Alvin Cheng
@alvinintheroom.com
alvinintheroom.com
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/himalbum
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/himalbum
Reposted by Alvin Cheng
As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in our world, we've heard many concerns in the blogging community, especially when it comes to your personal writing. Inspired by others, we've published an /ai statement to offer some transparency on how we think about and approach AI/LLMs at Pika:
pika.page/ai
pika.page/ai
Pika & AI - Pika
Clarifying how we think of and when we use AI/LLMs at Pika.
pika.page
September 18, 2026 at 4:25 PM
As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in our world, we've heard many concerns in the blogging community, especially when it comes to your personal writing. Inspired by others, we've published an /ai statement to offer some transparency on how we think about and approach AI/LLMs at Pika:
pika.page/ai
pika.page/ai
18 July 2026 has two meanings for me: first, a month after my settlement visa ILR was granted; second, my comeback to the Illustrators' Fair after three years. The sale this time was even better than last time just before Christmas.
July 18, 2026 at 6:12 PM
18 July 2026 has two meanings for me: first, a month after my settlement visa ILR was granted; second, my comeback to the Illustrators' Fair after three years. The sale this time was even better than last time just before Christmas.
See you tomorrow at Illustrators’ Fair! 11 am to 5 pm: Granary Square, King’s Cross
July 17, 2026 at 8:27 AM
See you tomorrow at Illustrators’ Fair! 11 am to 5 pm: Granary Square, King’s Cross
Reposted by Alvin Cheng
I ended up taking the Hikari, but please, my fellow Japan travellers:
• do not talk at your normal home shouting volume on the train — American accents in particular carry VERY far
• do not bring this much luggage for two people on the train. Ship it ahead overnight
• silence your goddamn phones
• do not talk at your normal home shouting volume on the train — American accents in particular carry VERY far
• do not bring this much luggage for two people on the train. Ship it ahead overnight
• silence your goddamn phones
November 4, 2024 at 11:57 PM
I ended up taking the Hikari, but please, my fellow Japan travellers:
• do not talk at your normal home shouting volume on the train — American accents in particular carry VERY far
• do not bring this much luggage for two people on the train. Ship it ahead overnight
• silence your goddamn phones
• do not talk at your normal home shouting volume on the train — American accents in particular carry VERY far
• do not bring this much luggage for two people on the train. Ship it ahead overnight
• silence your goddamn phones
I have been taking part in most of the events organised by Urban Sketchers London since 2023, and this is my first time leading their event... alvinintheroom.com/posts/co-hos...
Co-hosting Urban Sketchers London sketchwalk at Thames Barrier Park - alvin in the room
I have been taking part in most of the events organised by Urban Sketchers London since 2023, and this is my first time leading their event, with one of the...
alvinintheroom.com
June 24, 2026 at 10:32 AM
I have been taking part in most of the events organised by Urban Sketchers London since 2023, and this is my first time leading their event... alvinintheroom.com/posts/co-hos...
Glad to be a volunteer first time leading the sketch walk with Sasala organized by Urban Sketchers London at Thames Barrier Park, and not to mention a great opportunity to chat with sketchers. Thanks everyone for coming, and your works are amazing.
June 21, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Glad to be a volunteer first time leading the sketch walk with Sasala organized by Urban Sketchers London at Thames Barrier Park, and not to mention a great opportunity to chat with sketchers. Thanks everyone for coming, and your works are amazing.
Urban sketching in IKEA, after enjoying the breakfast there.
June 16, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Urban sketching in IKEA, after enjoying the breakfast there.
When I am getting older, I have more and more photos which were taken long time ago, and they have become a kind of history.
I am curious what was like 20 years ago. How much has the world changed?
20 years ago: alvinintheroom.com/posts/20-yea...
I am curious what was like 20 years ago. How much has the world changed?
20 years ago: alvinintheroom.com/posts/20-yea...
20 years ago - alvin in the room
When I am getting older, I have more and more photos which were taken long time ago, and they have become a kind of history. I am curious what was like 20 years ago. How much has the world changed?
alvinintheroom.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:38 AM
When I am getting older, I have more and more photos which were taken long time ago, and they have become a kind of history.
I am curious what was like 20 years ago. How much has the world changed?
20 years ago: alvinintheroom.com/posts/20-yea...
I am curious what was like 20 years ago. How much has the world changed?
20 years ago: alvinintheroom.com/posts/20-yea...
I have moved my website to Pika @goodenough.us : alvinintheroom.com/posts/left-s...
Left Squarespace for Pika for simpler and easier blogging - alvin in the room
I have been on Squarespace for 9 years (2016 to 2025) for my website and blogs. Over almost a decade, I have longed for easier publications like what social media is doing. Unfortunately, although Squ...
alvinintheroom.com
October 4, 2025 at 11:01 AM
I have moved my website to Pika @goodenough.us : alvinintheroom.com/posts/left-s...
I noticed this book when I saw a passenger reading her book with a purple highlighter on the bus. The title successfully drew my attention, and thus I held the book on my library system, and started reading in the last week of last month (September).
alvinintheroom.com/posts/the-ve...
alvinintheroom.com/posts/the-ve...
