Recent content from James Lileks
Deer me — it's another sign of the times
A 2032 headline: "Highway accident blamed on driver not updating his Tesla's Mastodon recognition software"That's the last line of this piece. How, you ask, do…
Lileks: They've got your number
Can you call up the North American Numbering Plan Administration, or NANPA, with any numbering questions?
Why the Minnesota State Fair is the best small town in the state
The fairgrounds offer an eclectic mix of architecture, walkability and storefronts.
Lileks: Is Minnesota the land of 10,000 nerds?
A national ranking of states finds Minnesota is the 17th nerdiest.
A sculpture made waves when it was installed in Minneapolis. And then one day it was gone
We went in search of "Inner Search."
Lileks: There's 100% chance weather app will be 20% accurate
Having multiple weather apps increases the odds that one of the forecasts might be right.
Lileks: On the lam with Spam? Gotham crooks target Minnesota treat
Professional shoplifting gangs are boosting canned meat.
Lileks: Inflation hits a high note at rock concerts
Our columnist can't imagine spending $5,000 to see Bruce Springsteen, particularly if binoculars are involved.
Lileks: It's time to start planning your Minnesota State Fair eating strategy
There will be people who starve themselves and head out with a map to try everything, but some of us stick to what we did in the past.
Why Minnesotans are all wrong about 'the Dakotas'
For too long, Minnesotans have remained ignorant when it comes to their neighbors to the west.
Lileks: Where have all the mosquitoes gone?
The usual summer plague hasn't stung us yet in the Twin Cities area.
Lileks: Cereal-scented candles are on fire
Target is now selling candles that smell like breakfast cereals.
Lileks: Wondering when the perfect summer day will be? The averages have spoken
Admit it: Weather drama is exciting.
Lileks: Hey, hackers, just try to read this
The criminal who stole my credit card number must be passing it around. Every few days, I get an alert on my phone because someone…
Lileks: Why do bad things happen to good lawns?
Why should we be concerned about the lawns? They obviously don't care about us.
Lileks: Dogs don't get a bang out of the Fourth
On the night of June 22, we had the first example of the seasonal puzzler: Fireworks or gunfire?The dog didn't bother with the distinction. His…
Rossman's ushered in new era of shopping in the Twin Cities
Air-conditioning and "miraculous fluorescent lighting" were among the features touted by the store.
All's fair in bidding for the World's Fair
Perhaps you were surprised to learn that Bloomington still is in the running for the 2027 World's Fair. I'd forgotten all about that bid, but…
Lileks: Google says this is the word Minnesotans seek the most help spelling
The search engine released a state-by-state list of words residents don't know how to spell.
Lileks: Goodbye, orange roof, we'll (sort of) miss you
The last Howard Johnson's restaurant has closed.
Lileks: The voices are coming from inside the car
Irish Female and Lady Car Voice aren't nearly as helpful as they should be.
RBC Gateway in downtown Minneapolis isn't splashy, but it's functional
Review: It's big and it's blue, but it's no threat to the IDS.
Lileks: They're havin' a hot time in North Dakota
Could hot sauce orders really be tops in the nation?
Lileks: In dog we trust (especially at the airport)
You think you know what to do, and then the airport changes it up.
Readers help solve Milwaukee Road mystery
Two weeks ago, I asked for help with an answer to this question: When did the top of the Milwaukee Road Depot tower disappear?The…
Lileks: 'Mom' or 'Mother,' it means the same: love
Moms have changed in the past few generations. I don't mean the way they act or fuss or worry or care, but the way they…
Lileks: Revenge of the robot nurses
Given the choice between a robot programmed to pretend to be interested in me and an overworked, underpaid human with their own set of problems pretending to be interested in me, what's better?
The mystery of the vanishing top of the Milwaukee Road Depot tower
How long has the cupola been gone? And what happened to it?
The history of dog tags
The other day our dog's off-leash park tag arrived. For an annual fee of $38, you can be assured you will not be stopped by…
Lileks: Unexpected person in office area
It's time to consider letting the self-checkout assistants work from home.
Lileks: Is it your fault that spring is late?
If it looks like January, it'll be the fault of everyone who decided it was safe to put away the snowblower.
Billboards could bring some much needed life to downtown Mpls. streets
There was a time when billboards were fun, bright, vivacious and artistic.
Lileks: No news is good news at 3:45 a.m.
No one wants to hear about COVID booster eligibility in the middle of the night.
Lileks: Complaining never takes a vacation
As Shakespeare put it, the fault, Horatio, lies not in the stars but in us, and our reluctance to consult Google Maps when making a reservation.
Throwback: Mural provided a change of scenery for grand hotel
A local artist brought life the Nicollet Hotel ballroom during a 1940s remodel.
Lileks: Warning! Do something! But what?
The phone buzzed at 12:43 a.m. with a notice: CORONAVIRUS EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION.OK. You have my attention, whoever you are; do tell. According to the words…
Our toasting of St. Patrick's Day will turn Wisconsin green with envy
Minnesota drinks more on St. Patrick's Day than 48 other states, according to a study. Wisconsin is No. 13.
There was plenty of buzz about the Minneapolis home show of 1922
While there weren't supersized hot tubs or smart window blinds, there were plenty of innovations 100 years ago.
Is the graffiti on Twin Cities sound barriers and ramps art or visual litter?
The longer it stays, the more graffiti appears.
Lileks: We can't guarantee you'll like this car warranty call
I'm trying to reach you about (click).
The truth about Presidents' Day. (We cannot tell a lie. There isn't one.)
What's the real name for today? No, not that.
Lileks: Minnesota bucks the 'Oliver' trend and chooses Henry as most popular name for baby boys
But just say "no thanks" to Hank.
