Software Innovation

We playtest all sorts of games - strategic, silly, creative, or whatever. Some games are almost done. Some are very early ideas. We test anything that will fit into 90 minutes. You don't need to bring a game - we always love to have new playtesters! Please let us know in the comments when you plan to arrive/leave and whether you are bringing a game or not. This helps us to plan the day better. The schedule is: 10am onwards - gathering, chatting 11am sharp - playing for 90 min ('slot 1') 12:30ish - break for food/chat 1pm sharp - playing for 90 min ('slot 2') 2:30ish - break for food/chat 3pm sharp - playing for 90 min ('slot 3') 4:30ish - finish up Often, we might hang around afterwards, to play some already-published games. We are strict on timings, so please try to arrive a few minutes before the session to limit disruption. You can just come for part of the day if you wish. The reason we have fixed timings for the 3 'slots' is to make it easier for folk to do so. Designers of all levels of experience are welcome! But if it's your first time, we ask that you don't bring a game and just spend some time learning how the group works. The group works based on reciprocation. If you expect to test your own game, make sure stay for long enough to play other games. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to play one of your own games every third 90-minute session. So if you stay a whole day (3 sessions), you can expect to have one session to play your game(s). A good rule of thumb is that if you come all day, you will have one 90 minute session with two other playtesters in which to test your own games. It is sometimes possible to test games with more players. If your game requires 4 or more, please note that as standard you will be allocated half of a session (45 minutes). Pre-covid, we were getting unmanageable. As a result, we may have to limit attendees. This is a free-to-use venue, and we have to be mindful that other folk want to use the same space. Please note: This is an adults only event. We look forward to seeing you!

Circling is a present-moment relational awareness practice. We’re bringing our attention to what’s unfolding in real time, repeatedly returning to what’s happening within ourselves, between us and in the shared space of the group. We practice approaching our own experience and the experience of others with curiosity, becoming more aware of the subtleties of what is present. The emphasis is on staying in contact with your experience as it unfolds. The unfolding may be quiet and internal or it may lead to words – naming sensations, thoughts, emotions, impulses or perceptions. It might also include movement or other non-verbal expression. The idea is not to try to change what’s there, but to become more aware of what it is and how we are meeting it and relating to it in the moment. Often awareness follows expression and this is okay too. We are all swimming in the ocean of the unknown. Occasionally the whale lifts its head above the surface and we catch a glimpse – a moment of seeing something about ourselves that we hadn’t noticed before. Over time, many people find that this kind of awareness practice deepens their sense of aliveness and helps them notice patterns in how they relate to themselves and others. With ongoing practice, some people discover an increased capacity to be with themselves and others in a more conscious, grounded, flexible and responsive way – where we can experience ourselves as active participants in our lives rather than passive reactors to what is happening internally or around us. Both those new to Circling and those with more experience are very welcome. **To reserve your place, transfer £18 via my eventbrite page:** **[https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/robyn-wilford-29457876735](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/robyn-wilford-29457876735)** Any questions, please direct message me here or email: [robyncontact365@gmail.com](http://robyncontact365@gmail.com) We’ll start at 7pm (arrive from 6.50pm) and will finish at 9pm. There will be some optional hang out time after 9pm. Opposite Elephant & Castle tube and Thameslink train station, and numerous bus routes. **Facilitation and Terms of Service** This is a facilitated group practice but not group therapy and not psychotherapy. Because of my NARM background and own personal journey, I value personal choice, agency and emergent self-awareness. Participants are encouraged to stay connected to their own pace and to keep checking in with themselves throughout the practice – noticing what feels supportive, what feels like too much, and what they may need in any moment. There’s no expectation to be vulnerable or to share anything that feels too personal or emotional and you are always welcome to speak, remain silent, pause, step back and take a break, leave or ask for what you want, including asking for support. Participants are also invited to respect one another’s pace and boundaries. The intention of my Circling leadership is to support myself and people in staying present with their experience while in relationship with others, and to develop greater awareness of how they are meeting that experience. Having said that, like solo meditation, it’s normal that we will all repeatedly lose presence and Circling can sometimes evoke strong emotions or reactions in people which can be difficult for them and challenging for others in the space to navigate. If you find the prospect of this potentially destabilising or overwhelming, or if you are currently experiencing significant emotional distress or instability in your life that might be exacerbated by this type of group environment, or if you are unsure you’ll be able to take care of yourself and ensure the practice works for you, then please contact me before registering so we can discuss further. By registering you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the above.

