I been workin' on the LambdaRail

What do Promontory, Utah and the fiber optic LambdaRail network have in common?

They're both about connecting people and commerce, technology and trade. They're both about vision, achievement and big ideas that change the world. But it goes even deeper than that.

Promontory's the spot where the first US Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869. The railroad right-of-way which started 137 years ago in northern Utah still impacts us today as Utah connects to National LambdaRail, an ultrahigh-speed fiber optic network for education and research.

Without the physical railroad to literally pave the way, the fiberoptic rail might have taken a much different pathway to Utah. Railroad rights-of-way are not only about tracks for trains, but routes and land for natural gas pipelines, electric power transmission lines and fiber-optic cable.

Until a few weeks ago, I didn't realize I had several personal connections to both the old rail and the new one.

Connection 1: As kid growing up in the sixties I always liked May. It's the month of my birth. It's the month that school gets out. And a hundred years earlier it was the time when the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railroads met each other in my home state. I remember liking the subject as a kid, perhaps because I had my own electric trains, and certainly because I'd been to the historic spot for tailgate breakfast of bacon and eggs with my aunt, uncle and cousin.

Connection 2: Skip ahead 35 years to 2002. I'm working at the Utah Education Network which shares space with KUED,TV, KUER-FM and KUEN-TV at the Eccles Broadcast Center. Emmy-award winning producer Ken Verdoia produced the first-ever TV documentary about Promontory. I got a chance to do a few voice-over lines of historial narration for program.

Connection 3: Then just a few weeks ago, I got involved in writing a news release on LambdaRail's arrival in Utah thanks to UEN and the University of Utah. I sat in on an interview as the U of U's science writer, Lee Siegel talked to Steve Hess, the U's Associate VP for Info Technology. When Steve told Lee about the physical routing of the LambdaRail fiber, a chill went up spine, as I realized the train story of my childhood and the 21st century story I sought to tell were so tightly connected. Read more:

• A Super-Fast Link to Cyberspace (U of U media release)
• National Lambda Rail (home page) (Wikipedia)
• Research at the Speed of Light (KCPW story)
• Promontory (KUED documentary)
• Alternate Uses of Railroad Rights-of-Way (Wikipedia)
• Box Elder County (UEN Counties of Utah)
• Utah Education Network

the perfect spring day

the perfect spring day
Originally uploaded by rfin.

first dry creek movie

first dry creek movie
Originally uploaded by rfin.

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birthday brothers

brothers Originally uploaded by rfin.

We're celebrating my dad's 94th birthday today. On the day of his birth, April 25, 1912, the world was still coming to grips with the sinking of the Titanic just ten days earlier.

My dad wasn't the youngest for long. Two years later, on April 29, 1914, his little red-headed brother showed up.

Their lives intertwined for nearly 50 years. As boys they worked on farm chores, rode horses, swam naked in the Sevier River and hunted Jack Rabbits together. They went to school and college together, studying studying agriculture and forestry at Utah State University.

During World War II, Joe served in the FBI, while Rich joined the Army and served in the Battle of the Bulge.

They both married beautiful, talented, strong women who loved their handsome husbands, their children, music, art, exploration and cuisine. Each couple reared two children, a son and a daughter.

Dad died unexpectedly in 1963, but Uncle Rich lived until 2003, joking "If I knew I'd live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself." After 40 years apart, the birthday brothers are again together.

reduce clutter - help the earth

For Salt Lake area readers only (unless you're planning a trip to Utah this weekend)

Tomorrow, April 21 is the eve of the 36th annual Earth Day. So what? Well, it's an opportunity to do something that will improve the environment and clear some clutter out of your garage, basement or attic.

Actually it's a two-day opportunity.

Both tomorrow and Saturday, my associates at Utah Tech Corps are holding their annual Electronic Recycling Extravaganza at Rice Eccles Stadium. It's a great chance to get rid of your unwanted electronic junk, and to know you're doing it in a way that could help some kids and the environment. Here are all the details...

Earth Day Electronic Recycling Event

• What: Drop off unwanted electronic equipment including computers, monitors, printers, cell phones, TVs and radios (in working condition or not), but no microwave ovens or refrigerators.
• Why: Recycling saves landfill space and reduces toxic pollution from electronic waste.
• When: Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. both days.
• Where: University of Utah Rice-Eccles Stadium parking lot (southwest corner) near 1350 East 500 South
• Who May Donate: Anyone with unwanted electronics (whether in working condition or not)
• Who Benefits: Utah school kids who will have access to refurbished computers. Donors who get rid of stuff they don’t want and gain space they could use. All Utahns who seek a cleaner, less toxic environment.
• Sponsors: Utah Tech Corps, Utah Education Network, Computers for Kids, Lowell Bennion Community Service Center , City Academy Charter School, and Lucency Corp Electronic Recycling

So, what are you waiting for. You know you didn't feel good about putting your old Mac-SE in a dumpster. Now you can give it a good home, or at least a good send off into another realm.

easter shopping reward

Originally uploaded by rfin.

My daughter needed some new clothes and so did I. So we headed to Sugar House late Saturday afternoon. After we finished someone had painted the sky and the little creek just south of Old Navy in a way I've never seen before. Fortunately I'd left my camera in the car. So many times the moment doesn't last, so I ran for the camera, and ran back to the spot and got this shot. I'm glad to have a new shirt and she's happy with some new shoes, and I think my camera was thrilled to capture image.