"A GREAT DEAL OF VIRTUE AND PIETY” wrote Thomas Merton in Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, “is simply the easy price we pay in order to justify a life that is essentially trifling. Nothing is …
December 21, 1995
Thursday, December 21
Monks at Prince of Peace in Oceanside bring back author's time with Trappists
Richard Meltzer on Liszt, Wagner, Verdi
I have no context, no history (other than remote; remoter than remote; wholly, utterly adventitious) to plug into when I listen to classical music, no environment in which to meet and greet it even halfway.
December 21, 1995
The annual Matthew Alice quiz for readers
Ignoring a deluge of requests, we’ll end the year with our annual pop quiz designed to show you how much smarter you are now than you were 364 days ago — ail thanks to the …
December 21, 1995
Thursday, December 14
San Diego State part-time teacher explains how it works
Between preparation, class time, grading, and office hours, only a magician or malingerer could teach and manage a three-unit class in less than 10 hours each week, so four classes each semester easily requires 40 hours.
December 14, 1995
Red wine is the oat bran of the 90s
Dear Matt-o-matic: Unable to resist the lure of a good fad, I stopped drinking alcohol several years ago. Now, since I still enjoy at least the illusion of wine with a meal, I sip the …
December 14, 1995
Solving the world's problems at Flinn Springs feed store
The tone of things changes with the arrival of Dietrich. His voice and manner make you feel both at home and that there is a great deal to be done, and right away.
December 14, 1995
What spring cleaning would mean in Southern California
Dear Matthew Alice: Where did the expression “spring cleaning” come from? Did someone somehow determine that springtime is the best time to thin out our possessions? — Cathy McCormick, San Diego Well, you can bet …
December 14, 1995
The night we served Mighty Dog at our dinner party
One of us said that if you gave it a French name, people happily would eat dog food. No sooner was this thought spoken than Reginald and I were throwing on coats and heading to Safeway.
December 14, 1995
Thursday, December 7
Five San Diego black brothers reflect on race
I happened to be born colored, like York. By 1950, with Marcus, we had become Negro. Today we are African Americans. However, when the snapshot was taken with Shawn and Andre, we were all known as black.
December 7, 1995
“Collectors dolls” and “collectors porcelain dogs” you see in Parade magazine
Mr. Alice: There’s a puzzle I’ve had in my mind for a long time. Every time I see those full-page color ads in Parade magazine and other magazines for “collectors plates” and “collectors dolls” and …
December 7, 1995
True vs. magnetic north and a sailing invitation
Matthew Alice: I’m planning a sailing trip around the world. You’re invited! What is the difference between true north and magnetic north? Do the north and south poles really change polarity? What is dead reckoning? …
December 7, 1995
How Alex Spanos Made Off with the Police Building Fund
Spanos would get the practice field and accompanying improvements as part of his new 25-year stadium lease, the same deal under which the city will be paying for the controversial seat guarantee.
December 7, 1995
My cat and the telephone
Dear Matt: Every time I talk on the phone, my cat rubs against my legs and gets in my face and generally makes a nuisance of herself. What is it about the telephone that she …
December 7, 1995