Daisann
@daisann.bsky.social
All things Hong Kong (proud Islander🌴)with a side of Brooklyn.
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Daisann
@daisann.bsky.social
· Nov 9
But what, you might ask, are the happy things that have happened to you this week? I give you exhibits A and B. I was hiking last Sunday through one of those semi-abandoned HK villages and I spotted these stuffed into a basket of trash
There's a particular joy I'm finding now, gathering in NYC with groups of my age cohort. We remember what the city was like when you could live on a song and art was everywhere. We remember the clubs we danced at, the drugs we shared, the crazy characters who became famous and the ones that didn't.
January 2, 2026 at 3:12 PM
There's a particular joy I'm finding now, gathering in NYC with groups of my age cohort. We remember what the city was like when you could live on a song and art was everywhere. We remember the clubs we danced at, the drugs we shared, the crazy characters who became famous and the ones that didn't.
I am walking on Lugard Rd with an American expat friend when we walk smack into Tony Leung and Carina Lau on the empty path. I try to be cool and move on, but my pal is taken by their cute dog and goes over to coo and chat having NO IDEA who this couple is. I managed to keep a poker face but
Please quote this from the time you didn't interact with someone famous.
April 1997. Late morning in downtown San Francisco, approaching Union Square along Geary Street, & saw a man with two young kids.
As I got closer I recognised George Lucas, who was headed to a Borders.
Should I?
I chose not.
April 1997. Late morning in downtown San Francisco, approaching Union Square along Geary Street, & saw a man with two young kids.
As I got closer I recognised George Lucas, who was headed to a Borders.
Should I?
I chose not.
Please quote this from the time you didn't interact with someone famous.
I was in the same room as Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia. She was there in the role of supportive friend to someone whose film was being shown (in somebody's living room). So the rest of us all tried to act cool and ignore her.🙃
I was in the same room as Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia. She was there in the role of supportive friend to someone whose film was being shown (in somebody's living room). So the rest of us all tried to act cool and ignore her.🙃
December 31, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I am walking on Lugard Rd with an American expat friend when we walk smack into Tony Leung and Carina Lau on the empty path. I try to be cool and move on, but my pal is taken by their cute dog and goes over to coo and chat having NO IDEA who this couple is. I managed to keep a poker face but
That HK winter light 💕
December 22, 2025 at 4:22 PM
That HK winter light 💕
The WSJ has been probably the most vocal and consistent defender of Jimmy Lai and press freedom in HK. Yet they're now smearing a local reporter they let go because she refused to resign as the head of the Hong Kong Journalists Association-the front line organization defending press freedom in HK.
Hong Kong journalist Selina Cheng has denied that financial compensation is the primary reason for suing The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), saying she wants to hold her former employer accountable. In full: buff.ly/LA6sERd
HK press union chief denies money was 'primary motivation' in WSJ lawsuit
Hong Kong journalist Selina Cheng has denied that financial compensation is the primary reason for suing The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), saying she wants to hold her former employer accountable.
buff.ly
December 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The WSJ has been probably the most vocal and consistent defender of Jimmy Lai and press freedom in HK. Yet they're now smearing a local reporter they let go because she refused to resign as the head of the Hong Kong Journalists Association-the front line organization defending press freedom in HK.
During COVID in Hong Kong I hoarded vegetable and bone scraps in plastic freezer bags, terrified that our airfreight-dependent food supply would conk out, or that I'd be suddenly forced to quarantine at home by random gov't diktat. Now I just do it anyway because, well, broth.
The food writer Tamar Adler espouses a use-everything approach in the kitchen, imbuing simple ingredients with a heady materialism. Lily Meyer talks with her about her new book, “Feast on Your Life,” and her philosophy of scraps:
The Philosopher of Scraps
Tamar Adler’s food writing imbues simple ingredients with a heady materialism.
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 2:27 AM
During COVID in Hong Kong I hoarded vegetable and bone scraps in plastic freezer bags, terrified that our airfreight-dependent food supply would conk out, or that I'd be suddenly forced to quarantine at home by random gov't diktat. Now I just do it anyway because, well, broth.
U.S. Plans to Scrutinize Foreign Tourists’ Social Media History
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Reposted by Daisann
42.0% of Hong Kong's total prison population have not been convicted of a crime — a new record high, according to Webb-site.com.
