Hey, Matt: How high were the taxes when the colonists finally got sick of it and dumped the tea in the brine and overthrew the British government? What would the equivalent be today? -- Herman …
February 6, 2002
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
What was the final bill for the Boston Tea Party?
Who says whether a city is served by the police or the sheriff?
Happy New Year, Matt: Who or what determines whether a city is protected and served by police or by sheriffs? -- Ann Marie Murphy, the net See, the sheriff's department has this dandy crime-fighting package …
January 31, 2002
Eeuuuuw -- what are these things on my skin?
M.A. of Reader: I was looking at a mole on my arm recently and began to wonder what they are and what causes them. -- L.B. of Poway Hey, Matt: What's behind the phenomenon of …
January 31, 2002
Why does my little street have such a big block number?
Wizard of Alice: I live at 10123 Viennarose Avenue. Why don't I live at #1 Viennarose Avenue? Why do I have to be #10123? There probably aren't 10,123 homes in all of San Diego, let …
January 31, 2002
How does aspirin work?
Dr. Matthew: How does aspirin work? How does an aspirin know that it's my finger that hurts and not my elbow or my ear? How does it get to the place it needs to go? …
January 24, 2002
What's a good place to find prostitutes in San Diego?
Dear Matthew Alice: Where are good places to find prostitutes in San Diego? -- No Name, No Address, No Nothing Hi, sailor. New in town? You must be if you have to ask this question. …
January 24, 2002
What happens when things go stale?
Hey, Matt: When bread goes stale, it gets hard. When hard cookies or crunchy cereal go stale, they get soft. Do they both end up with the same amount of softness and hardness? Do they …
January 10, 2002
Why does my mouse fill his water dish with shavings?
God of Answers, Knower of All Things: I have owned several pet mice over the years, and year after year, mouse after mouse, they all engage in one behavior besides the usual poop-eat-sleep cycle. When …
January 3, 2002
What are the blue road reflectors for?
Hey, Matt: When you're driving down a residential (usually) street, you see the "road Braille," the little raised markers that tell you what lane you are in (or not in, if you cross it), and …
January 3, 2002
What's the story about toilet paper?
Dear Matthew: Is it true that in certain parts of the world, toilet paper is not an option, but rather the left hand is the primary wiping instrument? (With a subsequent rinsing in water-- running, …
January 3, 2002
Avocado pits: why so big?
Matt: Why do avocados have such big seeds? Sometimes they're all seed, no guac. -- GuacamoleGirl, South Bay The pit's designed to reproduce the parent tree, not to please you. The wild avocado grows in …
January 3, 2002