**Important - Please Read** LIMITED SPACES - **You must have a confirmed place to attend this event. ** Welcome to London's Highest Rated International Languages Exchange group with over 1500 reviews rated 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹🇩🇪🇮🇳🇧🇷🇰🇷🇨🇳🇪🇬🇭🇰🇺🇦🇺🇸🇹🇷🇹🇼🇷🇺🇵🇱 To learn more about us and our community visit [www.languages.london](https://www.languages.london/) WHEN & WHERE Join us on Friday for our global language exchange from 6pm. The venue is The Craft Beer Co. in Clerkenwell, a really friendly pub with a great selection of drinks (especially beers!) including non-alcoholic options and **we have the whole first floor space exclusively for our event!** The venue has excellent access to public transport via, tube, train and bus. HOW WE DO IT It's simple .... \~ When you arrive please collect your personalised language badge from us, **BEFORE** you order your drinks. We'll be waiting to give you a warm welcome 😃 \~ Please wear your badge during the event and return it before you leave. \~ Start meeting the community and having fun, lots of fun! Confirm your place to attend. There's a small fee of £2, which you can pay when you arrive. Please buy something from the bar to support the venue, who kindly offer us a dedicated space. 🇲🇽🇻🇳🇧🇬🇵🇸🇸🇪🇮🇱🇦🇺🇨🇦🇳🇱🇨🇴🇭🇺🇿🇦🇹🇭🇵🇪🇧🇴🇳🇬🇪🇬🇳🇿🇨🇭 **WHO** Languages in London events are organised for our community - being social, making new friends, building cultural bridges and always very relaxed. Our weekly events in London have the highest number of languages and countries represented. Note - This is **not** a dating event. Our events are open to Internationals, Locals, Expats, Students, Travellers..... Everyone! This is the event for a truly global community and for citizens from around the World 🌎 Is this the Intercambio you've been looking for? Want to practice your ingles, espanol , francais, italiano, Deutsch, portugues or other European languages? Asian languages ? Or maybe prefer to only speak English, that's just fine. **All languages and all fluency levels are welcome** Spread the love, bring your family, friends and colleagues 💙 The creator and organiser of **Languages in London - Girish**, will always be visible at the event and there to support you and help with introductions, if you prefer. These are real events with real people. We aren't one of those groups that fill our events with fictitious attendees👻 We want to remain the **BEST** language events group in London, being the biggest isn't our focus. **No-shows at our events are always removed from the group.** **Inactive members are also regularly removed from our group.** **LANGUAGES** Here's a selection of some of the languages that our community speak or have been practicing English, Spanish (incl Latin American), French, Italian, Portuguese (incl Brazilian), German, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Russian, Korean, Hindi, Turkish, Arabic, Ukrainian, Polish, Hebrew, Swedish, Bulgarian, Vietnamese, Hungarian, Bengali, Dutch, Catalan, Farsi, Greek, Urdu, Welsh, Romanian, Norwegian, Czech, Slovak, Estonian, Danish, Finnish, Turkmen, Latvian, Lithuanian, Nepali, Yoruba, Filipino, Thai, Albanian, Croatian, Serbian, Ebo, Gaelic, Icelandic, Afrikaans, Tamazight, Tagalog, Creole, Malagasy, Mongolian, Tok Pisin and more... you get the idea! 🇷🇴🇬🇹🇨🇿🇳🇴🇩🇰🇫🇮🇨🇾🇺🇾🇪🇬🇧🇬🇦🇷🇰🇪🇱🇰🇲🇦🇹🇳🇩🇿🇸🇬🇲🇾 **SUSTAINABLE** 🌎🌳 Like you, we really care about our planet. We never use paper stickers or wristbands as they can't be reused or recycled and can even damage your clothing ☹️ The Solution? Our personalised and completely reusable Languages in London badges! 👍 So, please make sure you return your badge to us, before you leave the event. We'll sanitise it (anti bacterial & disinfectant cleaners) and use it again & again & again. Thanks for helping us do the right thing and keep our costs down🙏 **SAFE SPACE FOR EVERYONE** 👮‍♂️ We don't tolerate prejudice or harassment of any kind, at any time. Be polite and respectful to everyone else and they will reciprocate. Let's keep the space safe, welcoming for everyone and free of any political agendas. Please report any concerns to the Organiser immediately. Please look after your belongings, the venue is a public place. We may take photos or video at the event for future promotional use. Let us know if you'd rather not be included, we respect your choice 📸 **SPREAD THE WORD** 🗣️💬 If you enjoy our events, please tell your friends and colleagues and help us grow **your** community, thank you ♥️ Join our community - [www.languages.london](https://www.languages.london/) We're looking forward to welcoming you at Languages in London 😊👋 🇲🇰🇳🇵🇧🇩🇵🇭🇦🇪🇦🇱🇧🇪🇮🇪🇲🇹🇰🇿🇱🇦🇯🇴🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪🇰🇭🇨🇱🇲🇳🇨🇺

