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.

Ω

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!

Ω


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

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

10-Minute Warning CLXXXIX

Hi, Diary. What can I type in under ten minutes?

After a whirlwind set of days filled with Foo Fighters euphoria, wandering around Singapore in a short period of time, returning to Manila, and then returning to my normal routine, my body’s truly waving the white flag. My muscles are still a bit sore, and my throat hurts. (In the first few days of having throat pain after the Foo Fighters show at the Singapore Grand Prix, I sounded like Lemmy from Motörhead.) And today, I’ve been coughing. Perhaps you can say that now I’m a flu fighter. And I’m fighting the flu with Bioflu, some hot honey/citron/ginger tea, and lots of rest.

But then my Father ordered me to finish some paperwork this afternoon. He’s also my boss, so I can’t say no to that. At least the paperwork is easy though. I’ve done them before anyway. It’s like muscle memory.

Speaking of muscles, my arms are in more pain than usual. Fuck. Even if I have more things to say and my ten minutes are still not up, I need more rest.

And that’s my update for today. See you in the next post. (And I hope I feel better when that happens.)

Ω


Header image: Anna Shvets of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.