Dear Matt: The wife and I saw The Mummy the other night. It brought back a fact I learned sometime in my life that I wonder is true. Is it true that limestone from the …
July 6, 2000
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
Is it true that limestone from the great pyramids of Egypt was used to build high-rise buildings in Cairo?
Should I leave a tip when I eat at a restaurant and served by the proprietor?
Mr Alice: XXXXX Should I leave a tip when I eat at a restaurant and am served by the proprietor XXXX or his wife? I can see tipping a waitress who works for the owner …
July 6, 2000
What cartoon character used the phrase, "I hate those meeses to pieces?"
To my good fellow: What cartoon character used the phrase "I hate those meeses to pieces"? It's driving me nuts! Also, where did the phrase "Waiting around till the last dog is hung" come from.... …
July 6, 2000
When you are driving through the desert, how can there be a reflection of something in a mirage?
Matthew: When you're driving through the desert and it's hot, you sometimes see what looks like a big pool of water in the road ahead of you. I know this is a mirage and that …
June 29, 2000
Could there be foxes in the canyon near the College Area or City Heights?
Dear Matt A: When I lived near a canyon in the College Area, there was often a very coarse howl, almost a growl coming from the canyon, often followed by a shrill whistle. Furthermore, it …
June 29, 2000
How long will a ball of gum stay in your stomach?
Matthew Alice: My four-year-old has just mastered the art of chewing gum. He can eat a whole pack in ten minutes. I don't think swallowing five pieces of Bubble Yum will hurt him, but it …
June 22, 2000
What is the deal with castrati singers?
Hey, Matt, Whazzup: What is the deal with castrati singers? I first thought this only happened back in the baroque period, but recently I was listening to an actual recording of one in a history …
June 22, 2000
Are there any statistics indicating a relationship between crime and the weather?
Dear Matthew Alice: Lately I've gotten calls from around the country from people wanting to know if San Diego's good weather has something to do with our falling crime rate. I have to tell them …
June 8, 2000
Why is there a sign at the Grand/Garnet split in PB that says "La Jolla," with an arrow pointing south?
Dear Matthew Alice: There's a sign east of the intersection of Grand and Garnet in Pacific Beach that shows with an arrow that La Jolla is to the left (onto Grand) with another arrow to …
June 8, 2000
Has anyone ever attempted to make honey artificially, rather than messing around with dangerous, ill-tempered bees?
Matt: It is my understanding that bees make honey by evaporating the liquid component of nectar that they have collected. This sounds so simple. I have been wondering if anyone has ever attempted to duplicate …
June 8, 2000
Is McDonald's really the largest purchaser of cow eyeballs?
Dear Matt: Is McDonald's really the largest purchaser of cow eyeballs? -- Jason, Mission Beach Yeah, I know I said I'd had my fill of obvious urban legends. But with this tall tale I figured, …
May 25, 2000