• Understanding Olympic Skateboarding

    Skateboarding is now in its second Olympic games. Tokyo 2020(1) kind of killed most of my excitement I had for the games, as most citizens and residents didn’t want the the event to go on as it did. Still, as a life-long skateboard enthusiast (skater as a teen, longboarder as an adult), I’m still hyped to tune in to the skate events.

    Due to a rain delay, the men’s street contest was bumped until after the women’s. As this event is still new, I realize it’s a great many people’s first introduction to competitive skateboarding. I was a little bummed to see so much criticism on social media. Many viewers were questioning why the competitors seemed to fall or fail on so many attempts. I realized that if you’re not familiar with skateboarding, you’d have no idea what you’re looking at. The commentators try to explain core concepts, but it’s a lot to take in at once. I won’t try to expel what makes a switch trick more difficult than a normal stance attempt; that only makes sense after some familiarity.

    Simply put, skateboarding is an endeavor of constant failure with occasional reward. In other sports, the goal is more concrete; hit the target, do the tumble, sink the shot, and so on. Skateboarding has an immense amount of variables, the biggest being that the course is always different. Every other sport has a regulation playing field, be it a square, rectangle, track, apparatus, and so on. Every skateboard course is a unique work of craftsmanship designed to inspire the riders. Add to that the countless tricks at the skater’s disposal, plus the variable of performing said tricks in the opposite stance (like throwing a ball with your non-dominant hand). There’s a lot going on and tons of nuance.

    In skateboarding, you fail more often than you succeed. Why don’t the skaters stick to the high-percentage tricks they can land on command? Because playing it safe means a low score (it is a judged competition). The skaters can land everything they try, but not every time. A gold-medal run comes from trying hard tricks and being able to land them all within 45 seconds. You have to be on your game at the exact moment, and that’s where mental toughness comes into play, which adds a whole other dimension to the contest.

    For those who aren’t familiar with skateboarding, I can see how it’s perhaps not the most satisfying watch. No one wants to see people missing over and over again. And that’s not aligned with our perceptions of what we think the Olympics are about, which is usually perfection. But I’d equate it to baseball, where a great hitter is one that only succeeds 4 out of 10 plate appearances. It’s the grind (pun intended) and overcoming of adversity that makes it so interesting.

    Monday July 29, 2024
  • Japan

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    Japanese

    I know tax-funded vanity projects aren’t the most popular, but I’m still excited for Osaka Expo. And the mascot really grew on me.

    税金を使ったイベントはあまり人気がありませんが、まだ大阪エキスポが楽しみです。キャラクターも好きになりました。

    Friday July 26, 2024
  • Music

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    Nostalgia

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    Gadgets

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    Japan

    The 8mm CD Singles Project🎶

    Two years ago, I purchased an assortment of over 600 CDs from an auction site in the middle of the night. All mini CDs. Remember those? The little 8mm (or 3 inch) CDs often used in the states for promotional material. The reason CD trays have that smaller indent slot in the middle. Think GameCube discs. Well, in Japan, they were used for CD singles. Since moving to Japan and building a media library, I’ve come to like singles. Case in point, I have every Perfume CD available, full albums or singles, totaling at least 50 discs or so.

    I bought this box blind, having very little knowledge of Japanese pop music. But for ¥9,100 ($60 these days), I’d be introduced to over 1,200 new songs. You can’t beat that. Of course, I didn’t discuss the purchase with my wife. Ask for forgiveness instead of permission, right?

    Since then, I’ve been off and on widdling my way through the collection. To complete the nostalgia trip, I even purchased the same portable CD player I used in high school.

    The current workflow is this: Open a chu-hai. Thrown on the headphones. Grab a stack of mini CDs. Play track one. If it’s intriguing, listen through to track two. If pleasant enough, import it into iTunes for syncing to my phone or iPod. Of course, skip track three, which is the instrumental used for karaoke purposes. Through this experience, I’ve come to find a lot of enjoyable pop. Think late 90s, early Y2K vibes. But the hits are few and far between. I keep maybe 1 out of every 5 or 7 CDs I listen to. Still, much more interesting than streaming.

