The Deranged Writer

10-Minute Warning CLXXX

OK. What can I write here under 10 minutes?

Firstly, let me say how happy I am because I have been on a writing roll lately—at least in my actual journal. I found ways to make the memory-logging process more enjoyable and efficient, and they allowed me to catch up on earlier entries. I am totally over the moon. I could share my journal-writing process someday.

And because I’m so happy and inspired to write more, I might join my Younger Brother in his work time at the nearest cafe tonight. I have a site visit tomorrow with my boss (who also happened to be my Father), but tonight I could use some chillaxing and writing at a cool cafe, and then go home early.

But what about The Diary? Don’t worry. More posts are coming soon, and I might even go past my three-post-per-week rule this week.

Secondly, I’m tempted to sound off about a work permit… but my 10 minutes are almost up. See you in the next post.

XXVII: Just One Jack & Coke Zero

Since last weekend, it felt like a season finale and a season premiere. My heart feels like it has been healed like never before, and I want to make a few changes in my life slowly but surely.

One of those changes is this… moving forward, instead of drinking at least one Jack & Coke Zero on the rocks every Friday or Saturday night (depending on whether I have extra work), I will just drink one Jack & Coke Zero on the rocks every Friday or Saturday night. Just one.

For the past years, I have been drinking my favorite cocktail to numb myself and then wake up the next day feeling groggy. Tonight, I’m savoring every sip from that one glass to celebrate the small victories every weekend.

For example, what are this week’s small victories? Well, firstly, I finished most of my work on time. When I couldn’t finish a task, I told my bosses directly instead of keeping it to myself. I stopped myself from buying things impulsively. I made time to write more in my offline journal, but I also found a way to make the process more efficient. Also, for the first time in a long while, I blogged three times this week. (And this post is this week’s post number 3. Yes!)

And most importantly, I’m drinking because I’m still here. I’m still fighting. That’s a victory already.

Just one ice-cold glass of Jack & Coke Zero per week is all I need from now on.

Mark my f’n words,

The Deranged Writer

Header image: Ron Lach of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.

Published on June 21, 2025 at 11:50pm. Minor edits were made at 11:54pm.

Song of the Moment LXXXVIII: Foo Fighters’ “Resolve”

Today, I did more work than usual. I even went into overtime. But I’m not complaining because a fire has lit inside of me since last weekend.

So, I opened tonight’s bout with 10+ repair proposals by wearing my earphones and playing my favorite songs playlist on Spotify. Each random song that played while I was working was energetic enough to fuel my fire, from Shinedown’s “DEVIL”, The Ting Tings’ “That’s Not My Name”, and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Can’t Stop”.

Upon reaching the final proposal for the night, my favorite song of all time, Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender”, played. I cried as I heard my beloved anthem and I typed the last few words and numbers because it’s like the universe is telling me to push one more time before I do my nightly rituals.

And when I started printing the last proposal, Spotify played another favorite Foo Fighters song of mine, “Resolve”. It’s from the band’s fifth studio album In Your Honor, and it was the perfect song to end overtime… and the perfect song to be my Song of the Moment.

The music video of Foo Fighters’ “Resolve”.

I’m tempted to open a can of Jack & Coke Zero, but nope.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!