Pisa and Jane Espenson, Buffywriter Extraordinaire

You know, if one has to wait more than a week still to be able to download the Buffy finale and tries not to gnash one's teeth about being unable to participate in the discussions about same, there are worse places to do so than Tuscany. Today we visited Pisa; the Duomo there is one of the most beautiful Italian cathedrals I know, with the straight cross form of the ancient basilicas, Carrara marble outside with a second floor in loggia form which gives it etheral elegance, carefully carved wooden artwork on the ceilings and the light filtered through coloured glass. The Leaning Tower was open to visitors, for a change, though the restoration is not completet yet; I saw three workers carefully cleaning the stones on the roof (all women, btw). It's odd, climbing all those stairs, so distinctly wrong in their lobsidedness. Like a ship, frozen permanently in the same position.

All Italian distractions aside, I can't help the urge to contribute some more "end of Buffy" thoughts. So I offer another eulogy to one of those writers whose voice helped shaping the show: Jane Espenson.

( (Selena's Ode To Jane) )