Giant Hot Dog

I miss you.

Gentrification Doesn't Come Easily

Custom countertops, a spa, a vegan restaurant, and an upscale Japanese restaurant clash with a head shop, a tattoo parlor, and a liquor store...

With Albert Pujols looking down on all of them.

Lobster John Smith is in town...

...and not everybody is happy about it.

Ron Paul

Moments before this, these guys almost got killed running across Hollywood Boulevard at rush hour.

I'm not the kind of guy who would use this as a metaphor for Ron Paul supporters being lunatics and/or morons. But if you ARE that kind of person, feel free.

Bushmills

Maybe I don't know anything about advertising, but I HATE these ads.

Not only do these three people not look like they know each other, this also doesn't look like any sort of a special moment worth capturing.

If they were getting out of jail or a wrecked car, yeah. Celebrate with Bushmills.  But just standing around looking douchy with strangers? I can do that with Coors Light.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Sure, it may not say much about your neighborhood when you're proudest of the graffiti, but I'll take it.

Panther Energy Total Fitness is moving

Panther Energy is joining stores like the Dapper Cadaver in the Exodus out of the 5000s. The stretch of businesses on the north side of Hollywood between Western and Garfield is beginning to look like a parade of fallen soldiers.

Old veterans like X Spot continue to march on, but do nothing to improve the visual identity of this block. With the Thai Express and its hot dog long gone, this block has gone from seedy to depressing.

Black Suits

I can vouch for the veracity of this graffiti. I have actually seen men in black suits.

Boom Goes the Car Crash

Be careful out there, everybody.

The New Fire Station

People may refer to this section of Hollywood Boulevard as "dingy," "run-down," or "uninteresting."  But then how do they explain the new fire station, which looks like it was ripped from the pages of Dwell magazine?

What Are You Doing Songkran, Songkran Eve?

Ay-Do-No

"What are you gonna call your new store?"

"I don't know."

"Awesome, I'll get some signs made up!"

The 5000s

"The 5000s" is a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard, from 5000 to 6000.

This spans approximately from Normandie to Gower.

Any farther east, and you'll hit Barnsdall Park and Los Feliz.  Any farther west and you'll hit the Henry Ford Theatre, the W Hotel, and Hollywood proper.  This is the part that falls... in between.

I walk this stretch of Hollywood Boulevard at least once a day, usually two or more times. 

Sometimes, it's known as the "boring part of Hollywood Boulevard." I simply know it as "home."