The Slice: Putting our best faces forward

Those who occasionally check out The Slice Blog at www.spokesman.com will have noticed the “Paul’s People” parade of selfies is underway.

I still aim to do 100 here in this first round.

Online readers might also have seen that I have described various people standing with me in these photos as a “great guy,” a “woman I really admire” or what have you. Over and over.

I have done so because in each instance it is totally true. But you could be forgiven if it made you wonder.

Where did all these agreeable people come from? Isn’t practically everybody an angry hater these days?

No, of course not. As you know perfectly well, there are legions of wonderful individuals in the Spokane area. And spending time with them is good for your outlook and blood pressure.

The problem, which you also know, is that the perpetually angry sorts — the ones who find recreational pleasure in name-calling, dyspeptic disapproval and ranting putdowns — make a lot of noise. They can be difficult to ignore.

But ignore them, you must. At least if you aspire to, as it says right here on this page, “Live Well.”

I guess we all know this. But doing these selfies has reminded me of how many people in Spokane I genuinely like.

I’m sure you have your own list. I urge you to think about the folks on it and find a way to thank them for being part of your life.

When we let troubled hostility-spewers dominate the conversation, it’s easy to lose sight of something important. It’s this: The thing that makes Spokane a good place isn’t buildings, weather or access to hiking trails.

It is the outsized hearts of many who live here.

Slice answer (the Clark Kent game): “I was a court reporter in California for almost 20 years,” wrote North Idaho’s Lauren Hopkins. “I would say being mild mannered is a requirement for the job.”

Today’s Slice question: Do you have any distant friends or relatives who repeatedly tell you they would move to the Spokane area if they thought they could find a good job here?