    Thursday July 25, 2024
  • Photography

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    Japan

    Payphone

    I recently took a night walk with my camera (Instax wide 100). I took a picture of an old payphone. When was the last time you used a payphone?

    最近、カメラを持って夜に街をぶらぶらした。昔の公衆電話の写真を撮った。最後に公衆電話を使ったのはいつですか?

    Tuesday July 23, 2024
  • Nostalgia

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    Gadgets

    The fourth gen iPod

    This was the iPod that hit critical mass. The one where Windows users came on board. Firewire was no longer a hurdle, and the once too-high sticker price shock had become accepted. When I think of an iPod in an iconographic sense, I think of this device.

    This wasn’t my first ever Apple music player, that distinction going to the iPod mini, but this does share the same UI/UX of that device. I appreciate the monochromatic screen which is easily visible in daylight. The clickwheel has been tuned to perfection, letting you perform all navigational tasks without lifting your thumb. The hold switch is satisfying and the headphone jack at the top makes sense for the way I slide devices into my pockets.

    My current 4th gen iPod has been modified. The clicky-clacky hard drive was past its expiration date, and I replaced it with the common flash solution. The result is an incredibly light device (almost too light?), which is also entirely silent and zippier when shuffling. The hand-feel is sublime; the device entices you to pick it up and play with it. Shuffle by album is here. Its easy-to-modify nature makes it a prime choice for anyone looking to jump into the hobby (or sickness).

    There are a few caveats. Using sensitive IEMs, I do get quite a bit of hiss and noise. This may be due to the condition of the device. This may be a byproduct of my particular pair of IEMS paired with this device. For me, it’s just not an everyday, any-situation choice. There is no gapless playback, which is essentially a dealbreaker for me, unless I’m shuffling my entire library.

    For me, the 4th generation iPod is not an everyday carry. It’s just big enough to be inconvenient. I don’t need my entire library with me at all times. However, it is my preferred mass-storage iPod. I think it’s especially at home in an iPod hi-fi or my new Be@rbick speaker dock. And that’s where it’ll likely remain.

    Saturday July 20, 2024
  • Music

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    Nostalgia

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    Gadgets

    THE BE@RBRICK IPOD DOCK

    I couldn’t help myself, but can you blame me? Sure, it was another late-night Mercari browsing session. Yes, I searched ‘iPod’, sorting by newly listed, looking for something to catch my eye. No, I don’t need another iPod dock. Yeah, I knew the speakers would be sub-par. Of course I outgrew my Medicom phase years ago. But… But… This one was sealed!

    For ¥10,000 new, in box, shipped, I had to jump on it. Glad to say everything was in perfect working order. The tiny speakers are located in the ears, which sound as chintzy as you expect (audio sample at the end of the bottom-located video). The fact that you have to rout the audio from the dock into the Bearbrick via the 3.5mm jack is a bit less than elegant. Although, once people got rid of their iPods, they could have connected any other device via this jack. But of course, bluetooth speakers were becoming the norm at around the same point.

    I wish it wasn’t so dang shiny. I guess I could swap in another Bearbrick and forego the speaker functionality and just use it as a dock, but I’ll probably just keep it as is, just the same. It is practical, in that it’ll keep your iPod charged. I’m thinking of getting an old Mac Mini to use as a dedicated iTunes music repository and iPod sync-er. Since this has USB out, it should be able to sync as well. This Be@rbrick perched on top of a 2009 Mac Mini would be era-appropriate.

    Tuesday July 16, 2024
  • Life

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    Japanese

    Poncho

    This is our djungarian hamster, Poncho. I recently snapped this picture of him sleeping peacefully. He’s nearly two and a half years old, which is near the typical life expectancy for a hamster. Every day, we check that he’s alive. It’s a bit stressful. But he’s very spoiled and lives a good life.

