Jonathan B. Horen


Until mid-September 2011, I worked at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center, as Systems Administrator for Life Science Informatics. However, the ARRA funding for my position ran out and, without a manager for the department, there was no one to write a proposal for a new grant, or for an extension of the original grant. So, I found myself a few months shy of 60, unemployed. Plans? I "wintered-over" here in Fairbanks. What did I do? Worked-out irregularly/infrequently on my indoor rowing machine, checked the job listings at UAF, ate way too much (and too often), and "chilled" (literally and colloquially).

Now, it's Springtime, and I recently "closed" on a 1BR/1BA condo in South Florida. I'll be moving there at the end of May, and I'm in the process of packing-and-shipping my belongings, and selling the rest (furniture, TV, etc).

I'm usually at home -- reading, relaxing, chilling, and always logged-in on my PC. If I'm not available, you'll find me working-out... if the weather's nice, and the road's clear, I'll be out, on my bicycle; but if the weather's wet or wintery, I'll be at home, on my Concept2 indoor rowersold! pedaling my bicycle... on a set of CycleOps rollers.

One thing is certain: When I shave my face, you'll find me lathering-up with a badger shaving brush and high-quality, aromatic, lubricating shaving soap-or-cream, taking time to methodically and deliberately give myself a "BBS" (Baby-Butt Smooth) shave with a vintage straight, Gillette double-edged, or Schick injector razor. Follow my adventures in The Art of Wetshaving.

I'm also a committed coffee fan, and home-roast my green coffee beans in a West-Bend Poppery I hot-air popcorn popper. I manually grind the beans, and brew them in a Bodum Shin Bistro French press. Click here, for information about my coffee beans and the rest.

Here are photos of my wonderful daughters, Shira and Rina, and both of them together, through the years. While I'm at it, here are photos of my brother and his wife, Michael and Cheryl, and my extended family and friends, through the years.

Finally, here is a memorial to my parents, Arthur and Ruth Horen. As first-generation Americans, they educated themselves, served their country, created and raised a family, and helped build this great nation; they were The Greatest Generation. I wish they were still here, and that I had known them better... that they aren't, and that I didn't, is my enduring loss. Thankfully, I have my memories of them, and these photographs.