Quote of the Day: “For a long time now I have tried simply to write the best I can. Sometimes I have good luck and write better than I can.” –Ernest Hemingway
When I say that literally half-dozens of Travellinbaen readers have asked me about the meaning of the name “Travellinbaen” over the last year, it is no exaggeration. With the one year anniversary of the website being May 29, I thought I’d answer the question and link it to my introduction page. But before I get to that, I want to reveal a few of the names TB management rejected before settling on Travellinbaen:
- “The I Know So Much Good Stuff, And I’m Much Wiser Than Anyone Else Blog”–When you start a blog you are afraid people are going to think this is how you see yourself. So I thought, why not embrace it? Sometimes I even believe it myself. Don’t judge me–you think that way about yourself sometimes too. The truth is most of whatever store of wisdom I do have is the growing awareness with each passing year of how much about which I am ignorant.
- “Life the Universe and Everything”–It’s a really good phrase, but already taken. This is the unwritten theme of the blog even though my attorneys wouldn’t let me use it officially.
- “Pigeonhole Me–Go On, Try”–Sounded too close to sexual deviance and not enough like Clint Eastwood. And you can’t pigeonhole TB.
- “My Ongoing Application to The Daily Show or SNL or pretty much anybody who would ever consider paying me to write about stuff that interests me or other strange folk or whatever makes me or sometimes them laugh”–too long by a couple of words, but I couldn’t figure out what to omit
- “My Supreme Court Nomination Stops Right Here”–actually, the blog will probably prevent me from being hired to any future job, so this was too limiting.
Anyway, I settled on Travellinbaen, with two “L’s” and here’s why. I like to travel. My nickname Baen, was coined by Greeg while watching Luke Skywalker call for Ben Kenobi in Jedi I think back in the 80’s. Luke’s pronunciation differed significantly from the Goula-boy dialect and it was decided in committee the phonetic spelling of Luke’s version was B-A-schwa with two dots over it-N. My computer nickname for games on Sweet’s old Commodore was changed to B-A-E-N because no one knew then (still don’t) how to make a schwa on the computer. In addition to the obvious combination of my chief hobby interest and my old nickname, I liked the “travellin” part because my mind seldom sits still. I don’t mean to suggest it is often doing anything worthwhile, but it seldom rests. One might say it wanders, or travels a lot. If you have followed the blog for long you get what I’m talking about–I meander through subjects like sports, music, current events, politics, old stories and sappy poetic observations with no seeming logical segue. And, yes, when I travel I write about that too. As for the extra “L”, (a) I thought it looked better (b) I’m stickin it to the man.
Speaking of missing “g’s”, for anyone new to the TB universe, I leave them off on purpose and only sometimes. TB also likes to switch from the third person to the first, usually in the opening paragraph. Most other grammatical errors are due to ignorance.
I abhor authoritarianism, cliche and hypocrisy, but then again, there’s a time and a place for everything. And anyone who can’t accept that will be permanently blacklisted.
Blank stares, the acronym ARB (asshole runnin buddies) and the phrase “damn dubious” (courtesy of Alexis de Toadville) are terms of art and purposely overused. Finally, I like to give nicknames to the nicknames you choose to comment under. All of this cracks me up, though I have become aware that virtually no one else is as easily amused. So be it. Similarly the Quote of the Day is almost never remarked upon. However it is always chosen from either my pre-internet quote archives or a search on the subject I’m interested in and to TB it adds much to the points/jokes/observations appearing in the essays. Hopefully, you don’t skip over them.
Finally, I have had a fun time with the blog over the course of the last year and that is entirely because of people like you who are reading this right now. Well, 25% because of you if you read but never comment. I at least get to count your visit in the stats column. For everyone who participates, I say again thank you. I’ve got a lot of hopes and ideas for growing the Travellinbaen franchise in the future and I’ll be counting on you to help.
Bonus Quote of the Day: “You’re lucky they even read it in the first place.” –Rock Star Rambler to TB one afternoon when I was complaining that no one got one of my jokes
Travellinbaen 
congrats on the 1 year, i may not comment alot but i read daily.
That was my anony. on the story telling post.
i forgot to put my name..
Good job BR. I’m wanting to find out about this dude already.
I’d pick a favorite part of this post but there’s no way I could. Loved it from start to finish. I mentioned once one TDW that I misread and for the longest time thought you were the travellinbean. In my head, that is still your name. That’s me giving you a nickname. Me being easily amused.
Congrats on one year! Way to stick it to the man!
P.S. Bonus quote killed me!
Happy 1 yr. TB!!! I would go on and on about how much amusement has come my way and how much time I have wasted reading and commenting on this post, but then everyone would know what a pathetic loser I am,…damnit, I did it again. Oh well, i’m pretty sure everyone already knows anyway!!! I would have to say that my favorite part of this site is the sports related topics, but the old ARB stories are only a half step behind. How about a blog on the NBA finals??
Ah, Happy Blog Birthday TB – I am happy to share my own anniversary very closely with you. That is how I will remember the start. I count myself as the main female contributor for the better part of that year. Unless of course, there is a gal commentor on here with a guy name that I don’t recognize. Could very well be and I digress……
There have been several occasions that I’ve been afraid of checking your blog too much too often. It is addictive on occasion. Some days it is like going to a party without ever getting dressed up or leaving the house.
S&M, Zeek, and JLM, thanks for the kind words.
S&M–my favorite part is where you said “loved it from start to finish.”
Zeek–I’ll see what I can do. Most of my NBA awareness comes from ESPN commercials these days, especially with the Celtics out.
JLM–it’s never a party without girls. And many a day it has taken you jumpin in to get things rollin.
Tuberculosis, I like nicknaming nicknames. Just ask S&M.
I’m glad you explained your name bc I can’t read things that I can’t figure out how to pronounce. I’m an illiterate fool that way.
OJ–Your name for TB is infectious, old school, at one time incurable….I like it. (cough)
Next time Jedi comes on Spike, tune in for the correct pronunciation of the “baen” part, pathos included.
Wow. 1 year? Dont seem like it. I like the blog. For a few years I missed TB. I’ve Known TB for probably as long or longer than most on the blog, as we lived right across the street from the earliest times that I can remember. I know TB won’t believe this but BR will back me up. I usually tell people that TB is the smartest person I know. And is the most dependable ARB. Smart meaning, not bookworm, geeky smart. But that TB can converse on most subjects to anyone, and that his facts are usually straight on. (Whether I agree with him or not). Dependable in the fact that if TB said he was going to be somewhere or do something, you could usually count on it. A main regret of mine is that I was not always as dependable in return. But the blog has allowed a bit of reacquaintence with TB after several years, so that’s cool.
The TB abides.
And I’m glad of that.
TB is The Dude? Of course. That explains the White Russians strewn about. I like what you’ve done to the place. That rug really ties the room together.
And don’t forget, he is soooo good looking.
Can i hurl now????
TB,
Don’t get the big head—-your ARB’s know where the bodies are buried and in which closets your skeletons are hiding.
TB greatest achievement in life is, and will always be, that he would be our sober driver on those crucial weekend nights of 10th and 11th grade. Then he started drinking right before 12 grade, and all was lost.
Happy Birthday to Blog 5/29 and to Jessie Lou today
Happy Birthday JLou!!!! What, are you… like … 29 today??? JK Have a good one and a drink for me.
When I was in middle school kids would always ask if JL was 25. I would laugh and ask if they realized that meant she had me when she was about 12.
Happy birthday JL!!!!
Thanks guys! I had a great birthday – 46 and climbing ever higher while many of you will soon be 39 and holding.