Listen IV: Saya’s “Natsu Shigure”

On the afternoon of June 30, 2025, I ran a few errands in the nearest business district. And when I was about to finish the final errand, heavy rain poured. I brought my portable umbrella (I always do because I’m vigilant in a way), but still… damn.

I waited several minutes for the weather to calm down, but I also wanted to go to Oversight early. So, I switched on my wireless earphones, opened my umbrella, pressed the shuffle mode on “My Favorite Songs” playlist on Spotify, went outside the building, hit the play button, and started walking. During my first steps, the sun slightly appeared while it was still raining.

The first song that Spotify played was the perfect soundtrack during that sunny yet rainy walk to my favorite cafe. What’s the song? It’s “Natsu Shigure” (夏しぐれ), my favorite song from Saya (冴夜), my recent favorite singer-songwriter hailing from Japan. “Natsu Shigure” means “Summer Drizzle” or “Summer Shower” in Japanese.

Continue reading Listen IV: Saya’s “Natsu Shigure”

XXXIII: The Deranged Writer’s Stories During Rainfall I

The rain has been pouring nonstop since Friday, July 18. Sometimes it’s a drizzle, but most of the time it’s a storm.

Today, staying at home is safer. And while I’m at home, let me share bits of life stories that happened during the rainfall.

Continue reading XXXIII: The Deranged Writer’s Stories During Rainfall I

10-Minute Warning CLXXXII

All right. Before I do my Monday night ritual, what can I share here under 10 minutes?

After following a seven-to-eight-hour sleep schedule for the past few weeks, I slept at 11pm, and then I woke up at 9am. That’s a few hours later than I wanted to.

But I have to say: it was the most satisfying ten-hour sleep since my therapist, Dr. M, prescribed me to sleep that long. That’s in 2019.

I quote my therapist, Dr. M, “Sleep is medicine.” She’s right. Yes, I have been sleeping seven to eight hours lately (sometimes I go for six, which is not recommended) because I want a few extra hours for activities like work, writing, enjoying my other hobbies, and spending time with my loved ones. But last night, I fell asleep after watching Person of Interest’s Season 1 episode “Witness” (I’m doing my annual Person of Interest marathon again), my body did a forced maintenance without warning, and I didn’t wake up to my alarms. And when I woke up, I was so energized, and I did so just in time for work. Thank goodness for that beauty sleep, and for being able to do work from home.

Moving forward, I will sleep for seven to eight hours usually, but I will sleep for ten hours whenever I can.

And oh… how was work today? I have never been this productive at work in weeks. Sleep is medicine indeed.

Anyway, my 10 minutes are not up yet, but I’m going to end it here to prepare for my Monday ritual. See you in the next post, and have a nice week ahead!

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