National Geographic Magazine

When I was around 13 years of age, my best friend invited me over to his house one afternoon. We were, of course, at that age where our hormones were pumping up the jam, so to speak. We were in my friend's bedroom. He whispered, "Will, guess what I got?" "What?" I replied.

He lifted up his mattress and pulled out a stack of National Geographic magazines. I immediately grabbed one and so did my friend. We flipped through them. They had lots of ..eh hem...interesting pictures.

When I saw my first si si fly centerfold, I must admit I was aroused. My friend's face was flush. He was looking at a picture of the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar. OK, I'll confess that we did look at pictures of scantily clad women from the Fiji islands, but they were nothing compared to the curves of the grand canyon or the shapely figure of George Washington's nose on Mount Rushmore.

It was on that day that I lost my innocence. However, that was not a bad thing. Throughout the years, I have found myself looking at the pictures and even reading the articles contained in National Geographic. Let me tell you about the features of this classic magazine.

The Magazine

This magazine usually contains around 150 pages. The articles are easy to read and understand. My subscription cost was around $29.00 for 12 issues.

It has a feature article section. My favorite articles are usually about topics that include archeology, anthropology, paleontology and history. I actually read such articles. I don't just look at the breathtaking photos.

Then there is the "Departments" section which contains advertisements, more outstanding photos, and short blurbs about archeology, geography, wildlife, and technology. There is such a variety in this section that I can always find something that appeals to me.

The miscellany section contains the editor's note, letters, photo journal, "how to" help, and "Inside Geographic Flashback." I love reading the letters to the editor, especially when the letter is from some disgruntle reader who has his panties in a bunch over some article that appeared in the magazine.

The "On the Web" section provides the link "ngm.com," where you can get even more information about the articles you have read. There is also a forum at the site where you can post messages. I enjoy posting provocative and controversial messages there. It is great fun!

You will find the "Member Services" section in the magazines' contents. It contains information regarding subscriptions, customer service, the online index, shopping (NG products), and the NG mailing list.

Final Thoughts

I find that National Geographic is great to carry with me to the Doc's office when I have an appointment. The waiting room always seems to have either medical journals or Cosmopolitan or some other magazines that cure insomnia. While I'm waiting in the waiting room, I just whip out my NG magazine and I'm set.

I take this magazine with me to the laundry mat. The more laundry I do, the greater my expertise becomes in geology, archeology, etc. I have a degree from Laundry Mat U.

I also keep issues of this magazine on my coffee table and near my porcelain throne. It is a great friend to while the hours away with.

This magazine is also great to have with me on a long bus or plane ride. It is also a great attention getter: "Is that National Geographic you are reading?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"I saw the cover."