Remember last year when the Supreme Court ruled on the New London case and people said that it couldn't happen here? Y'know, apparently, California has laws that protect against eminent domain, or something like that. Well, that doesn't seem to hold true given the recent events surrounding Hollywood and Vine. (You have to log in to read it, but it's free.)
Hollywood used to be a fun place. It was ugly as hell during the day-- all decrepit buildings, filthy streets and traffic disobeying punks that were more noticeable in natural light-- but fun, nonetheless. When I hit my teens, I learned quickly that, in order to cultivate my non-Valley image, I had to beg for rides down to Hollywood so that I could get my records at Vinyl Fetish, clothes at Retail Slut and various "vintage" shops and shoes from one of the numerous sellers of Doc Martens and John Fluevogs. Last time I attempted to shop in Hollywood, a few years ago, I thought I might get ill when I realized that all that was left were the same stores that one could find in a mall (The Gap, Urban Outfitter, Hot Topic, Planet Funk, etc). Hmmm, I wonder if they have a Tilly's now.
Going out in Hollywood was always an adventure as well. There was always something kind of rough about it, but that just added to the excitement of being eighteen and out on the town for the first time. Now it's all traffic, Hummer limos and clubs that won't let you in unless you are "somebody" or look like you could be "somebody."
I watched Hollywood & Highland (or, as Kar3n called it, the Zoroastrian Temple) during my three-year stint working at a club on Hollywood Boulevard. Once it was finished, Hollywood turned into Universal City Walk-meets-Third Street Promenade-- meets-- Downtown Disney. I took Mary to work with me when she visited LA and we walked to the corner where she pondered, "Why would someone travel 2,000 miles to go to a Gap?" I didn't have an answer.
What gets me isn't just that the shopping has grown incredibly pedestrian, it's that the architecture for these mega-centers looks exactly like one would find in any California suburb. I guess that is what happens when development companies are based in masterplanned communities like Irvine (refer to the above-linked article). It's weird, when I moved back to the 818 five or so years ago, I longed to get back out over the hill. Now, I'm starting to think that maybe I'm better off here. At least I don't live under false urbane pretenses. Eh, I'm probably still better off moving. Traffic is evil.
Oh, and on a not-really-related-but-equally-ranty note, yesterday, the teaser for the Channel 7 news at 4 p.m. boasted in-depth features on the contents of Oscar goodie bags. Similarly, all of the local news outlets have been going wild over Oscar, because, you know, it's not like there is a war going on or anything. (Does sarcasm translate over the Internet?)
Sometimes, I really hate Los Angeles.

P.S. Just so that you don't think LA is completely heinous, read my latest column for Music Truth. There isn't a direct link. Go to "Truth Tales" then scroll down and click on the "March" link under "LA Calling."