Family – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

20-Minute Warning III

Start time: 6:18pm.

I’ve gotten used to observing the Monday ritual for months, and not even rain can stop me. (Unless flooding stops me from stepping an inch away from my home.) And tonight, as usual, I didn’t skip the ritual—affogato, Novamachina, and all.

Before that, though, I needed to buy acne toner for my face. A few years back, during one of my mentally roughest periods, I also had the worst breakout. I was proud of being pimple-free before that, and the breakout didn’t help my mental health at all. But because I was also a stubborn piece of work, I continued my skincare routine, hoping that it would work over time. It took some convincing from my Younger Brother and feeling awful while looking in our 20-year-old mirror for me to finally ask the dermatologist for help, and she gave me the best arsenal against those pesky pimples that I still use to this day. Nowadays, when my face is attacked by the occasional zit, I just sparingly use the benzoyl peroxide lotion, while I regularly use the rest—acne toner included. Thank goodness for my dermatologist; she is heaven-sent.

Moving on, I’m back at Oversight with my favorite affogato in the whole world, and I’ve been contemplating one of my plans for December. As of now, a part of that plan is truly feasible, but the rest seems like a long shot. Unfortunately, sometimes things don’t go according to plan… but like I said, I’m a stubborn piece of work, so I will work around the feasible part of the plan. Sometimes, we just have to play with the cards we’re dealt.

I only have one minute left, and frankly, I’d like to work on a few drafts, so this is it for now. See you in the next post.

End time: 6:37pm.

Header image: Raka Miftah.

20-Minute Warning II

Start time: 5:58pm.

So, what can I share in under 20 minutes?

Firstly, I believe there’s a special circle of hell for those who use phone or laptop speakers in public. I encountered such a sinner early on the way to Oversight, and it was incredibly annoying because I could still hear the video call even with my earphones on full volume. (I was listening to an aggressive industrial rock song, “Starfuckers, Inc.” by Nine Inch Nails. Unbelievable.) Also, from the looks on everyone’s faces during the call, I knew that I was not the only one who was annoyed.

Moving on, September is drawing near, and some of the things needed for my December plan are already cleared out. But last weekend, I had a moment of doubt because a crucial part of the plan depends on timing. I already have a plan B just in case the timing isn’t feasible, but honestly, I would love for plan A to continue because it’s… sincere.

What the hell am I talking about? That’s the point of the December plan.

Anyway, I also started a new diet today because I want to lose weight in time for an upcoming family trip. I’ve been eating with such gusto (primarily because of a recent rough patch), and my stomach feels (and looks) fuller. I hate it. I’m not the most conventionally handsome devil in the world, so I try to control what I can: physical fitness and wearing good clothes. I hope the new diet gets rid of my beer belly before vacation time.

And now my time is almost up. See you in the next post.

End time: 6:15pm.

Header image: Sandeep Singh.

Watch X: Foo Fighters’ First Tiny Desk Concert

One of the extraordinary traits of my favorite band, Foo Fighters, is their ability to turn even the smallest venues into stadiums with their rawest rock performances and Dave Grohl’s infectious charisma, which captivates every crowd. (In fact, they even toured in garages during their Wasting Light era, even though they had reached legendary status.)

Still, while the places the Foos have rocked at have varied in terms of capacity and intimacy, I never imagined they would step into a cramped yet iconic spot like NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concerts. But here we are. (Pun intended.)