Passwords in clear text

Companies that saves passwords in clear text? I don't trust them. They don't seem to know what they are doing.

Companies/organisations that sends out emails with passwords in clear text? HA HA HA - sorry, you lost me as a customer/potential customer. Completely! Unless it is a new password that requires me to change it straight away, that is different. But if you save my password in such a way that you can send out it in clear text, you don't have a flipping clue about information security. I am not going to trust you with any of my information.

And it scares me that companies and organisations that DEFINITELY should know better are doing this!!!

Camera

I love cameras. As long as I am behind it. I always was fascinated, but to be frank, as a kid, I didn't have much of an idea what I was doing... Today I take a lot of pictures though. I may not be as advanced as some of my friends and relatives who do this on a very professional level or on a semi professional, but I enjoy it. To me the camera is a way of documenting - others do it for the pictures themselves, I do it more as a way of documenting what is happening around me - and that is the way I always loved taking photos.

Going through my drawers and "de-cluttering" my home I found some of my old cameras, and now I am sitting here being sentimental, remembering some of the moments when these were used. My dear Pentax Pino 35J that I think was my first camera where you had the "real" film and not the cassette - and where  the flash was built in instead of one of those expensive cubes where you only had four flashes. All of a sudden you were not limited any more, at least not due to the flash. Still, the cost for developing was astronomical for someone who was just a kid, so one was careful anyhow. But still...  This camera saw me though many events. You could choose "Normal", with flash, and macro. And you could change the ISO settings from 100/200 to 400 - two different variations. I never had a 400 ISO film during this time - but it was never the less an advanced feature - my later camera, my Minolta Riva Zoom Pico didn't have that option. On the other hand that one had flash, a Red Eye function, zoom, and, even more important, it had a self timer, so you could be in the picture yourself.

Not that it mattered. Between 13 and 23 I was more or less refusing to be in pictures...

But the memories.

And nowadays, nowadays, is anyone even using analogue cameras any more - isn't it all digital, at least most of it? I know I have moved over to digital 100% - for many reasons, not the least for the fact that it is easier to share and show your pictures when you are far away from the family and many friends...

One WOULD have thought...

One would have thought that in Germany, a big country where English is actually mandatory in school, one could communicate in English. But no. Trying to get rid of some things that I don't need anymore and finding that e-bay in Germany actually DELETE your ad if you don't advertise in German. Silly. One would have thought that it would have been my problem, not someone elses: If I don't have the energy to create a selling text in German I have a smaller market and I have less chance of finding a buyer. But no, instead E-bay Germany take it upon themselves to just delete my ad.

How VERY annoying.

Although I should be used to it by now. But it still frustrates me.

HOW can a people study English for so long and understand so little?

Positive thinking

I sometimes get frustrated with the Germans and their negative view on life. Part of the reason why I get so frustrated is that the Swedes in some ways are similar.
But the Germans can't really help it... Apparently, according to Spiegel, they find it a bit difficult from time to time--- See link... 


http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/study-finds-germans-incapable-of-enjoying-life-a-834973.html

But while the Germans have the Jealousy Factor, the Swedes and the Norwegians have the "Jante lag" - Law of Jante - which isn't much better. You won't hear a real Swede saying that they are good at something or that they have done something well, you will have to drag it out of him/her.

Or if he/she says it, he or she has been out of the country for too long, and is no longer a real Swede...
Did I mention that I am really good at cooking...?
;-)

Eureka

I went to Eureka before.
Eureka, the biggest city north of San Francisco, on the American west coast.

Victorian house, Eureka

The city built by money from the woods, and on money from the sea. The hippie town that is somewhat difficult to reach, but that is such a charming little city with impressive wooden structures, mixed with small, un-charming standard buildings that aren't much to show for.

The city that is in the heart of the redwood region, the place surrounded by the enormous straight stems, the trees that seem to reach up to the sky and beyond.  The amazing redwoods that in some areas are so big, that you can hide not just a person or two in them, but you can actually drive through them with a car.
The first time I came to Eureka was 2001. Now it is 2012 and I am back. I can't believe that it's already been so long...

This time I arrive, just like last time, with someone who means a lot to me, someone who is a good friend, although this time it is a different friend. But his time I have a better idea about Eureka and I know some of the things I want to see already - plus I have a lot more experience from travelling, and I have a lot more to compare the city to as well.

Eureka is indeed a nice little city and the historical district with all the beautiful buildings, I am so glad I returned here.  But I should have stayed longer, there is an interesting little art scene - and again, the architecture, the architecture is amasing. I did feel a little bit uneasy entering some of the old buildings where it was clearly posted that in case of an earthquake, the buildng would not be secure.

