I'm off to sunny San Francisco for the week on business. You know, I really haven't been away from home enough this month (that would be three of May's five weeks on the road, for those counting at home). This should be more fun than Vegas though. I'm hoping to catch Voxtrot on Wednesday and Pela on Thursday. if you're going to either of those shows, gimme a holler.

I don't know about you guys, but I was a good American over Memorial Day weekend. I travelled, ate some awesome BBQ, saw Pirates of the Caribbean 3 (a big flaming pile of meh) and played some tennis. Good times.

In fact Mr. Pink is the only one not very happy right about now. After being away all weekend, I had to break the news to him that I would be gone all week. He wasn't very happy, as you can see.

I put up some more photos from Europe before I left on Friday. Unfortunately I'm not going to have time to do my witty little write ups.
[Photos] Brussels
[Photos] Brugges
Still to come, Cologne and the Rhine River Valley.

In closing, I give you your moment of (kitten) zen.

I'm ashamed to say that I didn't even realize that today was the fourth birthday in the life and time of information leafblower dot com slash blog until Peabs reminded me of this yesterday. He knows because it's also his birthday. So hey, have a happy one and do it up bro!

Since it's the weekend, here's some Buk to celebrate.

writing

often it is the only
thing
between you and
impossibility.
no drink,
no woman's love,
no wealth
can
match it.

nothing can save
you
except
writing.

it keeps the walls
from falling.
the hordes from
closing
in.

it blasts the
darkness.

writing is the
ultimate
psychiatrist,
the kindliest
god of all the
gods.

writing stalks
death.
it knows no
quit.

and writing
laughs
at itself,
at pain.

it is the last
expectation,
the last
explanation.

that's
what it
is.

-- Written by Charles Bukowski, taken from his book Betting On The Muse.

Express interviews Eddie Izzard.
"I'm like a superhero, like the Human Torch. I can do flame on, flame off." Brilliant.
I still haven't watched this week's episode of The Riches, so don't tell me what happened.

Baseball widgets for your desktop. Go Sox!

Much like most big name touring bands, stupid Chuck Palahniuk appears to be skipping D.C. on his upcoming book tour. I almost fainted when I saw he's doing a reading with Irvine Welsh in NYC and Elmore Leonard in Philly. Jeezy Creezy!
Road trip?

Schrutebag!

Dan Steinberg is The Hot Pocket. Also, Agent Zero is out for the year. That makes me sad. On the other hand, Paul Pierce and Al Jefferson appear to be done for the year and that makes me very happy.

Who else is excited about the Sly and the Family Stone catalog reissues?

Oasis to record a new version of "Sgt. Pepper"...with the Killers? WTF?

I just scored tickets to see Cloud Cult next week. A while back, Peabs wouldn't shut up about them, so I'm excited to see what all the fuss is about.

Another group I'm liking lately is The Cinematics. The Tripwire has an MP3 you should download. Very Editors-errific.

Have you heard the new Art Brut songs?
Stream "Pump Up The Volume."
Stream "Nag Nag Nag Nag."

Mr. Pink does.

More here.

Be sure to check out the Mr. Pink Archives on the leafblower and the Best Of over on Flickr.