Simbang Gabi – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

10-Minute Warning CXCV

It’s been a while since I wrote a Minute Warning post. What can I share here in under ten minutes?

After an eventful few days (e.g., completing all nine Simbang Gabi Masses, my family’s first Noche Buena in years), my body is waving the white flag today. However, I have work to do, which includes running an errand. So, I took it easy and walked it instead. My throat was itchy earlier, but after having The Angel’s Cup (hot honey/citron/ginger tea), now it’s fine.

I’m pretty excited for tomorrow’s reunion with my Mother’s relatives because I haven’t seen all of them together in one night in years. Maybe I’ll bring some pizza and a bottle of Jack & Daniel’s whiskey and Coke Zeros, so my relatives will have the option of having either the whiskey or the soft drink, or I can just mix Devil’s Cups for them. I could buy some pre-mixed cans, but they taste sweeter, and I’m not sure if my relatives will like that. I believe that my mixing of The Devil’s Cup is the better option because it tastes like an equal amount of both Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Coke Zero. Plus, mixing the drink myself adds a personal touch.

What else? Well, I learned last night that the Netflix hit series Stranger Things will be involved in the first WWE Raw of 2026. That’s the strangest collaboration ever. I love it! Will the cast be there? Who knows? I’m excited to see the first Raw to be broadcast on Netflix Philippines! (That’s January 6, 2025, at 9am, Philippine Standard Time.)

I still have a few minutes left, but crap. I need to run a surprise errand and then get a fresh haircut. My hair looks weird now. See you in the next post… probably tomorrow.

30-Minute Warning XXXVII

OK. Now that I’m done with my 12-day blogging break, what can I share here under 30 minutes?

Well, yeah… let me talk about my short break from blogging. Writing on The Diary for 14 days straight (as part of my 14 Days of The Deranged Writer [2024] series) drained my energy, so I had to take a breather. And now I’m back, I will try to blog more often before 2024 ends.

Good grief. Here I go again with my monthly blog count problem. But hey, I still have to try to reach my goal. As my favorite Marvel character, Deadpool, says, “Maximum effort!”

Anyway, what is up with me recently? Well, after being on cloud nine because of my happiest birthday party by far (I’m working on a post about that), my mood went down a week after. Why? Let’s just say that I got ignored by a non-friend, and for some reason, it affected me so much. I still feel a bit awful about it, but my nerves are more relaxed now compared to last week. (My short break from blogging helped somehow.)

What else can I share? Oh! Recently, I have been doing my annual tradition: Attending the Simbang Gabi, a series of Holy Masses in preparation for Christmas. There are 9 Masses in total, and I have attended 6 so far. Also, I have been attending the anticipated Masses so I don’t have to wake up earlier at 1am or 2:30am. Good job, self! Here’s to going 9!

Wait. Now I realized something: My recent anxiety lessened because of Simbang Gabi and my nightly affogato time after that. Thank you, Lord.

And time’s up. Happy weekend and happy holidays!

Edited on December 21, 2024 at 2:10pm. I got anxious after reading the post twice, so I had to make one sentence clearer. (The “ignored” sentence.)

10-Minute Warning XCVII

A lot has happened this week; notably I ate a lot of tasty food and I attended 8 out of 9 Simbang Gabi. I would like to talk more about my recent happenings, but my throat is sore and I feel weak. I need to rest this weekend.

I will be back on Monday, Christmas Day. Happy weekend and Merry Christmas, everyone!