To: Matmail: I’ve always wondered about those signs you occasionally see on the freeway that say “Landscaping Ahead.” Why does Caltrans feel the need to alert drivers to upcoming ice plant?— Ann, Mission Valley Just …
March 6, 1997
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
The weird signs of San Diego
Elephants and self-abuse
Matmail: Is it known whether animals masturbate? Two possible species that I considered were elephants and primates. —jwavrider, the Net Elephants? I don’t even want to know how you came up with that one in …
February 27, 1997
Highway 52's paint splotches and how pantyhose are made
Dear Matt: What is the origin of all the colored paint splotches in both directions on Highway 52? There seem to be new ones all the time and of many different colors. Is it a …
February 27, 1997
Why Bill Clinton uses so many pens to sign a bill
Dear Matt: Saw Bill Clinton on TV signing his name to a stack of documents. There were at least a dozen pens lined up on his desk, and he used a different pen for each …
February 27, 1997
Wear a lampshade when playing chess
Matmail: Just received this urgent e-mail. “Doctors are blaming a rare electrical imbalance in the brain for the bizarre death of a chess player whose head literally exploded in the middle of a championship game. …
February 20, 1997
The cinnamon of Red Hots and the cinnamon of Sara Lee
Dear Matthew Alice: Why are cinnamon candies “red hot”? I have never thought the taste of a cinnamon roll or other baked good particularly eye-watering. — R.R., S.D. Tastes that bludgeon our senses have always …
February 20, 1997
East-West Coast differences in packaging butter
Dear Matthew Alice: Why are margarine and butter sold in different shapes on the East and West Coasts? In the West, the cubes are short and fat, while on the East Coast they are long …
February 20, 1997
Thinking of freeze-drying my dead dog
M Alice: How do freeze-dryers work? Why can’t you buy them for home use? I find practically no information on the subject, as if there was a coverup conspired by giant food-processing corporations. Am I …
February 6, 1997
The side of the neck bitten by vampires
Dear Matthew Alice: Does it make a difference to a vampire which side of the neck he/she bites? If the vampire wants iron-rich blood, then the left side is the place to suckle. Or the …
February 6, 1997
I want to own my own prison
Dear Mary Alice: If someone is arrested and given the opportunity to be released on bail, can he/she pay with a personal check or a credit card? Not that I’m planning ahead or anything...this was …
January 30, 1997
McDonald's claim of 65 billion served
Matmail: One thing I’ve always wondered about is the McDonald's signs that say “Over 65 billion served." Sixty-five billion what? I figure it’s either: (1) items (i.e., Cokes, fries, and the big stuff like Quarter …
January 30, 1997