#bunionblog

[pecanpralines]

Smokey and the Bandit's Bunions

Yesterday, I watched Smokey and the Bandit (1977) because Netflix said it was leaving soon and I was curious about the title.

The entire film is a high speed pursuit as Bo "Bandit" Darville agrees to transport beer across state lines for $80,000. His friend Cedus "snowman" agrees to haul the cargo in his truck while Smokey diverts police attention. A runaway bride hitches a ride with Bandit while the rejected groom -who's the son of the Sheriff- gives chase.

It was a long and harrowing chase throughout the movie but the road chase scenes all m=became monotonous and I lost interest midway. I finiahed it with little interest and I rate it: 2/5 bunions

-Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Breadsticks & Bunions

Last week, spouse and I discovered the Hulu series, Unprisoned.

On Monday we finished all 2 seasons. We were big fans of Insecure with Issa Rae; because of the POC protagonist, the humor and character development. We have been looking for something similar and Unprisoned was it.

It focuses on an Influencer therapist who shares her experiences with ACEs and how it affects her intimate and interpersonal relationships.

5/5 bunions can't wait for season 3!

-Pecans

[pecanpralines]

Bohr's Bunions

I dedicated the rest of last week (Thursday and Friday) to correcting my Science CSET and learning any previously unknown content. I also finished Neon Genesis Evangelion on Netflix.

I've tried watching this show several times but couldn’t get through it. Now that I have, I am so confused. This is not a simple action-packed mecha anime. It is full of complicated existential questions and psychological analysis. All the characters are fighting for the survival of the human race but in the process, face difficult ethical questions. Characters consider these questions in complicated and disturbing visual sequences. I finished this series with more questions than answers and I'm not sure that watching the subsequent films will address my lingering questions...

2/5 bunions

-Pecanz

[pecanpralines]

Black Thumbs & Bunions

This weekend we got all our chores done on Saturday morning and basically lounged the rest of the day and into Sunday.

Saturday night, we bought Furiosa on Amazon Prime. I loved Mad Max Fury Road when it came out in 2015 and I thought Furiosa did an excellent job as a prequel because it integrated itself seamlessly into the world created in Mad Max. 5/5 Bunions

On Sunday, we rented Gran Turismo (2023) because it was my husband’s turn to pick the movie. For being a racing/ gaming movie it was pretty good. It's based on the true story of Gamer turned race race car driver: Jann Mardenborough. I appreciated the POC protagonist and enjoyed seeing him get all his accolades as a professional racer. Overall I rate it 4/5 bunions

[pecanpralines]

Marx bunions

Yesterday, I caught up on my Bunion Blogging and couldn't decide on something to watch. I finally decided on the black and white comedy: Animal Crackers (1930) staring the famous Marx Brothers. As a fan of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton I thought I'd explore the comedy of Marx brothers'. I found myself more bothered than amused...

Please note: I am an educator that believes in equitable education as a tool for social justice. I understand that there are various forms of oppression prevalent in society and we need systemic change to address the various injustices that marginalized communities suffer.This is my worldview and my lens through which I perceived this film and now write this review.

The plot is set with a newspaper clipping announcing that socialite, Mrs. Rittenhouse will host a party for famous explorer, Captain Spaulding (Groucho Marx) who has returned from an expedition in Africa.The party will also serve to a new painting acquired by art collector, Roscoe W. Chandler.

Captain Spaulidings' entrance to the party was the first in a sequence of scenes that set the tone for all of the problems that I perceived in this film.

Capt. Spauling enters in a palanquin astride the shoulders of 4 black men -assumed to be native Africans because they are -dressed in loincloths and grass skirts. The captain dismounts and asks how much is his bill for the ride from Africa. When the 'African' says: $1.85, Capt. Spauling is outraged and the Palanquin bearers leave without getting paid. If the unpaid labor of Black people and the demeaning depiction wasn't enough to outrage you- just wait- there's more.

⚠️ *Trigger Warning* (descriptions of gun violence)

The shenanigans ensue with Signor Emanuel Ravelli (Chico Marx) and his partner the Professor (Harpo Marx). They have been hired to provide music entertainment for the party. Upon entering the scene, the Professor alarms the guests by firing off Capt. Spaulding's rifles. With a crazed look in his eyes, Harpo continues to shoot at the guests and fleeing staff.

If you aren't familiar with the Marx brothers, each brother has a particular role or depicts a clown stereotype. To elaborate:

Harpo Marx never speaks in performances because he portrays the archetypal Vaudeville role of the "dunce who couldn't speak."

Groucho Marx is the witty fast-talker in a grease-paint mustache

Chico Marx's schtick is being a dialect comedian where he imitates an Italian accent to get his laughs.

