The Slice: Glad to live in the Pacific Bedtime Zone

This is the day on the calendar that annually proves the Pacific Time Zone is the best place to be.

At least when it comes to watching televised sports.

Can you imagine being on the East Coast and trying to synchronize your viewing with games that end late at night? Or have a family-friendly school night viewing party?

When I say “late” I suppose I should specify that I mean late for those of us with the same bedtimes as third-graders.

Just wondering: What area man employed in the building trades has the most impressive forearms?

Slice answer: Josh Cleveland saw the question about dancing in the kitchen.

“My wife and I stumbled upon Bruce Davis’ big band jazz era show on Spokane Public Radio when I was the resident director of a residence hall at Whitworth.”

There in a building full of young people, they embraced their somewhat older souls and danced in their kitchen every Friday night.

“When he died a few years back, we felt like we had lost a friend. To honor him, we still try to dance to the Dorsey Brothers whenever we can. Just without 160 college students in our home.”

Today’s Slice question: How do you respond to children standing near the entrance to grocery stores who ask if you would like to buy some cookies, candy, popcorn or whatever?

A) I smile and politely say “No, thank you.” B) I make up an excuse about already having purchased some. C) I critique the salesmanship. D) I first ask the parent nearby where the child’s organization stands on various public policy issues. E) I say “Sure, give me all you’ve got.” F) I ask the child if he or she has seen “Glengarry Glen Ross.” G) I explain that I already have a cookie connection. H) I say “I’ll catch you on my way out” and then stay in the store for however long it takes for them to pack up and leave. I) I tell them I’m on a strict diet and only eat Soylent Green. J) I pretend to be on the phone. K) I say “Do you know what sugar does to the body?” L) I wonder what ever happened to the little girl who greeted my wife and me outside the Rosauers on 29th about 25 years ago. Her energy could not be contained as she jumped and jumped, as if on a pogo stick, and exclaimed “Would you! Would you! Would you! …” M) Other.

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Bob Gregson wonders how many drivers remember when parking meters took pennies and nickels.