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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 |
Los Angeles This past week I was in Los Angeles again, this time working with the Los Angeles Unified School District. It was a Networking class, but only 3 students showed up for it. Apparently the customer thought the class was going to be about their new system, new equipment, all that. Instead it was the basic Networking class that is really meant for those who are new to the idea of an IP address/Subnet Mask and what's known as a MAC address. Basic things like that. So a lot of students decided not to attend, and that's fine. I'm going back there in 3 weeks to deliver the class so many of them thought was this past week. Since the class was downtown, I stayed at the Doubletree by Hilton in the middle of the city (Little Tokyo). It was my second trip to LA this year after being there seven times last year. But while this was downtown, half of my seven classes last year were in the Alhambra/Monticello area of Los Angeles. I'm almost feeling like I belong there!  If I enjoyed being in large cities more, I'd be happy. But a smaller city (Bloomington/Normal has maybe 130,000 residents) suits me so much better. It's alright though, at least I'm only there for a week.One student in this class was a little scary at first. His computer skills and ability to follow the written directions in the lab guide really made me wonder. As the week progressed, I saw continued improvement and confidence on his part, reassuring me a bit. He still has a long way to go, but he'll fine if he keeps at it. The key is keeping at it. Most likely his normal job requirements will not allow him much time to work on things. I guess I'll hold my breath and see if he's in the August class, and if he is, see what he remembers. That's the problem with marginal learners half the time. Them using the knowledge they just gained to embed it even firmer than I can in a week. Work has not slacked off one bit, I find myself really looking forward to retirement at the end of 2024. My Current Schedule is below. July 29: Schaumburg Aug 5: Cavalier AFB Aug 12: Los Angeles Aug 19: International Travel Aug 26: Frankfurt, Germany Sept 2: International Travel Sept 9: Boston Sept 16: San Francisco Sept 23: Kalispell, Montana Sept 30: Vacation Oct 7: Tennessee Oct 14: Work from home Oct 21: Schaumburg Oct 28: Vacation to attend the Akita National Specialty Dog Show Nov 4: Seattle Nov 11: Schaumburg Nov 18: Schaumburg Nov 25: Thanksgiving Dec 2: Seattle Dec 9: Fort Lauderdale Dec 16: Fort Lauderdale Dec 23: Christmas! That's it for now. Until my next entry, write all you can, and love everyone, especially those special people who fill your life! JimD  Jim Dorrell |
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is better than suspended upside down in the 'void'. 
