reunion – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

30-Minute Warning XLIII

It’s been almost exactly a month since I wrote a Minute Warning post. So, what can I share here in under 30 minutes?

Firstly, I’ve been more than productive this week. Specifically, I’ve been running wild on design tasks for my day job, and I’m not technically a designer anymore. With those design tasks, I’m so over the moon that I got the inspiration I need to work on personal projects I’ve been neglecting for a long time. Pushing through those projects slowly but surely feels great.

Secondly, I’ve been listening to the new Foo Fighters single, “Your Favorite Toy,” since last night, and I’m floored because of the groovy, playful guitars and the stinging lyrics. As I write this, I’ve been listening to it for the 110th time. I’m looking forward to the new Foo Fighters album, Your Favorite Toy, which will be released on Friday, April 24, 2026. I definitely marked that date on my planner with the utmost importance; the highest-priority, do-not-do-anything-else-on-that-night kind of importance. (And expect the new single to be my Song of the Moment next week.)

Thirdly, I’m planning to meet two of my old friends tomorrow at a reunion party. I saw Ferdinand at my birthday dinner last year, and he never missed since I started inviting my closest friends over. Tomorrow will be a monumental moment because it will be the first time in years that we will have a chat in the flesh outside my birthday party. The other friend I’m meeting, Sim, is someone I bumped into at a mall last year after so many years, and since then, we have been exchanging words online more often. I’m stoked to see my buddies again tomorrow night, even for just a few hours!

What else? Oh, remember my last Minute Warning post, where I discussed the CM Punk/Finn Bálor bout for the World Heavyweight Championship on WWE Raw last month? Now they will have another world title match before February closes at Elimination Chamber. Honestly, I didn’t expect the second match to happen that soon, but I’m still bouncing off the walls because two of my favorite professional wrestlers are facing off again. However, sadly, at this point, I don’t think they will drop the title to Bálor on that night. The Judgment Day might turn on him, too… and that also means breaking the chains that have been holding Bálor for several years. I honestly like him more as a singles competitor or the leader of a badass faction like Bullet Club.

Good grief. I don’t think I’ve ever been this talkative on a Minute Warning post, no matter the time limit. Perhaps this is the residue of my productive feeling since this work week started… and being on cloud nine since Valentine’s Day. I mean, my past Valentine’s Days have been relatively quiet, but this year isn’t because I did a quietly brave thing, and then received warmth in return. That’s a lovely feeling after many years of being in the shadows.

Anyway, I have four minutes left, but I’m signing off for now while I enjoy a seasalt latte. See you in the next post, and have a happy weekend, everyone!

30-Minute Warning III

What can I type here in under 30 minutes?

I have been in my province of Ballesteros, Cagayan the past 3 days. And I have enjoyed walking on the beach in the morning and before sunset, eating local delicacies like Batil Patong and empanada, sharing stories with my uncles, aunts, and cousins, and taking photos and videos of interesting things I see there. For the 1st time since I started working for my parents on January 16, 2023, I’m really taking a long break that is beneficial for my mental health and I love it. I made time for checking my socials and blogging after a long day, but only for an hour or 2. That’s how I’m enjoying being in the province that much.

And while I’m enjoying my time here Ballesteros, Mother is also having a great time. She is partying with her high school friends and classmates at the beach and at a function hall, and she is also one of the organizers. And by the looks of all the photos she sent in our family’s group chat, it looks like the events are a huge success. Congratulations to my mom and the entire organizing committee!

As I said, I made time for blogging after a long day. For the past 2 days, I’m trying to compile my travel snippets in Cagayan. But I think it will take a minimum of a week before I finish everything. I will see about that.

Tomorrow, Mother, Uncle Elvis and I will go to Santa Ana, Cagayan, a 2-to-3-hour drive from Ballesteros. Her high school batchmates will be there as well, and we will stay there until Wednesday, April 5, 2023. And Uncle John (no, not that Uncle John, the former Ministop convenience store) told me that Santa Ana’s beach is Cagayan’s answer to Boracay. That’s a pretty tall order, uncle. I’m extra stoked now especially since we will go back to Manila on Thursday.

Damn. I need to sleep now. Our trip to Sta. Ana will start at 5am. Yes. That’s so early.

And time’s up.