    これは私たちの雄ジャンガリアンハムスターです。名前はポンチョです。この写真では彼がよく寝ています。ポンチョは約2歳半です。毎朝、まだ生きているかどうかチェックしています。ちょっとたいへんです。でも、心配しないで。ポンチョの生活はとても快適ですよ。

    Monday July 15, 2024
  • Nostalgia

    ,

    Gadgets

    The third gen iPod nano

    Like the nano 1st gen I wrote about earlier, this was another iPod from my past. Also, it was my immediate upgrade from my 1st gen, so I thought it only fitting to take this one out for a spin next. Another Mercari find for under ¥1,000 or so. Another instance where the seller had no idea if it worked or not. Another bet that paid off.

    This silver 4GB iPod nano 3rd gen may actually be the same model I bought, if I remember correctly. Unlike in my last story, this time, I was the one with the disposable income. Well, probably not very disposable, but it at least released on a payday. In fact, the Friday it hit stores, I took the bus straight from work to the Michigan Ave Apple store. Sure, it’s celebrating consumerism and hype, but buying Apple products on launch day felt like something special.

    Then came a long bus ride home. I didn’t dare take out my new treasure, as the commute happened through some of Chicago’s sketchiest areas. Is this irony?

    I love the squat look of this device. Like the original iPod in chibi form. Or, like an icon of an iPod. Funnily enough, I don’t like the full-size video iPods; I find the large screens to appear top-heavy. But with the minuscule nano, it works.

    I can’t help but compare this design to the 1st gen nano. Where I may prefer the simplicity of the earlier form and UI, I admit, the features of the 3rd gen are cool as heck.

    First of all, video in such a minuscule device was (and still is) an extremely neat trick.

    Coverflow rewards us fastidious meta-data taggers and album artwork uploaders. Finally.

    Gapless playback is here, so this makes it a go-to for straight-through album listens. Shuffling by album is also possible. These devices are limited in size, as all nanos are. My solution is a handy ‘random full albums to playlist’ script from DougScripts.com. I begin every month with a random selection of albums, totaling the number of days in that month. 31 albums in January, 28 albums in February. Yeah, I have a system for most everything.

    Where this model falls short for me is in the walk-and-listen operation. While the screen is larger, navigating the flashier menu isn’t as lightning-quick as the old list-based UI. Also, I find the scroll wheel to be not as responsive, but that may just be a product of the poor condition of this particular device.

    As this is the most pocketable and cute iPod, it would be perfect if the old interface was available. Somewhere in Cupertino lies a prototype of a 1st/3rd gen hybrid I really want. Still, this model will stay in my iPod quiver, as long as the battery holds up…

    Sunday July 14, 2024
  • Photography

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    Japan

    ,

    Japanese

    Robot vs. Man

    This is perhaps my favorite photo I’ve ever taken. Actually, it was kind of a happy accident. It was one of my first times shooting an Instax Wide format camera. I wanted to take a picture of the robot and the skyline. By chance, the office worker entered the shot. I think his presence makes the the photo more interesting. The robot vs. the office worker.

    多分、これは僕のお気に入りの写真です。しかし、それは偶然の産物でした。インスタックスワイドカメラを使って写真を撮り始めました。ロボットとスカイラインを撮りたかったのですが、偶然サラリーマンがフレームに入ってしまいました。彼が入ったことで、写真はもっと面白くなったと思います。ロボット対サラリーマンです。

    Saturday July 13, 2024
  • Nostalgia

    ,

    Gadgets

    The first gen iPod nano

    It was a Saturday afternoon in 2005. I was having lunch with my mother and aunt at a Guatemalan restaurant. My cousin, about 5 years my senior, came to pick up his mother. He brandished his newest toy, the iPod nano that was just announced and released earlier that week (Tuesdays, wasn’t it?). I, being a poor student, had no means to purchase such a device, so I could simply gawk.

    I had an iPod mini, which I loved. But while the mini was fun, the nano was totally mature. Insanely thin, sleek, and mature. Looking back, it may have been the device that was the turning point for the modern design we’re used to today.

    I’ve spent the past two weeks with a 2gb white nano I scored off Mercari (had to be under ¥2,000 or so). Thankfully, the battery still holds a decent charge, and the screen hasn’t succumbed to the black spot of death caused by swelling batteries. I was able to take it for a spin, pairing it with different headphones and enjoying various brews.