Breaking: remand prisoners in HK reach new record high
Only 54.5% of HK prisoners are convicted
webbhk.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:51 AM
42.0% of Hong Kong's total prison population have not been convicted of a crime — a new record high, according to Webb-site.com.
Reposted by Daisann
From @jamespomfret.bsky.social, the backstory behind Mr Wong in the photo that went viral
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
The photo that became a symbol for Hong Kong's deadly fire
Hong Kong’s worst fire in decades shattered Wong’s life: a walk to school became a desperate search as his wife vanished in the deadly blaze.
www.reuters.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:47 AM
From @jamespomfret.bsky.social, the backstory behind Mr Wong in the photo that went viral
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
Both heartbreaking and hopeful
𝐍𝐄𝐖 @asiancha.bsky.social 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄—Stuart Lau reflects on the Wang Fuk Court fire through Barthes’s notion that truth resides beyond the visible. Survivors’ anguished looks, the quiet disdain of volunteers, and students’ hand-drawn “Heaven has eyes” sign...
⧉ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: chajournal.blog/2025/12/02/t...
⧉ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: chajournal.blog/2025/12/02/t...
December 2, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Both heartbreaking and hopeful
Americans see buildings in flames and think “tragic”. But what they should also be thinking is: this is the inevitable outcome of an authoritarian-run society. Cronyism and corruption, punishment for those who dare stand up and question—these are structures that will bring infernos home to you too
November 29, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Americans see buildings in flames and think “tragic”. But what they should also be thinking is: this is the inevitable outcome of an authoritarian-run society. Cronyism and corruption, punishment for those who dare stand up and question—these are structures that will bring infernos home to you too
Reposted by Daisann
Since the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement, the government has made “national security” its overriding priority. There is a sense among some that while authorities have been chasing down any whisper of dissent, a building they knew wasn't safe burned down. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘We can’t get any answers’: grief and anger in Hong Kong after deadly high-rise fire
With the blaze extinguished but hundreds still unaccounted for, the city is grieving – with questions being raised of authorities
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Since the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement, the government has made “national security” its overriding priority. There is a sense among some that while authorities have been chasing down any whisper of dissent, a building they knew wasn't safe burned down. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
I lived in a Hong Kong high rise for more than a decade. While I was there the building underwent renovations and had to "daap pang", build scaffolding and hang protective netting that covered the facade like a Christo. It was horrific. The green net blocks air and sunlight, and casts a 1/x
November 28, 2025 at 12:44 AM
I lived in a Hong Kong high rise for more than a decade. While I was there the building underwent renovations and had to "daap pang", build scaffolding and hang protective netting that covered the facade like a Christo. It was horrific. The green net blocks air and sunlight, and casts a 1/x
Hong Kong high rises are solid concrete. I lived in one for more than a decade. The danger is that things INSIDE the building will burn, not the the building itself. Unless it is wrapped in cheap illegal flimsy plastic netting by a supremely shady contractor. www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Exclusive | Hong Kong contractor for fire-hit Tai Po project has record of safety offences
Prestige Construction fined twice for offences in Mid-Levels project in 2023 before taking on renovation work in Tai Po, Post learns.
www.scmp.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Hong Kong high rises are solid concrete. I lived in one for more than a decade. The danger is that things INSIDE the building will burn, not the the building itself. Unless it is wrapped in cheap illegal flimsy plastic netting by a supremely shady contractor. www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
This.
Perhaps you might not realize that Beijing and now GovHK wants to end the use of bamboo because Chinese state-owned construction companies can't get a sniff into the Hong Kong market as they have no expertise.
Yes steel is inherently safer, but bamboo is very safe when built by those with expertise
Yes steel is inherently safer, but bamboo is very safe when built by those with expertise
November 27, 2025 at 3:08 PM
This.
Reposted by Daisann
Let’s start the week with style, about Hong Kong style
(🎁 Free to read!)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/s...
(🎁 Free to read!)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/s...
A Multitude of Fashion in Hong Kong
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Let’s start the week with style, about Hong Kong style
(🎁 Free to read!)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/s...
(🎁 Free to read!)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/s...
As a born and bred NYer, let me explain. Trump holds a deep lifelong resentment towards the NYC elite, who have never accepted him. Mamdani’s election terrifies this NYC elite. This makes Trump happy! It’s all about the retribution.
