How Could I Possibly Like This Magazine Any Better Than I'd Already Planned To!?! EASY!!!
Written: May 08 '06 (Updated Aug 19 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Everything! What ISN'T there to like about it!
Cons: Absolutely none!
The Bottom Line: A very needed and positive magazine for our youth, because it makes individuals matter more than what's hot and what's not by Hollywood standards. Builds self-esteem instead of demolishing it.
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| AinsleyJo's Full Review: Teen Trend Magazine |
Since I wrote this review, Can has made the decision to put out TTM six times per year instead of monthly. Also, I'm now the official time travelers' guide for BLAST FROM THE PAST, which is the special page about what was going on "way back when."
Important Note: Don't let me lose you! If you'd rather skip all of the behind-the-scenes jabber and just get the nitty-gritty about this wonderful publication, I won't be offended if you just scroll on down where you'll find a lot of information about it. Of course, I would love to think of your reading all of my little anecdotes, too, but what's most important is for you to learn about this excellent publication that truly IS designed for real teenagers!
Note: This is the way things were in early May of 2006, and this review will stay as it is in order to celebrate a very special milestone. Any future updates will be made in the comment section...
Let me tell you three personal stories (Bear with me, and you'll see how what I'm sharing is relevant to this review.)...
When my dad passed away unexpectedly on February 2, 2004, the weather wasn't exactly great when it came to planning a funeral--as if ANY weather is great when it comes to planning a funeral.
His showing turned out to be on February 6 and his funeral on February 7. Because the ground was too hard for the gravediggers to do their work, his graveside service wasn't until February 13.
On a much happier day in my mom's life, the weather wasn't being the most cooperative, either.
It was February 8, 1947--her wedding day.
Her dad was to have come up to Anderson from his farm in Cunot in order to give her away, but he had to stay there and tend to the pipes so that they wouldn't freeze.
Of the only two brothers left in Indiana at the time, one had to work as well as helping his dad on the farm to keep the pipes from freezing and bursting, and the other one was down at Indiana University--and would have been up to stand in the place of his dad, but the weather prevented transportation from Bloomington to Anderson at the time.
Happily, the wedding was able to go off without a hitch, thanks to my mom's first cousin, John, who came to the church to give her away.
For those of you who have read about John in the past, you will know that the person who gave my mom away to my dad that wonderful day was none other than Justin Chambers' grandpa--or should I say, that actor and model is none other than the grandson of John William Chambers, the person who saved the day for my folks!
Moving on to the next story...
The mother and daughter wanted to go swimming (women's night at the local Y), but the sitter had called at the last minute to say that she couldn't make it to take care of their eight year old son/brother while they were gone.
So, the mother called me to ask me if I'd be able to baby sit that evening. Although I would have been just as glad to do it for free, I ended up being paid well for doing this, which I didn't mind at all.
One thing I was told was to make sure that my charge practiced his piano lesson. He loved music, but he was more advanced as a musician in his mind than he was in actual know-how.
In short, it was frustrating for him to be playing at a Twinkle Twinkle Little Star level when he was playing Beatles songs in his heart-of-hearts.
He didn't take formal drum lessons but had a set of drums which he had gotten for a birthday or Christmas. He loved to play them along with his 45 rpm recordings--and was, in fact, doing just that when I told him that it was time to practice his piano lesson.
He protested, of course. I didn't have to drag him kicking and screaming, but it was plain to me that he'd rather be drumming to his recordings.
He sat at the piano and dutifully played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but his heart wasn't really in it.
I asked him how he would like to play the drums while I played the piano. That idea thrilled him.
I told him that we would switch back and forth when it came to instruments.
He drummed wonderfully while I played pop music on the piano.
Then, I drummed for him while he played his beginner-type piano lesson songs.
Having turned his practice time into a jam session worked wonders when it came to making it more fun and less frustrating for him.
I told him to keep practicing the piano and that, someday, he would be able to play Beatles songs on it, too.
This was inspiring to him.
According to his mom, the piano teacher said that his playing had really improved from the previous lesson.
Although the drums would remain his main instrument, he also learned to play the piano/keyboard well, too. And he continued to do a lot of singing, just as he used to as a little kid with his then-little-boy's voice belting out Hey Jude.
When it comes to Dane Clark, I definitely "knew him when"--long before those days when he drummed with such performers as Larry Meechem, John Mellencamp, and The Wright Brothers along with teaching music at Anderson University and forming his own band!