    This may be my favorite iPod to hold…? It’s like a chocolate bar, in that it’s long yet perfectly balanced. When cupped in the hand, the wheel sits center, allowing you to confidently scroll. The screen is bright, with the text sharp and clear, still legible through the butter-soft screen, which was prone to scratches. The UI is simple and perfect; no split-screen album views here, just fast access to your tunes. It’s delightfully minimal, perhaps the most of any iPod (sans shuffles).

    Pairing large cupped headphones with the device felt a bit silly. A long, thick cable plug leaves the nano feeling like an afterthought. Of course, the nano was right at home with the original trademark white buds, but my IEMs also fit the bill.

    It passes the ‘shuffle by albums’ test. I listen to my digital collection exclusively by albums in their entirety, so this feature is key for me. Believe it or not, not every iPod supports this.

    But the dealbreaker comes in the lack of gapless playback ability. So, when listening to Madlib’s Shades of Blue, there is a slight pause between tracks. If this doesn’t phase you, have at it, but it’s a no-go for me.

    Which is a real shame because otherwise, I’m in love with this device. Yes, the small storage limits how many albums you can carry with you (I roll with 20 or so), but I consider that restraint a feature. It’s thin and light enough to forget you have it when it’s in a small bag (although you better remember the earphones).

    Friday July 12, 2024
  • Photography

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    Gadgets

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    Japan

    My favorite camera I can't really use

    Last summer, I became infatuated with 110 film. Actually, I came to it by stumbling across some interesting compact used cameras on Mercari. After a bit of research, I learned that Lomography still produces the easy-to-use format. I first dipped my toe with a couple of random, cheap, used point-and-shoots. Then I discovered the beauty that is the Pentax auto 110, the smallest-ever SLR exchangeable lens camera. I managed to snag an untested one for a decent price online and loaded up on a few different film stocks.

    It was my first SLR and was a joy to use. Yes, it’s tiny, meaning you kind of smother the camera while holding it. It did get quite the reaction at the photo session I took it to…

    I guess I should explain: In Japan, there are these group photo sessions where hobby photographers pay to photograph cute girls in varying degrees of undress. I opted for a tasteful, cute, clothed session, which took place in Akihabara. You pay an upfront fee and can shoot for the entire session (hours and hours, but I ran out of film fairly quickly). Young ladies take turns posing in front of different themed backdrops for you. It was far less creepy than I thought it would be. More like a car show than anything too salacious. Of course, there are also different providers that feature adult video actresses, but this is where my wife draws the line. Haha. Posting those photos online is against the rules, however. Anyway, the point I was getting at was that all the models thought my camera was super cute. A good ice-breaker.

    Even though the extra lenses are tiny, I didn’t like having to decide whether to bring them all or not. I’m much too fiddly for something like that. The new 110 camera from Lomography seems right up my alley. Alas, the only thing holding me back is my inability to find a satisfactory film developer. You think living in Japan would make this easy, but many shops don’t have the necessary equipment. One shop I did take it to returned crummy scans. I ended up using an iPhone app to rescan myself, with mixed results. I found a better scanning shop, but they cropped out the border. Like Polaroid, I think the Lomography 110 border is a bit of the charm. Otherwise, you just have a tiny, grainy photo.

    I have fun using the camera. I appreciate how easy the film is to load. I want the new camera. It’s the developing that has me hung up.

    Thursday July 11, 2024
  • Japan

    The Speakeasy in Nara 🍺🗺️🗾

    It was an uncomfortably warm and humid day, typical of the rainy season in Japan, where the only brief respite from torrential rain is the suffocatingly thick moist air. Of course, this is when my friends from the States decided to visit. Naturally, I suggested Nara as a worthwhile place to spend the day; the deer, giant buddha, and cute cafes are all worth at least one day during a Japan trip. My friends are the active type and love a good hike. I, on the other hand, prefer to keep public sweating to a minimum. Besides, after living in Nara for a couple of years, I’ve already had my fill of the sepia sights. “Have fun exploring! I’ve got some work to do, so I’ll wait for you guys at Starbucks.” It worked.