📏 **Key Info:** • Distance: 11.5 miles (18km) • Grading: [Beginners/Intermediate](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/HikeGradings.pdf) \- one main hill that we take gently • Ascent: 140m • Hiking time: 5 to 5.5 hours • Cost: £31 (includes guided hike + return train) • Refunds: Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you follow our [[Resale Process](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/FAQ.pdf)] and your place is rebooked, we’ll issue a refund. • Toilet Breaks: On the train, at the lunch stop, and at the end pub 📍 **Meeting Point** • Location: Paddington station. Meet at the entrance of the main ticket office - [MAP](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/StationPhotos/Paddington.jpg) • Time: Meet 9:10am, leave 9:30am for the 9:47am train • Return: 6:23pm arrival back in London (you’re committed until then) 🌟 **Highlights** • Walk the scenic **Thames Path** with riverside meadows and marshes • Visit **Cookham**, home of painter Sir Stanley Spencer • Discover the site of **Saxon Queen Cynethryth’s** lost 8th-century monastery • See ancient **Bronze Age burial mounds** at Cock Marsh • Enjoy panoramic views of the Thames Valley from **Winter Hill** • Walk through **Bisham Woods**, inspiration for The Wind in the Willows • Pass near the **Cliveden Estate** — famed for grandeur and the Profumo Affair • Cross **Boulters Lock**, once a favourite haunt of Victorian society • Finish in **Maidenhead**, with Brunel’s iconic 1835 railway bridge 🥾 **Hike Description** We set off from **Cookham** and soon make our way into the enchanting Bisham Woods, once part of the Royal Forest of Windsor. Steeped in history and folklore, these ancient woods were said to be haunted by Lady Hoby and inspired Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows. Rich in flora and wildlife, they provide a beautiful opening to our walk. Climbing to **Winter Hill**, we enjoy sweeping views across the Thames Valley before descending to the river. The path then leads us through meadows and marshland, past the ancient burial mounds of **Cock Marsh**, before arriving in the historic heart of Cookham village, famously described by Stanley Spencer as “a village in heaven.” Here we pause for lunch, with time to explore the charming streets, Spencer’s gallery, and Holy Trinity Church where the artist is commemorated, as well as a visit to a traditional pub. After lunch, we rejoin the **Thames Path**, widely regarded as one of the most photogenic stretches of the river. The route meanders alongside the water, skirting the edge of the grand **Cliveden Estate**, once a ducal residence and later the setting of the notorious 1960s Profumo Affair. Our hike continues along the river past **Boulters Lock**, a lively boating hub once popular with Victorian high society, before reaching **Maidenhead**. The finale is at Brunel’s magnificent **1835 railway bridge**, a pioneering feat of Victorian engineering and a fitting close to a day rich in riverside scenery, history and culture. 🧭 **Guide:** • Leader: [BEA](https://www.outdooraholics.co.uk/MeetTheOutdooraholics.pdf) • Contact (hike day only): 07345 241215 🍽️ **Food:** • Bring a packed lunch • Pub visit after the hike (drinks optional) 🎒**What to Bring** • Hiking boots/shoes • Water (2 litres minimum) • Packed lunch • Waterproofs (jacket and trousers) • Hat and gloves if cold • Train tickets are arranged – just meet us at the meeting point ⚠️ **Safety** Your guide is a trained hike leader and Outdoor Activity First Aider ❓ **Want to Know More?** • [New to Our Trips?](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/new_to_our_day_hikes.pdf) (perfect for first-timers, answers “what to expect”) • [About Us](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/about_us.pdf) (who Outdooraholics are, credibility, history) • [FAQs](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/FAQ.pdf) (covers common queries) 📲 **Explore More &** **Stay Connected** [Day hikes list](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/hikesbygrade.pdf) 👣 [Calendar - All trips](https://www.meetup.com/outdooraholics/events/calendar/) 📖 [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/outdooraholics/) 📸 [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/Outdooraholics) & [Photos group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/Outdooraholics) 📄 **Terms and Conditions** By signing up or attending you agree to our [Terms and Conditions](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/TermsConditionsOutdooraholicsHikingUK.pdf) © Outdooraholics Hiking UK Ltd 2026 E & OE