I really don’t understand this meeting.
this is like that scene in office space where the consultants end up loving peter
November 22, 2025 at 11:38 AM
As a born and bred NYer, let me explain. Trump holds a deep lifelong resentment towards the NYC elite, who have never accepted him. Mamdani’s election terrifies this NYC elite. This makes Trump happy! It’s all about the retribution.
Very important tip, and make sure you do it on all your different gmail accounts
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 21, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Very important tip, and make sure you do it on all your different gmail accounts
I noticed something “interesting” about the Hong Kong “patriotic” election posters this year. In the past, political posters were a lively gaggle of colors, styles, typo + graphic design. Now all the candidates’ posters look virtually identical , as if they came from a single design shop.
A 24-year old man who tore 2 LegCo election posters in Chai Wan pleaded guilty and testified that he did it purely out of mischief; the charges of criminal damage were withdrawn after he signed a 2-year “behaviour bond” of HK$2,000
thewitnesshk.com/%E8%AA%8D%E8...
thewitnesshk.com/%E8%AA%8D%E8...
認貪玩撕毀選舉海報 24歲男被控刑事損壞罪 准自簽2000元守行為兩年 - 法庭線 The Witness
24 歲男子被指今年 11 月，在柴灣撕毀兩張立法會換屆選舉海報，被控一項刑事損壞罪，案件周三（19 日）在東區裁判法院首次提堂。被告獲准自簽 2000 元、守行為兩年結案，控罪獲撤銷。案情指，有途人發現案發地點有選舉海報損毀，警方調查後拘捕被告，他在警誡下承認因貪玩犯案。
thewitnesshk.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:58 AM
I noticed something “interesting” about the Hong Kong “patriotic” election posters this year. In the past, political posters were a lively gaggle of colors, styles, typo + graphic design. Now all the candidates’ posters look virtually identical , as if they came from a single design shop.
Such a moving, rich essay on the Wilfrido Lam retrospective at MOMA by Holland Cotter. I may have to fly back to NYC for this one. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/a...
Wifredo Lam: Artist-Poet of Tropical Dreams and Sorrows
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Such a moving, rich essay on the Wilfrido Lam retrospective at MOMA by Holland Cotter. I may have to fly back to NYC for this one. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/a...
Reposted by Daisann
Mamdani's victory wasn't only a repudiation of an old and exhausted political establishment in the city, it was also a triumph over the framing power of the political press, and none more so than the New York Times, whose coverage and editorials worked relentlessly to dampen his appeal.
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Mamdani's victory wasn't only a repudiation of an old and exhausted political establishment in the city, it was also a triumph over the framing power of the political press, and none more so than the New York Times, whose coverage and editorials worked relentlessly to dampen his appeal.
Reposted by Daisann
Maybe Mamdani finally has a shot at the Schumer endorsement
November 5, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Maybe Mamdani finally has a shot at the Schumer endorsement
Yes to 🧵. None of Kathryn Bigelow’s films stands up to scrutiny imo—peel away the tension and shock and there’s no there there, because she has nothing to say. And what a misuse/ waste of Idris Elba.
Just watched "A House of Dynamite". Some thoughts:
October 29, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Yes to 🧵. None of Kathryn Bigelow’s films stands up to scrutiny imo—peel away the tension and shock and there’s no there there, because she has nothing to say. And what a misuse/ waste of Idris Elba.
Reposted by Daisann
Thank you #HongKong apnews.com/article/hong...
One of the rarest birds in the world finds a city sanctuary in Hong Kong
Yellow-crested cockatoos have found a sanctuary in Hong Kong's urban parks, but they face housing troubles similar to their human neighbors.
apnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Thank you #HongKong apnews.com/article/hong...
Reposted by Daisann
chinese tea garden, main street, decatur, illinois, 1980
October 22, 2025 at 10:36 AM
chinese tea garden, main street, decatur, illinois, 1980
As I got off the plane at transit in Seoul there was a sign saying “Welcome to Korea” with 🇰🇷on one side and 🇺🇸 on the other. I felt so ashamed. I know it’s been said before but the way in which the US is destroying every shred of people to people global goodwill is depressing and I think irreparable
September 29, 2025 at 11:01 PM
As I got off the plane at transit in Seoul there was a sign saying “Welcome to Korea” with 🇰🇷on one side and 🇺🇸 on the other. I felt so ashamed. I know it’s been said before but the way in which the US is destroying every shred of people to people global goodwill is depressing and I think irreparable