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 |  I travel the country on business, sometimes the world. Come see where I've been. |
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Talk about perks, my job has one of the best ones I can think of! I travel 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. I'm qualified to deliver approximately 30 different classes, but about half of those are 'Legacy' classes, and are not in demand anymore. My students are technicians, those who maintain, program, calibrate, and repair 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 get to travel, sometimes frequently, 3-4 weeks in a row.... where am I this week? This probably won't have daily entries, but I will make entries when I get to go somewhere, and keep an updated list of coming trips. My schedule changes faster than the weather, so don't be too surprised to see me list an upcoming class, only to remark later on that it is cancelled, or delayed. Delays are fine of course, but a later date might mean that someone else gets to go instead of me,,, Well, here we go with this, let's see where it takes us.  Best Cultural And Regional Honorable Mention |
| Locale: Dover, Delaware Week of: 2/13/23} This past week I was in Dover, Delaware delivering one of our Networking classes.. I was in Dover 13 years ago, but remember very little about being there, so going again was nice. This class has changed quite a bit in the last two months, but the hands-on activities are the only thing changed. So far. Overall the class went well, but there was one sticking point in configuring the new Juniper router. New to us, not new to the industry. In one of the hands-on activities, a file is copied to a USB drive, then copied to the router. This is not something they will need to do most likely. Whty would they not do this activity? Because they will use Secure File Transfer (SSH), and a software program called WinSCP.. The same file can be transferred this way, but it's done via drag-n -drop. I explained that to them, but since we were unable to accomplish the USB file transfer, a couple of them gave me less than favorable grades in their critiques. That's fine, I feel I should be able to do all the hands-on activities almost blindfolded, so I deserve those marks. The only problem is, I need time to work on the hands-on activities for this class, but will not be able to do that until mid-April! In case any of you are interested, here is my updated schedule through April. I am currently in St. Augustine Florida on that much needed 2 weeks of vacation. I have delivered classes for 6 weeks straight, and worked with another instructor the week of 1/2, so I've not had a break since New Years. I could use one, but if push came to shove, I could deliver a class this week. But... I did schedule this vacation.  Week of 2/20 - VACATION Week of 2/27 - VACATION Week of 3/6 - Los Angeles Week of 3/13 - Savannah, Georgia Week of 3/20 - Schaumburg, Illinois Week of 3/27 - Kentucky Week of 4/3 - Schaumburg, Illinois Week of 4/10 - Work from home Week of 4/17 - Kentucky Week of 4/24 - Kentucky In Closing My next trip will be back to Los Angeles in two weeks. Until my next entry stay safe, be good, be healthy, and take care of those you love! Jim Dorrell |
| Locale: Salina, Kansas Week of: 2/6/23} This week I am in Salina Kansas again, delivering the same class I delivered here in July 2022. One of the students in that class was a senior tech for the State Wide System and liked the class so much that he said more needed to attend it. That's how I came to be scheduled here this week. This class has gone well, but is quite different from the class in July. Six students are in this class, and four of them are not technically inclined. In fact, even the experienced techs have quite the knowledge gap in some areas. Then again, so do I. So I have delivered this class a little different from the first class. I have to discuss things in less technical terms to ensure everyone grasps the concepts of RF Systems. Having delivered this class for over 20 years really helps though. Salina is a small town though, there isn't a lot to see and do here, and of course, being a small town means there's a limited number of restaurants to dine at. Let's face it, it wouldn't hurt me to miss a few meals.  In case any of you are interested, here is my updated schedule through April Week of 2/13 - Dover Delaware Week of 2/20 - VACATION Week of 2/27 - VACATION Week of 3/6 - Los Angeles Week of 3/13 - Savannah, Georgia Week of 3/20 - Schaumburg, Illinois Week of 3/27 - Kentucky Week of 4/3 - Schaumburg, Illinois Week of 4/10 - Work from home Week of 4/17 - Kentucky Week of 4/24 - Kentucky In Closing Next week I will be in Dover Delaware, delivering a new version of a Networking Class. I've already delivered this version once, this one should go a little better. Until my next entry stay safe, be good, be healthy, and take care of those you love! Jim Dorrell |
| Locale: Colorado Springs Week of: 1/30/23} This week I am in :Colorado Springs for a class that trains technicians how to program and test one of our newer radios. The only thing is, over half the students are VERY Experienced. To say that our discussions about the radio have been informative would be a gross understatement. They are performing maintenance to a level that Motorola Solutions does not 'support'. What that means is, they're going above and beyond. Getting here was another challenge that I've posted about in the Newsfeed. "Note: You might remember that in [Link to Note #897433..." Yes, my Guarddian Angel watched over me as I traveled here. I believe everyone has their own Guardian Angel, it's just a matter of realizing it and following their advice. With so many very experienced students in this class, it's been a bit of a challenge, something I love. in every class, I canvas the students first thing Monday morning. I am interested in their background, knowledge of the device they're being trained on, and what is important for them to know once the class is done. I learned that 6 of the 11 students have a background in RF Theory and maintenance. Their background was so good that I wondered why they were in the class. Despite all this, the class has gone well, but it's been a challenge/ I've spoken with all the students though, and things do seem to be going well. Tomorrow is the last day of class. I don't travel until Saturday morning though, when I will fly to Wichita Kansas for a class in Salina Ks next week. Tomorrow I will drive to Littleton, a Denver suburb. I will meet Mike Writer_Mike  for a late lunch/early dinner. I'm still holding out hope that someone else in the area would like to join us. I guess we'll see come tomorrow. We are meeting at Smokin' Fins, a place I dined at five years ago, and loved. Their Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Avocado is excellent! https://www.smokinfinsrestaurant.com/bestlittletonseafoodrestauant Speaking of restaurants, where have I dined this week?Noteworthy Restaurants: Phantom Canyon https://phantomcanyon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PCBC_Dinner_Menu_Fall2022_Version13.pdf The Pork Green Chili (Yes, Chili, not chile in this case) and Fish Taco's were on order that night. Both were excellent, but I ended up having one of the taco's for breakfast the next morning. T-Byrds Tacos & Tequila https://www.musthavemenus.com/app/pdf/7389 One of my students joined me for dinner this night. I loved having some company, we chatted off and on. I ordered us a small Quesadilla, and had their Sriracha Ranch Chicken Taco, and their Dressed To Kill Shrimp Taco for dinner. Do you hear "Yum"? Mama Pearl's Cajun Kitchen https://www.mommapearls.com/our-menu/ Given a chance to have Cajun Food, I'll take it! I really wanted Boudin, but they were out of it. I settled for a combo appetizer of Southern Fried Okra and Jalapeno Cornbread Hushpuppies. Dinner was the Catfish Coubion (Catfish Court Buillion, pronounced Catfish Coo-bee-on) All three restaurants are worth another visit should I return for future classes. Photo's From Visit:  Pike's Peak Seen From My Hotel In Closing Next week I will be in Salina Kansas again, delivering That basic RF Class. I will write about this trip later once things are done. Until my next entry stay safe, be good, be healthy, and take care of those you love! Jim Dorrell |
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