Work and Life

Harry Potter I Quit: Here Are The Reasons Why

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I’ve decided to banish all Harry Potter and similar media from my life. From reading others fan-fiction to creating my own, I am no longer going to be diving into this alternative universe by J. K. Rowling or Buffy the Vampire Slayer or fandoms that depict magic against how I will lay out in this post. I have quite a few reasons for making this decision and in this post, I’ll try and lay them out for you.

Reason #1: Against what I believe is the way Harry Potter is depicted

In both the books and movies, magic is shown is an innate part of the person – either you have it or you don’t. This goes against what the Bible teaches. In the book of Deuteronomy, all forms of magic are banned and are punishable by the death penalty of being stoned alive. If you compare this to famous Christian writers like J R R Tolkien and C S Lewis, it’s a clear contrast. Their books have a clear boundary about who can and cannot use magic and humans are excluded by both from using magic and when they do, it always turns out for the worse! Those who are permitted to use magic in their books are never human – they are former stars, angels disguised as old men, Father Christmas, elves, talking beasts, etc. A good example is Gandalf who is Maiar or “angelic being” rather than a human who learned the craft.

Reason #2: Magic is a crutch

In Rowling’s series, magic is used as a crutch—it is applied to everything from combat to mundane chores like cleaning. This creates a fundamental dependency; if you strip a wizard of their wand, they lack the basic life skills or physical resilience to survive. Compare this to The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia, where humans must rely on their own strength, wisdom, and courage. When they do use magical objects, such as Lucy’s cordial, the item is a specific gift for a specific need. These characters do not manufacture their own power; they remain human, while the magic remains a rare and sacred exception.

Reason #3: The source of authority and pride

In Harry Potter, magic is source of authority and pride. Your power belongs to you if you have it and it is yours to command. This leads to a sense of self-reliance and in some cases pride – a good example are the Malfoys. If Lucius wants something done, he either uses his magic or the generational wealth and status that being a ‘Pure-blood’ wizard provides him. Need a law passed or Harry Potter persecuted? Just grease the hands of Minister Fudge and put in a word and let someone else do the dirty work!

Compare this with The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings, where magic is treated as an act of divine providence or a tool for a specific, selfless mission. In these worlds, when humans try to seize or abuse magic for their own ends, it leads to their downfall. The power is never truly “theirs”; it is a stewardship. Those who are redeemed often find peace only when they step away from the magic they once tried to control and return to a humble, human life.

Reason #4: The Loss of Wonder in Harry Potter

In Harry Potter, magic quickly loses it’s wonder and just becomes the ‘technology’ of the magical world. Need protection from bad people or bugs? Ask a Warder for help. Need to be healed? See the local med-witch or visit the magical hospital, St. Mungo’s. Even something like a very venomous snake and the curing by Phoenix tears isn’t seen as out of this world by the time you get to that point in the series.

We see this same ‘industrialization’ of magic in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. By the middle of the series, magic is treated like a science experiment or a quick fix. When characters can just look up a ‘de-ratting’ spell or a protection enchantment in a dusty book to solve a Tuesday afternoon problem, the supernatural is no longer something to be feared or revered—it’s just another errand. This mundane approach to the occult ignores the gravity of dealing with forces beyond human understanding.

Compare this to The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings. In these stories, every instance of magic is treated as an amazing, precious gift. It is an extraordinary intervention that often leads the characters to a sense of gratitude and awe. Because magic is kept rare and sacred, it never becomes mundane; it remains a pointer to a higher power rather than just a shortcut for daily life.

In Conclusion

Deciding to walk away from these stories wasn’t just about the plotlines; it was about the principles. When magic is reduced to a mundane utility, a source of personal pride, or a shortcut for the soul, it loses the weight and wonder that God-honoring stories should possess. By returning to the works of authors like Tolkien and Lewis, I am choosing to dwell on stories that respect the boundaries of the supernatural and celebrate the inherent strength of the human spirit when it relies on providence rather than power.

