Family – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

10-Minute Warning CXCVII

What can I talk about here in under ten minutes?

For the first time in 2026, I woke up at 8:00am. It’s earlier than I planned, and that’s a good thing. I hope to be able to continue this schedule in the coming weeks or even months. I’m not really a morning person, but I need to be that if I want to help out in the family business.

Earlier, I ran errands in Makati with my Mother and Father, then we bought some honey/citron/ginger tea, my afternoon drink that I call The Angel’s Cup. While I appreciate the orange black tea and honey lemon pomegranate tea, I’m looking forward to drinking the same tea I fell in love with in October 2025. We bought some four jars for good measure! Hell yes!

When it comes to music this week, I’ve been listening to two of my musical heroes. As usual, one of them is Dave Grohl, while the other one is Bruno Mars. Last week, Mr. Mars released a new single called “I Just Might”, and like everyone, I can’t stop listening to such a disco gem. Because of the latest hit, I’ve been also listening to all of his studio albums, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Unorthodox Jukebox, and 24K Magic. I’m so stoked for my musically gifted doppelgänger’s upcoming album, The Romantic (to be released on February 27, 2026)!

As for Mr. Grohl, in light of his birthday last Wednesday, “How Do You Do” (a part of the soundtrack for the 1997 black comedy movie Touch) is my Song of the Moment. It still is. With that, I’ve been listening to the music he’s a part of from Nirvana’s Nevermind and In Utero to all of his work for the Foo Fighters (my favorite band of all time). As usual, it has been a total pleasure looking back on all of his musical masterpieces with my ears.

Sorry, I’ve been rambling. Then again, this is a Minute Warning post. But still, sorry. My mind is so active like Dave Grohl when fueled with FRESH POTS, while my body is waving the white flag once again. Particularly, my left shoulder hurts like hell, and I don’t remember pulling a muscle on that body part. Not recently anyway. I’m getting really old. Fuck.

Anyway, my ten minutes are almost up. See you in the next post, and happy weekend to all!

Header image: Justin Vogt of Pixabay. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.

10-Minute Warning CXCV

It’s been a while since I wrote a Minute Warning post. What can I share here in under ten minutes?

After an eventful few days (e.g., completing all nine Simbang Gabi Masses, my family’s first Noche Buena in years), my body is waving the white flag today. However, I have work to do, which includes running an errand. So, I took it easy and walked it instead. My throat was itchy earlier, but after having The Angel’s Cup (hot honey/citron/ginger tea), now it’s fine.

I’m pretty excited for tomorrow’s reunion with my Mother’s relatives because I haven’t seen all of them together in one night in years. Maybe I’ll bring some pizza and a bottle of Jack & Daniel’s whiskey and Coke Zeros, so my relatives will have the option of having either the whiskey or the soft drink, or I can just mix Devil’s Cups for them. I could buy some pre-mixed cans, but they taste sweeter, and I’m not sure if my relatives will like that. I believe that my mixing of The Devil’s Cup is the better option because it tastes like an equal amount of both Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Coke Zero. Plus, mixing the drink myself adds a personal touch.

What else? Well, I learned last night that the Netflix hit series Stranger Things will be involved in the first WWE Raw of 2026. That’s the strangest collaboration ever. I love it! Will the cast be there? Who knows? I’m excited to see the first Raw to be broadcast on Netflix Philippines! (That’s January 6, 2025, at 9am, Philippine Standard Time.)

I still have a few minutes left, but crap. I need to run a surprise errand and then get a fresh haircut. My hair looks weird now. See you in the next post… probably tomorrow.

XLI: The Return of Light in December 1

Since 2019, December 1 has become a haunting day. It reminded me of a ghost from a failed relationship, and I easily see ghosts through specific dates, photographs, and even songs. For a few years, I had to endure the pain of seeing those ghosts, especially on December 1.

In 2022, I took it upon myself to make December 1 a less sad day. Not happy; less sad. I kept myself busy. I greeted an uncle who is also a December 1 celebrant. I numbed myself with alcohol. I kept myself busy some more. And in doing all of those things, somehow they work, even if I still see that particular ghost.

But today, December 1, 2025, many happy moments have happened. At midnight, I was sharing laughs with an online friend (once again) about the most ridiculously unhinged professional wrestler of all time, “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner. This morning, I woke up early, and I had some lovely FRESH POTS that energized my body and soul. I was able to accomplish the work tasks that I could do before I went running errands. After those errands, I had a fresh haircut and a satisfying massage. And now I’m having my thirst-quenching iced tea at my favorite cafe. I will absolutely have dinner here as well.

But the happiest part of the day? It’s talking to my new friend. It feels nice getting to know more about a gentle, kind soul.

It’s 6:00pm as I type this entry, but thanks to all those moments today, for the first time in years, I can declare that December 1 is a happy day. In fact, December 1, 2025, is the happiest December 1 of my life. Yes, the ghosts are still there, but they don’t haunt me anymore. The light I have been feeling lately outweighs the dark.

Four more days to go before my birthday, December 5!

A part of 14 Days of The Deranged Writer (2025).

Header image: Marta Dzedyshko of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.