Design Fiction

Unlike the usual BYOB format of this group, this is an **assigned reading format.** **You are expected to have read some of the book** to join the discussion :) I am excited to finally read this book, its an award-winning, one of the most highly rated non fiction books across Goodreads/Amazon and for good reason! About the book: # "In vivid detail... examines the little-known history of two extraordinary dynasties."--The Boston Globe An epic, multigenerational story of two rival dynasties who flourished in Shanghai and Hong Kong as twentieth-century China surged into the modern era, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Shanghai, 1936. The Cathay Hotel, located on the city's famous waterfront, is one of the most glamorous in the world. Built by Victor Sassoon--billionaire playboy and scion of the Sassoon dynasty--the hotel hosts a who's who of global celebrities: Noel Coward has written a draft of Private Lives in his suite and Charlie Chaplin has entertained his wife-to-be. And a few miles away, Mao and the nascent Communist Party have been plotting revolution. By the 1930s, the Sassoons had been doing business in China for a century, rivaled in wealth and influence by only one other dynasty--the Kadoories. These two Jewish families, both originally from Baghdad, stood astride Chinese business and politics for more than 175 years, profiting from the Opium Wars; surviving Japanese occupation; courting Chiang Kai-shek; and losing nearly everything as the Communists swept into power. In The Last Kings of Shanghai, Jonathan Kaufman tells the remarkable history of how these families participated in an economic boom that opened China to the world, but remained blind to the country's deep inequality and to the political turmoil at their doorsteps. In a story stretching from Baghdad to Hong Kong to Shanghai to London, Kaufman enters the lives and minds of these ambitious men and women to forge a tale of opium smuggling, family rivalry, political intrigue, and survival. Note: ***location subject to change **but we'll keep it nearby. *You **must** buy something at the venue. *** First timer attendees **are requested to contribute 20HKD to fund the Meetup Group Subscription. *No-Shows make the host sad (please update your attendance)

LSS Smart Fitness 律動班系列 Wed/Sun $100/ 1-hr class ($350 /4-class) Please RSVP one week in advance Welcome to book other time slot (WhatsApp 65230389) Vibration x MFR 療癒律動 (Relax, Muscle release & Facial massage) Vibration Fitness (Stretch & Strength) 健體律動 Vibration x BellyFit 美型律動 (Body Shape-up with Bellydance Technique Drills) Vibration x Yoga 律動瑜伽 (Yoga Asana in vibration setting) https://eshop.cosway.com.hk/ One FREE trial class with any Cosway purchase receipt over HK$1000 under introducer code : HK370579B 以 HK370579B 作介紹人的 Cosway (網購或門市)購物消費，逾 HK$1000，可免費試上律動班系列一節

🎉 Sunday Fusion Dance Party 🥳 Get ready for a night of fusion-style dance and an inclusive vibe where everyone can lose themselves in the rhythm 😎😜 📍 Santa Monica Studio 9 Shelley Street, Central ✨ Pre-Party Class: 7:15 PM – 8:00 PM (Perfect for beginners!) 💃 Party: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM 🎟️ Fee: HKD 100 (includes one standard drink 🍷) Come dance, connect, and celebrate the fusion energy with us! See you soon! 💫

您上一次帶著好奇心走入哲學課堂是什麼時候？您是否在各處接觸過佛學思想的片段不明其意？兩千年前，释迦摩尼老师教授了我们看待生命獨特的方法。今日，我們誠邀您和學者面對面，從非宗教的角度一起學習佛學思想。 本次講座內容簡介： 學佛法的目標是什麼？ 妙法蓮華，微妙香潔；經中之王，照破迷關。被譽為“經中之王”的它，穿越千年依然鮮活。釋迦牟尼老師晚年宣說《法華經》，開權顯實，會三歸一。指出一切眾生皆應成佛，一切眾生皆可成佛。用七個比喻，將深奧佛法化作易懂的箴言。 其中的觀世音菩薩普門品在中國廣為流傳，講述了觀世音的願力與境界，理解了觀世音，觀世音菩薩才會有求必應。 講座將逐品解讀全經二十八品要義，以通俗語言拆解“三乘歸一”的核心思想， 用生活化案例解讀“法華七喻”的深刻內涵，結合現代語境，讀懂“開權顯實”的智慧。學習者不會困於晦澀經文，不必苦於無人指引。 哪怕是初次接觸經典，也能輕鬆入門，真正瞭解釋迦摩尼到底教了我們什麼，感受到佛法的力量。 講者： 李思涯，香港科大人文學部老師，香港科大金樂琦家企家辦研究中心訪問學者，中國古典文學專業。不同於法師的宣經布道，以學者的眼光深入經典的學理脈絡，協助讀者學習理解，帶動學習過程輕鬆愉快，提綱挈領；佛教知名法師首肯，學界學者讚許，聽眾廣泛信任。 Whatsapp 報名: 44490049 **地址：上環文咸西街44-46號903室** 更多資訊可以留意我們的 IG: Midnight_bliss_studio 或網站: https://midnightbliss-studio.com/

