ZEN Bitchin'

Centerfold – J. Geils Band

More than a year ago I was able to live–albeit briefly, my dream of working in a magazine. I served as Editor of Square, a magazine for young people. I chronicled that marvelous experience here and here. After that, I spent last year doing what I usually did, in terms of work. Until early this year, when I got a call from a friend who recommended me to be involved in another magazine.

The magazine, called G21, was sort of a competitor of Square because it used to be about education and career, and targeting young people as well. But Square wasn’t just about education; it was about lifestyle, fashion, and other things that interested young people. In the last 6 months though, G21 has undergone a metamorphosis of some sort, turning into a magazine that is focused on older girls and young women. It’s a very interesting concept, full of exciting possibilities.

So I came in as a Creative Consultant (although my scope of work covers some editorial work as well) on a 20-hour a week basis. I’m basically in charge of how the magazine looks. I’m giving myself (I think the same goes for the company) a 3-month trial period for this. If I think the working relationship is working, I will consider a longer involvement. I hadn’t signed a written contract, and this might be best under the circumstances.

A couple of weeks ago, the first issue that I was involved with came out. Feedback was generally positive about the issue, but personally I think there is enough room for improvement. Unlike with Square, where I had complete editorial and creative control, G21 is completely a collaborative effort.

G21 March 2009 Issue
(first time to feature a couple in the cover)

Also, I was in India last week. The two previous posts were written in my spare time in the evening. Sadly on my 3rd night the Wi-Fi stopped working until the day I returned to Cambodia. When I had the chance I looked at Indian magazines and purchased some. I was amazed at how cheap the magazines were. They ranged from $1.50 to $2.00 only. So, as a homage to fuchsiaboy’s style of blogging, here are the magazines I got in India.

Harper’s Bazaar India
supposedly a collector’s item because it’s the maiden issue,
also, it has crystallized Swarovsky elements on the magazine name

Cosmopolitan India
Freida Pinto found fame thru ‘Slumdog Millionaire’,
she is in two magazines this month, the second being

Vogue India
Freida’s photoshoot here is way better than the Cosmo shoot,
shot by Regan Cameron

Vogue Fashion Supplement
66 pages of fashion stuff, probably because
India Fashion Week happens every March

Men’s Health India
Personally, I find Indian men hot
hence the purchase of this magazine.
I would’ve loved to get GQ as well but the store didn’t have it.

Men’s Health Magazine Style Supplement
This is on the flip side of the magazine and
I think the model is hotter than the cover guy.