The Undertaker (real name Mark Calaway) is an American professional wrestler who was the longest-serving talent in WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Throughout his legendary career, he has won multiple world championships and has faced many iconic rivals from Mankind (Mick Foley), Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock, to John Cena, Batista, and CM Punk. He also owns the record of having the longest undefeated streak at WWE’s flagship event, WrestleMania—21 straight wins.
Along with Dave Grohl, The Undertaker is The Deranged Writer’s personal hero.
Of all the 14 Days of The Deranged Writer birthday blogging marathons I have done since the beginning of The Diary, the 2025 edition (this year) is the most memorable in terms of content quality. For 14 straight days, I wrote four acrostic poems (one of them is related and dedicated to The Undertaker), five music-related posts, one essay about a once-haunting day, one Notes to Self post, and only three Minute Warning posts. Only three. I have reached an incredible feat.
Speaking of Notes to Self, after blogging for two weeks straight, I realized something worthy of a Notes to Self post. It’s about freedom of expression, and the responsibilities that come with it.
As part of 14 Days of The Deranged Writer (2025), and since drinking UCC Class One coffee is a part of my morning ritual nowadays, I’d like to talk about a legendary YouTube video that has stuck with me since 2010. It’s a video so memorably epic that I always remember it when I drink black coffee (or any caffeinated drink, for that matter).
I’m talking about the video titled “Dave Grohl in FRESH POTS!”
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.
The Diary of The Deranged Writer 