Are We That Naive?

Photo via: Washington Post

This past weekend I had an opportunity to attend Def Con for the first time (which was amazing) and the hot topic of course was Erik Snowden, patriot or traitor. The people I spoke to at the conference seemed to agree that he wasn't a traitor but they weren't sure what to call him. I wouldn't call Snowden a traitor because he didn't leak US information to foreign enemis. Snowden would not be categorized as a patriot in my eyes. I am unsure of why I do not believe he is a patriot but I do not see him as a US hero. I believe what he did took some real courage however giving up his entire family for every American took some real balls. Snowden to me is what we call a whistleblower!

I understand the reason Snowden gave for running and leaking the Prism information. The data the NSA is collecting is wrong however are American's that naive to the fact that American Government or any government for that matter is spying on their communications. For those people who follow tech news and sometimes mainstream news know that foreign individuals are creating malware and virus to steal data about people. Maybe people just want to think that some form of their lives were private and that the government would not spy on its on citizens. If this was your thought process I feel sad for you. I look at what foreign governments are doing in Arab worlds and I think those governments have regular people just like the US does. At the end of the day these governments believe they are protecting their people and country. I bet many of the people who let Prism happen have the same believe.

If anyone uses a computer at their job, at home, a cell phone, or anything that involves the internet they must know that they have lost privacy. Just look at the free mail services that are offered on the internet. All of your messages are stored on someone else's servers, which means if someone wants to see the subject of your mail and who you are talking to they can. The people who use any cloud services must know their data lives on someone else's servers. People must rely on that companies word that they are securing your data and no one will access it unless it is an emergency. You have given up the right for privacy by using public services that you do not control. Now I know this may sound harsh but it is reality. The current generation over shares in every way. Twitter, Facebook, Google +, Blogger, Wordpress, Pintrest,Instagram, to name a few, are the social networks that people chose to broadcast their lives on. If you choose to share the information that is ok but when you find out about Prism, do not be upset, you have already put the information out in the public space. If you believe that you have set your privacy setting's so no one can look at your private data please know that the setting's are not a guarantee that it will be private. If someone truly wants to find out information about you they can. Exploits in browsers, extensive web searches, or friends who have lax privacy settings will allow unwelcome access to your data. If you want privacy don't post your life online.

Now back to Snowden and what he has done. Something that I find interesting is Snowden has released the information about Prism, which is one part of the NSA surveillance system, but has yet to truly unveil anything else which would help answer questions. Snowden say's he is holding onto most of the information to save his life, just in case the US tries to take his life. I do not see how this will truly aid him because the information needs to come out at some point in time and his asylum in Russia is only a year. Yes he can get asylum in another country but getting asylum may be difficult and getting their will be a challenge as well. If the US really wants him dead I do believe it can happen. Snowden has helped the citizens of the US by leaking tracking information data of NSA however we need more information if we are going to hold the US government accountable for their actions. If they are operating illegally how will we ever know? Snowden has already ruined/sacrificed his life however I would hate for all this information he has to be leaked by a newspaper after something has happened to him. I want to hear his full story of what is going on with NSA before he perishes and before all evidence of this program disappears. Snowden is definitely whistlblower but no patriot. 

My question is how many other American's would do what Snowden did? I do not believe many of us would give up our lives in the same manner as Snowden. I asked that question of myself and I am conflicted. Could you be the next Snowden?

Cassava

Recently my Wife has discovered a new local eatery for us. Normally we only go for breakfast and coffee however this was the last weekend of Cassava's Tasting Menu. It was one of the best dining experiences that I could ask for. Every dish had you looking forward to next. The staff is warm and inviting making you feel at home. If you are ever in the Outer Richmond this is the place to eat.

Menu at Cassava

Amuse Bouche

Grilled Asparagus, Pork Salut, Pickled Jabanero

Parsnip & Pear Soup

Close up Parsnip & Pear Soup

Parsnip and Pear Veloute with Espresso, coco nibs

Parsley and Celery Root Salad

Quinoa, parsley and celery root puree, apples, sunflower seeds, kumquats.

Ravioli & Short Ribs

House made ricotta cheese and rabe ravioli, slow braised short rubs, sugar snap peas
Grana Padana shaving

Intermezzo: Grapefruit Juice

With sage simple syrup, mint, cucumber

Pork Two ways

Pork lion, white nectarine glazed pork ribs, stewed Gigante beans, Sugar snap peas, yellow long beans

Chocolate Mousse

Poached rhubard, fresh strawberry, lemon custard

Open Source is for Me

My Desktop using Ubuntu 12.04 LTS

I have recently decided to give up on Windows OS's and Apple OS's as my main OS. I have made the change to Ubuntu 12.04 LTS as the OS of choice. I am doing it for a few reasons, one to better understand Linux, even though Mac's are Linux you can not do all the things you do you would do in normal Linux as I have gotten to know it. Another reason is I really want to see how quality Linux is, I've heard it is tough when something breaks so I want to test this. As well I want to use open source software to see what the difference is between Open Source and paid software. I know there are obvious differences like support, updates, and possible features however some open source software offer these same points. 

