Almighty Alice! When I was a kid growing up in Tierrasanta, we had popcorn ceilings (you know, that stuff that looks like cottage cheese?). My apartment in Point Loma has the same stuff, and I …
March 21, 2002
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
How deadly is my popcorn ceiling?
What's so corny about corned beef?
Hey, Matt: Why is corned beef called corned beef? Is there corn in it? Is corn used in processing it? -- Mark, Carlsbad The cow might have eaten corn before it became beef, but that's …
March 21, 2002
Whatever happened to suicide doors?
Hi! How are ya? Whatever became of cars with "suicide" doors? And why were they called suicide doors? I've heard a couple of different stories, but figured you'd know the real poop. -- Meyers, the …
March 21, 2002
The story of space pee
Matt: I've heard that space is full of astronaut pee. Is this correct? -- Wondering, San Diego Correct. But it's not exactly like they're taking a leak over the side of a boat. Before recent …
March 14, 2002
What exactly do those weasels mean by "proceeds"?
Hey, Matt: If all of the proceeds of Paul Newman's food line goes to charity, how does anybody who works there make any money? --Ashley Chafin, the net Instead of Paul Newman, a certified icon, …
March 14, 2002
Why can't I get a freeway sign that says "Jack's Grub and Beer, next exit"?
What's the deal, Matt: I was driving up the 805 the other day and I noticed a freeway exit sign that said "Maric College." Right after that was another sign that said "National University." These …
March 7, 2002
Gummy bear candy, then gummy bear cartoons, or vice versa?
Heymatt: Which came first, gummy bears the candy or gummy bears the cartoon? -- Carolyn, the net Add this to your body of critical knowledge. Gummies, the relentless candy, long predate Gummies, the idiotic cartoon. …
March 7, 2002
What happens if a TV commercial bombs out before it's ended?
Hey, Matt: What happens when a TV commercial starts and then gets blipped off after only a few seconds of running? Do companies monitor the programming to make sure the commercials they've paid for actually …
March 7, 2002
Who's Sig, and why is he so alert?
Hey, Matt: I've lived in Southern California for nine years and have heard many times in traffic reports the term "sig alert." I know that this means you're screwed if you're driving anywhere, but I …
March 7, 2002
Can I bleach my teeth and my underwear at the same time?
Hey, Matt: Even though I know it is not safe to ingest bleach, I was wondering if pure bleach would harm your teeth? Trust me, I know how absurd it sounds, but it is so …
February 28, 2002
We've got sea gulls on our nuclear reactor.
Hey, Matt: I was recently driving by the Dolly Parton memorial (San Onofre), and I noticed that the sea gulls and all other types of flying things are clustered on the north dome, and it's …
February 28, 2002