Friendship for the Lonely

***Please fill registration [form](https://forms.office.com/r/y5UgWSbP8P) before 10th Februray, 5:30 PM If you are going to attend in person*** **.NET Aspire is Microsoft’s opinionated toolkit for building, composing, and running modern distributed applications with a strong focus on local development and observability.** In this session, we’ll explore how Aspire can be used as the backbone of a modern application by building and evolving a distributed system live. The talk will be almost entirely demo-driven, using the terminal and VS Code, with minimal slides and no traditional PowerPoint, focusing on how Aspire works in practice rather than theory. **What to expect** * 🎤 Demos about Aspire * 💬 Plenty of time for Q&A and open discussion * 🤝 Casual networking with developers of all levels * 🍕 Snacks & drinks provided (while they last!) ***Note: Please fill registration [form](https://forms.office.com/r/y5UgWSbP8P) before 10th Februray, 5:30 PM If you are going to attend in person*** **Schedule** * 17:30 - 18:00 - pizza and networking * 18:00 - 19:00 - talk * 19:00 - 19:30 - wrap up **Sponsors** * [Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/) \- Venue * [Arinco](https://arinco.com.au/) \- Food and drinks ***Note: Please fill registration [form](https://forms.office.com/r/y5UgWSbP8P) before 10th Februray, 5:30 PM If you are going to attend in person***

Join us for a special Friday the 13th themed speed dating event catered to singles over 21 looking to mingle and make meaningful connections. Our Gothic-inspired venue sets the mood for a night of fun and excitement, giving you the chance to meet like-minded individuals in a relaxed and casual setting. Whether you're new to the dating scene or getting back out there after some time off, this event is perfect for anyone looking to meet new people and potentially find that special someone. Mixing elements of speed dating with a game night twist, this event promises to be a memorable and entertaining experience for all attendees. Enjoy Goth music playing in the background as you engage in quick and engaging conversations with other singles. Whether you're interested in seeking a new romance or simply expanding your social circle, this Speed Dating Night offers a unique opportunity to connect with others in a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. Don't miss out on a chance to get lucky this Friday the 13th!

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!

This is an in-person meeting. Did you know that unwanted emotions like loneliness, sadness, hopelessness, anger, fear, anxiety, or feelings of irritation don’t just fall on you for no reason. They are not random occurrences that simply happen to people's minds. They are definitely not chemical imbalance in your brain due to some nebulous chemical reactions by chance. Your negative emotions are the symptoms of the painful experiences that you have which are not healed, and which are still affecting you. The effects of these painful experiences are exacerbated by the pressures or difficulties of the other problems in your life. For instance, let's say you are already carrying a huge load on your back, then you cannot take on much more, but, let's say something else happens to you, such as the difficulties from the Pandemic, then the resultant combined weight on you can take you over the edge, kind of like the straw that break the camel's back. When this happens, people's attention usually goes to the straw that was added, but actually the majority of the weight had come from the huge load that were already there, holding a person down and causing a person issues. So how do you remove the huge load that was already there? How do you lighten them up? Is it possible to get rid of them? That is what this meeting will be all about. 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. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Attend a free seminar on how to have successful and lasting relationships. At this seminar you will learn: How to spot and handle negative and toxic relationships. How to get through the "rough patches" in a relationship. How to choose the right people to work with. The three things that make or break any relationship. How to make a good relationship great. All are welcome. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. Hosted by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Join us for a vibrant gathering that honors the heart and hustle of local entrepreneurs. It Takes a Village is more than an event it’s a movement to uplift and spotlight small business owners who pour passion into their craft and creativity into our community. From authors and bakers to jewelry makers, t-shirt designers, candle crafters, and beyond. This is your chance to meet the makers, support their work and celebrate the spirit of collaboration. **_Expect_** * Local vendors showcasing handmade goods * Live demos and storytelling from featured creators * Food, music, and community vibes * Opportunities to shop, connect and be inspired * Celebrate the power of small businesses and we all rise

Meeting Room 3B, Main Library Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen). Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. This first gathering is a simple introduction to the spirit of the group and a chance to meet others seeking deeper meaning and community. All backgrounds are welcome.