Recent content from James Lileks

Lileks: Shippers' tracking numbers track our frustration
My wife was on the phone. She had the posture of a floor lamp, which indicated both concentration and irritation."NO," she said. She paused. "NO.""Are…

Lileks: Out: fines. In: gentle shaming
The Hennepin County Library System has announced that it no longer will charge fees for overdue books. You know this has the Grumpy-American community duly…

Lileks: Turning to Martha Stewart for the latest spin on science news
This is good news or bad, depending on your view: The Earth is spinning faster than ever, and that means the days are shorter. Have…

You can name a Minnesota snowplow
The kooky contest, which started in Scotland, is gaining traction here.

Lileks: Can you find the nonexistent hidden prize?
Follow the clues and earn big bucks — well, buck.

Lileks: The last story of the bad year? Killer ceiling-fan blades
It will be nice when we hear that honeybees are plentiful and monarch butterflies are returning in record numbers, and the evenings are full of…

Lileks: Another local name, kaput
With TCF sale, another familiar local name passes from the banking scene.

The Dinkytown McDonald's has closed: Remembering the U of M's golden arches
No one's nostalgic for the Dinkytown McD's. But some of us are nostalgic for who they were when they went there.