California is a land of many earth quakes.

Nor did I feel 100% happy with the signs talking about potential tsunami and me entering tsunami danger zone. Still, just in case of an earthquake, but ever since the fatal tsunami in South East Asia, the word tsunami makes me feel bit uncomfortable...

But other than that - Eureka was fascinating. And so were the people I met! Both the lovely locals, from the people that sold coffee and divine chocolate biscuits, the people I chatted to in the supermarked, to the other guests and random people out walking, to the people just passing through.

Down by the pier I ended up talking to four guys, guys taht had an interesting story, or rather stories to gell. Guys that had spend the last few years on the road, one for five years, and the other three for about half that time. People that in a way live my dream of always being on the road - but at the same time not. I would not be able to stand all that time without having something to go to, something to do, some purpose, be it a course, teaching, volounteering, or something else. But I still want to hear their story!

And I loved exchanging ideas with the four guys, four guys that could have scared some people off, simply because how they were dressed and the first impression, but guys that I  truly enjoyed talking to. If fascinates me hearing stories about having slept in the wild, staying away from wild animals, having to wake up in the middle of the night holding down a plastic sheet to stop the wind and he waves from coming in and soaking everything, it is an adventure in itself. It is inspiring!

In the hotel, at breakfast, I met another interesting character, the woman who shared my breakfast table and who told me about her long trips, across the country, with trains and as a hitch hiker, and occasionally by plane. Why? Much of the time because she was following a band around. Fascinating. And so good for me to have these discussions, I need to see that it doesn't always have to be about following a certain path, about having everything secured, but much more about doing what feels right for you! So what if that is following a band around, or so what if that means sleeping under the stars. If that is what you want to do and you have the means to do so, why not do it?

Yes, there were encounters in the little hippie town of Eureka that really planted a seed...

I don't believe in lies

"What is the world's greatest lie?" the boy asked, completely surprised.
"It is this: That at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what is happening to us, and our lives becomes controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie"

From The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, English translation by Alan R Clarke

I have read it before, but then in Swedish. It is a different book in English. And before I am done, I have to learn Brazilian/Portuguese, because this is a gem I want to read in the original version.

And I for one don't believe in fate. At least not completely. I believe in continuing to change your own life and impact it, it ain't over 'til it's over, it's not over as long as I still can draw breath. As long as I can breath, as long as I live, that's how long I can change what I want to and that is how long I will, I will forever continue to explore, because the day I do, that is the day that I don't want to be here anymore... 

Climbing the walls

I am climbing the walls, going crazy, losing it. Injury prevents me from typing a lot, and right now I have so much I want to say - quite frustrating. But no worries, the blog is not dead, it is merely resting and I will be back!

San Francisco - the trip up north - Mendocino and Eureka

To start with I spent my time in California in San Francisco, staying with my very good friend. But Easter was coming up and we wanted to go out and see some things as well - so for the weekend we packed out bags and checked out the maps - and then we drove off. Up north... I have spend a resonable amount of time - for being a tourist - up north in California, but I have been more inside the country, state, than along the ocean, and this time I wanted to see the ocean.
Originally I had planned to go up north myself, to give my friend some space, but it turned out that he was more than interested to come with me, so I saved the travelling for the weekend - perfect.

California coastline is absolutely outstanding, it is very dramatic, with very steep cliffs, plenty of hills, and very rough landscape. This area is still very much an area that is still changing, in a way, there are movements in the earth on a regular basis - earthquakes as the land moves, but storms and rains also impact the coast line. No wonder the whole area looks so amazing, it is nothing like the soft and very naked cliffs in Gothenburg, Sweden, just like the Scandinaivan mountains have been worn down and shaped by the ice during the ice ages and have much softer profiles - and are much less high - than the Alps, the cliffs in California haven't had time to be worn down the way the Gothenburg cliffs have - so it is green, lush, and with very sharp edges - similar to Norwegian fiords in that sense, but still very different.

Driving along the coast in California takes time, that's something one must count on. But it is worth it, it is definitely worth it! The sound of the ocean and the smell of the sea, there are few things in life that makes me as calm as this! I am simply in love with the sea!

Mendocino, California

Our goal the very first day was Mendocino, a small village where I had not been before, but a village/town I had heard a lot of good about - it is a a little art colony, more or less. Fact is I got so inspired when I was there that I went and bought new art materials when I was back in San Francisco, and returned to drawing and painting, something I hadn't really had time to do in a while. In Mendocino was wishing I had my materials, but instead I had to paint with my camera...


Mendocino... A beautiful little place right on the coast, just south of the more well known town of Fort Bragg, with the big military base. Mendocino was very "unmilitaric", if one can say that. It feels very alternative, I wonder if there is anywhere as laidback as Northern California...

