Talofa, Matt: As a tattoo aficionado, I recall reading that before it was destroyed during WWII, there existed a collection of preserved dermagraphics from Japanese yakuza members, and supposedly due to the atrocities in Germany, …
February 16, 2011
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
Tattoo History, Flushed Bugs
Most Common Birthday, O-Rama's Roots, Peeping Tom
Heymatt: A bunch of us were wondering what’s the most common birthday. Is there a day that a lot more people were born? We have two friends who were born on September 30, so is …
February 9, 2011
Gray Hairs, Looking at People, Belly Buttons
Matt: My mom says I’m turning her hair gray from stress. Is that possible? — Bad Boy?, via email Well, ya know, she might be right. Science guys aren’t quite sure if stress hurries up …
February 2, 2011
QWERTY Keyboard, Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Hello, Matt: Every time I go to text somebody, I look at the keyboard and wonder why the letters are so mixed up. If they were in alphabetical order, it would be easier to find …
January 26, 2011
Knuckle-Cracking, Dog Saliva
Heymatt: I’ve been a proud knuckle-cracker for most of my life. My family hates it, but I love to torment them with it. They’ve tried all kinds of things to get me to stop, but …
January 5, 2011
Lightbulbs, Congressional Fights, Dog Photos
Hey Matt: I’ve been looking at those “energy-saving” lightbulbs and they look pretty complicated to me. A regular lightbulb looks like it’s much easier to make. Just a glass bubble with a filament in it. …
December 29, 2010
Where Does Fat Go?
Dear Matthew: I just lost about 100 pounds. Where exactly did all that fat go? -- Skinny Sheree, via email Wow! Good thing you didn’t have to haul it all out in garbage bags. Lucky …
December 22, 2010
Human Hibernation, Fleas, Mario Bros.
Heymatt: Another cold, gloomy day here at the beach. Winter sucks. I’ve been trying to think of a cure short of moving to the Equator. It occurred to me that I could sleep all winter …
December 1, 2010
Gold, Newspaper Ink
Heymatt: How did gold become the “metal of choice”? Even back in the ancient days it was revered. Why not lead, tin, copper or...? Who or what made gold the precious metal? — Doug Blackstock, …
November 23, 2010
Fingers' Nerves, Old Drinking Water
Hi, Matt: I’m a former San Diegan who now lives in China. The bed here is provided by my employer, and it is a bit more firm than the average bed in America. Strangely, every …
November 10, 2010
Horse Sleep, Flatulent Vapor, Prison Life for Disabled
Hello, Matt: My neighbors have a horse, and they told me that the horse sleeps standing up. After that I tried to see if I could see the horse do that, and I think I …
October 27, 2010