YTSL
@ytsl.bsky.social
I really f**king love Hong Kong, and Funassyi!
Bluesky user #55,617 -- joined in May 2023! -- but am also "over there" too. Yes, I'm still straddling between Twitter and here (because there still are not enough Hongkongers and Funassyi fans here!).
Bluesky user #55,617 -- joined in May 2023! -- but am also "over there" too. Yes, I'm still straddling between Twitter and here (because there still are not enough Hongkongers and Funassyi fans here!).
Pinned
YTSL
@ytsl.bsky.social
· Sep 20
Have decided to post daily re Hong Kong heroes & heroines. 1st up: Chow Hang-tung. Activist, barrister, former vice-chairman of the HK Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China that organised Hong Kong's (once) annual June 4th candlelight vigils, and current political prisoner.
Reposted by YTSL
There were rumors that a Filipino domestic helper was found dead in the fire while still holding the family's baby in her arms protecting him. News have reported that she actually survived, but currently in the ICU in critical condition
Her name is Rhodora Alcaraz. Hope she pulls thru 🙏
Her name is Rhodora Alcaraz. Hope she pulls thru 🙏
November 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
There were rumors that a Filipino domestic helper was found dead in the fire while still holding the family's baby in her arms protecting him. News have reported that she actually survived, but currently in the ICU in critical condition
Her name is Rhodora Alcaraz. Hope she pulls thru 🙏
Her name is Rhodora Alcaraz. Hope she pulls thru 🙏
No editing, NOT AI, and so good!
Honestly it is not often that I feel I get a half decent photo of a swift in flight. But I'm happy with how this Cook's Swift came out. No editing, so obviously I could sharpen it up a lot. Seen today in Northern Thailand.
#BirdOfTheDay #cooksswift #thailand #swift
#BirdOfTheDay #cooksswift #thailand #swift
November 28, 2025 at 3:12 PM
No editing, NOT AI, and so good!
Yes, THAT Xi.
After speaking on #China, good reminder "Xi’s father was 1st purged, then jailed, his family humiliated. (A) sisters died, possibly (by) suicide.By the time he was 13, Xi’s formal schooling ended as classes across Beijing were suspended so students could criticise, beat, even murder their teachers"
November 28, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Yes, THAT Xi.
There may be fewer cops on the streets than usual but there were THREE going around trying to intimidate the staff and customers of a yellow (Hong Kong pro-democracy) DESSERT SHOP* located inside a mall earlier this evening.
*I'm NOT kidding. BTW, FreeHcake's souffles and ice creams are yummy!
*I'm NOT kidding. BTW, FreeHcake's souffles and ice creams are yummy!
November 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
There may be fewer cops on the streets than usual but there were THREE going around trying to intimidate the staff and customers of a yellow (Hong Kong pro-democracy) DESSERT SHOP* located inside a mall earlier this evening.
*I'm NOT kidding. BTW, FreeHcake's souffles and ice creams are yummy!
*I'm NOT kidding. BTW, FreeHcake's souffles and ice creams are yummy!
Reposted by YTSL
When people from Hong Kong / who are familiar with Hong Kong tell you it is not the bamboo but the corrupted system is responsible, listen. Don't shut your ear because "it is difficult to understand" or it is different from your reasoning. 2/
November 28, 2025 at 11:50 AM
When people from Hong Kong / who are familiar with Hong Kong tell you it is not the bamboo but the corrupted system is responsible, listen. Don't shut your ear because "it is difficult to understand" or it is different from your reasoning. 2/
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you have seen in the wild
Wildebeests
Elephants
Zebras
Lions
Wild boar
Wildebeests
Elephants
Zebras
Lions
Wild boar
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you have seen in the wild
Buffalo
Bear
Moose
Rattlesnake
Eagle
Buffalo
Bear
Moose
Rattlesnake
Eagle
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you have seen in the wild
Buffalo
Marine Iguana
Black Bear
Elk
Blue Footed Booby
Buffalo
Marine Iguana
Black Bear
Elk
Blue Footed Booby
November 28, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you have seen in the wild
Wildebeests
Elephants
Zebras
Lions
Wild boar
Wildebeests
Elephants
Zebras
Lions
Wild boar
Depressing.