I know this is a big shift for the content here at Swagnilla Ice, but I am excited to explore new worlds—both in my writing and in my video series—that reflect these values. I hope you’ll join me as I move forward into this next chapter.

Support My Work

If you enjoyed this deep dive and want to see more of my future projects, gaming videos, and blog posts, please consider becoming a member! Your support helps me keep this platform growing. You can check out our membership tiers—from the free Peasant level to the Knight and Duke ranks—on my Membership Page. Every bit of support makes a difference in creating the kind of content I believe in.

5 Reasons The Archies’ “Factory Music” Has Aged Like Milk

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I’ve been diving into The Archies’ catalog lately, and it’s a total wreck. We usually think of old music as “classic,” but The Archies prove that some things were just built to be disposable.

The Factory Origins

You have to remember: The Archies weren’t even a band. They started as a comic strip. They only got converted into a TV show because someone thought it would be a “good idea” for kids—basically a way to market songs to a captive audience. In my humble opinion, that didn’t turn out so well. They were a “factory band”—studio musicians playing cartoon characters—and it shows in every hollow note.

The “Jughead” Problem

And let’s talk about the characters for a second. One of them is named Jughead. Who is actually named Jughead in real life? Nobody! It sounds like a nickname for a drunkard, but the “joke” is just that he’s a goofy guy who is actually quite funny when you look at him. But really, what were they thinking naming a character that? The whole thing is just bizarre.

The Geography Fever Dream

In A Summer Prayer for Peace, they can’t decide if they’re a map or a census. They jump from countries like Ethiopia to US states like Ohio in the same breath. Plus, they’re singing about 3 billion people when we’re sitting at over 8.3 billion in 2026. It’s hard to take a “deep” message seriously when the lyrics feel like a 50-year-old social studies project that was never finished.

The Failed “Prophecies” of Mr. Factory

Even their “serious” stuff like Mr. Factory feels melodramatic and dated. They were singing about machines and factories taking over the world in this grim, smoggy way that just didn’t happen. The factories didn’t take over the world like they said—it’s just another example of them swinging for a “deep” message and landing somewhere totally confusing and wrong.

Misplaced Devotion

Then you have Sugar, Sugar. The level of total, sugary worship they give to a “candy girl” is honestly sickly. When you really listen to it, that kind of all-encompassing devotion feels totally hollow. That level of praise belongs to God, not to a sugary metaphor for a girl. It’s cloying, it’s empty, and it just makes me feel sick.

The Verdict

The Archies were designed for one specific moment in time—the late 60s and early 70s. They were a corporate product meant to be consumed and thrown away. Now that we’re in 2026, listening to them feels like drinking a carton of milk that’s been sitting in the sun since 1971. It’s time to leave the “factory” music behind and listen to something with an actual soul.

Get the Real Truth

If you want actual substance and not just the sugary junk you get from The Archies, consider supporting Swagnilla Ice as a member. Whether you’re a free Peasant, a Knight, or a Duke, you know that I’ll never give you that fake, sugary goodness. I’ll give you the hard facts and the truth. You’ve got my guarantee on that, and that’s something that will never change.

The Art of Stepping Away

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I have been writing a fanfiction chapter nearly every day for almost two weeks, but yesterday I chose to skip my session because I was feeling a bit drained. Even though I have plenty of ideas for the story, I didn’t feel like I could give them my best effort.

It is important to recognize when you need a break, whether you are writing, gaming, or exercising. Pushing yourself too hard can cause you to dread the projects you love instead of feeling eager to dive into them.

By taking a break, you can avoid several common issues:

  1. Strain and fatigue: Whether this is physical, mental, or both, taking a break allows your body and mind to relax. For physical exercise, rest allows your muscles to repair and grow stronger.
  2. Burnout: Taking a break prevents that heavy feeling of no longer wanting to pursue your project.
  3. Mental blocks: This is especially important for creative tasks and gaming. A lack of inspiration can lead to mindless grinding or staring at a blank screen, unable to produce anything meaningful.
  4. Lack of rest: You need downtime after working intensely. The human body is not designed to run at 100 percent all the time; you are a person, not a machine.

