Sir: Is it true that people who drive or live their life at a fast pace are basically unhappy with their present life situation and are hopeful of getting away from it? — Aram Kaprielian, …
November 20, 1997
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
Fast drivers as escapists
How they make M&Ms round
Dear All-Knowing One: Often, candies such as chocolate-covered cherries are mostly rounded, with one flat side. That is due to the candy being laid down to dry after being dipped in the chocolate. But peanut …
November 13, 1997
Why I might not want an electric blanket that cools me
Matt: Even here in America’s Finest (Weather) City, most every household undoubtedly contains at least one electric blanket. But why aren’t electric blankets to provide cooling available in stores, too? Since electricity is used in …
November 13, 1997
How and why the blind use an ATM
Matt: You know how ATM machines are... every bank is different. Some have buttons next to the screen, some have buttons on the counter below the screens. Some ask you if you want $20, $40, …
November 6, 1997
Those sun billboards saying "use your cabeza"
Matt: My girlfriend and I have seen these sun billboards around town lately that say, “Use your cabeza.” We both have our guesses about what they're advertising, so we ended up making a bet. If …
November 6, 1997
Fake owls on gas stations, liquor stores — what they mean
Mattster: Being the designated dad in my family of six, I am usually too busy to watch the passing scenery during our local travels via the family wagon (actually it’s only a hatchback...). But my …
October 30, 1997
How we can change the date of Halloween
Matthew Alice: How do you go about changing the observed date of a holiday? My friends and I feel that Halloween should be observed on the last Saturday in October. That way children could go …
October 30, 1997
The danger of getting fleas from kissing my cat
Matmail: Okay, now don 't give me any trouble about this. I kiss my cat. Not on the mouth (yuck!), on the head. She's a very loving affectionate cat. Bumps heads (the cat way of …
October 30, 1997
Whether we really use 10 percent of our brains
Matmail: I have heard that we humans only use 10 percent of our brains and that Einstein used 11 percent. Is this true, and where do they come up with these numbers? What would they …
October 23, 1997
How they came up with the name Certs
Matt: Where did Certs get its name? — Rip Van Laer, P.B. I hope you’re grateful, Rip. Who else would take this question seriously? Warner-Lambert was pretty dumbfounded that we were wasting their time with …
October 23, 1997
The size of Rosie O'Donnell's head
Matmail: Exactly how big is Rosie O'Donnell's head? Why do the hairstylists on her boring show give her an even bigger head with their “big hair" stylin'? If you have been stumped, I'd settle for …
October 23, 1997