Welcome to the Soho Living Room Bookclub! If you enjoy reading, sharing and discussing good books over a good cup of coffee (and maybe a crafty scone!), this is the group for you! Join the conversation every Friday from 10.00-11.30! Looking forward to seeing you there. For more information, call Richard on 07563 995 821

**About this event** Whether you've just heard about OpenClaw or you've been running it for a while, come along and meet your people. This is a relaxed, informal get-together for beginners and experts alike — no agenda, no pressure, just good conversation and a shared love of OpenClaw. Bring your laptop, chat with new friends, swap ideas, and build stuff together. **Cost** Free — no tickets, no fees, just show up.

In this event, we will discuss about a science or philosophy book chosen by London Science and Philosophy Book Club. The attendees will be divided into groups and each of them will focus on a chapter in the book. This month we will discuss about a fascinating book called Warriors and Worriers by Joyce F. Benenson. If you haven't read the book, it's no problem. I will bring you up to speed with the discussion materials. We will meet in a nice lounge area at 6 p.m for introductions. Please come on time so you will not miss out on valuable discussion midway. If you end up in the waitlist, feel free to show up. Book Description: The question of exactly what sex differences exist and whether they have a biological foundation has been one of our culture's favorite enduring discussions. It should. After a baby is born, a parent's first concern is for its physical health. The next concern is its sex. Only in the most modern societies does sex not virtually guarantee the type of future life a new human being will have. Even in modern societies, one's sex usually plays a large role in the path a life follows. Scientists have published thousands of papers on the subject, with the general conclusion being that men and women are mostly the same, whatever differences exist have been socialized, and what differences exist have to do with women bearing children and men being physically stronger. In Warriors and Worriers, psychologist Joyce Benenson presents a new theory of sex differences, based on thirty years of research with young children and primates around the world. Her innovative theory focuses on how men and women stay alive. Benenson draws on a fascinating array of studies and stories that explore the ways boys and men deter their enemies, while girls and women find assistants to aid them in coping with vulnerable children and elders. This produces two social worlds for each sex which sets humans apart from most other primate species. Human males form cooperative groups that compete against out-groups, while human females exclude other females in their quest to find mates, female family members to invest in their children, and keep their own hearts ticking. In the process, Benenson turns upside down the familiar wisdom that women are more sociable than men and that men are more competitive than women. Agenda: 6 p.m to 6:30 p.m: Introduction and Socializing 6:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m: Book Discussion 9:30 p.m to late night: Drinks, Dinner or Feel free to go home.

