Today I took a day off.
I stayed up at 2 a.m. to watch the Apple event. After a short sleep, I watched Japan’s national team play the U.S. in a warm-up match for next year’s World Cup. In the morning, news came that Mayor Ito had notified of the dissolution of the city council following the approval of a no-confidence motion against him on September 1.
That’s what happened in the world today.
Apple no longer gives me that sense of excitement, but I still watched it online. I’ve always been an Apple person — ever since the iPhone 3GS, I’ve used nothing but iPhones, and now I have the 13 mini. I just don’t want to carry something big and heavy. That’s why I’ve always avoided the larger models. Functionally, the 13 mini is enough, but the battery life isn’t great, and sooner or later I’ll need to replace it. I’ve never had a battery replaced before; I’ve always just upgraded to a new device. The newly released iPhone Air is thinner, but compared to the mini, it’s a bit larger and heavier. I was really hoping for the release of a 17 mini, but maybe the global market just isn’t into compact phones anymore. If Steve Jobs were still around, maybe this size would have continued. But I don’t think Apple will ever release another mini.
So then, is the iPhone Air the option? The width of the mini feels just right for me. The new model is 2 mm thinner, but 10 mm wider, and overall 6 mm bigger around the body — that changes the grip. Is that within my comfort zone? I’ll need to try it in person, and if it feels right in my hand, I might consider upgrading, especially given the battery issue. Apple Intelligence support, USB-C, a titanium frame, and a display jump from 5.4 to 6.5 inches.
I watched the soccer match with Rosy. The starting lineup was completely changed from the Mexico game. But it was a clear 0–2 defeat. The back four didn’t function, the defense was weak, and the side attacks didn’t work. Today’s national team felt like Júbilo Iwata — maybe the strategy of former Iwata men Nanami and Maeda? Well, it just didn’t work today.
Ito City is facing tough times ahead. The current mayor, under fire over an academic background scandal, has already passed 100 days in office and the turmoil continues. The council had been expected to push for his resignation, but instead chose the opposite path — dissolution. A city council election must be held within 40 days. Can the current mayor secure enough seats in the new council? Will the citizens of Ito really support him? From what I see, not many people seem to believe so.
The times keep moving forward.
Work is changing quickly too. Our company systems are shifting from in-house systems to global platforms. Am I keeping up? Is my way of thinking aligned with the direction of change? I want to make sure I’m not going the wrong way with what I’m doing now. I don’t want to take steps backward.