Hey, Matt: I do a lot of running, and while I was jogging through Balboa Park the other day, I started to wonder about my speed. I think I was running east, and since the …
July 21, 2010
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
Runners' Velocity with Earth Spin, Wood Rings
Life on Earth, Mecca's Direction
Dear Matt: When we went to the desert once, there was a ranger who told us that there were lots of things that could live there, even though it mostly looked like rocks and sand. …
July 14, 2010
Moon Ownership, Popcorn's Aroma
Heymatt: When we went to the moon and planted the American flag there, did we claim the moon for us? Who owns the moon, or maybe Mars? We’re messing around there, too. Can I buy …
July 7, 2010
Flavors When Hungry, More Seashell Sounds
Dear Matthew: Is it just me, or does food generally taste better when we’re hungry? I swear I can barbecue for the family at home and the food doesn’t taste special, but then we can …
June 30, 2010
Shell Sounds, Microsoft Notes, Human CO₂
Dear Matthew Alice: My mother showed me a trick to do with a big shell she has, and I want to know how it works. When I put the shell on my ear, I can …
June 23, 2010
Lipodiesel, Pipe Down!, Saltwater Healing
Matthew: If we can run our cars on recycled oil from french fries and stuff like that, why can’t we use recycled fat sucked out of people’s guts? Or maybe we already do. How about …
June 16, 2010
Razor Burn, Baby Pigeons
Hey, Matt: Maybe this isn’t a question for the elves, but I’ll ask it anyway. When I shave my beard, my face has always turned red and raw and I can’t find any way to …
June 9, 2010
Salt in Saltwater, Brain Calories
Hey, Matt: My son and I were at the beach and he suddenly asked me a question that I couldn’t answer. I figured maybe you could. So, to make my son (and me) a little …
May 26, 2010
Pee Dance, Fortune Cookies, Saltwater Heals
Dear M.A.: When I really have to pee bad, why do I do that little pee dance? I’m squeezing muscles and shifting my weight back and forth on my feet and sometimes bending over. It …
May 19, 2010
Lunar Gunshots, Mustard Leaves, Pepper Trees
Matt: Can I take my handgun into space when I go, or will I need to defend myself with a laser weapon like everybody else? I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to buy new …
May 12, 2010
Orange Taste, Street Addresses
Hey, Matt: How come an orange tastes so weird immediately after brushing my teeth? It doesn’t seem to matter what kind of toothpaste I use or how ripe or unripe the orange is. It always …
May 5, 2010