Zeppo Marx is the youngest of the Marx brothers and plays the straight man with scant comedic reputation and more often a substitute for his more famous brothers.

In 2024, where mass shootings are a regular occurrence, where teachers and students undergo active shooter drills this was a terrifying scene. The gun was fake and no one was depicted dying, only pantomimed a nip in the bottom. However, this was not a child friendly scene - nor teenager, or adult friendly for that matter. This movie did not age well. I think it's important to archieve it as a historical record of the Arts and Entertainment nearly 100 years ago but I'm going to email Amazon Prime to remove it or at least add a trigger warning to the video description.

I didn't even get to finish this 93 minute film; I stopped at the 40 minute mark after the depiction of violence against women which I will describe below:

The final last straw was the humorous depictions of violence and consistent harassment of the women in the film. The Professor (Harpo) regularly chases women throughout the movie. He chases one into the card room where Signor Emanuel Ravelli (Chico) is waiting. The two men decide they'd like to play a card game. When Mrs. Rittenhouse and another women enter the card room, the Professor begins tricking the women to hold the inside of his leg. The scene transforms into a mock boxing match Mrs. Rittenhouse and the Professor (Harpo). Mrs. Rittenhouse is depicted jumping up in the air seemingly by the force of the punches which the Professor (Harpo) lands in her abdomen.

Rated 1/ 5 bunions would not recommend for your view pleasure nor your bunion recovery.

-Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Bunion Blues

Call me Pecan,

I had bunion surgery on Friday, June 14th and I'm recovering for the next 6-8 weeks. I scheduled this surgery during the summer because I have it off as a teacher. during this time I will be binge-watching shows and movies and reviewing them here on Tumblr to keep me occupied.

On Monday I watched the Blues Brothers (1980) for the first time and I am forever changed. As a R&B fan and Jazz aficionado I loved every minute of this movie. It had everything: comedy, action, a mystery woman and JAMES BROWN!

If JB doesn't lure you to watch this movie, maybe the myriad of other music icons will tempt you. Perhaps Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, or the pivotal Jazz bandleader and hepcat himself Cab Calloway will convince you this is a film worth watching.

I will not summarize the plot ad nauseam like I did with my Bridgerton review because this is a film is a gift to the viewer. Every scene and apperance is a surprise and a joy when you realize who is making an appearance.

If you do not watch for it's entertainment value then watch it as a historical archive of the giants of Jazz and the royalty of R & B.

I rate it 5/5 bunions

Go watch or I'll beat you over the head with a ruler.

-Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Birthday Bunions

Forgive my belated bunion blogging but August arrived and with it came my birthday celebrations!

July 30th- My sister took me out to Sushi

August 1st- I picked up my birthday cake and free birthday bundtllet from "Nothing Bundt cakes"

August 2nd- Happy birthday to me! I got together with my high school besties for a birthday lunch at Porto's

August 3rd- We had a family birthday brunch at my mom's place

August 4th- My husband too me out on a dinner date to an Arts festival, the beach and Italian dinner.

In the down time my husband and I have been binging The Traitors and WE ARE OBSESSED! We both have never liked reality TV until this show. I highly recommend! 5/5 bunions

This week of Aug 5th, we started the 2nd season of The Traitors and I've begun attending new teacher orientations for the start of the school year.

Today, Wednesday, August 7th I attended my final Post-op foot appointment and the doctor said that I may remove my boot and begin to place weight on my foot! 🎉 🦶 🎉

-Logging off the Bunion Blog, Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Bloody Mabel and bunions

The rest of last week and this week, I've been binging "Only Murders in the Building."

It's like Clue but in a series and the characters are podcasting their experience.

It's a star studded cast and the mysteries are intriguing BUT I dont's have the patience for the slow "peeling of the onion." There's a lot of talking and keeping track of details so I don’t know if I can get through this second season.

-Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Barnicles and Bunions

Every Wednesday when my husband goes into the office, my mom comes over to take care of me. Today, mom was joined by my niece because she's staying over at my mom's this week.

We ate breakfast then, watched The Little Mermaid (2023) because I had not watched it yet.

I enjoyed Awkwafina as Scuttle and Halle Bailey as Ariel.

Aside from the additional songs, it seems like a direct copy of the animated film. I was hoping for a fresher interpretation but the scripts were word-for-word from the original material.

4/5 bunions

-Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Binks and bunions

Friday and this weekend was dedicated to a Star Wars marathon because my husband has never seen the films and didn't understand how Darth Vader was Kylo Ren's grandpa. To untangle this family tree, we watched all of the prequel trilogy films.

