I travel the country on business, sometimes the world. Come see where I've been. |
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. |
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 Write_Mikey_Write! 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: 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 |