Why do ventriloquists' dummies all look alike? And why do they look so goofy? -- No Dummy, North Park Ventriloquists' dummies look like Alfred E. Newman on day three of an amphetamine jag. Enormous heads; …
August 1, 2002
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
Why do ventriloquists' dummies all look alike? And so dorky!
What's so great about the Black Sea?
Hey, Matt!: Are all the local beaches equally cloudy on any given day? Or do I have a better chance of actually seeing the sun at PB instead of Del Mar? Could you send the …
July 25, 2002
Help me get to Europe by boat.
Hi, Matt: I am a fearful flyer, and I heard there are ships that you can take from the West Coast through Panama and on to the East Coast and Europe, which is where I …
July 18, 2002
A Thanksgiving dilemma
Matthew: I've got two calendars. One says Thanksgiving this year is November 28. The other says it's November 21. Which is right? The calendar that says it's November 21 this year says it's on November …
July 18, 2002
What's That White Gook When I Cook Fish?
Dear Matthew Alice: What is that white gook that rises to the surface when you cook fish? -- Elaine Boyd, the net Ewwww. Grandma Alice says the white gook is melted collagen, perhaps a little …
July 11, 2002
The guy who designed Central Park, did he design Balboa Park?
Hey, Matt: Is it true that Balboa Park was designed by the same dude that designed Central Park in New York? -- Paul Broadway, San Diego Common misconception. Well, maybe not common, since most people …
July 11, 2002
Noon, midnight, AM, PM, what's the deal?
Hey, Matt: Why are people still messing up AM and PM in terms of noon and midnight? -- Anup, the net So what are you saying--noon is AM? Noon is PM? Noon is neither. Noon …
July 11, 2002
Knife-care tips from Grandma Alice
Matt: Long-time reader, first-time writer. I watch too much foodtv and have often heard that to keep your knife sharp, you should slice green peppers and such from the inside, not the skin side. It …
July 11, 2002
Who's the lady buried under the San Diego Freeway?
Dear Matthew Alice: In Rex Reed's People Are Crazy Here, in the chapter on Alfred Hitchcock he writes, "His favorite people in history are Lizzie Borden, Jack the Ripper, and a man who murdered his …
July 3, 2002
Can you beat a Brethalyzer with a penny? And is Susan Lucci really Phyllis Diller's daughter?
Hey: Does sucking on a penny really help you beat a Breathalyzer? -- A Boozehound, the net Matt: Somebody sent me one of those Internet lists of interesting "facts." Is Susan Lucci really Phyllis Diller's …
June 27, 2002
Cats are too cute to fart, right?
Dear Matt: We all know about dog farts, but we're in disagreement about ones by cats. Do cats even fart? I figure they must, but I'm not aware that my cat of 13 years ever …
June 27, 2002