September, 2007:

I used to hang out with a lot of musicians and band experts, from guitar geniuses to bass buffs, drum geeks, percussion people, and the rest. They of course have a unifying characteristic, that is, talent. Most of them did not even have formal lessons, they just tinkered on these stuff and whoalla, and they got the whole thing already. They’d do a lot of listening, and are engulfed with passion for music and for their chosen instrument. Though some are really just plain gifted, shifting positions from guitarist to bassist, drummer to the one banging the bongos.

Surely, they do get for themselves printed materials created especially for them, instrument players. Technically speaking, they are knowledgeable through guides, books and magazines. That’s what separates them, real musicians, to hobbyists, and to those who are just listeners and followers. Besides music players and CDs, you’d find adaptors, pedals, and copies of Bass Player, Guitar Player or Guitar World magazines inside their backpacks. 

Speaking of such magazines, they’ve been very helpful to these serious musicians since they offer serious stuff too. Guitar Player Magazine, for one, features vital information for guitar players who are after honing their skills and their craft. It provides knowledge about playing guitar in a range of genres, about known guitar players and available guitar equipments and paraphernalia. Bass Player Magazine also highlights items about playing techniques and the know-how of bass playing, from reviews of various materials to exclusive tutorials from renowned players, and columns on instrument upkeep and repairs.

Guitar World publications offer Acoustic and Bass magazines for acoustic guitarists and bass players. Guitar World Acoustic provides lessons on acoustic guitar playing, reviews on the acoustic kits and many others. Guitar World Bass Magazine likewise features interviews of recognized bass players, reviews and a lot more.

Besides the gifts and the instruments they carry, musicians unite with the materials they get themselves up to date and informed too, such as these mags!

 Back in college, I was an extreme rock fan. I listen to all sorts and subgenres, from hardcore to softcore, alternative to progressive, punk to emo, ET cetera. Those were the days of frequenting concerts and rock hubs, amassing albums and EPs of indie rockers, collecting gig knick knacks like fancy tickets and artsy freebies.

 It was also the time of regular visits to the nearest Tower Records, checking out CDs until sometime later I get to buy a piece or two after hours of scouring. That is of course combing stacks of almost all genres, with rock and pop (since they were always grouped together) taking the longest time. In retrospect, those were the days when online music shops and peer to peer file sharing were just beginning to bud, and iTunes was still nonexistent.  

 Of course, magazines were part of the rock fondness routine. Whenever I go to bargain basement priced bookstores of the shopping center around our campus, I get to scan tons of back issues of music magazines of different kinds, and get to purchase one mag along with a children’s book I usually buy. There were magazines about rock music and the whole culture, including music news, reviews and interviews, album releases, and other hot topics to boot. There were magazines for the contemporary rock sound with inside focus of rock bands and musicians, artist features, current rock trends, newcomers, new songs and videos, and everything fresh from the scene. They also have magazine photos of all sorts from various rock groups, including exclusive photos, snapshots and stolen shots, from formal to casual goings-on like during interviews and music awards, during practice hours, pre and post onstage performances, and more. They also have photos from serious to offhand band bustles like them signing records deals and autographing albums, them inside tour buses and hotel rooms, and more as well. The most frequent on their stands were Alternative Press Magazine and Spin Magazine. I could even remember Michael Stipe’s bald head in one of Spin’s covers on the bookstore window.
 
 Yes, those were to days, the days edged to the rock side.

We are a family of dog lovers. At one point, we had ten dogs taken care of all at one time. Now we decided to limit them to three, because apparently the budget can’t afford a population of ten gluttonous pets plus six humans in the house. Presently, we have a playful, sometimes mischievous Dalmatian, a motherly, protective Doberman, and a brave, brutish mixed breed of Rotweiller and Doberman.

Dogs are branded as man’s best friend, because of the loyalty, attachment and affection they form with their owners. Owning dogs is not just THE act of owning one. It consists of tender love and care. They need to be fed well, bathed well, and groomed well. They need to take their shots too, and have visits to the vet.

More than newspapers having a weekly section on pets and animal living, websites offering pet advices and more, there are also a number of magazines for dog lovers, owners, breeders, and the like.

There’s Dog Fancy Magazine, a monthly publication for dog owners which offers pieces of writing that deal with care and nurture of pet dogs, and more. They have articles about dog nutrition, dog behavior, dog health, and dog breeding. The magazine also has featured breeds each month from the number of breeds existing in a dog’s taxonomic group.

Dog World Magazine is another publication from the publishers of Dog Fancy Magazine. It is issued monthly as well, and is dedicated for dog breeders, exhibitors, hobbyists, professionals in kennel operations, groomers, veterinarians, animal hospital and clinic owners, and pet supply outlet proprietors. If Dog Fancy Magazine is more for regular dog owners, Dog World Magazine alternatively has topics which are fashioned for dog specialists and experts.

Then there’s Dogs in Review as well, which fits more like a journal for dog show professionals. It has comprehensive articles about different dog shows and presentations.

All three publications are distributed by BowTie, Inc., a publication that issues numerous pet magazines.

These magazines are must-haves for all you dog owners and lovers out there, for you to take better and proper care of your lovable pets!