## Love is in the air…! After the crazy success of our first event, we're back with more connection games! This time, the games will be much shorter (15-20 mins each) to allow for easier rotation. For those who're new here, Affinitee hosts slow dating events focused on discovering relationships built on compatibility over superficiality! **No more swiping, skip the bad dates!** ### *This is how it works:* 1\. Before you arrive at the meetup\, you fill in a fun 5\-10 minute questionnaire before registration below \(if you haven't already\)\. We explore different aspects of relationship compatibility using this questionnaire\. To make use of the pre-matching facility, we recommend registering on the website as well. You may sign up here [https://affinitee.eu/au-event-3](https://affinitee.eu/au-event-3) 2\. A match will be automatically assigned \(if available\)\, based on your given criteria \(age range\, children\, location etc\.\) as well as the overall compatibility score based on your questionnaire answers\. 3\. At the event\, you will be able to try out a multitude of board/card games that are specifically chosen to explore various aspects of relationship compatibility \(moral values\, decision making etc\.\)\. 4\. After each game\, you can choose to switch partners\, or continue with the same person\, based on input from either parties\. 5\. At the end of the event\, IF you did indeed feel a spark with someone at the event \(and it is reciprocated\)\, we help you arrange a date with them\. You do not even have to exchange contacts\! **[!!IMPORTANT!!]** We recommend signing up through our website to guarantee a match as early as possible. But of course, even if no match isassigned to you due to late registration or gender imbalance, a majority of the games are still played as groups! *So nobody gets left out and everyone has a chance to meet and match with other singles.* We believe in conscious, compatibility based matchmaking. Don't waste your time dating the wrong people!

Join us for the XXL edition celebrating the 3rd anniversary of our (board) games meetup at our local community center! We’re doing things a little differently this time, so make sure to read everything below and we hope to see as many of you as possible on this special day! This event is part of an ongoing series organized through our Discord server [[discord.gg/utrecht](http://discord.gg/utrecht)] • Free entry for everyone, as always! • Bring your favorite (board) games • Meet new friends and fellow gaming enthusiasts • A night filled with exciting challenges and friendly competition • Warm food, snacks, and drinks will be provided for everyone! (e.g. fries, sauces, chips, fried snacks, sodas) There will also be a Nintendo Switch 2 available with games like Mario Party, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros and other party games, so feel free to bring a controller if you’d like to play! Whether you're a board game aficionado or a video game guru, this event is for you. Bring your friends, bring your favorite games, and let’s celebrate three years of gaming together! Note that due to limitations of the location, we cannot open the door for you after 19:00. Make sure to read the ''How to find us'' carefully and join the Discord if you have any questions.

Lieve leden, Vanaf 19:30 op onze oude vertrouwde locatie, MFA Safari Maarssen Dan nog een veel gevraagd onderwerp.. de entree! Vanaf deze post gaan we wel starten met de mogelijkheid tot doneren. Heb je het de afgelopen jaren naar je zin gehad? Overweeg dan te doneren, zo kunnen we blijven vernieuwen! Weet je niet hoeveel? Met 5,- kunnen we al een hoop. Bij binnenkomst op de club zullen we ook een QR-code plaatsen die je kunt gebruiken en natuurlijk.. de vertrouwde spaarpot. ## Tot de Gamenight! Board game fanatics and beginners, assemble! We host a GameNight every two weeks on a Friday. We have our own game collection that you can use, but we encourage you to bring some of your favourites as well! No entrance cost. We have coffee, tea and drinks from the fridge for low prices! Parking is free and there are over a hundred spaces in front of the building. Please use the stairs at the back of the MFA Safari building outside to get into the club.

