Oh Grand Mattster: Why is it that right as I’m falling asleep and beginning some sort of dream sequence, then — BOOM — in my dream I trip or fall or get hit by a …
August 1, 1996
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
The characteristic jerk when falling asleep
The English are not Eurotrash
Dear Matthew: My colleagues and I are at a standoff as to whether England is considered a part of Europe or not. They say it is, but I disagree. I recall that in college it …
August 1, 1996
Tallest in San Diego County: Encina Power Plant chimney, Hyatt Regency, Symphony Towers, One American Plaza
Dear M. A.: I believe I read in your column that the chimney for the Encina power plant was the tallest man-made structure in San Diego County. I am fully aware of your abhorration to …
July 25, 1996
To donate blood you need large vessel close to the surface
Dear Matthew Alice: Help me! I want to be a blood donor, but the past two times I've tried, they could get only half a bagful out of me. When I was in the service, …
July 25, 1996
Just plain mucus
To: Matmail: What is the medical name for the nose substance called boogers? Inquiring parents need to know for pedagogical purposes. — Peter Brueggeman, Linda Vista Raising an anatomically correct child? No cutesy names for …
July 25, 1996
The amazing ability of a bellybutton to collect lint
Dear Matthew Alice: My friend Shmed has one incredible navel. I discovered that his belly has the ability to not only collect abnormally large clumps of lint but also has enough savvy to process this …
July 25, 1996
Vegemite’s still the same as it was in 1908
Dear Matt: My husband and I were listening to old Men at Work tapes. What exactly is Vegemite? Have you ever tasted it? I heard it's disgusting. — Kittybyte, the Net Matthew Alice: I can …
July 18, 1996
San Diego number three in U.S. for left-handed
Dear Matthew Alice: I'm continually amazed at the phenomenal percentage of left-handed people there are in San Diego!! It’s almost like something from The Twilight Zone/ Can you tell me the actual percentage of left-handed …
July 11, 1996
The El Cortez Hotel and the champagne glass
Dear Mr. (Ms., Mrs.?) Alice: Okay smartypants. I’ve got one you'll never figure out. There is a champagne glass in downtown San Diego that is as tall as a building, but it’s not as visible …
July 3, 1996
The shiver men feel before going to the bathroom
Matthew: What is the cause of a physical phenomenon in men that I finally confirmed happens to other men besides myself? For lack of the proper term, I’ll call it “piss shivers.” It's when you're …
June 27, 1996
What makes a practical joke
Matthew Alice: What's so practical about a practical joke? — AV, Hillcrest “Why did the chicken cross the road?” serves no useful purpose. Neither does a whoopee cushion, but because you have to do something …
June 27, 1996