Third and final (for now) story of having an "I knew him/her/them when!" connection to people of celebrity status...
It's hard to believe that it will be six years this June since I checked out this writing and reviewing site known as Epinions.
There was one particular person with whom I was especially intrigued at the time--and it was just as the words to the song Fascination said:
"...Fascination turned to love."
Even before fascination turned to love in this case, I took advantage of a feature no longer offered here at the site where one could be made aware of every comment that a chosen person made.
This man who would eventually steal my heart, if only for a season, was one of those chosen people on my dance card.
By following his comments, I was able to meet some of the most interesting people--one of them being a young woman who lived all the way up in Alaska!
At the time, I thought that she was someone who had actually been born and raised in Alaska. What a fascinating person!
I could picture her as a kid living off in some rustic cabin and attending classes on a railroad car once or twice a week when her teacher was passing through her area.
In time, I learned that she was a native Long Islander (who had ended up going to graduate school in Alaska due to being led to believe--and wrongly--that the university she was attending at the time had the best program for her course of study), but she was still a fascinating person in her own right.
Her name at the time was Candice Cook.
Her name later became Candice Somethingorothernotevenworthmentioning.
Eventually, she ended up with the perfectly-delicious name of Candice Cain.
She's best known around here as Candice923.
During this past nearly-six years, we've been through a lot together via that world-shrinker known as The Internet--and have even managed to have a catfight or two! LOL
I can remember how excited she was about getting an Editor-In-Chief position for some magazine down in the South.
That ended up falling through before it even began, because it turned out that there really wasn't even a magazine except in the form of hot air.
That was when people such as her mom and husband encouraged her to consider purchasing that hot air and turning it into something substantial. They would do whatever it took with whatever means they had to bring this about.
Now--with the Premiere Issue of Teen Trend Magazine out in the public eye, I can proudly say, "I knew the Editor-In-Chief, Candice Cain, when!"
I can also say that I was one of the privileged people behind-the-scenes who knew Teen Trend Magazine when--especially, this Premiere Issue.
What I mean is that I was on the mailing list to receive copies of mock-ups of the various pages along with photos that might or might not go into the issue, and my input (at least, to a small degree) helped to determine the layout of various ones of its pages, pictures used, etc.
I was in on the ups, downs, joys, and frustrations of Can while she really put her heart into bringing this issue about.
Even though her title is Editor-In-Chief, I can tell you that she has done a whole lot more than that--everything from writing copy to selling ads.
I also know that she can't keep this $10 per year bargain up indefinitely--though I'm sure that she'll keep things within a reasonable range--so go to the official website and subscribe now if you haven't already in order to be sure of getting this steal of a rate:
http://www.teentrendmagazine.com/pages/1/index.htm
Be sure to click on the Media Kit option you'll find there.
You can find out a lot of things from this Media Kit such as demographics, future plans, etc.
You can also find out how to place ads and otherwise make yourself known within the pages of future issues.
If you decide to place an ad, be sure to mention that AJ sent you, as it might win a few Brownie points for me. LOL
The more ads she's able to sell, the more she will be able to pass the savings on her readership. The ads in the first issue are beautifully-crafted and tastefully-placed, and I'm sure that this will continue to be true when it comes to future issues.
Anyway, I've been all excited about seeing the actual magazine, and the day finally came!
I knew that I hadn't been up to my P.O. Box for awhile, so I needed to go up and make sure that there would be room in there for this very special issue.
After all, it would be a shame to have it end up looking as if it had been run over by a train.
As expected, my box was stuffed, so I gently began to remove the items--and two copies (one a gift and the other one the first issue of my year's subscription) of the May 2006 issue of Teen Trend Magazine had already arrived.
Not to worry! Securely wrapped in clear-plastic, there was neither a tear nor a wrinkle in either copy.
There had been something said in the second review written about this magazine that the pages were too thick and classy to make it appealing to teens.
Now, I haven't been a teen since around the time that Baby Moses took a cruise on the Nile River, but I know that, back when I was, I would have liked the pages a whole lot. Maybe, that has changed since then, but I don't see why.
My personal vote is for keeping the same kind of pages.
Anyway, as I've indicated, I'd already made up my mind that I was going to really like this magazine--though a woman always has the right to change her mind--and (psssst!) a best-kept secret is that you men do, too--but I had no idea just how much until I actually had it in my hands.