How do you know when you need a break? Review the previous list and ask yourself if you are experiencing any of those symptoms. Have you been exercising for more than an hour a day, or working on a project for two or three days straight? If so, it is time to declare the next day a rest day and find a way to relax. For those who are Christian, if the next day is Sunday, always take a break on that day to honor the Lord; your life will be blessed for doing so.

I am planning to post a completely original story here in the future for only my Knights and Dukes to read and comment on. If you aren’t yet a member, now is a great chance to sign up and support me as I move toward that goal. I want to complete my fanfiction projects first—you can find me on Archive of Our Own as swagnillaice—before I begin this new story. I will continue to create my videos while I write my fanfiction and then the original fiction, which will eventually replace these Friday posts. Until the next time I post, may God bless all of you.

The Made-in-Alberta Solution: Sovereignty Without the $500B Shaky Foundation

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The debate over Alberta’s future has been stuck between two dead ends: an Ottawa government trying to centralize everything with “strings” attached, and a secessionist movement built on a shaky foundation that would require borrowing $500 billion from the Americans just to keep the lights on.

I don’t like the idea of independence because it’s a gamble on a loan we can’t afford. But we don’t have to settle for Ottawa’s overreach either. There is a third way. It’s the “Made-in-Alberta” Solution—securing our sovereignty within a strong and free Canada by using the Crown.

  1. The Crown Shield: Using the Lieutenant Governor While Mark Carney manages a fragile minority government, Premier Smith has a solid majority and a massive 91.5% mandate. We can use that power through the Royal Prerogative. Under Section 92 of the Constitution, the province has exclusive power over the “Administration of Justice.” By working directly with the Lieutenant Governor (LG), Smith can establish provincial institutions like the Alberta Police Service as Crown-backed entities. Carney can’t “disallow” them without attacking the King’s representative—a move his own party would never survive.
  2. The Great Decoupling: Indigenous-Led Safety The Feds have failed our Indigenous communities with an underfunded RCMP model. We can fix this by using the LG’s office to fund and empower every Nation to stand up their own police force.
  • Cree (Nehiyaw): Reclaim the Okihcitâwak (Lawkeepers). The Cree are already targeting gang culture via the Young Warriors Project – this should be encouraged and helped.
  • Blackfoot (Niitsitapi): Restore the Iikunukahtsi (All Comrades Society). When policing is rooted in heritage instead of federal red tape, we can target gangs by restoring identity. Gang culture is a colonial import; by empowering traditional peacekeepers, we reduce gangs to a non-Native problem.
  1. The King’s Corridor: Economic Unification The East has proven they can’t lead. While Carney is busy with “global statesman” trips, the West should take the wheel. By using the LG in Council, Alberta can sign direct “Crown-to-Crown” trade agreements with Ontario, Saskatchewan, and BC. These agreements bypass the federal “One Canadian Economy” bottleneck. It forces Carney to focus on what he promised: external trade with the USA and the CUSMA 2026 review.

Why This Wins This model proves that Alberta doesn’t need to exit the building to own the house.

  • No $500B Debt: We use existing constitutional architecture, not foreign loans.
  • Total Control: We manage our own taxes, policing, and trade corridors.
  • Western Leadership: It prepares the country for a Western leader who actually respects provincial jurisdiction.

The Bottom Line: We don’t need a divorce; we need to take the lead. The “Made-in-Alberta” solution is about being more loyal to the Constitution than the Feds are. It’s about being sovereign and free—right here in Canada.

The Reality Check: Why Temping is My Path Forward

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I often talk about the future of Swagnilla Ice, but I want to be real with you all about the present. For a long time, I tried to do things the traditional way. I applied for the steady, permanent roles, but the job market has a way of being cold.

Despite my efforts, the traditional 9-to-5 world hasn’t been biting. And even when I did have that stability, it proved to be an illusion. My longest run at a job was six years before I was given the boot.