We will revise the basic grammar of the Arabic language. The book, **Arabic Verbs & Essentials of Grammar**, by Jane Wightwick (Third Edition), can be purchased from Foyles or Waterstones or online. [https://www.hatchards.co.uk/book/arabic-verbs-and-essentials-of-grammar-third-edition/jane-wightwick/9781260030990](https://www.hatchards.co.uk/book/arabic-verbs-and-essentials-of-grammar-third-edition/jane-wightwick/9781260030990) We will cover chapter one (Arabic Root System). Level: beginners, but you must already be able to read the alphabet. This is a monthly event. Note: to make the most of this session, you should read the chapter before hand. Anything you do not understand, we can discuss during the session

**Update: full for all instruments and vocals** *Please only sign up if your instrument (or vocals) is not indicated above as full for this session.* full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/ **What is it** The novice rehearsal sessions provide an opportunity for people who are relatively new to jazz, to play in a friendly, low-pressure environment. With a short set list that attendees can prepare in advance, it becomes a little less daunting to play and get the most out of practising in a group. See below for this week's setlist. Please sign up before attending. Already full for your instrument? Please check back every other Wednesday, when new sessions go live. If you keep not being able to get a spot, please message the organiser (Xie). Location: Vortex downstairs **Who's it for** Anyone who has practised following the forms (chord progressions) of jazz tunes - maybe on their own at home - and would like to build up playing experience, expand repertoire and practice performing with other musicians. There are various introductions on how jazz jams work - see e.g. https://jazznightschool.org/pages/jam-session-basics You don't need to get all these details right for these novice practice sessions. The set list format should offer opportunities for those at different levels of developing their playing. While at the beginning one might struggle to follow/comp the chords or play through the melody, it gets easier over time and one can start to develop approaches to improvisation, harmonise lead lines, add intros/endings, work on communication between band members, and even listen to recordings together and pick up specific arrangements. Bass players are expected to be able to play a walking bass line on swing tunes, and simple bossa lines for bossa novas. Playing the melody, or "head" - the responsibility is shared between horns players (e.g. sax, trumpet, violin), guitar and piano. Feel free to discuss among the group before each song - different parts of the head or the starting / ending heads can be played by different players. Some melodies will better suit several voices at the same time, whereas others are sensitive to variations in how they are played and may prefer a single instrument at a time. **What it's like** A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes if you’re thinking of joining us for the first time. To ensure the group is accessible for those at different levels, I ask that each novice session should work on only the below four songs of the set list, unless each and every attendee feels they prefer to move on. Each novice session is limited to up to: 1 drummer, 2 bass, 2 keys, 2 guitar, 3/4 lead instruments. Always use the top of the description to see if there is an available slot for your instrument - please do not try to work this out yourself by looking at the other attendees' instruments. **Tunes this week (Sat Apr 4)** * Bags' Groove in F (warm up) (Emmet Cohen) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uICkruoxRv0 * Poinciana in D (Scott Hamilton) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h3RWVeTlGM * Summertime in Am (Chet Baker) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y3FfjESXpU * Have you Met Miss Jones? in F (Stan Getz) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4aFcaAwOPU Everyone is encouraged to listen to a variety of recordings for each song, but please ensure you are familiar with the recording provided as a primary reference. (Note the recordings provide stylistic reference, but may not be in the key listed, with the latter based on common real books) **Tune preview - next novice session (Sat Apr 11)** * All of me in C (warm up) (Sonny Stitt) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUdIsccV9M * Little Sunflower in Dm (Ray Blue) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLu-rl2hNgo * Girl from Ipanema in F (Garbis Dedeian) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM3pp8bEPFE * Too close for comfort in C (Getz, Mulligan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1LFemXQ2sI (try harmonising lines) **Preparing for the session** The chordal form of each song follow the iReal Pro app as a common reference, or you can use sheet music from Real Books. Resource for sheet music: https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html http://therealbook.info/ Try to immerse yourself in the songs by listening to recordings by different artists on youtube, spotify etc. Learn the head (main melody) of the song if you can. Don't hesitate to let the band know you can play it so you can start things off **Playing well together** The rehearsal groups are often quite large for a jazz ensemble setting. Please follow the below arrangements, which are designed to help the group be mindful of each other's volumes, and to build good habits for playing as a group * Every tune should be played at least twice. Swap the bass, piano and guitar players between the two renditions (if there are two attending) * Only one guitarist should comp - i.e. play chords - for each rendition (both guitarists can solo, and comp without amplification) * After each rendition of the warm up tune, the whole group should take a moment together and help each other to check on volumes, including: \*\* Can everyone hear themselves? \*\* Are the drums too loud? \*\* Can everyone hear the bass? \*\* Is the guitar comping too loud? \*\* Is the piano loud enough? (staff at the office can turn this up) \*\* Feel free to revisit volumes after subsequent songs * For any song, if at least two people in the group feel it would be better, the guitar and piano should share the choruses for comping (instead of comping together) - e.g. guitar comps the first time through the head, then piano, then guitar, etc. **Equipment** there is a piano, drum kit (no cymbals or high hat clutch), bass and guitar amps, stands, and microphones. Drummers: please bring cymbals (none available for rental) and hi hat clutch **Percussion** Percussionists are welcome to join with their instruments, alongside the drummer. Feel free to sign up to any session, even one that says "full for all instruments" at the top, unless it explicitly mentions "full for percussion". **Vocalists** Singers are welcome, however please note that the songs have fixed keys, and some of the repertoire are likely not in the right key for your range. If you are an experienced singer, it may be possible to arrange sessions with repertoire catered to you - to explore this, please first come to the "Afternoon Open Jams" so I can get a sense of your singing. **Observing** Would you like to attend a session without playing/singing, to get an idea of the format or to get a sense of what to practise first at home? You can sign up as usual to any novice session, and send me a message that you'd like only to watch the session. When you feel ready, the fee paid can be carried over toward any future session where you join to play or sing at the rehearsal. **Cancellation policy** Please try to make it to any session you sign up to, as the jams are organised around a particular mix of instruments. However, if things do come up and you can no longer make a session, please send a message to the organiser, Xie, as soon as possible. Places are non-refundable if your plans change, but if you provide over 1 week notice it may be possible to carry over the fee for a future session. \-\-\-\-\- any questions do get in touch!