There is only one thing to be aware of with Mendocino, and more particularly Mendocino Village:  This is not a party city. This is a nice little place I definitely want to return to but no, it is not a party city. It is a small town and we even struggled to find a restaurant that was open, as we were there a bit off season. There aren't really any big hotels, but some very nice little Bed and Breakfasts, which anyhow tends to be more relaxed, and far more personal. We booked in advance and if one wants to be sure to get a good deal, that is clearly the way to do it - there isn't as much competition here as elsewhere so if you are unlucky you can pay a lot for the room...

But as I said, I loved Mendocino - and I am thinking about coming back and attend one of their weekend art courses, possibly. I would not want to go in the winter though, I don't want to even imagine what the roads here may be like in the winter, and how long it may take to drive them if it is icy....

But the whole area has a lot to offer, if you like the nature, its winding roads, its cliffs, the seaside. I was hoping to see some grey whales, they migrate this time of year, but we weren't successful - for the whales I think you really should take a whale watching tour...

Anthony Bourdain in Sweden

I love the work that Anthony Bourdain is doing - but I lately saw the episodes he did on Sweden, it was in one of the first seasons of "No Reservations", and Tony Bourdain, the well known chef who know does food programs went to Sweden, or what he said was Sweden.

Which in reality meant he went to Stockholm and saw what is typical for Stockholm, and did a little detour up north - but he missed the real food heaven; The West Coast!

I have to say that while I love the other programs he has done, the one about Sweden made me confused, I don't recognise my own country when seeing Bourdain's show. I mean, I like it, but he describes a Sweden I am not familiar with, it is like seeing Sweden through one of those funny mirrors on tivoli... 

Look at a clip from YouTube:



I love Stockholm, it is a beautiful city, and,  dare say, one of the most beautiful capitals in the world, especially in the summer. Stockholm is a great city, but... Stockholm is not Sweden. It is a part of it, yes, it is in Sweden, but visiting Sweden only give you a small glimps into what Sweden is really about.

When it comes to food, Stockholm is nice too, and you can find some amazing restaurants in Stockholm - but the country has so much more to offer! In Stockholm you, as a general rule, need a reservation, at least if you want to get a good meal. Basically Stockholm has some of the most amazing places, but unfortunately there is the other side of the coin as well; The overpriced, not very impressive places that are more tourist traps and that offers a way to get full, or less hungry, but not in a very classy way. The best food scene in Sweden is, I'd say, on the west coast, and much further down south. It is simply a higher class over all. Gothenburg may not have the same over-the-top-master-restaurants, but the average is much higher in Gothenburg (Göteborg) - and I am not just saying that because I am from Gothenburg. But here it how it works: You will find some really good restaurants in Göteborg, but not as many as in Stockholm (I am talking Michelin star style places), but we have a much higher ratio of excellent value for money places too, you know, restaurants in the middle span; Good food, well prepared, un-snobby, and for a much lower cost than what you can ever get in Stockholm, for the same type of food. Not that cost matters to Bourdain, I would guess, but never the less.

And yes, I am from Gothenburg, but my family is from all over the place. And I have a strong connection and as I said, I love the city, and I think Stockholm exceeds Gothenburg on so many other things - but not when it comes to food, sorry. When it comes to food, the Gothenburg average IS better.

And no matter what you say, these are facts: The price of food in the supermarket is far lower in Gothenburg than in the Stockholm region.

The seafood in Gothenburg is fresher - the transports are simply shorter, you can't beat that when it comes to prawns and so forth.  And no, this is not just valid in Gothenburg but the whole coast. Stockholm has a coastline too, but you don't have the same or as much in the sea outside Stockholm, it is simply not salty enough...

Also, we have plenty of fresh, locally grown food in the Gothenburg area - although in the winter, of course less so. In the winter any part of Sweden needs to rely on import for most of the fresh fruits and veggies.

I mean, there is a reason why Gothenburg was named "Food Capital of Sweden" 2012, don't you think? And we do have four restaurants with Michelin stars, according to my research.

Considering how big Sweden actually is I would love to see a show that focused on the south; Anthony Bourdain, come and have fresh seafood in Gothenburg, see "Feskekorka" (the "fish church", the food hall specially for fish), buy fresh fish from the fish auktion when the ships just landed the catch of the day, come down to Skåne - the very south of Sweden and try "ålagille" - eat eel and drink the drinks that come with it, try "spettekaka" - the sugar/egg cake baked on a stick/skewer - classed as a regional speciallity by EU, go to Småland (Astrid Lindgren country and where most of the Swedish Immigrants in US originated from) and try Kroppkakor (body cakes?!? Looks awful but taste is nice - and they contain pork...) , and Ostkaka (cheese cake, Swedish style - not to be compared with the American style, American cheese cake is something totally different) for dessert.

