I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Each time I listen to the flagship Ricochet podcast, I'm reminded about my first exposure to James. My initial reaction to James was...who? What? Jonah is too much of a superstar to do the podcast? Mark Steyn isn't available each week?
It was nothing against James, but, to my eternal shame, I had no idea who the man was. I had known and admired Rob Long because of his writings over at NRODT (National Review On Dead Tree) and, of course, I was a big fan of Peter Robinson because of his brilliant Uncommon Knowledge work.
Now that I've become a huge fan of the podcast and James' body of work, I find myself yelling at my iPad when I turn on the week's Ricochet podcast to be greeted with the news that James had the audacity to do something like take vacation.
What!?! James is on vacation? Where is he vacationing that he doesn't have access to a phone to call into do the podcast? Who gave James the idea he was allowed to not do the podcast each week? How can Peter Robinson possibly stomp all over a proper James Lileks segway if James isn't even doing the podcast? How many times has Rob Long done the podcast mooching off someone's home wireless? (Okay, never...but it's a better story than saying he did it from Starbucks.)
Seriously, I am so glad that James is part of the Ricochet podcast and the greater Ricochet effort. I was born and raised in the Upper Midwest so it's easy to have a connection with his world view and understanding of Upper Midwestern culture and values. For example, his Coffee and Chrome collection is simply amazing. Every time I listen to James it's like I'm back home.
Thank you so much, James.
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May '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Mr. Lileks is a national treasure. Can't wait to read his series of ebooks coming out soon. Also, if he hadn't become a writer, he clearly had the talent to be a radio DJ. If there was a "conservative NPR" (perish the thought) he'd be on it.
Jul '10
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
For those of us who speak fluent nerd, it's always great to hear him make sci fi references that no one else gets. I was thrilled to see him get a column in National Review right alongside Rob's.
Jan '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Umm, sorry to be pedantic, but it's spelled Laillack's'.
Dec '10
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
I first heard James on Hugh Hewitt's radio program. I've been hooked ever since. My only disappointment was the demise of the screedblog. Perhaps he can grace us with an occassional screed here.
Nov '10
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
LIKE!
Aug '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
I've been reading The Bleat almost since its inception. Once I even managed to get through to his über-popular radio program, The Diner -- I think the topic was discontinued Crayola crayons.
The Bleat is still the first page my browser opens to. (By the way, that brassiere-clad woman from last week? I work at a church, James. That was difficult to explain.)
Nov '10
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Couldn't agree more!
Sep '10
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
The column he wrote on the second anniversary of 9/11 is bookmarked so that I can get a jolt of deep inspiration on very trying days.
May '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Same for me. First heard James and Steyn on Hugh Hewitt. There are still some regulars over there on Hugh's program that Ricochet could steal.
Dec '10
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
link please
Apr '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
"The Bleat" has been one of my bookmarks for years. Mr. Lileks's "Gallery of Regrettable Food" is a favorite book. I made sure a copy of it made its way to a foodie friend as a housewarming gift some time ago and we still get great laughs from it!
Oct '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Same here - and I think it was a comment of his on the Bleat that led me to Ricochet. Come to think of it, he got me addicted to Twitter as well. I second the call for screedage.
Nov '10
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
I came to know Ricochet through a link from Lileks as well.
I heard Lileks first on Hugh Hewitt, I think, when Hewitt was giving him a hard time about being an ice skater?
Then, I followed a link to Hewitt on Seablogger and was hooked for several years (now I spend the bulk of my time on Ricochet and look for Lileks posts over here.)
The screedblog was one of my favorites, as well.
Oct '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Well, ye-ah Who else can have really smart things to notice about Walton's 1st Symphony and Star Trek? Heard him on Hugh's show long ago.
Jul '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
I came to Ricochet following Peter Robinson. After two or three podcasts I can honestly say that I no longer have enough time to follow all of the wonderful people I've discovered here. James is magnificent (even if not always perfect). I'm glad to throw my support behind this effort to recognize him ;-)
Feb '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Feb '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Agreed! I have been a fan and have followed him since his daughter was little--I think it was Rob Long that said only James Lileks could make you care about his Target shopping experiences. His heart and humor are an awesome combination.
Aug '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
To spin off a subject of the podcast, Original Star Trek was solid middle-brow show that aspired to lift people up and get them to think philosophically. Even the silly episode I just watched where Kirk was split into two people -- a passive wuss and a nasty jerk -- had some interesting ideas about how Kirk needed both halves in order to command his crew. I've been thinking about that lately.
Now . . . which of our candidates has properly integrated his "Kirk the Jerk" side?
May '10
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Some years ago for Christmas I bought my sister a book I found, Gallery Of Regrettable Food. I ended up keeping it for myself. I bought another copy for her.
Edited on Oct 28, 2011 at 6:14pmMar '11
Re: I Love James Lileks. There I Said It.
Sidehill Gouger
Same for me. First heard James and Steyn on Hugh Hewitt. There are still some regulars over there on Hugh's program that Ricochet could steal. · Oct 28 at 10:41am
That's how I found James and Mark as well, and Ricochet off of one or the other of them. One day after hearing his website's address for the umpteenth time, I started perusing James' extremely eclectic collection of ghost signs, and matchbooks, and old postcards...and I loved every minute of it.