    A few hours later, I met my friends, who were as exhausted, sweaty, and red as all the other tourists here at this time. “We could sure go for a crisp drink!”

    Although Nara was my home just one year earlier, and I can recommend where to get udon, tonkatsu, and even donuts, alcohol was not my forte. In fact, I hadn’t gotten back into drinking socially until fairly recently. This, plus the fact that my friends have ‘discerning tastes’, made my googling all the more uneasy. I stumbled across a rather elegant-looking bar, which seemed somewhat out of place in the stuck-in-the-70s Nara shopping arcade. The map suggested a nondescript building I had walked past dozens of times without the slightest inclination of what existed there.

    No name on the outside. No number on the door. No doorbell or intercom to interact with. The blocked windows provided no hint as to what was in store. I hesitatingly opened the door only to be confronted with a tiny pitch-black room. A white sliding door about 4 feet high was my only choice. In my very best Alice In Wonderland, I slid it open… curiouser and curiouser…

    If whiskey was a room, it would be this bar. A palette of dark mahogany to amber yellow shocked my eyes, having just emerged from the all-black tiny room. A pleasant staff member greeted us. Bear in mind, I speak limited Japanese, have virtually zero knowledge of alcohol, and will, 9 times out of 10, choose a chain restaurant to anything requiring a working knowledge of social behaviors. This was a trifecta of difficulties for me to work through.

    " いいんですか?" I managed to politely ask if we were allowed entrance at this time. I don’t know if I asked because I thought reservations were needed, our attire wasn’t formal enough, or some other reason. My worries were in vain as we were warmly greeted and offered seats either at the bar or the single table to the side. The bar is where it’s at.

    What transpired next was a wonderful blend of expertise, showmanship, and pride in the most Japanese way possible. No menus, meaning interaction is a must. A calm atmosphere, meaning every noise and event is noticed. The peace comes from the private garden behind the window. I’ll omit any further description, as my words will fail to capture the magic and artistry of the experience. Savant is something for you to behold on your own.

    Thursday July 11, 2024
  • Photography

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    Gadgets

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    Travel

    The Fujifilm Instax Mini 10 and Vancouver

    My journey into the instant film world began with the Instax Mini 11, which I purchased a few years ago. Its low price point made dipping into the hoppy fairly risk-free. The instant film world is divided into two camps: the Fujifilm Instax series and the Polaroid Modern series. While both offer a similar quick-to-develop photo experience, their respective film types are incompatible. The simplest way to explain the difference is that Instax is cheaper, with reliable and predictable results, while Polaroid is more expensive finicky, yet sometimes spectacular and infinitely more iconic. But as a newbie, I think Instax is the way to go, with cameras and film much more readily available.

    The problem lies in the modern cameras. Both companies seem to focus on manufacturing cute, modern devices that leave something to be desired. Once you get into the hobby, you realize that most passionate instant film photographers prefer the vintage models of the past, as they often contain finer optics and more robust user control. So, the sickest of us have no choice but to scour auction sites and flea markets, rolling the dice on ‘untested’ junk. Yes, I have a drawer full of non-working cameras.

    The Instax Mini format is my least favorite, simply because it’s the smallest (sans Polaroid Go). Maybe it’s proof that my eyes are worsening, but I’d like as much detail and resolution as possible. But since it is the most popular format, those are the ones that receive the unique and limited edition border designs. I wanted to try some of the colorful borders and see how it affected my photography, if at all. But I didn’t want to shoot my Instax Mini 11, as it has become to feel more and more like a toy over time.

    After a bit of researching and browsing Mercari, I landed on the Instax Mini 10. Don’t let the odd naming convention fool you; it’s actually the very first Instax camera, released in Japan in 1998. I scored one online for ¥1500. The seller said it hadn’t been tested recently, but they remembered it working the last time they used it. It was worth a gamble, as I’ve had pretty good luck with resellers in Japan.