(At the same time, I'm sorry but I feel a need to point out that: yes, those white specks are egrets. Tai Po is home to A LOT of egrets as well as humans.)
(At the same time, I'm sorry but I feel a need to point out that: yes, those white specks are egrets. Tai Po is home to A LOT of egrets as well as humans.)
From the waterfront path - my normal bike ride, and lots of other people's too.
#HongKong
#HongKong
November 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Depressing.
(At the same time, I'm sorry but I feel a need to point out that: yes, those white specks are egrets. Tai Po is home to A LOT of egrets as well as humans.)
(At the same time, I'm sorry but I feel a need to point out that: yes, those white specks are egrets. Tai Po is home to A LOT of egrets as well as humans.)
As people have observed time and time again, the Hong Kong government doesn't need anyone inciting hatred against them as they do it so well themselves.
Communities > GovHK
That they’re late as usual, clueless, and not welcome really pisses them off.
That they’re late as usual, clueless, and not welcome really pisses them off.
November 28, 2025 at 2:44 PM
As people have observed time and time again, the Hong Kong government doesn't need anyone inciting hatred against them as they do it so well themselves.
The government "care" teams want the credit. Also, they don't want the spirit -- and community muscle memory -- of 2019 re-emerging.
November 28, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The government "care" teams want the credit. Also, they don't want the spirit -- and community muscle memory -- of 2019 re-emerging.
Reposted by YTSL
It ain't the bamboo that burned. The plastic straps tieing it together melted. The green mesh went up like a torch. And check the windows. The unburned building still has the styrofoam in the windows. The burned ones has the styro go up in flames like styro!
While bamboo scaffolding is considered a treasured Hong Kong tradition, it’s recently drawn scrutiny for being combustible and prone to deterioration over time.
Hong Kong’s bamboo scaffolding, a centuries-old technique, comes under scrutiny after city’s deadliest fire in years | CNN
The Hong Kong residential towers engulfed by smoke and flames on Wednesday were surrounded by an ancient construction material familiar to anyone who’s spent time in the one of the world’s most densel...
www.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:16 PM
It ain't the bamboo that burned. The plastic straps tieing it together melted. The green mesh went up like a torch. And check the windows. The unburned building still has the styrofoam in the windows. The burned ones has the styro go up in flames like styro!
Reposted by YTSL
Painting of Tai Po's Tolo Harbor from last time I was back. With all my heart I wish for peace and justice to the victims of the fire. My hometown and my people ❤️
November 27, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Painting of Tai Po's Tolo Harbor from last time I was back. With all my heart I wish for peace and justice to the victims of the fire. My hometown and my people ❤️
And then there's Funassyi. Sometimes, it'll announce in advance that a certain percentage of proceeds from an event (e.g., its recent sword exhibition at the Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum) will go to charity. Other times, it announces this afterwards (e.g., its 2015 concert at the Budokan)!
November 28, 2025 at 8:48 AM
And then there's Funassyi. Sometimes, it'll announce in advance that a certain percentage of proceeds from an event (e.g., its recent sword exhibition at the Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum) will go to charity. Other times, it announces this afterwards (e.g., its 2015 concert at the Budokan)!
EXACTLY what a friend remarked to me last night on the bus home.
"Starting tonight, the Government will provide an emergency cash subsidy of HK$10,000 to each affected household to offer immediate relief."
10, 000 HKD (1,285.45 USD) feels like such a slap in the face for those who lost loved ones and watched their entire lives destroyed by the fire
10, 000 HKD (1,285.45 USD) feels like such a slap in the face for those who lost loved ones and watched their entire lives destroyed by the fire
Government undertakes comprehensive follow-up on Tai Po fire (with photos/video)
www.info.gov.hk
November 28, 2025 at 8:39 AM
EXACTLY what a friend remarked to me last night on the bus home.
I honestly want to cry when I read that line.
