Greetings: What makes driving on the freeway so loud? Every time I get on the I-15 for the struggle home, I must roll up my windows because the noise of passing cars is nearly deafening. …
August 19, 1999
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Stories by Matthew Alice
What makes driving on the freeway so loud?
Were early pool balls made from ivory?
Dear Matthew: The recent acquisition by my next-door neighbor of a pool table has set me to pondering. According to M.S. Encarta, early billiard and pool balls were made of ivory. I'm surprised. Is ivory …
August 12, 1999
Are there camouflaged bridges off the Del Dios Highway?
Matt and Elves: While we were driving on Del Dios Highway, my eight-year-old son could barely maintain himself as he noticed some "bridges" barely visible (to me, anyway, as I tried to concentrate on that …
August 12, 1999
What is Zzyzx?
Matman: While leaving Las Vegas the last few times, I've noticed a sign for Zzyzx Road. How do you pronounce this word and what does it mean? I have a feeling it's Las Vegan for …
August 12, 1999
Where was Citizen Kane filmed?
Hey, Matt: Settle a bet. My friend swears that Citizen Kane was filmed in San Diego. I say he's nuts. Maybe he'll listen to you. Tell him I'm right. -- The Speedster, San Diego You …
August 5, 1999
Where does Mikhail Gorbachev live? What happened to J. Dahmer's killer?
Dear Matthew: 1. Where does Mikhail Gorbachev live now? Russia or the U.S.? 2. What happened to Jeffrey Dahmer's killer? -- Curious of North Park If you want to drop him a note, Mikhail can …
August 5, 1999
What is the proper usage of "flesh (or flush) out?"
Hey Matt-man: 1. What is the proper usage of "flesh (or flush) out"? Co-workers seem to prefer "flush out," but I maintain that "flesh out" is correct, as in "We need to flesh out the …
August 5, 1999
What is the life expectancy of a sumo wrestler?
Dear Mat: What is the life expectancy of a sumo wrestler? What's the attraction of sumo wrestling, anyway, and why would anyone want to be a sumo wrestler? What kind of long-term health problems are …
August 5, 1999
What is brominated vegetable oil and why do soda companies put it in their drink?
Mr. Matthew: Here is a query that has been torturing the curiosity lobe of my poor little brain for months. What, exactly, is brominated vegetable oil, and why do soda companies put it in their …
July 29, 1999
What does (sic) mean?
Hi, Mattster: (Qic) question for ya...What does it mean when they put one of these (sic) in a story? I'm sure I could probably look it up in my local dictionary, but it's more fun …
July 29, 1999
Why are there people checking claim tickets when picking up your luggage at the airport?
Dear Matt: Last night I flew back to Lindbergh Field, claimed my bulky luggage, and was stopped on exit by the luggage-claim checker -- officious personnel who insist on seeing your luggage-claim check before they …
July 22, 1999
What is the longest pier in California?
Mr. Alice: What is the longest pier in California? I've heard that it is the O.B. municipal fishing pier. -- Orville, Ocean Beach Have some bait stuck in your ear at the time, Orville? Anyway, …
July 22, 1999
Why doesn't Canada require an international code when calling someone?
Dear Matthew Alice: Today my boss asked me to fax something to Canada. I didn't have to dial the international code. Why is Canada so special? -- Jamie Reeves, downtown Hey, Matt: This bugs me. …
July 22, 1999
Is there an underwater tunnel from the ocean side of Pt. Loma to the bay side?
St. Matthew: Gospel truth, please, to settle once and for all, is there an underwater tunnel from the ocean side of Pt. Loma into the bay? Apocryphal tales say yeah, cuz kids dumped dye on …
July 15, 1999
Do French maids really dress like French maids?
Dear Matthew: Do French maids really dress like French maids? -- Tony Falde, San Diego Well, yeah, Tony. They tried dressing like deep-sea divers, but it was tough doing floors and windows. In fact, that's …
July 15, 1999
Why does a hand in warm water while asleep cause bed wetting?
To: Matthew Alice: I've never been much of a camper, but I've heard that as a trick, the person that falls asleep first has his hand placed in a bucket of warm water, which causes …
July 15, 1999
Who owns the mailbox, and is it illegal to put things in other people's mailboxes?