    When I received the camera, all seemed to be in decent working order. While some may find its design to be somewhat dated, I prefer it to the Fischer Price-looking modern cameras. It’s also fairly compact and svelte. It doesn’t balance very well, so expect it to constantly fall over if you try to stand it on a table. Annoyingly, this camera does use the less common and more expensive CR123A batteries (two of them). I loaded a pack of colorful border film and threw the camera in my bag.

    The results of my first tests were some of the most vivid and detailed Instax photos I’ve ever taken. I’m not talking about night and day difference, but a perceptible amount. The contrast was better, thanks to the option to bump up or down the exposure a step (a feature not available on current entry-level Instax). The images seemed more dynamic, able to capture the lights and darks within the same frame. The optics seemed clearer, even without a glass lens. It is a bit more electric than other Instax, with a loud whirring sound made whenever the camera is switched on and the lens extends. Also, the shots remaining counter is digital, so you can only see it when the camera is on. There is a flash button, but it doesn’t completely override the flash; instead, it allows you to force the flash on in the moments the camera might not have wanted to use it. Not ideal, but I learned to live with it.

    This camera singlehandedly convinced me that Instax mini film is very capable. I had written it off before, usually vying for the Instax Square format or Polaroid. While I don’t love the aspect ratio, I do like having a more portable and small bag-friendly shooter. Even though I quickly fell in love with this camera, I’ve passed it on to another budding photographer.

    Wednesday July 10, 2024
  • Music

    ,

    Nostalgia

    Revisiting the first CD I ever purchased 🎵

    At ten years old, sometime in the Summer of 1995 (or maybe ‘96), I purchased the self-titled debut album from The Presidents of the United States of America. Seeing as I bought this CD myself, it must have been with the last remaining funds from my birthday in March. Up until that point, my music library was strictly cassette based; a collection of cassingles (I don’t remember ever calling them that…) and home radio recordings.

    Cassette singles were a wonderful gateway into pop music. Unlike full albums, they could be had for only $1.99, a much easier proposition for my parents. And they were just the hits, only the songs I really liked. A kind of all-killer, no-filler library that was immensely satisfying. This was before a few ill-advised CD purchases taught me to wait until the second single was released before dropping $20 on an unproven band. Oh, and this is why 45s were such a thing!

    But before I made those poor lapses in judgment (Harvey Danger), I did luck out on my first CD purchase, PUSA. This would also be my foray into alternative rock, which would be the mainstay of my teen years. Lump hooked me. I was drawn to the band’s fast, upbeat, playful sound. I mean, I don’t know; I wasn’t really analyzing music when I was ten. But I do remember the pop-rock landscape being dominated by heavier, more dreary bands. PUSA seemed more like Saturday morning cartoons, whereas NIN seemed like the dry Meet The Press that marked the end of Saturday morning fun.

    I played the hell out of that CD. With a run-time of just 36 minutes, that was enough to keep my attention the whole way through. Also, they seemed to sing a lot about animals and bugs for some reason. But eventually, my tastes changed, and as I swayed back towards hip-hop, I drifted away from PUSA. I think that original CD was sold at a yard sale some 15 years ago. I haven’t heard the album again since.

    Which brings me to today. While mindlessly surfing YouTube, the God algorithm shined down on me and recommended I give Lump a watch. The simple chords and effective drums hit my nostalgia bone like a warming cup of hot cocoa. Within minutes, I downloaded the album and loaded it back onto my iPod. Could you really go home? In this instance, absolutely. Every lyric came rushing back to me in an instant. With every drum-stick count-off, I immediately remembered the track name without having to look down at a display. And all the animal references were as funny and poignant as ever. Once more, I realized they’re often singing about sex and drugs…right?

    And then I remembered that some of the tracks really, really rock. Lump, Peaches, and We Are Not Going to Make It aren’t just anthems; they can be ways of life. And their version of Kick Out The Jams spoiled me to the original. Why weren’t they the biggest band in the world? I want to think that the music was too fun for a time when people were trying to be too cool. And were their follow-up records just as good? I do remember the song Mach 5, but that’s about it. I am excited to dive into the rest of their catalog and seeing where that takes me.

    Tuesday July 9, 2024