Matt: Why is Goofy Mickey Mouse's best friend, but Pluto's his dog? Shouldn't Pluto be his best friend, by definition? And Goofy has a son named Max, but they never mention Max's mother. Who is …
January 15, 2004
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
The mysterious Mrs. Goofy
At the beach
Hey there, Matt: Every so often, while walking barefoot on the beach for a sunset stroll, I'll look down to check out the rocks and shells and notice something that makes me put my flip-flops …
January 8, 2004
Who can I hit on Boxing Day?
Yo, Mattmeister: What is Boxing Day? -- Jeff Foxmore, La Jolla The day we're allowed to punch out someone who's annoyed us most in the past year? Unfortunately, no. It's not even a U.S. celebration, …
January 8, 2004
Sliced bread: the pinnacle of technology
Uh, Matt: If my invention is the greatest thing since sliced bread, how long would that be? If you get my drift. -- Curious George, San Diego Not sure I do, George, but why should …
January 8, 2004
Paper folding fun
Dear MatAl: Long time listener, first time caller. Me and my cohorts were messing around with the age old mystery of how many times sheet of paper can be folded. We got as high as …
January 6, 2004
2003 Year-end Quiz
2003 Year-end Quiz The research elves are off making some seasonal pocket money (money to have pockets put in their little tunics). They hire out for Christmas parties, which means Grandma spends most of December …
December 24, 2003
Satan's sneakers
Mr. M. Alice: One of my co-workers insists the Nike "swoosh" is an ancient, maybe Mesopotamian sign of Satan. He also says the goddess Nike is the daughter of the titan warrior-god Pallas and the …
December 18, 2003
A set of waves
Dear Matt: What is it that makes waves travel in sets? -- Forever in your debt, Hillcrest Imagine Grandma Alice trying to get the elves ready for a walk. Grandma's barking orders, terrified elves in …
December 18, 2003
Bugs and slugs, no extra charge
Matt: I bought some organic celery and broccoli and I noticed the produce was covered in bugs, slugs, caterpillars, etc. It was psychologically upsetting, but I don't want to waste food, so can one eat …
December 11, 2003
Ninth? Ninth what?
Heymatt: I'm a taxi cab driver, and I spend a lot of time driving around, thinking Why, oh why, oh why is there a Ninth Street in Poway -- but no First, Second, Third, etc? …
December 11, 2003
Blue-eyed duo births hazel-eyed kid -- genetics or gossip fodder?
Dear Matthew Alice: Now that my father has passed away, I "inherited" boxes that filled a basement, attic, and two-car garage (into which my father never put a car.) Amidst the papers, pictures, and assorted …
December 11, 2003