MA of Reader: I have a Toyota truck that has a lift on it and tires that are a little bigger than the factory tires were. The other day I passed one of those radar …
March 22, 2001
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
For big tires, when the rate of speed increases, does the difference in my speedometer vs. actual speed increase, decrease, or remain the same?
How does the Mint make a profit?
Hey, Matt: Recently the daily paper published a letter from the director of the U.S. Mint defending the issuance of the so-called "Golden Dollars." He indicated that the Mint generated a profit of $800,000,000 (that's …
March 22, 2001
Are people's birthdays distributed evenly throughout the year?
Matthew: Are people's birthdays distributed evenly throughout the year, or are there clumps of birthdays in certain months? -- Mark Holmes, Del Mar Heights Birthdaywise, we're a very clumpy country. Mostly we're busy birthin' in …
March 15, 2001
What purpose does "gleeking" serve?
What purpose does "gleeking" serve? Where is the word derived from? And do you even know what I'm talking about? -- Brian, Clairemont As if things weren't crazy enough around here, we're wearing rain ponchos …
March 15, 2001
Why do we only smell odors when we breath in?
The Big M: How come when we breathe in, you can smell odors, but when you breathe out through your nose you cannot? Do the odors we smell while breathing in disappear in some odor …
March 15, 2001
What is the story behind the Proctor Valley Monster?
Hey, MA: For years I've heard stories of the Proctor Valley Monster. Proctor Valley is northeast of Otay Lakes. Some say it's a deranged cow and others say it's San Diego's version of Bigfoot. Can …
March 8, 2001
Who built the big concrete teepee on top of a hill near Escondido, and why?
Dear Matthew Alice: I remember a long time ago there used to be a big concrete teepee on top of a hill near Escondido. You could see it from all over. Can you find out …
March 8, 2001
Why do people cry when they are sad, and when they are happy?
Hey, Matt: Why do people cry when they're sad? I can understand tears when you've got something in your eye. But crying when you're sad doesn't seem to have any biological purpose. -- Boo-hoo, the …
March 1, 2001
Should 7-Eleven change their freezer settings to save energy?
Hey, Matt: Good news! I may have solved the energy crisis in California. The temperature inside the freezer at a local 7-Eleven was minus 23 degrees Fahrenheit according to the thermometer mounted on the side …
February 22, 2001
Why does "Mayday, Mayday!" mean "help?
Mayday! Mayday! Why the heck does this mean "help"? -- At Sea, at sea It's the English spelling of the pronunciation of the French "M'aider!" "Help me!" Of course, if you've just been mugged in …
February 22, 2001
Why do we celebrate St. Valentine's Day?
Hey, Matt: Why do we celebrate St. Valentine's Day? In Mexico it is the Day of Friendship and Love. What did St. Valentine do? When did he live? -- Matias V. Garcia, the net I'm …
February 22, 2001