10-Minute Warning CCII

Good grief. I didn’t expect to have an incredibly busy day at work, and my battery’s drained in the process. So, here’s a post written under ten minutes.

I’ve been working in the same job (in the family business) for three years and counting. In the first year, I’ve gotten used to the processes I learned. But when this year started, I thought I should improve those processes and even the company’s design materials. With those improvements, I made the processes fast and more efficient, and the materials sleeker and more professional. If ever I resign, at least I have a few legacies to leave behind.

But I couldn’t resign. Not yet, anyway. What I do need is another part-time graphic design job so I can push through the plans for the remainder of 2026. I’ve mentioned looking for such a job (and ranting about it) so many times here in The Diary, and I still haven’t found one that I can handle and perhaps juggle alongside my current one… which is frustrating. I’m considering making adjustments like searching for full-time jobs (even if I need to take a graveyard shift) while keeping my current one. I truly don’t want to, but with my situation now, I think I have to.

I feel fulfilled working for (and improving) the family business for many reasons. But I can’t gain financial security, financial freedom, and, more importantly, I can’t push through with my plans for this year if I only have one job. Quite frankly, the current job doesn’t pay well, and now that it’s almost half of the year, I feel like I’m running out of time. I seriously need to work harder (and smarter) and find another job soon.

Wish me luck, and see you in the next post.


Header image: Samer Daboul 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.

Ω


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.