The Unexpectedness of Hollywood

It was a Thursday.  I’d had it with my work day.  I needed sunlight.  I needed drinks.  I went for happy hour at Cat and Fiddle, a standard thing to do in Hollywood, and then thought I’d go for a quick walk around the neighborhood.  As usual, I stopped in at Space 15 Twenty, a lovely little micro mall/event space (much like the Bedford Mini Mall in Williamsburg, but open air, and with a stronger emphasis on architectural design).  Much to my surprise (and unbridled joy) they were serving free beer on tap, and gearing up for a screening.

Image by Space15Twenty.

However, within the first five minutes of the film, I’d become totally absorbed by the faux-historical narrative on skateboarding, called Machotaildrop:

Machotaildrop is a highly visual and fantastical journey about an amateur skateboarder, Walter Rhum, who realizes his dream of turning pro and riding for the world’s greatest skateboard company… Machotaildrop. Set in an anachronistic time and place, Machotaildrop is the greatest skateboard company of its day and the regal and grand sport of skateboarding has been thriving for many generations. Walter’s journey serves as a window through which we discover the dark underbelly of what appears at first to be a benign skateboard company.

Mid-way through, I was near giddy with love for my city. Some say it isn’t New York. I say, that’s true. It’s Hollywood. Fun. Weird. Unexpected.

Image by Space15Twenty.

A spectator sports a ManWolfs jacket – the gang of savage skaters in Machotaildrop.  Image by Space15Twenty.