The Slice: There’s no road rage here; this bus ride is total bliss

Slice reader Steve Becker has a theory about why the STA tax measure passed.

He attributes it to support for a personable bus driver named Ira.

“He is simply among the most courteous, friendly, professional people I have ever met anywhere.”

“Reader survey, furry style: The Slice queried several area felines about the Today section.

Karlene Hyer’s pet, Oly, expressed a desire to see more in-depth coverage of tuna-related lifestyle issues.

Laura Cook’s cat, Callie, said it bugs her when The Slice says “Let’s move on.”

And Teresa McDermott sent a snapshot (not shown) of her orange cat, Zeke, reading the Bible.

Perhaps we can infer that Zeke would like to see more coverage of religion and spirituality. Or maybe he was simply rereading the loaves-and-fishes passage.

“Attitude and aging: Toni Ratzlaff asked her 84-year-old mother to select a musical birthday card for a friend of theirs about to celebrate a 92nd birthday.

Later, when Ratzlaff arrived at the party, her mother gave her the card to sign. Her mother noted that the store she had visited had a large selection of musical cards.

But Ratzlaff suspected that her mom had not actually listened to the one she chose. Because not far from a room full of party-goers using walkers and canes, Ratzlaff opened the card and heard a recorded voice sing “Come on baby, do the Conga!”

Then again, maybe her mom knew exactly what she was doing.

“Try to remember: The perma-hostile people prone to road rage and online vitriol are not leading happy, meaning-filled, successful lives.

“Warm-up question for my e-mail correspondents: You know how I often say “Have a good week” on Monday and “Have a good weekend” on Friday? Sure. Well, do you have any evidence suggesting that my saying that helped it come true?

“Today’s Slice question: What did coed softball teach you about modern gender dynamics?

A) Some guys still try so hard to impress certain women that it’s embarrassing for everyone within a half-mile radius. B) The men aren’t the only ones capable of taking the whole thing way, way too seriously. C) Women named Allison, Alison or Alysson make decent infielders. D) Teammates’ inept flirting with members of the other team is fun to critique over pizza and beer. E) Other.