Movies & West Hollywood

I love going to the movies. It was always one of my family's favorite things to do during the summers. My mom and I would usually see like every movie out and then my dad would join us for the one or two that he wanted to see in the theater. We didn't even need to get candy or popcorn. We just enjoyed seeing a possibly good movie on the big screen. I have certainly continued the movie-watching tradition with my sister and of course with many friends.

So, today I saw Inception at the Grove with an old friend from college. I know this is definitely not a movie blog at all so I won't begin to discuss this movie at all but I will say that I really have fun at movies like this that actually make me think and even question my own reality a little bit. It was a bit complicated at times but for the most part, I felt like I was totally able to follow along.

After the movie, I took a little drive into West Hollywood. I was actually looking for a Whole Foods grocery store but then ended up taking the long route to get there. Let me just say that West Hollywood is such a cute area and I really would like to spend more time there.

Here are a few interesting facts I just learned about the area:

-In 1985, West Hollywood was the first city to create a same gender domestic partnership registration for its residents, as well as to offer same gender domestic partner benefits for all city employees. Woo hoo!

-City legislation bans the sale of handguns, prohibits smoking in public places, and restricts the city from doing business directly or indirectly (via vendors) with any country known to violate human rights.

-West Hollywood is one of 19 cities in California that has banned the use of gas-powered leaf-blowers.

-This area is the home of about 1,000 dogs per square mile. The city designed a law that pets are to be called "companions" and their owners "guardians" and was the first city in the country to outlaw the de-clawing of cats.

-Because of the large population of homosexuals and the large numbers of same-sex-oriented businesses, West Hollywood became prominently known as a "gay village". The section of Santa Monica Boulevard from La Cienega Blvd. to Robertson Blvd., known as "boys' town," is among the most popular gay neighborhoods in the world, with numerous well-known spots such as the nightclubs Micky's and Rage, and newer bars/restaurants such as Eleven and East|West Lounge.

-West Hollywood, with a homosexual population of about 41% of its total population, has been disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic which has ravaged its male homosexual population since the early 1980s. This is very sad and is exactly why I am running my Half Marathon in September.