Lieve leden, Vanaf 19:30 op onze oude vertrouwde locatie, MFA Safari Maarssen Dan nog een veel gevraagd onderwerp.. de entree! Vanaf deze post gaan we wel starten met de mogelijkheid tot doneren. Heb je het de afgelopen jaren naar je zin gehad? Overweeg dan te doneren, zo kunnen we blijven vernieuwen! Weet je niet hoeveel? Met 5,- kunnen we al een hoop. Bij binnenkomst op de club zullen we ook een QR-code plaatsen die je kunt gebruiken en natuurlijk.. de vertrouwde spaarpot. Tot de Gamenight!Spellenclub Maarssen --- Board game fanatics and beginners, assemble! We host a GameNight every two weeks on a Friday. We have our own game collection that you can use, but we encourage you to bring some of your favourites as well! No entrance cost. We have coffee, tea and drinks from the fridge for low prices! Parking is free and there are over a hundred spaces in front of the building. Please use the stairs at the back of the MFA Safari building outside to get into the club.

Have you ever noticed how the way you see yourself can change depending on the situation? One moment you feel confident and capable — the next you start doubting yourself after a small mistake or comparison. How do you see yourself on LinkedIn or social media — is it that persona or the quiet inner picture you carry, about who you are? Sometimes that picture feels strong and confident. Other times it becomes surprisingly fragile after criticism, comparison, or a simple mistake. In this meetup we’ll explore two closely related ideas that shape how we experience life: **Self-image** — the picture we hold of who we are **Self-esteem** — how we feel about that picture Through conversation and simple reflection exercises, we’ll look at questions like: * Where does our self-image actually come from? * Why can our confidence rise and fall so quickly? * What role do comparison, expectations, and inner criticism play? * And how can we build a healthier relationship with ourselves? Expect an open and thoughtful discussion — not a lecture. You’re welcome to share your thoughts and experiences, but there’s never any pressure. Listening is just as valuable. If you're curious about how our inner narratives shape our lives, come join the conversation. **Who is this for?** Anyone interested in personal growth, psychology, and understanding how our inner narratives influence our lives. **What to expect** * Guided discussion prompts * Reflection exercises * Practical insights you can apply in everyday life **Tone** Supportive, curious, and judgment-free. **Disclaimer** This is not therapy — It's a thoughtful conversation about being human.

You’re invited to join us for a cycling trip from Utrecht to Amsterdam, following the historic [Dutch Waterline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Waterline). As we cycle through green polders and along quiet waterways, you’ll discover how the Dutch once used water as a powerful defense system, by flooding the land in order to stop enemies from invading Holland and taking all our cheese and bicycles :) We’ll pass old forts and scenic Dutch landscapes, where history and nature are coming together. Come along and experience the beautiful nature and the story of this unique Dutch landscape. All you need is to bring a bicycle, good mood and hopefully some sunscreen! The meeting point is at Utrecht Central Station and from here it is about 55 km cycling to Amsterdam, and we will have some lunch on the way. Hope to see you then!

Samen sporten, gewoon voor de fun, elke week een divers programma, met allerlei verschillende sporten. Je hoeft niet de beste te zijn, maar wel zin hebben om samen te spelen en te leren. Tijdens een training doen we verschillende spelletjes, basketbal, voetbal. volleybal, spikebal, honkbal. Kom je ook, de bal ligt bij jou!! Eerste keer meedoen is altijd gratis, daarna kan je beslissen of dit voor jou is, of niet!! Dus kom een keer proberen. Kan je niet op deze dag, we sporten ook op andere dagen nl Zondag om 9:30 of Maandag om 20:30 Stuur mij een berichtje als je op die dagen een keer wil proberen! The amount of people rsvp'd to this game doesn't match the real number of people at the event, as Meetup is only used for promotion purposes.

🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️

Come and join us for an evening of Buddhist meditation with like-minded people. The doors open at 7:00 PM, and meditation begins promptly at 7:15 PM. The meditation will last between 30 to 40 minutes, followed by tea and biscuits for anyone who would like to stay and chat. On some evenings, there will also be a short Dharma talk to provide some Buddhist context. The meditation space is down at the canal. To get there, you can take the stairs down. The meditation is offered on a donation basis. See our [website](https://utrechtbuddhistcentre.nl/) for more information.

