Secret sites of America

Transatlantic Submarine Cables Reaching Land

VSNL International, Avon, N.J.

These VSNL submarine telecommunications cables extend 8,037.4 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. Capable of transmitting over 60 million simultaneous voice conversations, these underwater fiber-optic cables stretch from Saunton Sands in the United Kingdom to the coast of New Jersey. The cables run below ground and emerge directly into the VSNL International headquarters, where signals are amplified and split into distinctive wavelengths enabling transatlantic phone calls and internet transmissions.



Underwater fiber-optic cables are laid along the ocean’s floor by specially designed ships. Cables are buried as they approach shore and armored to protect against undersea landslides, marine life (sharks, in particular), and fishing equipment. Fishermen are advised of cable locations as hooking one can interfere with international communication services as well as sink a boat.



VSNL operates one of 14 submarine cable systems connected to the continental United States. Exchanges originating in the U.S. are combined and enhanced before broadcast and transmission across the Atlantic. As of 2005, submarine cables link all the world’s continents except Antarctica. (Source)

Security?

Photograph by Taryn Simon as seen here on TED.

"Second Chance" by Performing Arts Ministry of Imani Community Church, Indianapolis

"Second Chance" by Performing Arts Ministry of Imani Community Church, Indianapolis, originally uploaded by James Zou.

On July 25, 2009, I photographed the debut of "Second Chance," a 11-scene gospel play created by Barbara Davis of Indianapolis. The play was held at the Christian Theological Seminary on the north side of Indianapolis, about 5 minutes southwest of Butler University.

"Second Chance" was performed by the Performing Arts Ministry of Imani Community Church of Indianapolis. Approximately 350 attended the 2 and a half hour long play.

The 2008 US Census estimated the population of Indianapolis to be just under 800,000, making the 13th largest city in the United States. As of the 2007, African Americans make up about a quarter of the population of the greater Indianapolis area.

For the complete photo gallery, click here.

Fireworks at Navy Pier July 1 2009

Fireworks at Navy Pier June 30 2009, originally uploaded by James Zou.

The WBEZ Geek Out open house raffle drawing ended right on time for the semi-week fireworks show off Navy Pier, Chicago.

Here I am playing around with the focus ring on the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 lens.

Seoul, South Korea 2009 May

I returned from Seoul on May 28, after two wonderful weeks meeting friends, shopping, eating, and site seeing. South Korea is a wonderfully rich place to visit. The best part of this trip, my fourth, was finally meeting Koun's long time friends. We spent a long Saturday night sharing stories and getting acquinted, drank soju, and baekju, and enjoyed a delicious celebration cake from Bakdo, Koun's friend.

Bossam (steam pork), samgyupsal and kalbi are definately one of my all time favorite things to eat, not only because they are delicious but having these dishes always involved sharing it with great company. On this trip however, cooked food was only the beginning. I had live squid and "on-the-spot" sashimi at Noryangjin Fish Market (video below), and fishing at Anmyondo, on the west coast of South Korea.

We also took one day and visited Olympic Park. We planned on each person renting a bicycle to ride around. They only had quad-bicycles. They were heavy and hard to ride, and racing was borderline dangerous...but fun.

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"Image Change"

DSC_9353, originally uploaded by WalkmanX.

Why pay $500 for eyewear in the United States when you can get them for 30,000 Won (~$24.00) in Seoul? Jerry, Jean, Koun and I went to to do a little shopping and find particular hair studio. En route to the hair studio, we found this eyewear store, "Steam." It is a great little boutique shop owned and operated Hwang Youngchan.

Hongik University's art program is considered by many to be the best in Korea. The neighborhood around the school is young, artsy and trendy. Many Indie clubs can be found in the area.

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Bossam dinner with beautiful women

Dinner, originally uploaded by James Zou.

Friday, May 15 was the second to the last day for Korean immigration quarantine officers to check all arriving passengers' body temperatures, according to a United Airlines Korean crew member. After this delay, baggage claim, leaving the airport and the Friday rush hour, I arrived with my fiance in Apkujeong, Seoul very hungry! Koun took me to a wonderful little restaurant, "Gaehwaok" for bossam.

The pale colored 1/2" thick cuts of pork, with the skin and accompanying fat, were tender and extra delicious when wrapped with kimchi...hit the spot. The petite restaurant had earthy brown tables and pale green colored walls. The environment was friendly and casual, and the handmade plates and bowls were a nice extra touch. The hospitable owner helped us get seated after the two of us, and my three suitcases, waited for about 5 minutes. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a Korean dinner for two or four, best enjoyed as a late dinner on a cool spring night.

Photos Available - WalkMS Naperville 2009

Photos from the Naperville WalkMS event on Sunday May 3 are available now. Supporters walked and volunteered at Centennial Park, one of 13 locations in Illinois. Approximately 14,000 people statewide participated in Sunday's events. As of May 4, the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has raised $1,410,000, or 39% of organization's goal of $3.6 million. To find out more about MS, visit there website at nationalmssociety.org.

Photos Available - PanCan Chicago 2009

The photos are up and available for print via the "Buy" button! Feel free to leave comments about what you see. I would love to read your feedback. Thank you. Direct Link.

WalkMS Naperville IL for Multiple Sclerosis 2009

Sunday was the second beautiful day in Chicago after a week of rain. I was one of many volunteer photographers for the Naperville site of WalkMS 2009. The photos will be ready and uploaded here by May 11.

The Greater Illinois Chapter walks were held at 13 separate locations. Approximately 14,000 people participated in the day's events and so far, the chapter has raised about $1,410,000, or 39% of organization's goal of $3.6 million. The National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now.

PanCan PurpleStride Chicago 2009

PurpleStride Chicago 2009 was a 5k walk on Saturday, May 2 to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. According to one of the organizers of the event, the Chicago walk is one of the largest events for the organization. Saturday's fundraiser had an estimated 2,000 supporters participate in the walk and total donations totaled nearly $265,000! My role in the event was a volunteer photographer, working in conjunction with PanCan's official photographer. Photos are currently being processed and should be uploaded within the week. Please check back by May 11. The photos will be available here.