Buffy the Vampire Slayer (3x11) - Gingerbread

Buffy 3x11 - Gingerbread

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The episode starts when Joan walks in on Buffy's vampire patrol one dark night. I didn't like this for a number of reasons - another moment that makes Joyce look a bit of an idiot, or at least, a mother-stereotype gone wrong.

But that should have warned me that this was another fairy-tale episode which, on the whole, is the thing Joss Whedon does worst.

( But no episode is all bad. Right? )

Exhausted...

But in a good way.

Coming to take me to the hospital this morning for physiotherapy, the para transpo driver came way early; an unprecedented thing, since they are usually ten to thirty minutes late. Luckily I was washed and dressed and ready to go, though in my haste I went without my watch, which was a nuisance. He came early because he had two other people to pick up. By the time we got to Preston St. - the opposite direction from the Riverside hospital - they'd cancelled.

It gave me extra time, so I explored a part of the hospital annex I hadn't yet been to, the pharmacy and the downstairs cafeteria. I usually get a cup of coffee (and often breakfast) at the cafeteria by the main doors. It's run by volunteers, who toast bagels and make sandwiches: not very fancy, but very high quality - I think their salmon sandwiches are delicacies of the highest order, as are their toasted bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches.

The downstairs place had a delicious quick breakfast for $3.25 - two eggs, fried potatoes, two slices of bacon and two slice of toast with jam - not bad at all. But the place has two small rooms instead of one large one, making it feel a little claustrophobic; and worse, it has no windows. The one upstairs has beautiful large windows so you can sit sipping coffee and looking out at the parkland along the Rideau River. You can even see the water. It's beautiful.

Physiotherapy: it was amazing. Debbie had me balancing on one foot - The Foot. She had me standing on tiptoes. I spent twenty minutes on the bicycle.

At the end, I was exhausted but happy. She said that it'll be probably a year before I stop noticing problems with my foot. She marvelled again at the smallness of my heels. I complained about buying shoes and explained about the effects of scleroderma.

When Para Transpo came for me, it was, for the first time, one of their little buses, not a car. I got to ride up on their elevator-platform to get into it, though I got out of the bus by going down the steps - no problem at all.

I then collapsed in front of the television, and watched the Angel episode "I will remember you." Then I did two loads of laundry and washed dishes. I am mighty.

At 4 p.m., Beulah came over for a visit, and I persuaded her to walk around the block with me. Her back was hurting, so the snail's pace suited us both. Crutching at the speed of molasses. I asked Beulah about the flowers in the gardens we passed, feeling like the padawan asking questions of the Master. There was a tree maaseru an I had been wondering about: It turns out to be Japanese lilac. We also saw a very lovely Siberian iris.

Then we watched two episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "Something Blue" and "Hush", and ate a meal from The Green Door.

A good time was had by all.