What I Saw On My Walk Yesterday...In Hollywood

This mishmash of housing styles all on the same street.  You've got your Art Deco and your...well, the other ones.

These guys that are really tired of holding this place up.  Seem to have a bit of a rash on their chests - probably eczema if WebMD is anything to go by.  Unsure if it's related to the strain of holding the place up...

This incredibly amazing photo taken by a very talented person.  That I like to call...me.

Well this is clearly where my parents went wrong.  No wonder this blog isn't successful.

And just around the corner from the Catholic education...a different kind of education.  And they deliver.  So...

Apparently he does not deliver but his weed cards are $25 and he is dressed like a marijuana leaf.  You might have to step up your game, Catholic Education....

I'm uncertain about Easter advertising protocol but I don't think Easter eggs go with kegs.  I could be wrong.

Can't imagine why anyone would put this couch out on the street - the fabric is lovely.  You can make that work in any room.

And look a contrasting two-seater!

I would like a Covertible.  And a Pass Van.  And then I would like to know what they are.

Just a little something I spray-painted while out on my walk*.

Wandered through the Hollywood Farmer's Market - they don't like you taking pictures so I pretended to take a selfie.  In hindsight, my selfie looked better.

A fine picture of the stalls with a bunch of annoying people in the way.

Arty shot of El Capitan box office.  Santa stuck in the eaves and in terrible pain...

Grauman's Chinese Theater...and all the people in the world.  Don't go over there.

The joy that is Hollywood and why I walk.  And never go there.

More Hollywood class - who wouldn't go to a bar called the Rusty Mullet with kids on the roof.  That kid looks petrified and has backed into the corner.  Someone get the baby off the roof!!!

Spidey takes a quick break.  Spidey not as limber as he used to be.  And quite grey...

Hollywood stars - I make a habit of not stepping on the stars as I think it's rude.  I am the only person who thinks this and it makes me look like I'm playing hop scotch.  Luckily it's Hollywood and I look completely normal.

Had myself a dramatic moment outside of here.  Did a farewell WWII scene.  Did not get noticed.

I don't know what this is.  I just know it doesn't work anymore.

Jim Henson Studio - that is the happiest place on earth.  Except for the fact that he's dead.  But Kermit is still alive.

Better keep my walking speed down

Oh oh - 42 in a 35 mile zone.  My legs are going lickety split

No big deal, just a cow eating a flamingo.  Happens all the time here.

We've fallen and we can't get up...

Game anyone?  Just FYI - Scrabble is my sport.  You will not take me in this.

Looks like a good night out.

Get your animal skins here! 

Just drive through and pick up your cancer.  No need to be inconvenienced

Trees.  Or spaghetti.  Well, it was an Italian restaurant.

Urban tree.  It'll make it, plenty of life left in that.

Official Hollywood sign which is very unHollywood looking.  Just a suggestion but I think glitter might be the key here.  And a BeDazzler...

Unofficial Hollywood sign.  Probably didn't make the cut.  Because of being backwards and all.  And no glitter...

Top right - you missed a bit.

Turtles kissing.  Very similar to turtles fighting as the little one barely escaped with his life moments after this touching moment was taken.

Hi, hi...just going to climb up over you.  No, don't move, I got this.  Update:  Did not got this and fell back in the water where it swam off in mortified silence.

Newly dating.  As usual the man is uncomfortable with a little too much PDA from his turtle.

Unrelated to anything but a pretty good picture of Jax from SOA. 

My neighborhood is well-protected.

And I'm pretty sure this is what they mean by security.  Animal Defense Technology.  Level: Lion

Safety (and Albert) first.

And to finish up this walking series, a delightful video of turtles.  Unaccompanied by music because I don't know how.

 

 *Well it was already done when I got there, but that's what I was going to do...

What Did You Do Last Saturday?

I had a bottle of wine, some bread and cheese on my rooftop with the homeless guy that lives on my street. Technically he's not homeless since he lives in his van on the street. He's quite an institution in the neighborhood, walks a lot of people's dogs, moves their cars to avoid street cleaner fines and can more or less do most handyman jobs.  Put great big hole in my last place when hanging a mirror but took full responsibility with the landlady when I moved out. He's been extremely helpful to me, even feeding Albert when I'm on vacation and won't take a penny for it.

Facts:

1. His only request was to share some wine and have some good company. I managed the wine.
2. His name is Wolfgang. Wolfie to the ladies. I stick with Wolfgang.Also, I am not a lady.
3. He is from Frankfurt, Germany, close to 70 and apparently invented a similar version to the Microsoft suite of products but didn't manage to get them out on the market before Bill Gates. It's possible that the slight language barrier means I got that story wrong or it's possible he was taking some liberties. I told him it was a damn shame. He agreed.
4. He used to be very wealthy with a house in the Hollywood Hills. Then he got married. And now he has fallen on hard times. Marriage will do that to you.
5. He has all kinds of deals going with people in the neighborhood to help him live a comfortable life despite his circumstances - his van is always parked outside the same place where he pays $25 a month to one of the tenants for the use of his internet and cable. How else do you watch TV in your van? $5 a week goes towards the guy that cleans the bathrooms in the nearby park so that he can be first in and have a clean bathroom to use.
6. He's extremely well presented and buys socks in bulk so he can have a new pair at any time.
7. He has a crush on his acupuncturist. Yes, you read that right. My local homeless friend has an acupuncturist. Only in Hollywood.
8. He also has a pretty sweet cell phone and according to him, an excellent plan. Just because you're homeless doesn't mean you can't stay in touch.
9. For someone in circumstances that would be catastrophic to me, he is certainly making the best of his situation and taking care of himself without relying on handouts. When I tried to hand him some money, he took it only on the condition that we use it for brunch some time.I love brunch.
10. He likes red wine. Who doesn't? 
11. Albert tolerates him.  In fact he traitorously sat on his lap and flipped me the middle claw.  Sort of.

We all need a Wolfgang in our lives.