I have been raised on Windows, learned to love Macs, yet I feel like both systems are starting to become very overrated. With Apple I like the OS but when I look at my  desktop I don't want to see my iphone or ipad. I want to see my desktop and know I am using a computer. In the latest version of Mac OS X, Mountain Lion, I look and all I see is a jazzed up Lion(Lion wasn't that great to begin with). I am tired of buying OS's that do not live up to the billing. Windows is the same way. With Windows 7, my favorite Windows OS thus far, is great but the only problem is the size of Windows after it is updated. It just grows and swells to large for me and just eats up my hard drive space. As well the cost of software for both OS's are too much. Office alone which is an essential app/program when using a computer is through the roof. iWork is the same thing and something that I do not think we should have to pay an arm and leg for. The software period is too much even though there is open source software for both platforms. 

Ubuntu Software Center where you can get paid or free software.

In this day in age where computers and technology are so important, I would think that getting computers in the hands of people would be the most important thing but when the cost of owning and having the computer is through the roof how can you expect people to keep and maintain them. This is why I made the switch I want to see as a power user can I live off Open Source OS's and software? Stay tuned I will post and let you know how it goes!

A Saturday Afternoon

As a child I loved to play soccer, in fact, it was my best sport. Now I am taking the time to teach my son the sport which I still yearn to play. Here is a Saturday in the park with a goal, ball, my son and my fiance taking the exciting shots! These are the days in which to live for!

Donovan and I Putting Goal Together

He Shoots and Scores

Trying to Score

Defense

Empty Net Goal

Trying to be like Uncle Steve and save the day

What a Kick

Little Pele

Tim Howard in the making?

Plums Cafe

On this food adventure in food decided to go to Plum's Cafe in Newport Beach. The food was ok but the service was worst. I do have to say the company was fantastic thanks to Nancy and Donovan!

Oregon Berry Belini & Mimosa

Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Eggs

Coconut French Toast & Oregon Peppered Bacon

Alderwood Smoked Salmon Hash

Milano Pizzeria

Pizza is always a great comfort food for me. I can never get enough and can always go back for seconds. Well on this night I was in for a rude awakening. When you go into a pizzeria I do not expect any over the top service but I do expect to be acknowledged and helped if you are seating me at a table and have a server coming to serve us. Needless to say the service at Milano Pizza was not up to par and neither was food. The only saving grace of the evening were the meatballs Nancy and I ordered. They were delicious along with the meat sauce it came. The pizza was rubbery and had a funny after taste to it. The garlic bread was lacking garlic and was hard as rocks. 

This restaurant was rated on Yelp and Google for 4 stars so that is the reason why we tried it but maybe this just wasn't there night. Try at your own risk.

House Made Meatballs - Photo By Nancy

Garlic Bread - Photo By Nancy

Pepperoni Pizza - Photo By Nancy

Pomelo

Pomelo oh Pomelo

On this night I decided to surprise Nancy and take her to this restaurant called Pomelo. I went to Yelp again for help with this selection. On Yelp this had a 4 star rating and it was in a neighborhood that I had yet to try the food in. When I saw the menu online I was quite intrigued and thought it had a fun and lively menu. This is the adventure of Nancy and Jason at Pomelo.

Upon entering Pomelo I could tell it was a local place to come and eat. You had groups of families and just friends sitting around talking and enjoying their meals. The location on the inside is a little small on the inside but it is just enough for a nice evening out. Nancy and I had the Cabo San Lucas and the Havana.

The Cabo San Lucas consists of two handmade soft corn tacos with grilled pacific snapper, shredded cabbage, mango salsa, chipotle aïoli and house pickled jalapeños. (Descriptions taken off Menu of Pomelo). This appetizer was AMAZING. Never had a taco with this mixture that was so tasty. The chipotle aïoli mixed in with the jalapeños made for the perfect mixture not to mention the snapper was cooked brilliantly. The unsung hero of the plate was also the mango salsa, it was refreshing mix that hit all the right notes.

The Havana cuban style fried rice with black beans, plantains, chipotles, ginger and cilantro, served with grilled skirt steak, sautéed onions and cuban avocado salad. (Description taken from Menu of Pomelo) Normally I am not an avocado person. I have had others make it for me before and had to immediately discard it from my mouth, and have had it other times when I have ate it and gone for seconds. This time is one of the going for second times. The combination of steak, black beans, PLANTAINS, and rest of the items on the plate were just heavenly.

If you are in SF this is a place to stop off and have a meal. It is intimate, food is great, along with personal attention. You can not ask for more than that.

Menu - Photo by Nancy

Jason Reading Menu - Photo By Nancy

Chandelier - Photo By Nancy

Entrance and Chandelier - Photo by Nancy

cabo san lucas - Photo By Nancy

cabo san lucas - Photo By Nancy

havana - Photo By Nancy

havana - Photo by Nancy

havana - Photo By Nancy