Zoomers!

FOR WHATEVER REASON, I always feel guilty when I return merchandise, especially books. I don't know why. Perhaps it's the way the sales clerks hold the book by its spine to see if I've read it. Or, the amount of paperwork that's involved. But, when I returned Letting Go of the Words I assuaged my guilt of returning an unwanted book with the company of Wayne Gretzky, or at least his picture.

I have to say, it was nice treat to visit a brick & mortar store. Oh, the pleasure of flipping through racks of magazines I'd never drop a dime on, and running my palms over books I'll never buy, or I'll buy, but never read.

A little while ago, I'd heard that Moses Znaimer, visionary/television producer extraordinaire was behind a new magazine Zoomer, but the devil himself could have created the glossy brilliance, it wouldn't matter who came up with the concept, because the moment I saw Gretz on the cover, I couldn't keep my paws to myself.

I was 24 the year Wayne Gretzky married Janet Jones. With two marginally older sisters living out west (Calgary and Edmonton) and a part-Ukrainian, hockey-loving father who'd retired his own jersey years earlier, the name Gretzky came up often around the homestead.

More than 20 years later, standing in bookstore, I have a startling revelation that The Great One and I  are close in age. I understand this because he's on the cover of a magazine for men and women ages 45+. 

He may have retired when my teenage son was three years-old and is therefore considered an "old-timer" in the kid's view, but not in mine. In fact, Gretzky's cover (shot by his long-time pal Bryan Adams) easily bumps Cusak and Cooper off the computer desktop wallpaper rotation.

As for the magazine, I wondered if the magazine missed its mark. I was disappointed by the lack of in-depth articles and the brief Q&A with Wayne was unsatisfying. And I don't get that. Read the masthead. It's filled with established contributors. I would think that Zoomers have a bit more time on their hands to read longer pieces. I may be at the tail end of the aged Boomer generation, but I know I prefer articles of substance. However, I suppose that I am also at an age where I've patience for a new mag to find it's feet.

And while I wait it out, you'll find me groovin' with the old folks.