The very simple book review of Surrounded by Idiots - alvin in the room
I noticed this book when I saw a passenger reading her book with a purple highlighter on the bus. The title successfully drew my attention, and thus I held the book on my library system, and started r...
alvinintheroom.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I noticed this book when I saw a passenger reading her book with a purple highlighter on the bus. The title successfully drew my attention, and thus I held the book on my library system, and started reading in the last week of last month (September).
alvinintheroom.com/posts/the-ve...
alvinintheroom.com/posts/the-ve...
Thornton Heath Library was built in 1914. Minimalist elements were added to improve accessibility and expand indoor area. Two urban sketches were done to showcase its current architecture with interior design.
My first visit was as early as in 2022 but I finally drew three years later.
My first visit was as early as in 2022 but I finally drew three years later.
July 5, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Thornton Heath Library was built in 1914. Minimalist elements were added to improve accessibility and expand indoor area. Two urban sketches were done to showcase its current architecture with interior design.
My first visit was as early as in 2022 but I finally drew three years later.
My first visit was as early as in 2022 but I finally drew three years later.
Public toilets are essential for almost everyone when going out. In recent years I can see different types of new technology introduced so as to enhance user experience. Here are the following two I want to talk about.
www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/7/...
www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/7/...
On public toilet technologies — Alvin Cheng | Illustrator
Public toilets are essential for almost everyone when going out. In recent years I can see different types of new technology introduced so as to enhance user experience. Here are the following two I w...
www.alvinintheroom.com
July 4, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Public toilets are essential for almost everyone when going out. In recent years I can see different types of new technology introduced so as to enhance user experience. Here are the following two I want to talk about.
www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/7/...
www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/7/...
I visited Margate in August last year for a day trip, and I knew it was a great place that I should revisit. This time I planned to stay overnight so that I could have more time to visit Broadstairs which is nearby as well!
alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/7/...
alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/7/...
My second trip to Margate, and the first time to Broadstairs — Alvin Cheng | Illustrator
I visited Margate in August last year for a day trip, and I knew it was a great place that I should revisit. This time I planned to stay overnight so that I could have more time to visit Broadstairs w...
alvinintheroom.com
July 3, 2025 at 6:18 AM
I visited Margate in August last year for a day trip, and I knew it was a great place that I should revisit. This time I planned to stay overnight so that I could have more time to visit Broadstairs which is nearby as well!
alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/7/...
alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/7/...
Urban Sketchers London today: St Pancras International and Coal Drops Yard.
May 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Urban Sketchers London today: St Pancras International and Coal Drops Yard.
POV Sunday Portrait Session every Sunday. The sketches were done at the end of the latest March and last August respectively.
April 5, 2025 at 9:52 AM
POV Sunday Portrait Session every Sunday. The sketches were done at the end of the latest March and last August respectively.
I used to be an Evernote user until 2020 when they released an unusable update. I am only using an app which is preinstalled on all my devices: Apple Notes.
Why Apple Notes? alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/4/...
Why Apple Notes? alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/4/...
April 5, 2025 at 9:27 AM
I used to be an Evernote user until 2020 when they released an unusable update. I am only using an app which is preinstalled on all my devices: Apple Notes.
Why Apple Notes? alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/4/...
Why Apple Notes? alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/4/...
Folkestone Harbour station, as well as historic branch lines in coastal Taiwan: www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
February 23, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Folkestone Harbour station, as well as historic branch lines in coastal Taiwan: www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
...Starting this year (as of Feb 2025), I have made some trips so far, of them Ramsgate is the place I first visited.
My first trip to Ramsgate: www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
My first trip to Ramsgate: www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
February 22, 2025 at 12:52 PM
...Starting this year (as of Feb 2025), I have made some trips so far, of them Ramsgate is the place I first visited.
My first trip to Ramsgate: www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
My first trip to Ramsgate: www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
When failure doesn't exist
...They waited for the next big wave and tried to surf. Sometimes they could stand up and surf for a few seconds until they fell into the water. That didn't stop them...
More: www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
...They waited for the next big wave and tried to surf. Sometimes they could stand up and surf for a few seconds until they fell into the water. That didn't stop them...
More: www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
February 22, 2025 at 12:49 PM
When failure doesn't exist
...They waited for the next big wave and tried to surf. Sometimes they could stand up and surf for a few seconds until they fell into the water. That didn't stop them...
More: www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
...They waited for the next big wave and tried to surf. Sometimes they could stand up and surf for a few seconds until they fell into the water. That didn't stop them...
More: www.alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
My sketches of Crystal Palace Subway
I have two related sketches now. One is the imaginative cross-section showing the whole picture of the subway. Another one was done during my second visit as the session was purposed for photography and sketching.
More: alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
I have two related sketches now. One is the imaginative cross-section showing the whole picture of the subway. Another one was done during my second visit as the session was purposed for photography and sketching.
More: alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
February 16, 2025 at 4:31 PM
My sketches of Crystal Palace Subway
I have two related sketches now. One is the imaginative cross-section showing the whole picture of the subway. Another one was done during my second visit as the session was purposed for photography and sketching.
More: alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...
I have two related sketches now. One is the imaginative cross-section showing the whole picture of the subway. Another one was done during my second visit as the session was purposed for photography and sketching.
More: alvinintheroom.com/blog/2025/2/...