There is so much to see and do in the south of Sweden as well! Don't just get stuck on Stockholm. it's outside of Stockholm that you find the really interesting food cultures! And yes, I say cultures, because Sweden is a country of many traditions, and the food varies a lot from county to county. Nowadays the only thing you can be sure of is that there will be a pizzeria...

And if you don't like the Swedish style? Well, Gothenburg being a working city and a harbour city, we have always had a lot of international influences. In Gothenburg you can find absolutely delicious food from the rest of the world, and it is pretty authentic too.

BTW: Not all Swedes are blond. Fact is, most of the grown ups that are blond fake it. Which is not a problem, but I am just saying...

And another thing; ABBA... They were never as big in Sweden as they were elsewhere. I can explain that one too, if needed.

And Mr Bourdain, if you don't want to travel to Gothenburg, come to Germany and I can demonstrate  from here what Swedish food can be about. Still think you should visit the real thing if you can though - if nothing else so for the seafood...

OH! And by the way: Tunnbrödsrulle?!?! Come to Gothenburg and get a "Halv Special" instead... That's typical for THAT area...

(Yes, OK, I know Bourdain doesn't read my blog. That is a pity though. I really DO think he should see some other parts of Sweden!)

Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations

I have enjoyed Anthony Bourdain's stories since I read his book "Kitchen Confidentials" years ago.

I have a passion for food.

I have a passion for travel.

And I do always get them together, I can travel places just to try a specific type of food, I love street food, and I love to test new and weird things. Well, they are not weird in my world and not in the context I eat them in but they would be weird to many people, because they are not used to them. But if others can eat the dishes, so can I - give me a food challenge and I will take it (unless it has something in it - i e lactose - that will make me ill. Or if it full of artificial flavours, but if it is full of chemicals I don't consider it food so then it is not a food challenge anyhow...)

And now I find that Anthony Bourdain is doing what I would I do - except in a bigger scale, and with a whole team, while I much - most? - of the time travel alone, there are simply few people that would like to travel the way I do. And most people are much more comfortable at home while I can't be home for very long until I start itching and need to get out on the road again.

And when I can't travel, at least not far, like right now, due to a foot that is messy, or due to work? Well, now I can dream about travelling instead, travelling and eating; There are clips from Bourdain's show in Youtube and elsewhere, and there is the blog, and other materials.

I also recommend this link, from when Bourdain was on the Daily Show - listen to what he says about people that don't like food, about 4.18 minutes into the show...

I am interested in food. I am very interested in food. Just saying. 

San Francisco - I will be back soon

Talking about San Francisco, I have to go back soon - because I missed so much!
Look at the video; Anthony Bourdain from one of his travel/food programs. Not that would be a job for me - I travel for food already! It is just that I sponsor it myself...

San Francisco - the first part

Arrived in San Francisco on a Wednesday, after what must have been the shortest flight ever between Atlanta and San Francisco - it took less than 40 minutes. I was awake for maximum 20 minutes - may also have been 10 because I don't remember taking off - in the beginning, and for about 20 minutes before we were on ground and the door opened. And I KNOW that flight is supposed to be many hour long, but little did I feel it.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, April 2012

Arrived in San Francisco, bag already through customs clearance in Atlanta, and while I was wandering up to get my bag my friend was all of a sudden right in front of me, my very dear friend whom I was going to stay with and whom I know well, and as I was so focused on getting my bag and didn't expect that he would have been able to walk all the way up to where the bags arrives, it took a split second before I recognized him. I blame the jetlag.

Once the bag had arrived it was tremendously nice to not have to worry about any taxi line or any shuttle buses, nor any train for that matter (BART, the train, goes all the way from San Francisco International Airport to the city - a really good option if you ask me) - I could just walk up to my friend's car, load the bag into it, and off we went. It was also really nice to just get inside, unpack the most important, and walk out to get something to eat.

Feeling the smell of San Francisco, breathing in the atmosphere, seeing the hills, now even more clearly very very hilly (after four years in one of the flattest cities in Germany, good old Düsseldorf, I saw San Francisco in a partly new light. The last time I was here was 3.5 years ago, when I had been less than a year in Germany). It felt a bit like coming home, I love the city of San Francisco. There is only one disadvantage with it and that is the distance from all other brilliant cities - even Los Angeles which is the closest what I would call big city is some 7-9 hours driving time away.

I knew I was going to have a great time in California, and it started well.

But then again, it is San Francisco, how coudl that EVER be anything but great?