%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 Being Retired now, I thought that it was time for a new name to this Blog |
|
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 was a Senior Training Specialist for Motorola Solutions, and taught classes on a wide variety of subjects centered around 2-way radio communications. I knew that when the time arrived that I would retire, and I have. 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 were not in demand anymore. My students were 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? Some of the places I've been (I can't list them all here, the list would be toio long) are pretty interesting. 1. Hawaii - Four times, Oahu, Maui (twice), and the Big Island 2. BangkokThailand, twice 3. Frankfurt Germany, twice 4. Algiers, Algeria 5. Melbourne Australia 6. Bismarck North Dakota, Summer & Winter 7. Los Angeles, Too many times to count 8. Washington DC, Too many times to count 9. Seattle three or four times 10. Texas, all over the state 11. Florida, all over the state 12. New Mexico, HOME! Several times  Best Cultural And Regional Honorable Mention |
| Locale: Central Illinois Last week found me home of course, enjoying life in a small 900 Sq. Ft House. Gee, reminds me of life on a submarine. Except I can go out some, feel the weather, and enjoy life. I delivered my first Fleetmapping class as an online class, after spending three weeks working on improving/modifying the course materials. The class went well, with nice feedback received from the students. I've delivered classes online since 2002, but for the most part, mostly one class. This class is a lot different, I really enjoyed delivering it. Of course I didn't tell the students it was my first time delivering it, that would not have been good. I was pleased with my delivery, the comments from the students made it all the better. Right now, I'll be home all of May, and go to Tokyo the first week of June. But, Japan has travel restrictions in place, you cannot travel there if you've been in the US in the last 14 days. My answer is that my boss should send me somewhere for 2 weeks, then send me to Japan! Like that's going to happen.  It would be nice to think that this will all go back to how it was sometime in May, but I think it will take a lot longer to get there, IF we ever get there. The world has changed, people have changed, some are acutely aware of how easy a virus can spread. Guess they never watched 'The Stand', did they?  That's about it for now. Stay home, stay safe and healthy. Write all you can, love your loved ones, you never know when they may be called off God's Green Earth. Til next time, be good to yourself, and once again, write!  Jim Dorrell |
| Locale: Bloomington, Illnois Well, it's been six weeks since I arrived home from Winnipeg. It's been a bit of an amazing journey too. I guess I could get used to working from home, and I should because we'll be doing more of it. No, travel won't stop entirely, but those who are used to working in Schaumburg need to get more used to it than I do. I don't think we'll ever get back to the way it was before Pandemic. Right now, I will remain at home through May31st. Then, at least as of right now, I will fly to Tokyo for a class, and life will be a bit more normal for me. Most of my current classes are tentative, meaning the customer hasn't committed to the dates, but right now I am scheduled to be in: 1. Week of 6/1 - Tokyo, (already mentioned) 2. Week of 6/15: Kentucky State Police, most likely will be in Frankfort. 3. Week of 7/6: White House Communications Agency 4. Week of 7/20: US Senate Sergeant At Arms 5. Week of 8/17: Western Area Power Administration - Folsom, California I have other classes currently scheduled for Schaumburg that will most likely become online classes. Only time will tell. In Closing I am home through April and May right now, giving me three months at home. I have not been home that long for over 18 years now. Guess I should get used to it. One thing's for sure. I'm staying busy! Til next time, be good to yourselves and those you love, and WRITE! Jim Dorrell |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