**​Founders Running Club (FRC)** brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. ​9:15 Bag drop at the Regent's Bar and Kitchen, Regent's Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MmZdAVM8yXT9euKc7 ​9:30 Warm Up starts at the Inner Circle & York Bridge, South Gate: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/qw45ehLmDQY7maMD6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/qw45ehLmDQY7maMD6) 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 27 cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats)** **Stay updated:** **Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/)** **Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/)** **LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/)** **Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC)** **Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)**

Time is precious. Here we value non-boring valuable chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit (mind the pun!), today’s fully hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive & curious - those drawn to the mysteries of the universe, life and everything in between. A tasty caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring spirituality/consciousness and related interconnected topics spanning **philosophy,** **neuroscience**, **parapsychology,** **paranormal.** **cosmology** and **noetic sciences** over a mug of sweet coffee (or amazin value Chardonnay!) Chaired by me - a former Reuters journalist & published empirical researcher exploring spirituality topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager, there'll be no strict structure - a relaxed friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas & experiences without judgement, but I'll preside to promote inclusivity and zone in on specifics to avoid people digressing onto unrelated tangents to ensure like all of our events - particpants derive maximum utlity and engagement from attending. We’ll touch on everything from the limits of scientific understanding to exploring the unexplained using practical fun exploratory divination practices drawing on elements of **psychology, metaphysics, epistemology** and **statistical** **probability** of rare events as we do so. Whether you're a practicing "spiritualist", a curious skeptic, or just someone who loves deep conversation on **life’s big questions**, you’ll hopefully walk away more enlightened with some practical tips you can start applying and inspired to explore more! As well as illuminating chats to guide self-reflection, obviously no sprituality event woul be complete without practical tools so there'll be FREE Tarot & I-Ching readings, demonstrations of meditation method to activate super powerful gamma brain waves, and pyschic tests for a bit of fun, laughter & intrigue! **Sample of conversational threads** might include: Are we mere organisms pursuing biological survival or does consciousness exist beyond neurons firing in our brains? What explains peoples' paranormal experiences? What would reality look like If our brains were limitless? Declassified CIA files show that as as well as mind control experiments, the US govt employed mediums and remote viewers. If all mumbo jumbo then why? Is Nirvana just a fantasy of deluded people? Does everything happen for a reason? To clarify - we define spirituality here as an exploration of consciousness, Donald Rumsfeld's unknown unknowns and undiscovered aspects of reality, NOT religion. After all, as my philosophy professor once rightly postulated to me: "If God created Adam, who created God Lucas?" Yep - that inconvenient flaw **debunks every fairytale religion** out there including the oldest religion of them all - paganism - so why is witchcraft still practised outside of **Hogwarts** today? I may also share the latest peer reviewed empirical evidence surrounding **paranormal** and **consciousness** phenomena. **=== POTENTIAL CONVERSATION STARTERS ===** 1. Does consciousness survive death or is Cambridge Astrophysics Professor Brian Cox right in asserting if **ghosts** existed then particle accelerators at CERN would have already detected ghost molecules making Ouija boards kids play? Are Poltergiests 100% hoax? Brain scans indicate thalamocortical circuits in our brain (pathways in the parietal cortex & central lateral thalamus) drive **consciousness -** so how can spirit/mind live on after **brain death**? 