(IYK,YK -- and Hongkongers KNOW)
😭😭😭😭😭
(IYK,YK -- and Hongkongers KNOW)
😭😭😭😭😭
The bamboo that is fated to be eaten by the panda
And yet
And yet
November 28, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I honestly want to cry when I read that line.
(IYK,YK -- and Hongkongers KNOW)
😭😭😭😭😭
(IYK,YK -- and Hongkongers KNOW)
😭😭😭😭😭
BTW, note that Taiwan political news *always* appears in the SCMP's "China" section.
The SCMP tells us President Lai is "accused" by "critics". In case you wonder, this means "accused mostly by the Kuomintang" (while the the piece covers the KMT's reaction in great lengths, it rightly notes the TPP's criticism has been much less stringent, and briefly quotes the DPP at the end).
Taiwan’s William Lai accused of stoking fear with 2027 countdown confusion
Critics question where the money will come from to finance Lai’s plans for a massive increase in military spending.
sc.mp
November 28, 2025 at 8:33 AM
BTW, note that Taiwan political news *always* appears in the SCMP's "China" section.
Reposted by YTSL
The members of Grenfell United are survivors & bereaved families from the Grenfell Tower fire. They’ve come together to demand justice & change in memory of 72 of their families & neighbours who died. They’re fighting for everyone to be safe in their homes. #UK #HongKong
grenfellunited.org.uk
grenfellunited.org.uk
November 28, 2025 at 1:56 AM
The members of Grenfell United are survivors & bereaved families from the Grenfell Tower fire. They’ve come together to demand justice & change in memory of 72 of their families & neighbours who died. They’re fighting for everyone to be safe in their homes. #UK #HongKong
grenfellunited.org.uk
grenfellunited.org.uk
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen
Leslie Cheung
Anita Mui
Faye Wong
Sally Yeh
Tsai Chin
Leslie Cheung
Anita Mui
Faye Wong
Sally Yeh
Tsai Chin
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen
Miriam Makeba
REM
The Pogues
Femi Kuti
Lou Reed
Miriam Makeba
REM
The Pogues
Femi Kuti
Lou Reed
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen
Mariah Carey
Michael Jackson with the Jackson 5
Madonna
Taylor Swift
Darren Hayes
Mariah Carey
Michael Jackson with the Jackson 5
Madonna
Taylor Swift
Darren Hayes
November 28, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen
Leslie Cheung
Anita Mui
Faye Wong
Sally Yeh
Tsai Chin
Leslie Cheung
Anita Mui
Faye Wong
Sally Yeh
Tsai Chin
The trend maybe decreasing but goodness me re the coughing, sneezing and sniffling still often around me when I'm on public transport, etc.! 🙄👀
Hong Kong 🇭🇰 Covid/Flu update, week ending Nov 22 2025
⚠️ Week 12 of summer flu season
- Trend: Decreasing
- Hospital admission rates for influenza: >0.30 per 10K population (decreasing)
- Influenza Sewage surveillance: 1.33 per 1000 PMMoV ↓<1% (see thread below)
• Covid levels virtually zero
⚠️ Week 12 of summer flu season
- Trend: Decreasing
- Hospital admission rates for influenza: >0.30 per 10K population (decreasing)
- Influenza Sewage surveillance: 1.33 per 1000 PMMoV ↓<1% (see thread below)
• Covid levels virtually zero
November 28, 2025 at 8:23 AM
The trend maybe decreasing but goodness me re the coughing, sneezing and sniffling still often around me when I'm on public transport, etc.! 🙄👀
Lesson #2019 about how you may not be interested in politics but politics impacts you nonetheless.
A handful of large construction fires in the last 2 yrs (which happened very rarely before) and the recent bottled water scandal, curiously all happened after opposition parties were decimated and entirely driven out of Legco and District Council.
An opposition party questioned the project before
An opposition party questioned the project before
November 28, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Lesson #2019 about how you may not be interested in politics but politics impacts you nonetheless.
1/ I was in the US when 9/11 happened. In the days, weeks and months after, fire alarms'd go off in the middle of the night in the building I lived in, thanks to pranksters as well as paranoid folks. We'd have to evacuate the building. This made me not want to live on a high floor of a building.