Matthew Alice: Pizza and beer riding on this one. Is a mailbox the property of Uncle Sam, or does it just have to conform to certain standards? Also, is it illegal to put notes, samples, …
July 8, 1999
Why are there lights facing the wrong way on Ash Street?
Dear Matthew Alice: I walk to work via Ash Street, downtown and recently I noticed that there are single red lights pointing the opposite direction to the flow of traffic. They are mounted on the …
July 8, 1999
Why do car alarms go off on Mt. Soledad?
To: Matmail: I enjoy cruising up to Mt. Soledad to watch the tourists freak out when their car alarms sound after they've enjoyed the view and come back to their vehicles. I know to disengage …
July 8, 1999
Has the red in traffic signals changed?
Matmail: I've noticed lately that something is different with the red lights used in our street signals. Instead of a nice uniform glow (like the yellow and green), the red seems to emit its light …
July 1, 1999
What would happen if two Y chromosomes were fused?
Dear Matt: What would happen if two Y chromosomes were fused together? If XX is female, and XY is male, what would YY be? -- SB at college You'd think that a YY baby would …
June 24, 1999
Why, when, and how did they use rabbits for pregnancy tests?
Mattaboy! My wife and I found out recently that she is pregnant, which brought to mind that old phrase, "The rabbit done died." This got me thinking about that wacky scientific/medical practice of using rabbits …
June 24, 1999
How is parking money tracked at Qualcomm Stadium?
Dear Matt: When I took my guests from Chicago to a Padres game, they were amazed at the "honor system" in the parking lot at Qualcomm Stadium. Just hand your money to someone who crams …
June 17, 1999
What is the fastest time up Cowles Mountain?
Dear Matt: Here's a question I'd like to know. What's the fastest time on foot to the top of Cowles Mountain? I started hiking up this mountain a few months ago, and one man, aged …
June 17, 1999
Why do girls throw like girls and boys like boys?
Matt: I've been watching a lot of kids play baseball this summer, and I've been wondering why most girls throw like girls, while very few boys do. Are girls' arm muscles different? Does it have …
June 17, 1999
Are chickadees and "tits" of the same species?
Dear Matthew Alice: A friend from Scotland told me of the coal tits that frequented her back yard. The bird book reveals that Europe abounds in tits: blue tits, marsh tits, great tits, willow tits, …
June 10, 1999
Why does my telephone pick up other poeple's phone calls?
DMA: How is it possible that I can pick up my phone and feed into someone's living room/office? This has happened several times, sometimes without even dialing, sometimes after dialing only the prefix, sometimes after …
June 10, 1999
Why is there a sign saying "Leaving San Diego County" off Pomerado Road?
Hey, MatMan: Sometimes after getting off work in Kearny Mesa, I'll jump off I-15 at Pomerado on my way home to the great big city of Poway. Shortly after leaving the freeway, just before USIU, …
May 27, 1999
Why do some smaller birds chase larger birds?
Dear Matthew Alice: Lately I've noticed some small birds in my neighborhood flying around and chasing bigger birds, hawks maybe. Why are they doing this? I don't think I've ever seen this before. -- Mary …
May 20, 1999
Is Camp Pendleton government land or leased from a family?
Dear All-Knowing, All-Seeing One: I heard from a fairly reliable source, my cousin, a retired USMC Master Sergeant, that Camp Pendleton is not government land but actually leased from a family who has owned the …
May 20, 1999
Does the "key to the city" open anything?
Mattster: When the mayor awards somebody the key to the city, does it open anything? -- Another Mattster, the Net I'm sure you've also noticed that those official city keys are usually big plastic skeleton …
May 20, 1999
What is the name of the candy bar sold years ago that was made from braided caramel dipped in chocolate?
Dear Mattman: Help! We have been wracking our brains trying to figure out this question. What is the candy bar that was sold years ago that was made from braided caramel dipped in chocolate? Help! …
May 20, 1999
Who is Huey, Dewey and Louie's father?