2. Is **synchronicity/coincidence** simply randomness disguised in the eye of the beholder or can what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance" (quantum entanglement) explain it? Molecular Biologists have shown that just like plants - our cells give off resonant frequencies between 10 & 180 kilohertz - could this be a source of non-verbal communication like telepathy? 3. Given **neuroscience**'s infancy with much yet undiscovered - could mediation help access functions outside of our BAU alpha & beta brain wave states? Can **Kundalini yoga** boost **DMT** (dimethyltryptamine) naturally vs drugs like ayahuasca, mushrooms, LSDand if so by what mechanism? Do the artifically created neural signatures using magnetic stimulation observed during mystical experiences debunk them? Is the Maharishi Effect real? 4. Are clairvoyants and mediums just good people readers or are they really able to access time and space in non-linear ways? Is Tyler Henry the real deal or just faking it? Was **Abraham Lincolm** precognizant when he dreamt his own fatal assignation? 5. The laws of statistical probability, Drake Equation & common sense tells us there is other non-microbial life out there. So what explains the Fermi Paradox? Was that 1976 WOW signal aliens? How about the recent strange bahaviour of Boyajian's star or Oumuamua/Atlas interstella object that has just entered our solar system? 6. Could metaverse explain deja vu & reincarnation vs theories from the **psychology** literature (Mandela Effect?) or do we just live in a **simulation** as **Elon Musk** proposes? 7. **Stephen Hawking** once said: "The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities" If matter only manifests when observed as the double slit experiments shows, does that mean everything is consciousness? Does the discovery of *quantum superposition /* disappearing neutrons imply **parallel universes**? 8. Do NDEs suggest something beyond physicality? Were Steve Jobs final words "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow" before he died (New York Times) visions of an afterlife or just neurochemical changes / drugs playing tricks? 9. Can photons omitted by our bodies explain auras that people see? 10. Could limits in our understanding of quantum physics, space and time explain paranormal experiences? 11. What existed before the **big bang** \- how do you get something from "nothing"? I believe our reality is the product of a black hole\. What you reckon? ***So how do we get to the "truth"?*** Both in my journalism days and applying the most advanced empirical research techniques in my client consulting work - it becomes clear the truth is often elusive. No matter how much we triangulate evidence - we can only provide part answers. "All models are wrong, but some are useful" George Box What we think we know and reality diverge leading to that great **paradox of knowledge.** And as the boundary between knowns and unknown converge, we end up with cognitive dissonance and more questions. In that spirit - every credible philosopher & scientist acknowledges - we'll never get to the complete truth but could **experimental methods** get us closer to it? A balanced approach guided by Immanuel Kant's pragmatism and Aristotle's deductive reasoning seems the most rationale framework here but are there any other methodologies? How about the **"spirituality"** toolkit? **=== RENDEZVOUS POINT ===** We will meet in the Penderel's Oak. *283–288 High Holborn, Holborn WC1V 7HP* zone 1 central london so very easy to get to. I'll be wearing a **Starwars identifier** and will share mobile hotline just before event start and table number/location Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answers

Pay attention! We’re delaying a week for those of you who may be on Spring break and/or celebrating the holiday. Ok, no pancakes, but waffles-a-plenty. Join the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. Look for us upstairs!

