The Trips team reflects on year #1.
Carlo, in the deep end
Carlo says:
When I got “the call” from Managing Editor Julie Schwietert asking if I was interested in joining the team as a Contributing Editor at Trips, my first reaction was, “Holy shit!” Then that subsided and I started to think about what that meant. In truth, I had no idea what that meant. I had no idea what an editor did. For that matter, I had little idea what a writer did.
But I threw myself in the deep end anyway and was buoyed by the support of the senior editors and the entire Matador team. And now, one year later, I’m sitting here trying to find a way to thank everyone — the staff (editors, interns, ninjas…yes, we have ninjas), you (the readers), and the rest of the Matador and Internet community in general — without sounding cheesy.
Everything I come up with sounds like an Oscar speech, so I’ll just leave it at that. Keep the inspiration coming through the comments, we really do value it.
Hal says:
I second everything Carlo said, which now gives me the opportunity to go all top-10-list on y’all. Here are 10 things I’ve learned in my first year “working” for Matador:
10. There are people out there who will give you money for doing something you enjoy. Thank god.
9. Being an editor is as hard as being a writer…probably more.
8. Print is dead or dying, and I don’t really care.
7. People have a thing for nude beaches, Amsterdam, and photos from crazy places.
6. Julie was bitten by a radioactive worker bee as a child and now is able to spend 23 hours a day gettin’ shit done.
5. I have been subconsciously conditioned to write in non-transparent marketing speak. Unconditioning is not easy.
4. I need to meet more virtual peeps in person, because the ones I have are very cool.
3. No matter what the hour, there is always someone from the Matador staff awake and on the computer. Oh, and interns rock.
2. I now know how to say “cheers!” in 50 languages, where to go to grad school abroad, which tattoo cliches to avoid, where not to surf, which travel laptops are best, how to develop a personal manifesto, where to volunteer for free, whether American football or rugby is tougher, which Matador members to watch, how to travel the world for free, and where to find the best travel video on the web.
1. Ross Borden has a plan. It’s called world domination. It’s working.
Hal, hard at “work”
Community Connection
What have you learned from Matador, and in particular Matador Trips, over the past year? What have you liked/disliked? Where would you like to see Trips go in 2010-11? Join the community and share your voice.
About the Author
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13 Comments... join the discussion!
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I disagree with #6 Hal. Julie works 25 hours a day. Every day. Even on holidays and when she’s traveling. I swear. It’s true.
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Congrats on the year, guys! And I agree with JoAnna about Julie’s superpowers. Rumour has it that she has four arms.
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I can’t believe it’s only been 1 year – the way you two work together and get amazing articles out I would’ve thought Trips was a seasoned veteran
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I didn’t realize it was so new! Well done, guys. I’m so happy to be tagging alongside as this plan for world domination unfolds.
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Thanks everyone! To clarify, Trips has been around longer than us…we’ve just been lucky enough to be part of it for the last year.
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Hooray!
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I believe the two of you are directly responsible for approaching me and asking me to be a contribute something about NL. Thanks for giving this Newf a fair chance, and for being so patient all the while!
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Actually, “Julie” is ten people. We’ve kept it under wraps for a long time, but word is starting to get out, so we wanted to get ahead of all the rumors.
Love how you guys put this piece together, even though it’s so “old-school interwebz”
I see the numbers “49,391″ at the top of my screen, and that’s exactly what tells me you guys friggin’ rocked your first year. Hells yeah!
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Hal — I always suspected this was the way you worked: feet up, outside, soaking up the rays. Now my suspicions have been confirmed. Also, word up on the nude beaches observation. Want your post to get clicked on? Include the word “nude” in the title.
Re: #10: Does Ross play alot of Risk? If so, I’m worried.
Congrats guys on the year and keep up the good work.
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You know what were some good laptops over a year ago (if the date is correct on that article)
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Hey man, you callin my giant-ass laptop old!?
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Congratulations on a super year you guys. Love the work you’ve put in and the photos too! Now to find that bleeding radioactive bee …
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