gentle – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

Jump I

Just when I started accepting the fact that
Unfortunate events are the norm
My heart leaped with joy when I met a
Precious, gentle, and kind soul

Jump (Poetry Series): I, II

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

Header image: Kaique Rocha of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.

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.

XXX: Listen III: The Deranged Writer’s Top 6 Foo Fighters Songs of All Time

I’m supposed to categorize this post as just a part of my Listen blog series, but I also added the number 30’s Roman numeral equivalent to the post title because:

I would like this post to be the 30th normal Diary post, and…
It aligns with the Foo Fighters’ 30th anniversary this year. (They celebrated it last June 26 and July 4 [the UK and US release dates of the first Foos studio album, respectively], and I celebrated it with a Foos music marathon.)

Anyway, after almost two and a half years of writing in The Diary, and because of the aforementioned 30th anniversary of my favorite band, I think it’s time for me, The Deranged Writer, to list down my top six favorite Foo Fighters songs of all time.

Note: While writing this entry, I had a hard time picking my top four to six (and below that) because they have changed through the years, and it will change for sure. But I’m definitely certain about my top three.