Summer time & the living's easy (and wet).

I have been working like a mad woman--a woman so mad she is working more hours than most spend awake in any given week. But I have noticed, during brief strolls outside for lunch, that the weather is turning in Los Angeles. And though I may not have a free hour before summer's over, temperatures have reached bikini highs. So, in honor of the leisure hours I wish I had, here are some pools to get your summer started right. Which is warm. And wet.

Annenberg Community Beach House

This community center opened last year and features a pool, splash pad, volleyball and more. The pool is open for a 'Spring Break Splash on select days this month and will then reopen in June. No membership is required but be sure to arrive early to purchase your day pass ($10 for adults with a break for families of 4 at $24).

Interesting factoid: the Annenberg Community Beach House was established at the former site of actress Marion Davies' mansion, built for her by William Randolph Hearst. Oh, how it pays to be the mistress of a wealthy man.

The Standard Hotel Hollywood

If you actually want to get in the water, I recommend stopping by on a weekday or calling ahead to make sure there's not a rowdy party going on. There's nothing quite like water, ping pong and The Standard's 'Mimosa for Two' (for only $20!!) served poolside.

Hotel Erwin

Hotel Erwin may not actually have a pool. But it's right atop the ocean and last I checked that's pretty much the biggest pool you can get down with. Start with drinks at the High Rooftop Lounge and when you've had your fill of mojitos, [safely] take your dip in the great wide open Venice beach. Just be sure not to trip over tourists or needles on the way down to the water.

Chicago: I came, I saw, I left 40 hours later.

As part of my new initiative to visit American cities I've not yet seen (which is most of them), I took the opportunity this past weekend to join my mother in an insanely brief visit to Chicago where my brother and his fiance now reside.

The temperature was in the 30s which Chicagoans will tell you is not that cold. Well, Chicagoans can suck it. I've lived in Los Angeles for over 4 years. Anything below 50 during the day is ungodly.

The sky remained gray for most of my visit.

Though it allowed for a clear view of the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower).

The Lincoln Park Zoo offered a free light show to those willing to face cold night temperatures for tree covered branches, neon animal shapes and a polar bear who knew enough to stay hidden inside his warm cave.

Despite a 4:30 am arrival, O'Hare Airport was already abuzz with holiday travelers this morning. Had I been any more fatigued, I might have thought this light installation a sign of hallucination.

To see the rest of my Chicago pics, visit the album on Flickr.

Giving thanks for: agreeable temperatures and mountain trails.

It's officially Thanksgiving week. Sure, the holiday's not for a few more days. But the spirit of a short work week has already overcome me and I'm feeling thankful.

Thing I give thanks for No. 1: Blue skies and warm weather in Los Angeles.

It is not everywhere that one can go hiking. In a tank top. In late November.

Some pics from the trek up Griffith Park yesterday...

Warm weather fosters growth: cold weather destroys it.
- Hung Tzu-Cheng

[Image Credit: Jessie B. R. via her very crappy Blackberry cam]