How is it possible that after years together I didn’t know this about him?! (I have much to teach this Padawan).

When we were dating we binged the Mandalorian and I did not suspect his lack of knowledge of the Force. I suspected a bit when we started The Book of Boba Fett and stopped midway through this series because he missed the connections to the Star Wars films and characters.

He confirmed my suspicions when we binge-watched The Acolyte and he didn't know what "M-count" referred to (midi-chlorians).

"Much to learn, you still have." - Yoda

-Signing off Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Bunion in a boot

Thursday was full of appointments!

@ 7:30am- x-rays

@ 8:30am- Cast removal

@ 12pm- Hair Appointment

When the doctor removed my cast, I was fitted with an Orthotic boot for 3 weeks :/

I should still refrain from putting weight on my recovering foot and may remove my boot while I sleep and to stretch my foot.

My hair colorist was very accommodating and now I am ready to celebrate my birthday in August and to start the school year with fresh color!

-Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Babies, bassinets and bunions

On Wednesday, my mom drove me to my new hire appointment. I struggled with what to wear to this appointment because I wanted to look professional BUT be comfortable while pushing myself in my knee scooter. None of my straight leg slacks fit over my cast. I prepared some wide-leg slacks and a nice blouse in case they took my ID picture at the appointment. In the end, I wore a long collared dress and did in fact take my new badge ID picture.

When we returned my mom cooked, cleaned and helped me repot a couple of plants including a snake plant and Lilies. When we finished everything, we relaxed on the couch with Netflix.

My mother has Catholic sensibilities when it comes to the media she consumes so, nothing Rated R or M. I put on Call the Midwife and she seemed to enjoy it since there were Nun's and babies involved. Later on, she fell asleep. lol

-Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Boring bunions

Tuesday, I reviewed how to read Punnet squares and watched more Gilmore Girls at the same time. For dinner, we went to my In-law's place and ate Chicken Mole 😋

Over all, it was a long and uneventful day.

At night, I prepped the clothes I would wear to visit my new school district and sign my new hire contract.

-Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Baberham Lincoln's Bunions

Monday I learned about Pascal's law to correct a question in my test about external pressure. 😵‍💫😵‍💫

After studying all Monday afternoon, my husband went to the gym and while I prepped dinner. I put on Wayne’s World to watch something while I cooked and regretted not dedicating my undivided attention to this hilarious film. It captured the essence of the 80's. The sexist remarks are a relic of the context. This is a highly quotable film and I wish I had not been multitasking in the kitchen when I watched it. This just means I get to rewatch it with my husband later! Setting aside the sexism, I would still rate this film:

5/5 bunions

-Pecans

[pecanpralines]

Books, Burton, and Bunions

Today, I struggled to get out of bed and start studying so I watched the Netflix documentary: Butterfly in the Sky: The Story of Reading Rainbow (2022). As a 90's baby, I recall the show fondly. The documentary provided a behind-the-scenes view of the development of the show from it's inception in 80's. I also learned that the show developers all had background in education and used children opinions to guide their book selections and episode content.

It first premiered on July 11th 1983 so you’re just in time to celebrate it's premiere anniversary this Thursday. 5/5 bunions

I've also been watching episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion and hope to bring you my review and analysis soon!

-Pecan

[pecanpralines]

Backed-up Bunion Blogging

Pecan is back!

On Wednesday, July 3rd I had 3 tasks to complete:

Appointment @8:20am for blood labs

Mail transcripts at the Post office for to my new job

Accompany my mom to the Secretary of State in LA

My mom's friend came from New Mexico on Tuesday so both my mom and her friend picked me up at my place to take me to my appointment and the US Post Office. They've been friends since childhood so she's practically like our aunt. After having breakfast together auntie left to visit her daughter and mom and I went to LA. I waited in the car while she took care of her paperwork.

Afterwards, we returned to mom's place and we relaxed until dinnertime when my husband joined us after he finished work. Then, we went home.

On Thursday, July 4th we spent the day at my In-law's house; where they were hosting a BBQ. While everyone lit fireworks, I stayed indoors and watched Queen.

I didn't feel safe bing outside on 1 leg while fireworks exploded around me so, I decided to watch the film which had been on my to-watch list.

I appreciated witnessing the development of Farrokh Bulsara into the legend and icon, Freddie Mercury. The music was amazing but this goes without saying! 5/5 Bunions

On Friday, July 5th I streamed the soccer game for my spouse while I corrected my CSET practice test. I did not finish my corrections so I will be spending more time on this and therefore expect to read more on my CSET studies in future Bunion Blogs.

Studiously yours,

Pecan