The Department of Motor Vehicles generally brings to mind long lines and even longer waits. A few months ago, I experienced all the wonders of a three hour visit at their Laguna Hills branch. So, when I needed to pay a visit to their Hollywood location, expectations were for something approaching a day long affair.

Amazingly, the anticipated marathon ordeal, proved to be nothing of the sort. Fifteen to twenty minutes and I was out the door. The large crowd was certainly there, but, somehow, this urban outlet has managed to reach a level of efficiency that escapes its’ outlying brethren.

This evening will see the premiere of “Oblivion” (a sci-fi blockbuster, staring Tom Cruise)  at the Dolby Theatre.

Slightly unique, in that the traditional premiere venues, Grauman’s Chinese, Arclight Hollywood, and the El Capitan, were passed over for the live event oriented Dolby Theatre. I suspect the reasoning behind this choice was tied in to Dolby’s promotion of their new “Atmos” sound system; looks like “Atmos” is a featured sponsor and the film might be showcasing the technology.

Update: After the premiere ended, I saw Tom Cruise and his entourage depart via the Dolby Theatre’s  rear exit/loading dock area. Stereotypical Hollywood hugs abounded between Cruise and assorted industry figures, as his handlers carefully choreographed the departure.

Last week, I walked around the corner (literally) and ran in to the walk of fame star ceremony for magicians Penn and Teller.

Apparently, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone were in attendance, as was magician David Copperfield. I can’t say I noticed any of the celebrity attendees, other than honoree Penn Jillette (the notably tall figure, located at the far right of the picture).

Today I ran across a sidewalk name unique enough to track down the person behind the graffiti. After a quick Google search, I learned that Ms. Zukin was born in Chicago, on September 20, 1915, married three times, had one child, and passed away in 1981. The neighboring contractor’s stamp suggests the graffiti dates back to 1937, but Ms. Zukin was listed under her married name, “Betty Bezark”, in a census around that time; I’m sure there is a story, as to why she elected to leave her maiden name in the concrete that day. In any case, someone stopped to find out who you were today, Ms. Zukin.

This evening the Jimmy Kimmel show shut down Hollywood Boulevard for a concert by “The Sound City Players” (a performance featuring Dave Grohl, Rick Springfield, John Fogerty, Rick Nielsen, Krist Novoselic, and Lee Ving).

Experiencing an all-star jam, literally on Hollywood Boulevard; definitely a memorable event.

This is the Dolby Theater; home to the Oscars and less than one hundred yards from me.

This is the Oscar “back lot”. That large satellite dish, roughly fifty yards away, is beaming the telecast around the world.

Yet, due to Time Warner Cable completely failing, I didn’t see so much as see thirty seconds of the telecast. Cable went out a few minutes before the red carpet segment began and came back on just as the show’s end credits completed. At best, I was afforded the opportunity to see a few a-listers being let off at the back entrance (that red tent in the picture). At worst, over a month of building excitement was met with crushing disappointment.

2:00 am. The surrounding streets have officially been closed and all but the most last minute of preparatory work is complete.

While the streets stand eerily still tonight, there is a strong wind howling outside; almost symbolic of the approaching storm of activity.

This evening, I had the opportunity to get up close to the Oscar red carpet before the area was closed off to the public.

And, I even managed to make it on to the red carpet.

An official notice of street and sidewalk closures, for the Academy Awards, was distributed yesterday.

Needless to say, the neighborhood is going to be less than travel friendly for the day.

Preparation for the Oscars over the past couple of days.