Memories. Ahhh Yes, Memories of My Life

Friday Night Date Night & Course Revision Ongoing

Friday Night Date Night & Course Revision Ongoing

         This past week was one of study, study, study. I sat in what's called a 'Console' class. So let's explain that term a little bit so you know what one is. A Console (in this case, the Motorola MCC 7500/7500e/7100 Console) is where a person called a Dispatcher sits and receives calls from people like you and I. We call them on 9-1-1 over what ends up being the telephone system. They listen to your call, and will 'Dispatch' Fire Trucks, Ambulances, EMS, etc to your location. That dispatch call is sent over a radio network/system. I train the technicians who maintain that network/system how to configure, maintain, troubleshoot, etc. the radio part of the system. Well, the radio part, and all things that make up the radio system, since it is IP based (Networking classes), has rack mounted radios, vehicle radios, hands carried radios, etc. You get the picture. I don't teach the console class, so I had a week of non-delivery, and thought I'd sit in. Except.... I did other work on the side while listening. Yes, I was multi-tasking when I should have been paying close attention.

         So what was I doing in my multi-tasking efforts? I have a class this next week with Calhoun County Texas. One I've delivered many times. About 5 years ago, a new piece of equipment was added to the system I will be covering, and we have absolutely nothing about it in the materials for this course. It's in another course, but that one is 'Trunking', whereas my system is 'Conventional'. There are difference in capacities, enabled apps, etc that tells me this course needs it own Powerpoint Slideshow on it, as well as some hands-on activities. So, I first learned that app/program, added PPT slides to cover it in class, and wrote 4-5 hands on activities for it that will hopefully enhance their learning. I have this same class in late September for a different customer, but same stuff. So this isn't a one-time use deal.

         The first week of August, I have another Fleetmapping class. I'm finally through editing/revising/rewriting, whatever, on that course. One of my last efforts on that class was to greatly improve the hands-on activities (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet activities), as well as develop a series of questions to be asked a customer about a month before the class convenes. Those questions were sent to the customer I'll be teaching, and for once they answered every question! That's a very rare occasion! So Monday, and Friday if needed, I will edit the hands-on activities so the discussion and exercises are built around their system. I will do this for each Fleetmapping class I deliver in the coming months.

         I was asked to review restaurants I may dine at here since I don't travel right now. This is my first local place.

         Now, about that date night. We always try to go out on a Friday night. Lately, it seems we've brought it home more often than not. With there not being that many 'great' restaurants in Bloomington (forget the corporate chains, I won't go to them unless I'm desperate), we often go to small 'Mom-n-Pop' places. While the food there is usually very good, it can't match a really good place. Such is the case last night, when we went to 'Jonah's Seafood House in Peoria.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ea1d58af480a9320a67c073/t/60539253217e84...

         First, it is a nice setting. Second, we'll be back, maybe once a month. The service was excellent, the food didn't disappoint in any way, shape, or form. For an appetizer we had the Crab Tortilla Dip. For dinner, I chose their Sesame Crusted Hawaiian Ahi Tuna. It was very rare. Well, it was raw in middle, and perfectly seared on the exterior. I loved Ahi Tuna that is well prepared, I was in heaven with this dish. Here's the restaurant's description of this dish. Firm red meat with milder flavor, steaky texture & large moist flakes. It's robed with toasted sesame seeds, Pan Seared, sided with pickled ginger, sweet ocean greens, & peanut butter lime, wasabi aioli, & Asian ginger sauces. Best rare! I tried each sauce, but loved the Wasabi Aioli, and the Asian Ginger Sauces. On a scale of 10, this was a 9 for me, maybe a little above 9. (I'd never rate a place a 10 on a first visit. You have to dine there multiple times to earn that.)


         Back to work topics. Speaking of Fleetmapping, I will deliver it (virtually of course) a week from Monday, after I deliver that class to Calhoun County (that's only a three day class). I'm still thankful to have this great job, thankful for so many things. Most of all, I'm thankful I'm here, alive and kicking. See you all next time 'round.