The Slice: Lost weight, brain cells

Readers regularly ask about my weight. So I found myself thinking I might write an update in the fall and run it on Thanksgiving Day. (I originally announced my weight-loss intentions several years ago on that holiday).

I glanced up at a calendar to see if Thanksgiving 2004 fell on a day when my column runs. And what do you know. It’s on a Thursday again.

Your turn. Tell The Slice about a time you experienced a millisecond of deep stupidity.

“This date at Expo ‘74: Victor Borge at the Opera House. Tickets were $6/$5/$4/$3.

“On the road: “Awhile ago, you asked where folks get the most waves while driving,” wrote Chris MacDonald. “As an auto driver and a motorcyclist, I’ve noticed with great consistency (up and down the West Coast anyway) that motorcyclists are the friendliest bunch on the road.

“That doesn’t include Harley riders. You can wave at them all day long, but a returned flip of the wrist is few and far between.”

“Readers were asked to fill in the blanks: “(_______) is the one Spokane TV news person who most reminds me of a bobblehead doll because (______).”

“Tom Sherry … because he has that cute round head, big eyes and grin.” — Marilyn Othmer

“Charles Rowe … because his head is all out of proportion to the rest of him.” — George X. Hale

“Randy Shaw … because he is always smiling.” — Fran Rogers

“Stephanie Vigil … because both have empty heads.” — A. Scott Hauser

“Kris Crocker … because she is adorable.” — Julie Lassiter

“Mark Peterson … because he has all of the bobblehead moves.” — Gary Hutson

“George Maupin … because he has kind of a short neck.” — Pepper Pendleton

“Shelly Monahan … because she is always overly cheerful.” — Alice Hale

“Neighbors critiqued: Coeur d’Alene’s Doug Burr wanted The Slice to remind Washington motorists that they don’t need to stay in a highway’s passing lane all the time. “Washington drivers are quickly becoming the immovable barrier to proper left-lane etiquette,” he wrote. “While I’m complaining … What’s with Montana drivers who feel the need to change lanes so that they are always on the inside of every bend in the freeway? Is this a Mario Andretti fetish?”

“Re: Telling different kinds of pine trees apart: Retired forester Rick Barth offered a suggestion: Visit Spokane’s Finch Arboretum. “The trees are all labeled there,” he wrote.

“Slice answer: In Karen Burgard’s home, the repository for various miracle potato mashers, egg slicers, candy molds and cookie cutters is called “the whiz-bang gadget drawer.”

“Today’s Slice question: On a scale of one to 10, with one being “Absolutely don’t need it” and 10 being “It’s a must,” how would you rate the need for home air-conditioning around here?