Matthew: What is the best question you have ever been asked? Also, how do you feel about parentheses? -- Jay, University City Mr. Alice: When I get to the end of this sentence, why will …
April 25, 2002
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
Punctuation?!
Why do I have to buy those expensive roses?
dear matt: How did a dozen red roses get to be "the one"? What's wrong with seven yellow dandelions? -- matt, the net Nothing. It's just that the rose industry had a better marketing team …
April 25, 2002
What makes a voice get quavery and "old"?
Dear MA and the elves: What causes the quavery "old" sound of some elderly people's voices? And is there anything I can do to prevent it in my voice as I age? -- Toni, the …
April 25, 2002
How much will you give me for Mick Jagger's autograph?
Matt: My brother has this old autograph from Mick Jagger that his girlfriend gave him back in the 80s. He has it locked away and says it's valuable and will only get more valuable. I …
April 18, 2002
El Centro. The center of what?
Heymatt: What exactly is El Centro the center of? Hmmmmm? -- N. Everyman, Ubiquity El Centro from the beginning was a city with a purpose. W.F. Holt and C.A. Barker bought the land for the …
April 18, 2002
Why do we scratch our heads when we're thinking?
Dear Matthew Alice: Why do people scratch their heads when they are trying to think of an answer? Does it work? M.S., San Diego The perfect M.A. question, of course. The elves apply digits to …
April 18, 2002
What's the history of the paper airplane?
Dear Wise One: Can you tell me the history of the paper airplane? I know the first airplanes and gliders were glorified box kites. I also am aware that sheet paper has been around for …
April 11, 2002
How did that fish get up here in the mountains?
Hey, Matt: How did fish get up into the mountains? Was there an earthquake and the mountains raised up and the fishies went with them in little pools of water? Or was it a water …
April 11, 2002
Questions about dead queen consorts.
Hey, Matt: Recently several news stories have mentioned that Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, is the second queen consort to lie in state. Who was the first? I say it was Jane Seymour, the consort …
April 11, 2002
Jeez! What's with the bees?
Dear Matthew Alice: Recently my partner found himself standing inside of a huge swarm of bees on Midway Drive, near the Sports Arena-West Point Loma Boulevard intersection. He described the swarm as about as tall …
April 2, 2002
Energy drinks: Is Red Bull just bull?
Hello, Matt: With all these energy drinks out lately and my full agenda, I've found myself hooked (on Red Bull). I'm up to one or two a day. What I'm wondering is how safe are …
April 2, 2002