I have taken a lot of train rides in the last week. Eight train trips, to be exact. So, in reality, I think I have spent more time on the train in the past seven days than doing just about anything else! My trips were mainly on NJ Transit, from Hamilton, NJ, to New York Penn Station, but I also got to venture on the Metro North train system, from New York City to Connecticut.

The trips began last Friday, with a leg from New Jersey to New York. The new NJ Transit double-decker trains are really nice, with bucket seats and a lot of available seating. They are clean and comfortable, and it is really an enjoyable experience. The older trains have the typical bench seating, and while not horrible, don’t even compare to the newer trains. I usually find myself on the newer trains to New York and on the older ones coming back to NJ.

The second leg of my train travel on Friday took me from New York Grand Central to New Haven, CT. Man, that is a long train ride — even the express train is close to two hours! One of my best friends from college did that commute twice a day, every day for over a year. Honestly, I don’t know how she did it! The trains on Metro North are similar to the older NJ Transit trains.

On Saturday, I again took the train from New Haven to New York, this time to Yankee Stadium. Along with the new stadium, the city has begun a brand-new train service directly to the stadium. As it was the first day of the service, there were a few kinks, but I am sure many Yankees fans will be pleased with the service as it gets into the swing of things. Saturday night I headed back to NJ.

I was in New York City for work both Wednesday and Thursday of this week. That was four more trips on NJ Transit. As long as I can catch an express train, the trip is quick and really quite enjoyable. I was able to stretch out yesterday and get some work done on both trips.

Many people from Bucks County commute into NYC every day via NJ Transit. GT‘ers Fran Gallagher and Dick Evans commuted every day for many years. You can definitely pick out the daily commuters. They have a routine and they are on the move. I am sure it can be exhausting; but it is a pretty easy trip and the ride is a great chance to catch up on some work; read a book, newspaper or magazine; or even catch up on some lost zzz’s.

And it is perfect for us here at Global Traveler, as we can all quickly be in New York City if need be. It is a great way for Alex Young and Courtney Centeno to head down for a visit to our main office as well. In addition, Amtrak service from the Trenton station is another great way to get to a variety of destinations.

As a college student, I did two summer internships in Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I was a daily train commuter that summer, taking SEPTA train service out of Doylestown four days a week. I rode to either Suburban Station or 30th Street, depending on which internship I was working at that day. In that short time, I developed my own routine. I knew, down to the minute, the latest I could leave my house and still reach the station in time. I had my quarters constantly at the ready for parking. I knew the best spot to stash my monthly pass for easy access and viewing. I had my walks to and from the office from the train station timed. I knew where to stop for my morning iced coffee. It can certainly make the day longer, but I found it preferable to driving. I usually enjoyed the time to myself to read or relax and unwind before and after the long day.

–Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive

It appears I am one of the only – if not the only – member of the GT family who has not yet weighed in with an anniversary blog.

Rest assured my procrastination is not due to an inability to come up with something to write. The fact is I have too much to write — and I’m a bit worried that once I begin, I may stray off on a ’round-about stroll down memory lane. So bear with me and give a holler if it appears I’ve gone off in some tangential direction.

What does Global Traveler mean to me?

I’ve just spent a few minutes perusing my associates’ anniversary blogs. I don’t know about you, but I’m struck by how many times they use the term “family” to describe the Global Traveler team. You see, we are a family. And together as a family, we’ve endured bumps and bruises, we’ve bickered and made up, we’ve reveled in one another’s successes and consoled each other following disappointments. And just like any other family, we’ve grown stronger because of our bond.

Maybe that comes with the territory of being founding members of a start-up publication.

When Fran and I were planning the first issue, we had a heart-to-heart talk about work styles and expectations. This was new ground for both of us. Fran had spent 16 years at the helm of a brick-and-mortar publication. I had spent 15 years as a freelance writer. Fran was used to being the boss and I wasn’t the kind of person who could have a boss. Fran knew little about telecommuting (although he quickly learned to boast about our “virtual” status), and I couldn’t imagine commuting to a cubicle when I could do the same — or better — job from my home office.

We talked about creating a supportive environment in which everyone would feel comfortable promoting ideas and suggesting ways to grow the magazine. And we grew. We added staff, welcoming new members into the GT family.

At a meeting during our recent GT Tested Awards gathering in Los Angeles, I glanced around the table to count a dozen members of our family. (And that’s not including the three who kept the home fires burning while we were on the road — all of whom will be at our upcoming anniversary bash.) I was pleased to realize that — whether we’ve been with Global Traveler for five years or five months — we’re all founding members. We all have a stake in the success of this magazine and we all take pride in our success and accomplishments.

