The Slice: A little Spokane-do attitude

The North Side’s Christina Blondin saw something that, to her, summed up Spokane in a nutshell.

“A BMW convertible with duct tape holding the roof together,” she wrote.

Yes, but was it headed to an all-you-can-eat buffet?

“Quantity vs. quality: You know how the media, this newspaper included, never tire of reporting which TV shows have the highest ratings and what blockheaded blockbusters did best at the box office, et cetera? Sure. Well, what if your own favorites routinely fare poorly in these rankings? Are you supposed to think less of your tastes and cultural instincts?

Isn’t it more likely that you will congratulate yourself on not being part of the herd?

But at least the popular tendency to equate widespread commercial acceptance with excellence or success makes it easier than ever to be a snob. That’s always fun.

“Rebuttal evidence: Slice reader Mike Carlson isn’t so sure about this whole global warming thing.

He has been watching a certain squirrel build up a stash of pine cones and other food stores. “This industrious little guy is expecting an ice age.”

You read it here first.

“Say what: Last Sunday’s reference to area schools’ dismal performance on the “G.E. College Bowl” reminded Dennis DeMattia of the time his alma mater, the University of San Francisco, had a team appear on that ‘60s quiz show. USF lost. “But we did have the distinction of one of our guys mouthing — or being bleeped, I don’t know — a rather significant profanity after having missed a question.”

“Speaking of last Sunday’s Slice: College student Bethany Brukardt said her mother has been known to kill wasps and other insect home-invaders with her bare hands.

“Faux-anger issues: Not long ago, I asked about inside jokes strangers might misinterpret.

Well, one of my regular correspondents told me about something he and his wife do, probably inspired by some comedian seen long ago.

Sometimes, when they are in a store and separated by 20 or 30 feet, one of them will make an angry face and snarl, “Hey, get over here!”

It’s all an act, of course. They do it because it cracks them up.

My correspondent admitted, though, that this has earned him more than one dirty look from strangers.

“Slice answers: Several readers suggested adding a ridable marmot figure to the Riverfront Park Carrousel lineup. But Katie White voted for a fawn based on the Disney character, Bambi. “Kids would love that,” she said.

Unless, that is, the sight of Bambi triggered flashbacks to the part of that story when his mother dies. There’s probably nothing like a day at the Carrousel with a bunch of sobbing preschoolers.

“Today’s Slice question: What do you yell when diving into cold water?