We are a real world Martial arts group. \ Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \ Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \ We have been around a while. \ We are donation based. Every week we get together and work technical skills and live pressure testing. \ Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from altercations in the real world to the ring and some still compete in the cage. \ If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \ We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 inside the whetstone rec center in the auditorium, upstairs in classroom B or outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295 Saturday 1pm Wednesday 5:30pm From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \ \ You must have a free leisure card for the rec center and must be registered for our class specifically .\ Wear workout clothing \ Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \ WE HAVE GLOVES. \ Hope to see you soon :-).\ We are run off of donations. \ let me know if you have any questions :)

This is an in-person meeting. Would you like to know the Real You, not just a shadow of yourself? Does your life energy feel somehow trapped within? Does your self-confidence get easily shaken? Do you get in the way of your own goals? We will discuss the real source of all this, what holds you back in life, and how to handle it so you can achieve more successful and happier living. Perhaps you get weighed down with negative emotions you can't seem to shrug off. Or find yourself doing strange and irrational things - not really being yourself. We will cover why that is and tools that work to help you unearth your self, your self-confidence and motivation. This meeting will help you learn about how to effectively overcome: -Out-of-control unwanted emotions -Low self-esteem -Anxiety -Negativity -Stress -Irrational fears -Traumatic or painfully emotional incidents -Breakups -Betrayals -Feeling like you're not really yourself -Self-doubt... We will discuss how to unleash the inner you and tap into your true potential. So come to this online meetup! This meeting is sponsored by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Central Ohio

We are a real world Martial arts group. \ Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \ Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \ We have been around a while. \ We are donation based. Every week we get together and work technical skills and live pressure testing. \ Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from altercations in the real world to the ring and some still compete in the cage. \ If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \ We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 inside the whetstone rec in the auditorium, center upstairs in classroom B or outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295 Saturday 1pm Wednesday 5:30pm From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \ \ You must have a free leisure card for the rec center and must be registered for our class specifically .\ Wear workout clothing \ Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \ WE HAVE GLOVES. \ Hope to see you soon :-).\ We are run off of donations. \ let me know if you have any questions :)

Do you want more motivation and confidence to build Lasting Relationships? This is a free, in-person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships. Are you burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival, while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This class is held at the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center.

This month's prompt concerns the idea of the “warrior philosopher” (seemed appropriate in these times)--that is someone whose understanding of violence, power, and justice is forged through direct experience of war. We are looking at Major General Smedley D. Butler, a highly decorated U.S. Marine raised in a Quaker (pacifist) tradition who later became a prominent critic of American militarism (there is a wonderful biography of Gen. Butler called "Gangsters of Capitalism") Butler's argument in *War Is a Racket* (1935): that many U.S. interventions were driven less by national defense than by corporate and financial interests, with Butler portraying himself as an enforcer for business and Wall Street. We can consider the moral ambiguity of his insider critique—whether complicity strengthens or undermines credibility and also consider some of the concrete reforms he proposed (e.g., “conscript” capital before soldiers, restrict the military to coastal defense, and have only those who fight decide on war). Butler’s life arc clearly changed from pacifist upbringing to warrior to antiwar crusader—and asks whether true understanding of peace requires firsthand knowledge of war, and what that implies about the cost of suffering. So do we need to suffer to understand suffering? Do we have to experience war to appreciate peace? As one more question: in the movie "A Few Good Men" Jack Nicholson's character says that "you have the luxury of not knowing what I know" so do most of us go through life oblivious to real violence and suffering? See you at Drunken Philosophy!

Join us for this free, in person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships. Do you want more motivation and confidence to build lasting relationships? Are you burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival, while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is held at the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Dodgeball is back again! If you’ve been wanting to come out, this is an easy one to join. We’ll be playing for about 1.5 to 2 hours, you do not need to bring any equipment, and no experience is needed. We use a specific set of rules and equipment to make the games run better and keep them fun for everybody, not just people who already know how to play. If it rains, the event will be canceled.