Topic to be announced! **CALL FOR SPEAKERS** Learn more: https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/ **THANK YOU** *Leading EDJE* for hosting our meetup! Leading EDJE specializes in helping organizations innovate and solve complex problems. EDJE does this with their "A" player team of professionals using agile methodologies and SCRUM management techniques to give organizations a competitive advantage that sets them apart. Learn more at https://www.leadingedje.com/ **THANK YOU** *Amazon Web Services* for sponsoring pizza! Learn more at https://aws.amazon.com/. **DIRECTIONS** 6515 Longshore Loop, Suite 300 Dublin, OH 43017 (3rd floor) **FREE PARKING** at the Endres Garage across the street, 6540 Riverside Dr, Dublin, OH **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab for a future meetup?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

Make sure to RSVP on the Cental Ohio Azure event! The global Azure community is coming together again, and Columbus is officially on the map. View the session lineup and speakers at [Global Azure Columbus 2026](https://coazure.github.io/cbus-global-azure-2026/) On **Saturday, April 18, 2026**, the Azure Columbus Meetup, DevOps Meetup, and Code and Coffee Meetup are hosting our local edition of Global Azure 2026. This is a free, community-driven event packed with learning, networking, and all things Microsoft Azure. Whether you’re building modern cloud-native apps, experimenting with AI agents, deploying containers, automating infrastructure, or just beginning your Azure journey, this event is for you! **What to Expect** * Engaging technical sessions * Real-world Azure architecture & cloud-native patterns * AI, agents, automation, and modern DevOps * Food and drinks (because learning burns calories) * Time to connect with fellow engineers, architects, and cloud enthusiasts **Who Should Attend?** * Software engineers (any language, any stack) * Cloud architects * DevOps engineers * Data professionals * AI explorers * Platform builders * Anyone who loves solving hard problems with great tools If you build, deploy, automate, scale, monitor, or optimize in Azure, you’ll feel right at home. **Why Global Azure?** Global Azure is a worldwide community event where Azure user groups host learning sessions on the same day across the globe. It’s grassroots. It’s technical. It’s practical. And it’s powered by people who genuinely love sharing what they’ve learned. And yes, it’s free to attend!

2026 CSC SOFTBALL TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS CSC Softball league is 16 teams - over 200 people. The countdown is over—the 2026 CSC Softball season kicks off with team announcements FRIDAY APRIL 10! Come find out who you’re playing with, who’s coaching, and start the season with great people and great energy. All Columbus Ski Club members & non members welcome! Meet your coach Meet your teammates Get pumped for the season ahead Whether you’re playing this season or just want to be part of the fun, join us to celebrate the start of another amazing CSC Softball year. Let’s play ball!

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

The global Azure community is coming together again, and Columbus is officially on the map. View the session lineup and speakers at [Global Azure Columbus 2026](https://coazure.github.io/cbus-global-azure-2026/) On **Saturday, April 18, 2026**, the Azure Columbus Meetup, DevOps Meetup, and Code and Coffee Meetup are hosting our local edition of Global Azure 2026. This is a free, community-driven event packed with learning, networking, and all things Microsoft Azure. Whether you’re building modern cloud-native apps, experimenting with AI agents, deploying containers, automating infrastructure, or just beginning your Azure journey, this event is for you! **What to Expect** * Engaging technical sessions * Real-world Azure architecture & cloud-native patterns * AI, agents, automation, and modern DevOps * Food and drinks (because learning burns calories) * Time to connect with fellow engineers, architects, and cloud enthusiasts **Who Should Attend?** * Software engineers (any language, any stack) * Cloud architects * DevOps engineers * Data professionals * AI explorers * Platform builders * Anyone who loves solving hard problems with great tools If you build, deploy, automate, scale, monitor, or optimize in Azure, you’ll feel right at home. **Why Global Azure?** Global Azure is a worldwide community event where Azure user groups host learning sessions on the same day across the globe. It’s grassroots. It’s technical. It’s practical. And it’s powered by people who genuinely love sharing what they’ve learned. And yes, it’s free to attend!

Central Ohio Radio Enthusiasts—CORE—is an informal community for anyone enthusiastic or curious about radio—whether you're new to radio and want to learn or you've been tinkering for years and want to share. Ham radio operators, GMRS users, Meshtastic fans, software-defined radio nerds, makers, and technical and non-technical folks are all welcome. No experience required or expected. This month we have **WiFi HaLow: Introduction and Practical Use** with **Alex Barbur**. Details are are [core.radio](https://core.radio).