That experience changed how I look at employment and why I’ve embraced temp work while we build this community together.

The Illusion of Permanent Work
Getting let go after six years teaches you a hard lesson: no matter how much time you put in, you are often just a line on a spreadsheet. When that permanent safety net disappears, you realize that the only thing you truly own is what you build for yourself. That is exactly what I am doing here with this blog and my video series.

Turning Rejection into Fuel
It’s frustrating to put yourself out there and not get the call back. But instead of letting that stall me, I’m using temping as a tool. It’s a way to keep Harmani Investments happy and the rent paid without tied-down loyalty to companies that haven’t shown that same loyalty to me in the past.

Why the Membership Matters
This is why I’m so focused on our membership tiers. Whether you are a Peasant, a Knight, or a Duke, you are helping me build a career that can’t be taken away by a corporate boot. Until Swagnilla Ice is fully supported by the community, temping is how I bridge the gap. It keeps me agile, it keeps the bills paid, and most importantly, it keeps me from being at the mercy of a hiring manager who doesn’t see the value in what I do.

By supporting me here at Swagnilla Ice with a membership, you are helping me to secure the future and produce more awesome content like this blog post.

My Exercise Regime

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I follow a steady exercise regime now of visiting the aquatic centre at Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre every other day as long as I am not working that day. My routine is a simple 20 minutes of jogging back and forth or in place in the deep area of the leisure pool (sometimes I will swim a few laps back and forth for extra exercise), then a 5 minute soak in the hot tub, and finishing with 5 minutes of riding the water slide (walking up the stairs to the top is good exercise!). This can vary by a few minutes depending on various factors, but I am usually out of the pool in about forty minutes at the latest. If you need to get more exercise, why don’t you try it? The water is great for cushioning your joints especially if you suffer from arthritic pain like I do!

A New Year Means New Hope

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As the calendar turns to 2026, there is always a familiar sense of a clean slate. For me, this year is about finding renewal in what I build and how I live.

First, I have a major update for the fans of my gaming series, Creative Engineering. After a lot of work behind the scenes, the Creative Engineering Season One modpack is officially available for public download. You can find the link right here on the blog (under My Downloads). I am excited to see what you all build with these tools, especially since I am already preparing for the future—the next pack will be its own world and not in this one, so now is the perfect time to dive into this version.

On a more personal note, I am making a change to how I handle my time, my budget, and my health. I’ve recently received a diagnosis of minor arthritis in my knee and some slightly elevated cholesterol. It means a few more meds, but it also means I need to be more intentional. I have officially decided to give up on ordering in via delivery apps. To tighten my purse strings and ensure I am actually staying active and enjoying the experience of food someone else has cooked, I am restricting my dining out to a specific ritual.

I will only be going out to eat after Mass on Saturday or Sunday when I attend in person. As long as I am not sick and the weather isn’t too cold to make the trip, that will be my time to sit down and appreciate a fresh meal. It is about reclaiming the experience and making it a deliberate choice rather than a habit of convenience.

Whether you are downloading the new pack to start your own engineering journey or making your own small shifts in daily habits, I hope this year brings you a sense of fresh momentum.

f you enjoyed this blog post and the other content here on Swagnilla Ice, consider becoming a member. Members get to comment on posts as well as communicate directly with me and each other via a Discord server. Your support is what will keep this blog alive.

Locked Out: Why I’m Done with the Golden Arches

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I have spent years stopping by the golden arches for a quick meal between shifts, but lately, something has felt off. After some reflection, I have decided to officially move on from McDonald’s, and it is honestly a bigger relief than I expected.

The breaking point happened on Christmas Day. I checked the official app and Google Maps, both of which confirmed the location was open 24/7 for walk-in customers. However, after making the effort to get there, I was met with locked doors and a sign stating it was drive-through only. As someone who doesn’t drive, I was left standing in the cold with no way to get service despite the glowing Open signs.

