Haha. No you weren't out of line. I sell Coke all day long! (the beverage that is). The only lines I have are production lines - which Trotter knows all about!
A pea size works best for TIM's that are less viscous than the paste you are using. A very thin line will work great for thicker materials, like MX1, because the job of spreading it out is already most of the way done.