Notes to Self XXIV

For those who have been following The Diary since February 2023, you have read my struggles with Steinermania. Almost everything reminds me of the craziest professional wrestler, “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner. I even have a hard time computing simple math because my brain has been conditioned to remember Steiner Math instead.

That’s why it’s been difficult typing my first Notes to Self of 2026. Then again, I had to write this because the leading expert in Steiner Math has said something unbelievably profound on X (the social media site formerly known as Twitter), even if it’s wrapped in typical Steiner promo fashion.

Continue reading Notes to Self XXIV

Song of the Moment CVI: Saliva’s “I Walk Alone”

On New Year’s Day (2024), the first song I heard on Spotify was my favorite song of all time, “The Pretender by my favorite band, Foo Fighters. On New Year’s Day (2025), it was “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour, CM Punk’s WWE theme song, and one of my first Songs of the Moment.

But this year, 2026, I wanted to do something different. Because of the ridiculous barrage of fireworks outside, I started the year 2026 by opening the house’s smart TV and then searching on Spotify for Saliva’s “I Walk Alone”, the theme song of WWE wrestler-turned-actor Batista (real name David Bautista). Upon finding the song, I played it at full volume, jumped with my coins for good luck, and screamed along to the song’s first line:

YEEEEEEEEEEAH!!!

Side note: For context, please watch the video below. It’s Batista’s entrance at WrestleMania XXXIV featuring his theme song.

What a way for me to kick off the new year and cleanse the bad spirits. It was like I recreated Batista’s epic entrance at home. And that’s why it’s my first Song of the Moment for 2026.

Saliva’s “I Walk Alone”, from the WWE soundtrack compilation Wreckless Intent.

To all, have a fruitful, happy, and safe year ahead!

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Header image: DreamSky of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.

Batista’s video: WWE. The featured video is for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended.

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.

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