What made the situation even harder to swallow was the weather. It was freezing outside, and a big part of the plan was to step inside for a few minutes to warm up before the walk back home. Standing there in the cold on Christmas, staring at a Drive-Thru Only sign while the app insisted the lobby was open, felt like a slap in the face. When a billion-dollar company can’t keep its own digital hours accurate, it shows a lack of respect for a customer’s time and effort. It is one thing to have a technical glitch; it is another to leave a customer out in the elements because your business model only accounts for people in heated cars.

The kicker? I’m walking away from nearly 3,000 McDonald’s points, but honestly, it’s a small price to pay for my peace of mind. When I look at the competition, the choice is easy. Starbucks actually serves hot chocolate that tastes like chocolate, not watery sugar. Tim Hortons and Subway offer fresher, more diverse food options that don’t leave me feeling sluggish. To top it off, the rewards system at Tim’s actually feels like it respects my wallet—I earn freebies way faster there than I ever did at McDonald’s.

Missing out on that meal ended up being a blessing in disguise. Instead of settling for fast food, I had a proper brunch yesterday: two egg, ham, and spread cheese sandwiches, a hot glass of apple cider to shake off the chill, and some vanilla-flavoured almond milk. Not only did it taste better, but using eggs with Omega 3 is a win for my heart health, too.

It isn’t just about a missed meal; it is about the principle of the matter. This experience reminded me that my time and my patronage are better spent elsewhere—somewhere that actually values accessibility for everyone, not just those behind a steering wheel. From now on, I will be taking my business to places that keep their doors open and their digital promises honest.

The BAT Scale: Why a 28/30 Score Means I’m Never Going Back

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The Unofficial BAT Score Breakdown

Before we get to the rankings, you need to know how I judge these jobs. The BAT Scale is my own unofficial system, which evolved from simply assigning letters (B, A, or T) as misery popped up. If a job started or progressed to a T, it was time to leave.

Now, the system rates every job factor from 1 (Totally fine) to 10 (Absolutely catastrophic). The scores for B, A, and T are calculated independently, and simply add up to a final score out of 30.

The letters also represent a common escalation, but remember the crucial rule: A high T-score can kill a job right off the bat, regardless of the B and A scores.

B is for Boring (The Tedium Factor)

This score measures how mind-numbing the core tasks of the job are.

  • Low Score (1-3): The work is varied, challenging, or involves engaging interaction. You check the clock and you’ve somehow lost two hours.
  • High Score (8-10): The work is soul-crushing in its repetition. Time slows to a geological pace.

A is for Annoying (The Nuisance Factor)

This score tracks all the persistent, petty irritations that drain your energy.

  • Low Score (1-3): Minor office noises or a slight chill. Totally manageable.
  • High Score (8-10): This is where you find the frustrating environmental factors, broken or inadequate tools, and high-pressure monitoring.

T is for Terrible (The Disaster Factor)

This score is the most critical, measuring genuine risk and psychological distress.

  • Low Score (1-3): Safety protocols are clearly followed, management is reasonable, and you feel zero sense of dread coming in.
  • High Score (8-10): This score spikes when safety is ignored, when management is actively hostile, or when the job causes massive stress or anxiety. Even if a job is not boring or annoying, a high score here is an instant dealbreaker. A 10 here is my personal red flag.

🥵 Case Study 1: The Heat Exhaustion Disaster (28/30)

This job highlights the necessity of the Terrible score… This past summer, I took an assignment that started with sweeping a dusty road in the sun and moved to vacuuming a subfloor with a broken machine inside the un-tiled swimming pool room which had lots of windows.

The Scores

  • B is for Boring: 9/10. Extreme physical and mental tedium from sweeping a dusty road followed by subfloor vacuuming.
  • A is for Annoying: 9/10. This was fueled by intense heat and the dust, compounded by the constant struggle of using a broken vacuum cleaner. The glare and heat trapped by the numerous windows amplified the discomfort. Everything felt like a fight.
  • T is for Terrible: 10/10. The work conditions—sweeping a road in the intense heat and then working in that sun-drenched, glassed-in room—resulted in symptoms close enough to heat exhaustion that I knew I couldn’t risk returning.

