John from Boston, who reads my blog, will be in town next week to attend a conference at the convention center. He asked me in e-mail where I would recommend taking photos in non-touristy areas of Los Angeles.

I immediately thought of places like Echo Mountain, the Venice Boardwalk and the Jewelry District, but I’m sure there are places that I’ve overlooked.

So, readers and b.la contributors: where would you photograph Los Angeles, if you had a limited amount of time, and wanted to take home some unique and representative shots of our fair city, where would you go?

In five months as a mother, I’ve discovered that most days it’s easier to not leave the house. Not because going places with a baby is hard – most places are pretty easy to bring Sam along – but because I have very few commitments outside my home and it’s hard to think of unnecessary things to do with him. It is especially difficult on a budget of $0 (for instance, I keep meaning to check out the Monday Morning Mommy Movie at the Grove but only think of it on weeks with no bank balance).

Last week we finally took advantage of our zoo membership (one year is $55 for a couple, children under 2 free) and brought Sammy to see the animals. He was relatively unimpressed, but we got outside in the fresh air and got some exercise while spending time together, so I cannot complain. The zoo has loads of things for older children – a petting area, the nursery, information about every animal, and educational programs to boot.

Also, they have alligators:

Yes, that’s real. I wish I’d had something for scale, but the baby refused to climb down into the habitat. I assure you, it was enormous.

More pictures follow the cut.
Continue reading babyblogging.la: getting out of the house →

I’ve always felt that my water should look clear, smell like air and taste like…..well, water. Maybe then there is a modicum of believing it won’t kill you.
Last night as I was washing my face, I couldn’t believe how STRONG the smell of chlorine was on my skin. I thought maybe I’d imbibed too much at dinner and was overly sensitive. This morning, there was no mistake, somehow the water out of the taps in Hollywood is like a clorox bottle. Then at the gym, once again, as I walked by someone taking a shower, there it was again, that unmistakably strong chlorine odor. I tried the Dept of Water and Power, but no clues there. I have to call back Monday. Does anybody else notice this? I wonder what gives? It makes me think that whatever is swimming around in our water supply has to be REALLY bad for them to add this much chlorine!