Yes, I admit, I've been neglecting this thing. "TiLT"s are fun, but since those are the only things that I've been posting, to post at all seemed rather pointless. In short, I'm kind of burnt out.
BUT ANYWAY.
Last year while I was on study abroad at UC Santa Barbara I co-founded a magazine. It was based around the small community - about a mile squared of land that adjoins the UCSB campus - made up mostly of students. It's called Isla Vista. If you have heard anything about UCSB you are bound to know that it has a reputation as a party school. Well, that much is true. However an organisation within the university, called IV Live/IV Arts works hard to keep the community feel alive and provide student events and entertainment. This is probably the thing I loved most about my time at UCSB. The staff are so amazing and creative and know exactly how to get students interested, alive and fighting for their cause.
The idea for the magazine began with Holly Unruh, who was appalled when she found a publication called "IV Lifestyle" - a one-off glossy propagating drink and surf culture (for the most part). The only thing that sticks in my mind was a how-to on beer pong. Holly decided it was high time that UCSB students spoke out about how great student life in IV can be, and how much that it has to offer.
Our first issue was founded by a team of 12 of us students, with the help of local journalist DJ Palladino, who also runs a film programme at the Magic Lantern Theatre in IV, and Ellen Anderson, another IV Live member. And I must say that their guidance, enthusiasm and support was invaluable to us. They are the best mentors I've ever had - I really can't express how much they pushed us without saying much at all. After a few meetings we defined ourselves as an arts & culture magazine and named it Word Magazine.
The first issue of Word was quite different than the publication that it has become. So many students have become involved, and as far as I can tell it has become rather popular with the students during its short time in print. So many students have joined in and it's growing and gathering more dynamism as it whizzes off like a bullet train into the future.
I'm so proud of our wee publication, and although I was sketchy about becoming involved it was definitely the best decision I made while on study abroad. Looking at it now, I miss having this project under my wing and have realised that writing for Word was something that I am truly passionate about. As much as I love to write wee tid-bits for the university newspaper here at home, I realise now how much energy Word has in its magazine (as in artillery, geddit?!) and how much momentum it has built since its first conception.
This was all a very long-winded way of my saying that I am really proud of what we've accomplished in 9 short months, and I'm really excited to pass the torch on to new UCSB students and allow them to find a new direction.
And, of course, to say that if you're interested, look here, and you can find the latest edition here! (I'm on printed page 1 and 15!)