Sports Chanbara Regular Class (Sunday) Sports chanbara is a free-style Japanese combat sport, which originated from Kodachi Goshindo (Self-defense with a short sword). We would like to introduce this new sport to Hong Kong. Please join us and be a Samurai. Dress code: Sport Attire The session will include the following: Warm-up exercise Basic Japanese Dojo manners Sports Chanbara Basic movement (Kihon Dosa) Attaching Techniques Blocking Techniques Basic Movements of Dodging Sparring Date: Each Sunday Time: 2000-2200pm Location: 6/F, Activity Room, Tai Kok Tsui Sport Centre Fee: $600 per 4 classes Others: Attendee no need to bring/buy any helmet or gear and coach will borrow the gears for attendee use during class. For reservation, please message/call Stephen Sensei at 61762261 https://wa.me/85261762261 To find out more, please visit our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HongKongSportsChanbara Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sports_chanbara_hong_kong/

We will be meeting at Forever Lounge in Causeway Bay on Sunday, May 17th. We will begin with informal introductions, where you will have the opportunity to talk about yourself and your background, experiences and/or goals). Your host Ben will introduce a new topic (this week we will discuss different ways of lighting a scene on a zero-low budget), and finally we will wrap up by discussing any projects we are working on or would like to get started. The emphasis is always on the creative, artistic, and collaborative aspects of filmmaking. All are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Questions and opinions are always encouraged. If you have any materials (scripts, showreels, raw/edited footage, etc.) that you would like to share, please feel free to bring it along, but all you will need is enthusiasm and confidence! Forever Lounge is near Tin Hau MTR station (exit A1), at 176-178 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay 銅鑼灣銅鑼灣道176-178號地舖 [Forever Lounge - Western Wine Bar in Causeway Bay Hong Kong | OpenRice Hong Kong](https://www.openrice.com/en/hongkong/r-forever-lounge-causeway-bay-western-wine-r18523)

Reading is important because it develops your mind and gives you excessive knowledge and lessons of life. 開卷有益！大家最近有冇讀到一啲好書呢？不如出黎分享下讀書心得呀？參加呢個讀書活動，分享好書，分享喜悅。😊 有興趣參加可以WhatsApp我：95182994

依家異形嚟咗, 都唔駛逃離啦! \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* 🔔 費用: [$105 / Girls $75 Meetup報名平$5] 入場前要付款, 包飲品一盒, extra飲品每盒 $5 🔔 場地冇食物提供, 但係歡迎帶外賣上嚟食. 🔔 宣傳其他場地/放飛機/遊戲過程中態度惡劣者會被放入黑名單 🔔 入場要除鞋. 場內拖鞋淨係供店內使用, 請勿著出店外. 🔔 報名參加 Meetup 活動, 當系統問你 "Are you bringing anyone"時, 如果你祗是一個人來, 毋須㩒+1 (+1 代表會帶朋友來的意思) 🔔 我哋嘅活動主持人有時會因為工作或者學業關係臨時嚟唔到, Meeple Tree 保留臨時更換主持嘅可能性 🙏🏻 🔔 因放飛機已被移除人數: 102 (活動開始前24小時內退出者) 🔔 Meeple Tree 保留參加者名單最後決定權. 🔔 Follow我哋 IG: [https://www.instagram.com/mtboardgame?igsh=MTY0a3Myc2Jwc2l4&utm_source=qr](https://www.instagram.com/mtboardgame?igsh=MTY0a3Myc2Jwc2l4&utm_source=qr)