The Verdict

The combined 28/30 score is a catastrophe. I took the next day off to recover. When I contacted the agency after work that day to pick up my pay, I informed them that I would only accept assignments from the manager I trust (the one I am currently working for). The BAT Score confirmed the instinct: When the Terrible score maxes out at 10, it is my personal red flag, and I visited the agency in person to decline any further assignments at that specific site. The risk simply isn’t worth it.

🍍 Case Study 2: The Pineapple Sorting Workout (17/30)

This warehouse assignment from two years ago is a textbook mid-range score that was miserable in the moment but proved structurally sound.

The Scores

  • B is for Boring: 6/10. The work was repetitive, but the need to quickly identify and sort three different types of pineapple mixed in the truck prevented the job from being completely brain-numbing.
  • A is for Annoying: 8/10. High physical strain from constantly lifting heavy cases of cans onto pallets. Rest periods naturally occurred while waiting for one of the multiple pallet jack operators to return to my door, which kept this score from hitting the max.
  • T is for Terrible: 3/10. The warm break room, the quick job duration, and the unintentional rest periods created by the high volume of work and limited pallet jack availability meant stress and physical danger were kept low.

The Verdict

The total score of 17/30 shows a job that was tolerable because the low T factor (3/10) compensated for the high B and A scores. It was physically taxing and repetitive, but since my health and safety were fortuitously protected by the way the warehouse was run, it earned a passing grade.

🌞 Case Study 3: The Low-Score Utopia (6/30)

This job is the gold standard—a rare find in temporary assignments, and one I told my agency I would definitely return to.

The Scores

  • B is for Boring: 1/10. I was consistently kept busy and got to learn something new almost every day.
  • A is for Annoying: 2/10. The job lacked a break room, but the weather most days was nice enough that eating outside was a pleasure and not a hardship.
  • T is for Terrible: 3/10. This score was kept low by excellent management. The guys in charge planned carefully, explained in detail, and worked alongside us. The risk was managed proactively: when it rained, we usually got to go home early, and even high-risk tasks like climbing the ladder were secured.

The Verdict

The combined 6/30 score is the best-case scenario. It proves that a job can be safe, engaging, and worth returning to. This assignment was the perfect counterpoint to the high-score disasters.

🏁 Conclusion: The BAT Score Verdict

The BAT Scale isn’t just about rating misery; it’s about protecting your time and health. As a temporary worker, you need a quick system to judge whether a job is worth your effort.

Job ExampleBAT ScoreKey Takeaway
The Heat Exhaustion Disaster28/30The T score is non-negotiable. A maxed-out 10 in Terrible instantly signals a permanent decline to the agency.
The Pineapple Sorting Workout17/30High B and A scores are tolerable, but only if the T score is low and the workplace offers some unintended relief.
The Low-Score Utopia6/30Proactive, engaged management is the key to a low score. This creates a great environment that I would definitely return to.

When a job scores high, especially in the T for Terrible category, let your agency know in-person you won’t return. You will not regret your decision!

My Accident on Remembrance Day and It’s Aftermath

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Hello everyone. I need to take a moment today to share a challenging experience I had recently. On Remembrance Day, I had an accident, and the immediate aftermath—and the recovery I’m going through now—has been tough. This story is ongoing, so if you could send some prayers or good thoughts my way, I would be incredibly grateful.

Just before noon that day, I decided to take a relaxing bath, as it was a holiday and I wasn’t rushing anywhere. I filled the tub with warm water, got in, and proceeded to bathe. When it was time to get out, I pulled the plug and stood up. Instantly, I felt light-headed, so I dropped down to my hands and knees to try and avoid fainting. I thought the feeling had passed and tried to stand up again, but that’s when I passed out and fell down hard.

