There are some cash in the mail exchanges, they're probably the best alternative if you don't want to be traced - MtGox will trace you, they are creating a database with the official IDs of all their users, that is, most bitcoin/USD traders.

Unfortunately there isn't yet enough demand for bitcoins to make buying it as easy as buying bread. And "convenient" electronic means of payment like paypal or credit cards are too dangerous to the btc seller due to reversible nature of these means of payment and irreversible nature of bticoin transactions.

So, for "small scales", either use cash in the mail, or use OTC trading and pay with paypal or bank transfers, but you'll have to deal with very small volumes until people start trusting you.