Although this isn’t an actual travel/travel writing event per se, Pico Iyer will be speaking with Mark Salzman on Thursday, January 12. I plan to attend the event because, hey, it’s Pico Iyer. Nice guy, always willing to give an autograph. Oh yeah, good writer, too. Maybe he’ll thumb-wrestle me. I think I’d win. Pico might have bigger thumbs, but I fight dirty. Just ask Tim Cahill.

But I digress. Anyway, here’s the press release for said gig. I’m not familiar with Salzman (uh-oh, should I not have admitted that?), but if nothing else, it’s an opportunity to expose myself to a new author and perhaps discover a creative influence that might help me to define myself as a writer down the line…Oh, wait, Will & Grace is on that night. Hmm…decisions, decisions…

Just kidding. I’ll be there, just as long as nothing weird happens, such as a burst appendix, acts of God, pulled groin muscle in my thumb (it can happen!), etc. Come on, Pico will be there. What more do you need?

N.B. Although this is one of many great Arts & Lectures events done through UCSB, this event will be in downtown Santa Barbara. Lots of fine dining and things to do. Bring the family. Make an evening of it.