Oversight – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

10-Minute Warning CXCIII

Tonight, I really don’t want to write another Minute Warning post; I’m supposed to publish a new Watch post. The upcoming post is about a famous YouTube video related to my hero, Dave Grohl. But when I was drafting, I got a message from someone I met recently, and I must admit: getting messages from her is the highlight of my day.

Pardon me, my readers… oh, right. Pardon me, my only reader. Thanks to her, this Minute Warning post is all you get tonight. But at least my shadow heart is feeling a different kind of light, a comforting kind of light. And trust me on this: that’s something I haven’t felt in a long time.

Anyway, about my birthday plans: it’s exactly a week to go before my special day, and finally I have the day planned out! I’m going to my favorite cafe, and plan the next year ahead by writing in my new Moleskine daily planner. I will also have lunch there, plus I will drink my favorite affogato in the whole world. After that, I might look for a Blokees Deadpool figure at the nearest toy store. (Though I’m not sure if I’ll buy one.) And in the main event, I will meet my family and two of my closest friends at a modern Filipino restaurant, and we will have a glorious feast. (Take note: the restaurant is Michelin-certified.)

My ten minutes are not up yet, but that’s all I can say for now. See you in the next post, and happy weekend!

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

Header image: Suvan Chowdhury of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.

Updated November 29, 2025.

10-Minute Warning CXCII

What can I write here in under ten minutes?

Let me just list down what happened today:

Lately, I have been drinking FRESH POTS every morning. Again. Today is no exception. 2010 Dewey is screaming with joy.
I recited Steiner Math at home. Again. HOLLA IF YA HEAR ME!!!
I walked from my mall of choice to the nearest hospital. That’s 1 km.
I walked from the hospital lobby to the 12th floor through the emergency stairway to buy my dermatologist’s medicine.
After going down to the hospital lobby via elevator, I walked from there to the mall. That’s another 1 km.
I met with my Mother, my cousin May, and my Tita Maggie, and we had a lovely merienda at Paul. I ordered a tartine salmon, and paired it with a refreshing glass of mango juice. It was excellent! I’d order a tartine salmon from Paul again.
I walked around the mall to cool down further. I almost tried a different cafe that also serves affogato.
I was mocked by a group of people because of my face. I know because when I passed by them, I heard them saying, “Pogi ang pananamit, pero ang pangit ng mukha.” (The style is nice, but the face is ugly.) I’m aware that I don’t have the face of a matinee idol. In fact, I have been insecure about my looks for a long time, and their mocking didn’t help at all. I was really hurt. Thanks for that.
To calm myself, reset, and feel better, I dropped by my favorite cafe again, and I had a hot Earl Grey tea. This time, I only stayed for around ten minutes. I already did my Monday ritual anyway, so I’m good with a quick cup of tea.
I went home with my parents and my cousin May.
And now I’m writing this post.

Oops. My ten minutes are up. See you in the next post.

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

Header image: Edward Eyer 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.