A few seconds later, my eyes opened to a sickening sight: a large pool of blood on the floor. My head and neck were throbbing with pain. When I was finally able to get up and look into the mirror, I gasped. The left side of my face was coated in my own blood, and I had two visible gashes in my head—one right above my left eye, and another hidden higher up in my hair. Reaching up, I even pulled out a small clump of hair from the higher wound.

My next priority was cleanup. I turned on the water and used toilet paper to try and clean myself and the room as best as I could. I then got dressed, using a rag to stop some of the bleeding, and looked up transit directions to the nearest hospital: the Royal Alexandra on Kingway Avenue. With my keys, phone, and wallet, I began the painful walk to the bus stop. Along the way, strangers noticed my state and asked if I was alright, suggesting an ambulance after I told them what happened. I arrived at the Emergency room shortly before 1 PM.

It took about fifteen minutes for the triage nurse to see me. After asking me several questions and wrapping my head in gauze, I was directed to sit in the waiting area until a bed was ready. I was also informed that I’d be receiving a tetanus shot, since it had been over 20 years since my last one. I sat there, bored, for the next three hours. I passed the time occasionally reading on my phone and sending updates to my dad, supervisor, and boss. By 4 PM, my hunger became overwhelming—I hadn’t eaten since 5 AM—so I got directions to the Tim Hortons nearby. I bought myself a wrap and an orange juice and returned to the Emergency Room. I was lucky enough to finish eating just before a nurse came and finally escorted me out of the waiting area and to one of the beds inside the department.

Inside the department, the nurse asked me to change into a nightgown. I got onto the bed and was soon connected to the monitoring equipment and given a call bell. The waiting continued; about an hour later, I used the bell just to go to the washroom. Boredom was still a major factor, and I tried to conserve my phone’s battery since I’d forgotten my charger or power bank in the rush.

Soon after, a doctor-in-training assessed me. He asked for the gauze to be removed so that pictures could be taken of my two head gashes and then new gauze and wrappings (that were moistened in a saline solution) were applied. During the assessment, I was completely honest and did my best to follow his requests, supplying all the information I had—including what my smartwatch had recorded about my heart rate immediately after the fall.

Around 7:30 PM, the night nurse, who had replaced the daytime staff, brought me some applesauce with crushed Tylenol, which was a welcome relief. Shortly before that, I had finally received the tetanus shot. An hour and a half after eating, I was placed into a neck brace and then wheeled away to get a CT scan.

Around 11 PM, the doctor-in-training approached me and asked if I was ready for sutures, which I definitely was. He started with the gash above my left eye, which had narrowly missed my eyebrow. After applying freezing, he began closing the wound. He complimented me on taking it “like a trooper,” but being in the neck brace—and having a very stiff, sore neck—actually made it hard to move anyway! I barely felt most of the sutures, except for the ones closest to my nose, which he confirmed are typically not frozen due to potential complications.

Once his work on the first injury was approved by the attending ER doctor, he moved on to freeze and suture the upper wound. I was incredibly relieved when he mentioned that the membrane surrounding my skull had not been ruptured and wouldn’t require additional sutures!

Shortly after he finished, I got the best news of the night: my CT scans came back clean—no concussion from the accident! They immediately removed the neck brace. Shortly after midnight, I was discharged and sent home. I booked an Uber, got home, and finally went to bed.

Moving forward, I am scheduled to see my family doctor next Tuesday, the eighteenth, for a re-evaluation and possible suture removal. I also have to discuss the fainting episode with him, along with my other existing health issues. The most immediate challenge is the lingering physical aftermath: my neck is still stiff and sore, which is definitely affecting my quality of life. Simple tasks are suddenly harder—for example, I now have to kneel down just to access the freezer compartment in my fridge, and getting out of bed in the morning is much tougher. I’ve already taken Wednesday and Thursday off work, and may need today off as well, knowing that taking time away means I don’t earn money. If this accident leads to any long-term consequences, your support of me via my blog will become even more crucial going forward.

Finally, I am deeply grateful to the staff—the nurses and doctors—at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for their care and dedication during a long and stressful 13 hours in the ER. I would also like to thank all of my readers for their support going forwards.