first – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

10-Minute Warning CXCVI

So, what should I write about in my first Minute Warning post of 2026?

Firstly, yesterday, I worked overtime until 2am. That’s my first overtime of the year. In my current job as an administrative assistant, the first week of the month is usually the busiest. This 2026, I would like to work more efficiently so my family business can grow (most especially, financially). If that means burning the midnight oil to finish crucial tasks, I will gladly do it, and that’s what I accomplished yesterday.

Secondly, this 2026, I need to fix my sleep schedule again. Frankly speaking, recently, I have been waking up later than I want to. Yes, I woke up later today again, and I have a perfect excuse for that: I worked overtime. However, I need to go back to waking up at 8am, whether I have an early workload or not. I also have a perfect excuse to wake up early on Tuesday mornings, which is the livestream of WWE Raw on Netflix Philippines every Tuesday, 9am. The morning Raw viewing is so important that it’s already written in my planner for the next several weeks.

My ten minutes are almost up, but I have to go. See you in the next post.

Header image: cottonbro studio of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.

Song of the Moment CII: Piano Project’s “Hurt” (A Johnny Cash/Nine Inch Nails Cover)

Last November 19, at night, after enjoying a refreshingly hot Earl Grey tea while sitting in Oversight, I walked around the nearby business district, and I saw all the buildings and lamp posts decorated with Christmas lights. For the first time in years, I felt the Christmas spirit early. It must be because I have had a long streak of happy moments lately, and seeing those bright Christmas decorations and feeling the holiday cheer early is another win for me. At that moment, I felt like I had won 21 straight wins at WrestleMania like The Undertaker did.

Then, as I continued walking, I decided to listen to something I discovered on Spotify two weeks ago: Piano Project’s cover of “Hurt” (Johnny Cash’s cover of the Nine Inch Nails song).

Side note: Two mentions of the word “cover” in one sentence. Damn.

Piano Project’s cover of “Hurt”.

Anyway, I may have had many happy memories lately, but I admit there are still a few demons and ghosts left. But I decided to listen to the hauntingly beautiful piano cover of “Hurt” during my late-night stroll, not out of pain; I need to listen to “Hurt” to be calm and grounded.

I have experienced so many joyful moments lately, and it’s been a total pleasure looking back at them… but I don’t want to get stuck on cloud nine. If I do that, I might lose sight of reality, and if that happens, I wouldn’t be able to achieve my goals (long-term or short-term, present and future) and create more happy moments. Thanks to Piano Project’s cover of “Hurt”, that calmness was achieved, and I feel grounded on earth again. I walked around the district with “Hurt” on repeat, clearer eyes, a refueled soul, and a gleeful heart, and then I ended the hour of wandering with these words:

Onto the next mission.

And that is why Piano Project’s cover of Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt” is my Song of the Moment.

See you in the next post.

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

Header image: Jonathan Meyer of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.

Updated on November 25, 2025.