Let me run through the table of contents for the May issue.
First off, there are the regular features--that is, things such as EDITOR's NOTE!, HE SAID, SHE SAID, and OFF THE BEATEN PATH.
I'm going to list them and any description of what they're offering in this first issue.
EDITOR'S NOTE!
STYLE FILE
Prom fashion on a budget.
FLAVOR OF THE MONTH
Products from The Body Shop, Neutrogena, Febreeze and more make this month's list!
WEB CRAWLER
Downloading Your Summer Music Soundtrack: cool sites to find new music.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Travel back 25 years ago, to 1981!
BOOK WORM
Engame, by Nancy Garden, gets into the tormented teenage mind.
REEL REVIEWS
Mirror Mask and Aeon Flux will both be released on DVD this month!
LISTEN UP!
Kids of Widney High: Act Your Age! A review about their latest album, plus a behind-the-scenes look at this special musical group.
GET INVOLVED!
One Man, One Vote. The importance of voting in America.
FASHION TRENDS
Prom Fashion for 2006...Classic and Elegant!
BOY NEXT DOOR
Meet Stephen Schwicke, senior at Bellport High School.
HE SAID, SHE SAID
Answering your questions about the trials and tribulations of the confusing realms of romance and friendship.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Feel like going to Europe? Check out Luebeck, Germany!
BEST OF THE BEST
The top five amusement parks in the United States with a few runners up.
Then, there are the special features (articles going along with a particular issue). Here's the May 2006 line-up...
ALL DRESSED UP...BUT WHERE TO GO?
What are you supposed to do after Prom is over? Here are some suggestions for a terrific after-party. And even a way to stretch prom out for a weekend!
BECOME A VOLUNTEEN!
Cool ways to volunteer over the summer, and how to get involved.
THE NEW SUMMER CAMP
Camp isn't for hiking and tents anymore. Read all about how skills-based and interest-driven camps are becoming so popular!
HOT DAYS, COOL CLASSES
Spend your summer doing something fun by...taking classes?! Trust us! There are some good ones available for you.
ENJOYING A RESPONSIBLE PROM
You don't have to go crazy to have a good time.
Be sure to read the feature on the Wrapping It Up page called get the Good Stuff!, because this is about a contest where you can win all kinds of neat merchandise from lip glosses to a prom dress!
If you aren't already a subscriber toTeen Trend Magazine, I would advise you to become one a.s.a.p., because this isn't just your average teen magazine by any means!
For one thing, it caters to both genders instead of being a females only kind of publication.
For another thing, you will find teens on its pages that look like real teens instead of their appearing to be sixteen going on thirty.
The articles are fun to read and even include coloring outside of the lines and going outside the box.
Here are some examples of daring to buck conventional ideas:
(regarding getting a nice prom dress or tuxedo) "Check your local consignment shops, as well as Goodwill and Salvation Army"..."A little secret when it comes to searching the consignment shops and thrift stores: go to the locations in the upscale parts of town. When 'rich folks' want to get rid of their duds, they take them to the nearest drop-off, so that's where you want to go first to find the nicest selections."
(regarding suggestions for post-prom activities) "A great way to feel good and do good is to have a fund raiser the next day. Get the community involved. Agree on a cause and set up a carnival with homemade or rented games. See if you could get donations for prizes, have a raffle, sell food.
Again you can bring in inflatable slides, bounces, rock walls and such for perhaps three hours, see if the company you use can work with you a bit. The fund raiser goes on for two hours and for the last hour you use the games yourself."
(regarding your prom night)
"Go Stag Where is it written that you have to have a date for the prom? You don't necessarily need someone on your arm to have a good time..."
In this same article, the reader is also advised to "Be Aware of the Pressures There is no doubt that prom night also means peer pressure will be at its highest. From drinking to sex, someone at prom will try to pressure others to leave their comfort zones. You are in control of your own life, and you know what your expectations and limits are..."
I'm going to shut up for now. If you want to know more about this publication, you're just going to have to subscribe to it--or, at the very least, purchase a sample copy. That is, unless you have a friend who is a subscriber who might be willing to share it with you.
However you're able to obtain a copy legally, just do it!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
AinsleyJo
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Member: Ainsley Jo Phillips
Location: Anderson, Indiana
Reviews written: 268
Trusted by: 220 members
About Me:
I'm hosting a write-off: http://www.epinions.com/content_5362983044
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