30-Minute Warning XLVI

Start time: 3:40pm.

So, what can I share here in under 20 minutes?

First, I went to bed early last night—a habit I’m working on because I’m not getting any younger and I want better sleep. Unfortunately, I had this vivid dream involving an apocalyptic flood, and we were all wiped out, and I had to catch my breath in the middle of the night. I relaxed my nerves with deep breaths, then I went back to bed. I only had less than seven hours of sleep, but surprisingly, I’m not groggy.

Since last week, I’ve been doing my best to make my own iced latte with no espresso machine or any other fancy appliances. I had two espresso choices: UCC Class One and Nescafé Gold. Today, I chose the latter, and for the first time since I started my little experiment, I found the perfect middle ground between strong coffee and smooth, creamy milk. Precision pays off. (I still need to work on the presentation, though.)

I’ve also started using my revamped journal system. In particular, I’ve segregated my notes, tasks, and rituals, so writing on them will not be as tedious as before. One result: I finished all urgent tasks before 1:00pm. Good job, self! I will keep this system moving forward. That’s why I’m back at Oversight at 3:00pm, enjoying my favorite affogato in the whole world and writing this entry.

Speaking of writing, while I’m here, I should flesh out my next entry for Always Watching, my Person of Interest review series. Watch out for my review of “Baby Blue” this coming Wednesday, September 23.

And speaking of Person of Interest, tomorrow marks 15 years since the sci-fi/crime drama series debuted. If you’re reading this and you haven’t seen the incredibly underrated series, please do (especially if you love Minority Report and The Dark Knight Trilogy). To my favorite show of all time, happiest anniversary in advance!

I’ll end this Minute Warning post early. See you in the next post.

End time: 4:03pm.


Header image: Amar Preciado.

XLV: Full Circle IV: The Diary’s 3rd Anniversary

Today is the third anniversary of The Diary, my main home on the World Wide Web. I don’t think I have ever reached a third anniversary post on any of my older blogs, but here we are! I’m truly happy about this milestone.

And since we’re talking about numero tres, let me randomly pick three of my favorite written posts. Funnily enough, they were all published in 2025, and each represented three sides of me: the light, the dark, and the absurd. (And I also explained why I remember writing them fondly.)

Continue reading XLV: Full Circle IV: The Diary’s 3rd Anniversary

Smile III

Sleeping soundly while my heart is full of glee
My mind drifts to a different kind of paradise
I walk in fresh nature with someone special
Light everlasting, the cool air comforts the skin
Every second of this joy feels like eternity

Ω


Smile (Poetry Series): I, II, III, IV


Header image: Matthew Montrone of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.