November 28, 2025 at 8:18 AM
1/ I was in the US when 9/11 happened. In the days, weeks and months after, fire alarms'd go off in the middle of the night in the building I lived in, thanks to pranksters as well as paranoid folks. We'd have to evacuate the building. This made me not want to live on a high floor of a building.
The man is a hero. He not only survived the deadly blaze but he helped two other residents do so.
And what a way to end his account: "Though times are tough, our spirit is tougher. Let’s heal and rebuild together."😭
And what a way to end his account: "Though times are tough, our spirit is tougher. Let’s heal and rebuild together."😭
A must-read account of a Wang Fuk Court resident who escaped the deadly blaze: hongkongfp.com/2025/11/28/i...
November 28, 2025 at 8:02 AM
The man is a hero. He not only survived the deadly blaze but he helped two other residents do so.
And what a way to end his account: "Though times are tough, our spirit is tougher. Let’s heal and rebuild together."😭
And what a way to end his account: "Though times are tough, our spirit is tougher. Let’s heal and rebuild together."😭
I love Hirokazu Kore-eda's "After Life" (Japan, 1998). But, then, I have liked/loved pretty much every one of the director's films that I've seen.
(BTW, I'd rank this one up there with "Our Little Sister" (2015), "Life Father, Like Son" (2013) and "I Wish" (2011).)
(BTW, I'd rank this one up there with "Our Little Sister" (2015), "Life Father, Like Son" (2013) and "I Wish" (2011).)
Share a 90s movie you think deserves more love
One of the greatest films ever made that's barely known
One of the greatest films ever made that's barely known
November 28, 2025 at 7:46 AM
I love Hirokazu Kore-eda's "After Life" (Japan, 1998). But, then, I have liked/loved pretty much every one of the director's films that I've seen.
(BTW, I'd rank this one up there with "Our Little Sister" (2015), "Life Father, Like Son" (2013) and "I Wish" (2011).)
(BTW, I'd rank this one up there with "Our Little Sister" (2015), "Life Father, Like Son" (2013) and "I Wish" (2011).)
I wonder if it's entirely coincidental that I noticed fewer cops on the streets today than previous days. Guess they now have other things to investigate, other people to intimidate and harass...
One huge problem with HK in the "new era", is that it focuses massive resources on finding & punishing things like standing near a protest while wearing black, throwing a pair of sunglasses etc., giving years in jail for such things, while issuing only empty warnings for life-endangering practices.
November 27, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I wonder if it's entirely coincidental that I noticed fewer cops on the streets today than previous days. Guess they now have other things to investigate, other people to intimidate and harass...
Reposted by YTSL
Pro-democracy parties existed to be thorns in the government’s side — true enough. But the official story, that they “politicised” everything while the establishment camp championed livelihood issues, does not match the reality.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
November 27, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Pro-democracy parties existed to be thorns in the government’s side — true enough. But the official story, that they “politicised” everything while the establishment camp championed livelihood issues, does not match the reality.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
Reposted by YTSL
The reality:
Japanese expats in China are facing discrimination, violence - up to brutal killings throughout the last time.
And now the CCP comes, and tells you lies turning reality *exactly* upside down.
Signature move by them. And I'm so sick of it.
Japanese expats in China are facing discrimination, violence - up to brutal killings throughout the last time.
And now the CCP comes, and tells you lies turning reality *exactly* upside down.
Signature move by them. And I'm so sick of it.
Chinese embassy warns against Japan travel citing [unproven] ‘significant’ surge in assaults as ties spiral – SCMP
China warns against Japan travel citing ‘significant’ surge in assaults
Embassy security alert instructs travellers to put plans on hold as diplomatic crisis worsens.
www.scmp.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:04 AM
The reality:
Japanese expats in China are facing discrimination, violence - up to brutal killings throughout the last time.
And now the CCP comes, and tells you lies turning reality *exactly* upside down.
Signature move by them. And I'm so sick of it.
Japanese expats in China are facing discrimination, violence - up to brutal killings throughout the last time.
And now the CCP comes, and tells you lies turning reality *exactly* upside down.
Signature move by them. And I'm so sick of it.