A Word of Explanation

This blog serves no purpose.  Well, that's not strictly true.  It serves a purpose for me, but isn't that was blogging is?  Self-serving, pretentious and rarely worth taking up the (admittedly miniscule) space it does out there in electronic oblivion.  That's pretty much what this will be at any rate. 
To be fair, my sole purpose here isn't to waste your time (or mine).  Honestly, I don't have any clear idea of what the purpose of this space will be.  The "best" blogs seem to focus on one thing and to do it very well.  Beer blogs, parenting blogs, celebrity trash blogs, etc.  They're all out there, succeeding at their intended purpose to varying degrees.  Problem is, I have no clue on what to focus this particular journal.  My interests diverge pretty wildly and I'm by no means an expert on any of them.  So, do I have anything to add to a discussion of any of these topics?  Eh...probably not.  Save my perspective...which by all accounts is a little different.  Maybe not, though.  We'll see.
I hope you'll stick with me for a few posts as I try to find my so-called voice in this medium and try to shape this blog into something at best worthwhile and at least coherent.  No promises.  It's easier to write while drinking, but not necessarily easier to make any sense.  Food (er, drink) for thought.

Ok, all of that being said, I'll attempt to explain the name of the blog.  I'm already not as fond of it as once I was...names are not my strong suit.  Just ask my wife about some of the names I pitched for my kids, and I'm not even referring to the light-hearted entries I proferred...like Skeletor.  Basically, I've been trying for about a week to think of a name for this blog, when I realized that I was just dragging ass on starting it.  So, I happened to hear the Clash song, Charlie Don't Surf and thought to myself, what does Travis not do?  Not much, right?  Then it occured to me that I do not sing.  Not in the shower, not karaoke, and infamously not at birthday parties.  Then I started brainstorming some deeper, more important meanings to this revelation, all of which were complete shite.  So attach your own meaning, or imagine what self-righteous bologna I came up with.  Just don't be surprised if I change the name.

I placed a small poll on the side of the blog with some options I was considering for the blog, so vote if you want, but I can't promise I will take the results into account at all.  Also, I think you can follow my blog and you will somehow be alerted if I make a new entry.  I think Google sends you flowers or gets George Clooney to call your house or some such.  So there's incentive.  In any event, tell your friends, write a note to your neighbor and tie it to a brick, then throw it through their window, send out fleets of trained doves, but spread the word if you like Travis Don't Sing.  And if you don't, keep it to yourself and read in secret shame.

Regards,
Travis

ALBUM of the DAY:  I'm going to try this as a regular feature.  I listen to a lot of music and like any proper music snob, I think that everyone should be listening to the music I love, but would really be appalled if everyone did and would probably try to find something else to listen to.  Maybe I just really miss reviewing music. (I spent a couple of years reviewing for antimusic.com)  These are some albums I a) love  b) am listening to right now  or c)  have meant a lot to me at one time or another.  Give them a listen if you want something new (open those minds).  On to today's selection:

Gaslight Anthem - American Slang.  I'm way late to the party on these guys, but thanks to Chris and Andy (and to Anya for winning me tickets to one of their shows) I finally checked them out.  Just a really good rock and roll band, heartfelt, catchy, everything everybody wants even if they don't know it.  And, the criteria that matters most to me, the songs are really well written.  Thumbs up from me.