Dear Matt: After 30 years as a San Diego resident, I finally visited the telescope on Palomar Mountain (man, that thing is HUGE). Anyway, as you enter the observatory grounds, there are all these signs …
September 13, 2001
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
What is so special about the ferns on Palomar Mountain?
Why do airlines encourage you to stay overnight on Saturday?
Dear Matt: Why do airlines encourage, even require that no matter where you go, you stay overnight on Saturday? What do they care? It's almost like they don't want any planes in the air on …
September 13, 2001
Were cigarettes at one time good for your health?
Dear Mister Alice: Were cigarettes at one time actually good for your health? In a lot of old movies they do a lot of smoking and they seem to be in perfect health. Nowadays I …
September 13, 2001
Is hypnotism forever?
Dear Matthew Alice: Is hypnotism forever? Could I hypnotize my neighbor to mow my lawn every Saturday? Would it be more logical to make my suggestion in the manner of "Mow my yard. You'll think …
September 6, 2001
Is it harmful to inhale helium, and where does helium come from?
Matt: Where does helium come from? -- Harry Roberson, Oak Park Dear Matt: Is it harmful to inhale helium? The party balloon kit I got from Costco says it's dangerous, but I've been doing it …
September 6, 2001
Why do they call it "capital punishment" when referring to the death penalty?
Dear Judge Matthew: Why do they call it "capital punishment" when referring to the death penalty? And also, what is the way to be executed that causes the least suffering -- hanging, firing squad, guillotine, …
September 6, 2001
When a man is dressed as a woman, why do they say he is "in drag?"
Hey, Matt: When a man is dressed as a woman, why do they say he is "in drag"? -- Christie, Lemon Grove The term popped up in the 1860s, 1870s, thereabouts, in England. It actually …
August 30, 2001
What are Slurpees made of?
Hey, Matt: What exactly are Slurpees made of? I know heavily sugared things aren't particularly thirst quenching, but somehow you'd think even lots of sugar couldn't make ground-up ice not thirst quenching. But it does. …
August 30, 2001
What is the history/origin of the dreaded unity candle?
Dearest Matt: I finally decided to do it and tie the knot. In planning the wedding ceremony, the subject of the unity candle came up. It seems really asinine to me, and I'm trying to …
August 30, 2001
Why do they call the stock market a "bull" market when rising, and a "bear" market when down?
Stockbroker Matt: When the stock market is rising, they call it a "bull" market, right? And when it falls, it's a "bear" market, is it not? WHY? I can see maybe that a bull is …
August 23, 2001
Do you know of any newspaper columnists who have risen to fame using a fake name?
Mr. Alice: It is my dream to one day become a famous newspaper columnist, only, get this, I don't plan on using my real name. My reading public will know me only by my nom …
August 23, 2001