Casa Jonsson

Nils & Araceli’s home on the web, est. 2003

(Inter)national Medal of Technology

Reading Software Development over lunch today I learned that Pres. Bush recently awarded software engineering guru Watts Humphrey one of this year’s National Medals of Technology. The President’s remarks included the statement, “Your work is making our country more competitive, more hopeful, and more prosperous. On behalf of a grateful nation, congratulations for earning the […]

Make way for ducklings

Life imitates art. 

In memoriam Ed Clowney

I learned this morning that our former pastor, Ed Clowney, died yesterday afternoon at the age of 87. I’m saddened by this loss to his family and friends and to all of Christendom; a great multitude across the globe loved this man dearly. But I’m also overjoyed for him personally, as he’s enjoying at this […]

A towering figure falls

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Philip Johnson died Tuesday at the age of 98. His work was not universally loved, and I myself find it difficult to forgive him for producing The Crystal Cathedral (1980).
But Johnson did build my top two favorite Houston structures: The Williams Tower and Water Wall (1983) and the Bank of America Center […]

My life no longer has meaning

How will I go on? Dave Barry has thrown in the towel and will not be writing his Miami Herald column anymore. 

Teaching children a lucrative trade

I may have contributed to the delinquency of a minor. Not just any minor, but two of my own sons. I recently read the folktale “Stone Soup” to the older kids. Let’s be frank: this story is an effective way to teach youngsters the Spanish prisoner confidence trick. Now, it’s no secret that I happen […]

“The will of the people shall prevail”

Four years ago, on the evening of Tuesday, November 7, 2000, we were getting antsy sitting in front of the TV watching the election returns. We figured that the networks couldn’t call the election until after dinner so we went out for Chinese food. The message that Araceli’s fortune cookie brought that night was particularly […]

Play god (or Karl Rove, anyway)

While we’re on the subject of the Electoral College, check out 270 to Win. A slick little Flash app lets you play what-if with the presidential election to your heart’s discontent. Not only can you swing each state Elephant or Donkey and see how it all turns out, but you can learn at a glance […]

The old College try

Political scientist Judith Best gave a cogent defense of the Electoral College system today on NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

My real job, or, The sparkle in my eye, or, “Teresa, do you know how to get ketchup stains out of your laundry?” or, Why I love Laura Bush

I was incensed, it’s true. The quote that got me blogging today is from Her Majesty Teresa Heinz Kerry.
USA Today: You’d be different from Laura Bush?
Teresa Heinz Kerry: Well, you know, I don’t know Laura Bush. But she seems to be calm, and she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good. But I […]

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