(Partner's Event) English Corner Time: Every Wed, Fri & Sun 19:00 - 23:00 Location: The Crazy Coconut Bar, ShenZhen Longhua Baishilong, 3rd floor, 3N100, Above Metro Exit B2 (BaiShiLong Metro Station) 瘋狂酒吧， 深圳龍華白石龍地鐵站B2上方，3樓 Refer to the picture for details on the BBQ Sat event. Wechat ID: Pandoraparties

\*\*\* UPDATE: 呢一場@成業街埸地. 地址: 觀塘成業街16號怡生工業中心A座2樓AII室 \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* 我地往後BB狼會預埋我地小樹Hosting 團隊一齊玩! 呢一局輪到Tina, Yumi! 培育狼group新世代! 中手肯包容新手也歡迎👏報名! \*\*\* 未玩過嘅全新手請準時, 我地會2pm開始教玩. 因為流程比較長, 所以開始咗教就不會重覆再為遲到嘅人再由頭開始教過. 🚫作弊（浪費大家時間） 🚫鬧人（冇人想放工特登走去俾人鬧） 🔔 準時開局. 唔會有凖時到場嘅人無了期等遲到嘅人嘅情況出現. 🔔 預準人數. 唔會有太多人/唔夠人/或需要輪流玩情況出現. 🔔 專人控場. 粗暴發言、鬧人、貼面、9玩者會被放進黑名單. 🔔 分開配置玩. 設有Level 1新手局、Level 2中手局. 我地響觀塘駿業里及成業街設有兩個狼人殺場地, 有興趣book埸玩狼請WhatsApp 6794 1166 / 6223 2379 🔔 費用: [$105/ Girls $75(Meetup報名$100/Girls$70] Pay at entrance. 包飲品一盒, extra飲品每盒$5. 🔔 場地沒有食物提供, 但歡迎帶外賣上來食. 🔔 宣傳其他場地/放飛機/遊戲過程中態度惡劣者會被放進黑名單. 🔔 入埸請除鞋. 埸內拖鞋祗供店內用, 請勿著出店外. 🔔 報名參加Meetup活動, 當系統問你"Are you bringing anyone"時, 如果你祗是一個人來, 毋須㩒+1 (+1代表會帶朋友來的意思). 🔔 我哋嘅活動主持人有時會因為工作或者學業關係臨時嚟唔到，Meeple Tree 保留臨時更換主持嘅可能性。🙏 🔔 本會因放飛機(活動開始前24小時內退出者)被移除人數: 102 🔔 Meeple Tree保留參加者名單最後決定權. 🔔 Follow我哋IG: mtboardgame / boardgame_hk

Come learn how to dance in a sexy feminine way with our most professional and popular dance choreographer JM Justin Vergara! WhatsApp 63344266 to book Prepayment required to secure booking www.deedreamlife.com/pricing-packages for fee info Download Dee Dream Life App for more info

**Total beginners** **welcome!** A whole new movement, fitness & self defense cultural activity **outdoors!** Structured progressive practices for **Strength**, **Flexibility,** **Coordination** & **Self Defense** skills in a fun group environment! Totally NOT what you expect, **serious cardio**, **whole body movement** & **practical!** You will really be surprised by what WE do but even more by what YOU can do! Nothing like what you imagine about Kung Fu, No screaming, No rigidness, No mysticism & No getting hit… but YES, definitely a fun workout with great people! **Curious?** To get an ideal of what class is like, hear instructor & hear student testimonials go to [https://www.instagram.com/natural.style.kungfu](https://www.instagram.com/natural.style.kungfu) **FEE:** 1st time TRIAL fee of $100 HKD for residents. Please RSVP here or Whatsapp me. Non-Resident $150 HKD. After trial 10 class package is $1500 HKD or $200 HKD single class. **WEAR:** Workout clothing, sports shoes & bring bottle of water! **WHEN:** Sunday 5:45 pm NEW people, 6 pm students. Please be on time, warm up very important for your 1st class! **WHERE:** Inside Kowloon Park in the Multi-purpose room. Meet at McDonalds across from Indoor Swimming Pool entrance, next to Sports Center. MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, or Austin. Link below: [Kowloon Park Swimming Pool](https://maps.apple.com/?address=22%20Austin%20Rd,%20Tsim%20Sha%20Tsui,%20Kowloon,%20Hong%20Kong%20SAR,%20China&auid=15054175802527892571&ll=22.301815,114.170365&lsp=9902&q=Kowloon%20Park%20Swimming%20Pool&_ext=CjIKBAgEEAUKBAgFEAMKBQgGEKcBCgQIChAACgQIUhADCgQIVRAQCgQIWRADCgUIpAEQARIkKSODum0jNjZAMWByPQiohFxAORGqqD1gZDZAQaw+9nwmkVxA&t=m) **WHY:** Out of shape? Gym BORING? More? You want to exercise & have fun building strength, flexibility, coordination & self-defense skills while cultivating patience, focus, confidence & yes… discipline! **HOW:** To get in touch with me, Whatsapp .9420.0360. or email through Meetup. For more info about my art, please visit NaturalStyleKungfu.com. **\- Book a Private 1\-on\-1 Kungfu Class\!** Learn at your own pace & prepare for later group classes, choose the day & time suitable to you! Private Class in Kowloon Park: 1.5 Hours $500, other locations $900 **-**

