Photo A couple of months ago a Blockbuster Video location in my
neighborhood went out of business, or I guess technically they just closed that
location, since the chain itself is still alive.  Weird, right?  It's odd to see
a chain store close.

I mean, whatever, it's inconvenient that they closed
the one I could walk to, and (in case someone from Blockbuster is reading this)
the closure actually made me decide to renew my Netflix account, so that's a
double income loss if you're keeping track.  But, on the other hand, the store
was so small that they barely ever had any good movies anyway, so I can kind of
see why they closed it, as it probably costs a fortune to rent space right there
on San Vicente next to the Peet's and the stationery store.

Anyhoo, the
place was vacant for a couple of months, then presto!  As if overnight, the wood
barricades are taken down to reveal– a bank.  First Republic Bank, to be
exact.

Um, I don't know if anyone is keeping track, but this is not
exactly a banner year for banks.  I consider myself pretty financially savvy,
and I am about two more bad financial reports away from stuffing my dog's bed
with money, ok?  I am CERTAINLY not in the market for a new bank.  Not even
looking.  Not even willing to go on a date.  Nope.  Not even drinks, or brunch. 
No savings account, no CD, no no no! 

This is so baffling to me (even
more than the dog poop in a bag on the grass or Chaz Bono's new style), because at the rate banks are
failing and being closed down, this hardly seems like a wise choice to replace
an underperforming Blackbuster Video location.  Oh, you're offering good rates
on mortgages?  NO THANK YOU.  It seems like the owner of this building went
"hmmm….how could I make even LESS money than I'm making on a tiny and unimpressive Blockbuster? 
Should I sell parkas in Los Angeles?  Maybe…..ice skates?  What ELSE do people
really not need right now?  Oh– I've got it!  Another bank!"

I tried and
tried to come up with an apt analogy for this bad decision, even looking up this
entertaining list of discontinued McDonald's menu items.   I tried this one: 
"that's like McDonald's going 'no one's buying the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich–
let's discontinue it and replace it with a hamburger made entirely of liver.". 
Pretty good, I thought, but then Stephan came up with a better one:  that's like
trading in your Hyundai…..for a Pinto.". Boom!

I am keeping an eye out
for when the FCC comes and takes over that bank, and it turns into a store that
sells expensive dog collars, which is EXACTLY the kind of thing that would be
big in this neighborhood, you know what I'm saying?

By