My girlfriend and I had strolled out for groceries and were heading home when she pointed out the dismaying scene in the photo. I think.... My girlfriend and I had strolled out for groceries and were heading home when she pointed out the dismaying scene in the photo. I think I hadn't noticed it, though I generally pay attention to such things, because it was such a part of my daily life here in LA.

This bit of almost rigorous ugliness is not a back alley somewhere, nor is it is a poor or shabby part of town. It is a utility area beside a Ross Dress for Less, across a side street from a standard US shopping center on one side, and, on another side, across Third St. from the Grove, probably the most upscale mall in Los Angeles, and the Farmers Market, a long-established and truly wonderful collection of shops and cafés that I can describe only as a true American souk. I have written about the latter two recently; you may click here to read the article.

This is also an upscale part of town, sandwiched between Hancock Park and Beverly Hills. Yet even here the mindless architectural protocols of our time foist such insults upon us.... This is something to fight against in every neighborhood.