I would assume that most people know that a dog's mouth isn't very clean, considering where its tongue is most of the time. Still, my friend argues that if you were to injure yourself and …
October 5, 2006
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
Dog Spit as First Aid
Bad Bridge Housekeeping
Matthew: Why has the paint job on the San Diego-Coronado bridge been allowed to look like hell for so many years? For a while they were doing the retrofitting, so I understood that was the …
October 5, 2006
Blurry Mirror on the Wall
Your Smartness: I'm nearsighted, and when I look in the mirror without my glasses, I can see myself okay but things across the room look blurry. But if the mirror is close enough for me …
September 28, 2006
Who's the Missus?
Hi, Matt: How do you spell whatever word is shortened to Mrs.? Please tell me it isn't "missus." -- Keith, Antioch, Illinois So this is what's on the minds of you flatlanders. The soybeans are …
September 28, 2006
Lizard-baked Seaweed?
Help! In his novel Galapagos, Kurt Vonnegut describes the dining habits of the iguanas in the region. Basically, he says they make their way down the rocky cliffs to the sea, where they eat a …
September 28, 2006
Mashed Pigskin
Hey Matthew Alice: Every time I see a football game, the kickoff guy always pushes on both ends of the ball before he sets it on the kicking tee, squeezes the living daylights out of …
September 21, 2006
Heart-Stopping Architecture
Hey, Matt: In those Lipitor commercials with Dr. Jarvik, he is standing in front of and walking through a stunning piece of architecture. What and where is it? -- Michael Faught, Clairemont Get yourself a …
September 21, 2006
Noisy Midnight Snack
Hey, Matthew: Why don't owls eat mockingbirds that are singing all night? -- Bob, telephonically We're now past the mockingbird all-night-warbling season, since the new crop of mockers is off the nest and composing next …
August 31, 2006
Elizabeth? Elizabeth Who?
Dear Matt: I know Queen Elizabeth has had plenty of family troubles over the years, but the tabloids haven't told me the on crucial bit of information I've always wanted to know about Her Majesty. …
August 31, 2006
Dripping Planes
Matt: My girlfriend and I have a long-standing difference of opinion. I live directly under Lindbergh Field's flight path. On most planes I can see a thin stream emanating from the wings as the planes …
August 31, 2006
Bulb Burnout
Hi Matt: Why do light bulbs go poof when you turn them on, never while they're turned on and burning and having been on for hours? Maybe some expire in use in an abandoned garage, …
August 24, 2006