-Lisa Matte, editor in chief

I’ve been a fan of reality TV since before it had a name. I first tuned in back in 1992. That was the year MTV aired it’s first season of The Real World. 

While I readily admit this trait, I feel compelled to qualify: I do have some limits. For example, I tune in to every season of Amazing Race. Bravo TV’s Top Chef is one of my favorite shows. On the other hand, I wouldn’t ever watch The Bachelor (although, I have been known to catch an episode of Beauty and the Geek). America’s Next Top Model? No. Project Runway? Yes.

I mention this affinity for three reasons - 1) the realization that the current television writers’ strike won’t have a significant affect on my viewing habits; 2)  the fact I told GT publisher Fran Gallagher long ago that his life would make great fodder for a reality series; 3) the receipt of a recent email in which GT distribution specialist John Wroblewski - who’s known Fran for 20-plus years - told me he had independently come to the same conclusion about the potential for a Fran-centric show.

In my imagination, the show would revolve around GT’s Global Headquarters in Yardley, Pa. Fran would be at the helm - sort of like The Skipper on Gilligan’s Island. Since about half of the GT staff (including me) telecommutes from locations around the country, we’d be “seen” as disembodied voices emanating from a giant speaker in Fran’s office. It would be like the reality version of The Office.

I’d tell you more, but I’m pressed for time. Kitchen Nightmares is about to start. I have to tune in to see Chef Gordon Ramsey let loose on yet another hapless restaurant owner.

Lisa Matte, Editor in Chief, Global Traveler

My sister called me last night to tell me a mutual friend (someone she loved deeply and I knew and loved) had died — alone and quietly in his house just steps from the beach. 

Those of you who read this blog and the magazine will know that the beach is my favorite place in the world.

To me, “the beach” is not necessarily a warm tropical place with white sand and palm trees (although I do like that particular scenario). To me, the beach is a real place — winter or summer — hot or cold — it’s where I find peace of mind. It’s where I watch the ebb and flow of the tide and think about the ebb and flow of life.

I was at the beach with my sister on Sunday — an unseasonably warm New England afternoon we could not resist as our “last chance” this year. We ate lunch, walked for nearly an hour, basked in the sun and even dipped in the ocean. It was cold, but I was determined to set a personal record of Oct. 21 - last day of the season in the water.

Our friend, who was loved by more people than he ever understood or accepted, may have been gone while we were savoring our last day of summer. He died because he succumbed to his own demons – demons he couldn’t push away even though he was buttressed by the love of too many people to count.

His death will leave a hole in my life, but it will forever affect our mutual loved ones.  I’ll remember the good times - dancing at a party (my bad knee collapsed and he was mortified); offbeat singalongs (he declined to take center stage, but always sang along); and a kiss on the cheek the last time I saw him — in mid-August at a gathering where I was assembling an antipasto — he picked at the plate and gave me a hello kiss as I swatted his hand.

I realize my fellow GT bloggers write about travel. I seem to be drawn to reflections on life. Thanks for indulging me.

The number of years since your birth doesn’t necessarily reflect your true age. Consider the options — chronological age versus emotional age or physical age. A 30-year-old couch potato may be “older” than a 50-year-old fitness buff; a mature 10-year old may be “older” than an emotionally bankrupt 40-year-old. We have labels to define age groups — Baby Boomers, Gen-Xers, Gen-Yers — but not of all us fit neatly into one category.

Penelope Trunk, author of Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success, in conjunction with researcher Margaret Weigel, developed a test to help people determine their “real” age — at least in terms of where they fit according to standard definitions of Baby Boomer, etc.

Take the test and figure out where you fit. 

Do you have your own web page? (1 point)

Have you made a web page for someone else? (2 points)

Do you IM your friends? (1 point)

Do you text your friends? (2 points)

Do you watch videos on YouTube? (1 point)

Do you remix video files from the Internet?  (2 points)

Have you paid for and downloaded music from the Internet? (1 point)

Do you know where to download free (illegal) music from the Internet? (2 points)

Do you blog for professional reasons?  (1 point)

Do you blog as a way to keep an online diary? (2 points)

Have you visited MySpace at least five times? (1 point)

Do you communicate with friends on Facebook? (2 points)

Do you use email to communicate with your parents? (1 point)

Did you text to communicate with your parents? (2 points)

Do you take photos with your phone? (1 point)

Do you share your photos from your phone with your friends? (2 points)

TALLY YOUR POINTS

0-1 point - Baby Boomer (born between 1946 and 1964)

2-6  points - Generation Jones (a BB subcategory; born between 1954 and 1965)

6- 12 points - Generation X (born between 1964 and 1980)

12 or over - Generation Y (born between 1978 and 2000)

 - Lisa Matte, Editor-in-chief