Talk about perks, my career had one of the best I can think of! I traveled in the course of business, delivering classes for my employer. I am a Senior Training Specialist for Motorola Solutions, and teach classes on a wide variety of subjects centered around 2 way radio communications (for eight more weeks). I knew that when the time arrived that I would retire. That time is now. I've always said that if you can't stand the heat in the kitchen, get out! I can't handle the heat anymore. I was qualified to deliver approximately 32 different classes, but about half of those were 'Legacy' classes, and are not in demand anymore. My students were/are technicians, those who maintained, programmed, calibrated, and repaired large 2-way radio systems. Some of these systems are statewide, and use TCP-IP networking to allow sites to communicate with others. Some are small, traditional type radio sites. The size doesn't matter, in each case the systems must be kept operational at all times, since many of them are Public Safety Systems. So I traveled, sometimes frequently, 3-4 weeks in a row.... where have I been?
This probably won't have daily entries, but I will make entries to update you about my life before and during my employment with Motorola Solutions. I also intend to update you all about what I'm doing in retirement. Well, here we go with this new adventure, let's see where it takes us.
Jay O'Toole - “I value my life more than being right in that situation.”
That reminds me of this poem.
Here lies the body of Edward Gray
Who died defending his right of way
He was right, quite right, as he sped along
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong
There are serious frustrations, here. I have such a problem with tailgaters, that I will change lanes or pull off the road. My wife wonders why, “You deserve to be on the road as much as that guy does.” “Yes. I do, but I value my life more than being right in that situation.”
S 🤦 Apr 22, 2025 at 9:35pm In response to "Pet Peeves"
1 & 3 are such a pain. Especially the passing then slowing dopwn thing. I live in the country; doing that is downright rude!
As for 2, saying "No problem" to a thank you is almost expected here. In general, we don't like to bignote ourselves (we have a terrible 'tall poppy syndrome' at play), so it becomes hard to accept thanks or praise. Unless you're from Sydney or Queensland... because those people are weird.
4 is not anything I have come across except online and I tend to play the dumb Australian hick.
5 is some I also agree with... though I rarely associate with people who are seen as "intelligent." They don't make for good story fodder.
Wow...a lot of information. My friend's son joined the Navy this past year and has gone to Submarine School to become an underwater welder. Wonder how different things are now compared to "back in the day" LOL.
The week of 7/31 I was in the beautiful town of Penn Yan, New York. I drove to this location because I love road trips, I love seeing the countryside. Plus, Penn Yan is in the finger Lakes Region of NY state, there was bound to be some great scenery. I wasn't disappointed either. There were some beautiful areas to see, my hotel was on the north end of Keuka Lake. Keuka is pronounced Q-Ka, I had to ask that questions. The photo below is from the grounds of the hotel, my room had the same view, but on this morning it was full of raindrops, so being outside was about the only way to snap a photo like this.
This class was a lot different from other classes I've delivered. There were only 2 students, but these two were not technicians. They were what I'd call an end-user. Someone who uses a radio, or supervises a group of people using radios, but do no maintenance on the radios or system themselves. Imagine you have to give a speech, maybe an acceptance speech for receiving an award. You prepare the speech with note cards and such. When you walk on stage though, a sudden gust of wind blows your cards from your hands and there's no hope of retrieving them. That's a bit like this class was for me. I had modified the slideshow and was ready for them, or so i thought. During the first hour I realized that I was not ready to deliver what they wanted, and needed to learn. I have the knowledge to do that for them, but the course materials were nothing close to that. Fortunately we made it all work. When I left they were quite happy with the course materials.
Penn Yan is a very small community, when you enter the town limits, the sign says "Welcome to the Village Of Penn Yan". Yeah, it is thar small. There weren't many restaurant choices there, but I didn't go hungry. As a matter of fact, I gain almost 10 pounds in the last 3 weeks! I am putting myself on a diet, intending to eat a lot less than I normally do, I can't go on like this.
Photo's From Visit:
View From My Hotel in Penn Yan NY
Next week I will work from home before going to Schaumburg Illinois again. A small difference in this class will be having a new instructor sit in the class. Until next time, be good to those you love, spoil them, and write!
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