## Candle Making Night at The Arcane Foundry \| Design Your Own Custom Candle **SPECIAL PROMOTION**: Buy 3 and get 1 Free! Step into The Arcane Foundry and create your own custom candle from start to finish. This is a laid back, hands-on experience where **you’ll blend fragrances, choose your vessel, and pour your own candle using 100% soy wax**. Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, it’s designed to be simple, creative, and a good time. We’ll walk you through the entire process, from picking your scents to choosing between a traditional cotton wick or a crackling wood wick. You can go with one fragrance or mix your own blend to create something completely unique**. No experience needed**, just show up and we’ll handle the rest. While your candle sets, feel free to hang out, play a game, explore the shop, or just relax and talk. Drinks and snacks are available, and the atmosphere leans into the **fantasy**, **dark academia**, and **gothic horror** vibe The Arcane Foundry is known for. Learn More: [Candle Making in Columbus, Ohio at The Arcane Foundry](https://thearcanefoundry.com/candle-making/) *** ### What to Expect: * Guided candle making experience * Choose your own vessel, wax, wick, and fragrance * 100% soy wax candles * Optional drinks and snacks * Time to relax while your candle cools *** ### Important Notes: * Please arrive on time so we can start together * Candles will need time to set before taking home * This is a beginner-friendly event *** ### RSVP Required Reserve your spot on Meetup to lock in your seat. **Candle Making** (includes vessel, your choice of wick, wax, scented oil, labels and lids) 5oz Glass Jars $15 8oz Candle Tins $25 12oz Glass Candles $35 12oz Amber Jars $40 16 oz Skull or Jack o Lantern Candle Mugs $65 (Limited Edition!) **All materials included. You just bring yourself (and your drink of choice).** **Payments accepted:** * Credit Card * Venmo: @Daclaud-Lee * Cashapp: $DaclaudL

**Building a great product is one thing—building momentum behind it is another.** Join **Senior Product Manager Adam Solaiman** and **User Experience Manager Tyson Smith** for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn complex ideas into scalable products inside large organizations. In this session, they’ll share how teams move from ambiguity to execution—navigating organizational complexity, aligning stakeholders, and continuously evolving products after launch. You’ll walk away with insights on how to: * Build and sustain momentum across teams * Adapt to changing priorities without losing direction * Scale products thoughtfully in complex environments Whether you're driving a new initiative or growing an existing product, this conversation will give you practical strategies to keep things moving forward. Come connect, learn, and swap stories with fellow product professionals. \-\-\- Food and drinks will be provided by Switchbox, our generous host. Free parking will be available at the front and back sides of the Switchbox Office.

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

By popular demand, the group wanted to read and discuss the semi-autobiographical novel by Henri-Pierre Roche, that inspired the Truffaut movie we watched last year. The book is available through the Columbus Library's interlibrary loan system. They reported there are twenty-eight copies available in the state of Ohio. If you have a library card, you can file an interlibrary loan request here: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/library-services/ . There are also used copies available on Amazon and eBay for under twenty dollars. You may want to rewatch the movie after reading the book, so we can compare and contrast in our discussion. The Columbus Library has four copies on DVD, and it's streaming on HBOMax.

**TBA**

This month we’ll be reading Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett. Feel free to come and chat even if you don’t finish the book!

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.