(中文在下面, switching it up, partly cos my translation is bad lol) Last year I visited this beautiful 1930's mansion in central Taiwan. I love the blend of eastern and western design and the simple modernism. I was surprised to see almost all the original windows and beds were there. I had begun to see posts suggesting the mansion may be demolished so decided to get down there quickly. I will likely turn it into a drawing along with two other large 1930's buildings nearby. It'd be hard to do that without a visit! At the moment it seems it's a provisional monument. However with what happened to Tianwaitian Theater that is no guarantee of protection. I'm a little torn over whether to give location. On the one hand I want people to know about this place and see why it should be protected, and perhaps write about it to the Taichung gov. On the other hand a huge influx of people could cause a number of problems. I think I will leave the location off until I know the cultural bureaus' decision. For now enjoy the pictures!

(對不起翻譯有錯, 我很快寫過了) 去年我在台灣中部這座漂亮的房子去看看. 差不多1935年蓋了. 我在臉書看到這個房子也許會破壞, 所以我快快去. 在未來我想畫這個房子跟其他很近老建築. 我很驚訝地看到原來的窗戶和床. 以前我告訴大家這是在哪裡, 我要等待文化局的決定, 對不起 (there are pros and cons to giving location but for now I think it's not responsible). 覺得也許好多人去, 就有問題. (一個外國人可以自己找到, 覺得台灣人也可能哈哈). 希望不會天外天劇場一樣. 現在請.

【香港大學學生會無懼國安法聲明｜Statement that the Hong Kong University Students’ Union fears not of the National Security Law】

(Please scroll for English version)

《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區維護國家安全法》（下稱國安法）於六月三十日晚上十一時生效，同日公佈實際條文。七月一日，首次有抗爭者因高舉旗幟被捕。自政權明目張膽地打壓「光復香港，時代革命」、「香港獨立，唯一出路」兩句口號起，言論自由蕩然無存，青山綠水不再依舊，昔日美好的香港不復存在。

香港大學應為香港而立。如今香港禮崩樂壞，我校亦未能倖免。國安法中文版本指名「加強監督和管理學校」，七月五日更於英文版本加插「大學（University）」一字。校方隨即剷除連儂牆上的字句，屈服於強權之下。香港大學百年基業有賴院校自主、學術自由，國安法卻將之毀於一旦。

「世界有陰影，但亮光在對比下顯得更強。」香港人綻放了令人驚心動魄的亮光，這股光芒帶給我們希望，而他將永久照耀這片土地。縱使前路一片漆黑，我們定必團結抵抗邪惡。

我等在此呼籲各位切勿自我審查，屈服於政權的白色恐怖之下。香港大學學生會勢必與香港人同行，守護屬於我們的香港，共同迎來香港的黎明。

香港大學學生會
二零二零年七月八日

“The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” (National Security Law) took effect at 11:00 p.m. June 30. Actual provisions of the law were published on the same day. The first arrest was made in holding flags on July 1. Ever since the regime blatantly suppressed the slogans of “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Time” and “Hong Kong Independence is the Only Way Out”, freedom of expression has been quashed. Everything has changed. The good old Hong Kong no longer exists.

The University of Hong Kong is to be for Hong Kong. Now that Hong Kong was devastated, our institute is certainly no exception. The Chinese version of the National Security Law specifies strengthening “supervision and regulation of schools”. The word “universities” was even inserted into the English version on July 5. Subsequently, the University demolished words on the Lennon wall, submitting to tyranny. Institutional autonomy and academic freedom had been the foundation of achievements of the University of Hong Kong for more than a century. The National Security Law, however, dealt a blow to such.

There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast. Hongkongers has shined out bright and brought hope to the city. Such lights shall last forever. Albeit darkness ahead, we shall fight against malignancy.

Do not yield and bow to white terror of the regime by self-censorship. The Hong Kong University Students’ Union shall walk alongside Hongkongers to safeguard our Hong Kong until the dawn comes.

The Hong Kong University Students’ Union
July 8, 2020

圖片下面有一點中文. 對不起,我剛剛沒有時間翻議那麼多.

I found Google Streetview's time travel feature. Taipei has been through many changes, even in the short time the images go back. Some were good, many I'd say were not. I tried for some balance in the pictures. A lot of historic places and communities, with character and life, have been demolished. And I know this process is being repeated in all cities around the island.

Part of the reason I chose to move to Taipei is that it looked like it still had a lot of interesting neighborhoods. Many large cities in the region either don't, or they're cleaned-up like museums. Five years later a lot is left here, but a huge amount has gone and the city is less interesting.

I don't understand why fake old buildings are being built in one part of the city, while genuine historic places are being destroyed in other parts. And why are restorations often so overdone? They make a place look brand new, totally erasing any character. Progress is important, but there must be a better way to shape the city. Is Taipei just going to become a big dull expanse of marble and glass, with a few museum 'show-homes' thrown in?