Mr. Alice: Who is Huey, Dewey, and Louie's father? If Donald Duck is their uncle, then Donald Duck must have a brother. I've never seen him. My dad has a brother and he is my …
May 13, 1999
Do kids still take apples to their teachers?
Matt: Many, many years ago, when I was a kid, I remember taking an apple to school and giving it to my favorite teacher. Do kids do this anymore? Where did the tradition come from? …
May 13, 1999
Why don't they grow Atlantic lobster in the Pacific?
Matthew Alice: Considering the popularity and premium prices paid for Atlantic (Maine) lobster, one wonders why they can't be grown commercially on the Pacific Coast. I would guess that about every two years someone must …
May 6, 1999
What is the sand for on the Trolley?
Dear Matthew Alice: Can you tell me what the sand under the seats on the San Diego Trolley is for? -- Tracy, the Net Yes, I can. * * * Sorry, Tracy. Just an annoying …
May 6, 1999
Why don't cats react to their reflections?
To: Matmail: Our cat, Harley, always reacts to the presence of another cat. Why doesn't he react to his own reflection in a mirror? Your clarification of this question may save my marriage. -- dt …
May 6, 1999
What came first, the tortilla chip or the potato chip?
Dear Matthew Alice: What came first, the tortilla chip or the potato chip? -- kiyotei, Kiyotei's Den I think we have to go with the tortilla chip, based more on logic than direct evidence. Corn …
May 6, 1999
Are all police dept silhouettes that are used on shooting ranges black?
Dear Matthew Alice: A friend of mine has pointed out that at the shooting range of the San Diego Police Department all of the silhouettes the police practice shooting at are black. She maintains that …
April 29, 1999
Why can't you flip a video cassette and use the other side?
Dearest Matt: Why can you flip over an audio cassette and use the other side, but you can't do that with a videotape? -- Reese, San Diego Reese, my friend, you can't flip over an …
April 29, 1999
Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?
Hey, Matt: Why, why, WHY is there an expiration date on sour cream? It's already sour. -- JBee, Encinitas It's already a little sour. After three weeks or so, it gets reeeeeeely sour. Then the …
April 29, 1999
What is the combined load capacity of all the pickups in SD county?
Matthew Alice: I'm new to San Diego, having just moved here from England. There seems to be a fascination with pickup trucks here, but I've yet to see one carrying a load. What is the …
April 22, 1999
Were there any quarters produced in 1975?
Matt: My son is four. He loves to earn quarters. While sorting through his cache of coins, I was trying to put together a sentimental set of one quarter from each year since my birth …
April 22, 1999
What happens to un-purchased milk?
I was buying milk at the grocery the other day when I realized a habit of mine. There's always "newer" milk mixed in with the older milk, y'know? There's milk that's due to spoil a …
April 22, 1999
Can you make a list of the steepest streets in San Diego?
Matt: Would you do a favor for all us bike riders and make a list of the steepest streets in San Diego? -- A. Rider, San Diego Dear Matthew Alice: What are the steepest street …
Who was the original April Fool?
Matt: Who was the original April Fool? Where did the day come from? -- The Weaver Family, La Mesa Nobody's positive, but best evidence says it was a Frenchman. It's 1564, and the French king …
April 15, 1999
Why isn't there keg beer in Mexico?
Why is there no keg beer in Mexico? -- S.B. in Clairemont Ah but there is, my friend. Not much, but some. In a few big Mexican clubs, mostly. Especially those run by Americans. Both …
April 15, 1999
What does evolution have against the tail?
Matthew: I was lying awake the other night wondering where tails went. Almost all of the dinosaurs had tails -- tails aplenty, tails to write home about, even the fast and agile dinosaurs, for whom …
April 1, 1999
Why does raspberry syrup become "globby" when added to coffee?
Dear Mr. Alice: I am a barista at a local coffeehouse. Among the common items one finds on our menu are flavored syrups used to enhance the various coffee drinks: vanilla, hazelnut, and so forth. …
April 1, 1999
How do you explain the seemingly parallel universe phenomenon?
Dear Matt: This question has puzzled me ever since I moved to Southern California. I am in my car waiting for the light to change to green. I am about 10 to 15 cars away …
April 1, 1999