%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |  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.  Best Cultural And Regional Honorable Mention |
South San Francisco The week of 9/16/24 found me back in the south side of San Francisco. I was with the city, specifically their RF Technicians. It was my second time here this year, I had a pretty nice time as you'll see. The class was the typical Networking class, it went very well. While I had my issues with the Juniper Router content early on, that's all behind me now. I've wrapped my mind around the course content for this piece of equipment and can answer most any question asked about it. The class itself flew by, mainly because I've gone to using Powerpoint slides only on the first half of the first day. After that, it's almost all hands-on activities for the students. I mean, no one likes 'Death By Powerpoint' after all. When delivering Powerpoint class material, I see the looks on some faces, and think of the movie, "Ferris Bueler's Day Off". Yeah, sometimes I see those faces from the movie. And yes, this is exactly what I wrote in my post about being in Boston. Why? Because it's true. I had made my trip plans for both this class and the one the next week when I received an email about this customer wanting this class delivered in 4 days instead of 5. I hadn't done this before, and needed to understand where we needed to end each day to ensure the class was completed on time. Additionally, i had already submitted my expense report for flying here, and on to Kalispell the next week. Since it was already paid, I decided not to go home Thursday night or Friday Morning, and stay in the area and visit Alcatraz, a place I've wanted to visit for a long time. Flying home would have exhausted me, making it difficult to deliver the first couple of days in Kalispell. I managed to snap a few photos while touring Alcatraz.  The big difference between my first time here and this time, is that there was a 'Sales Force' Conference going on, and hotel prices were a lot more than that first time. I was vrery lucky though, the students recommended two excellent restaurants to dine at. Of course I had to try them both and one on Fishereman's Wharf after touring Alcatraz. Noteworthy Restaurants: Moonraker https://www.moonrakerpacifica.com/ This restaurant is a little pricey, and not being all that hungry, I ordered small plates. Their Prawn Cocktail (3 LARGE Prawns with Cocktail sauce (with a nice dab of Horseradish in it) and horseradish. I enjoyed that more than allowed. I also had their Crispy Green Beans with Chipotle chili ancho aioli. Let's just say I left there completely satisfied with my meal. Nick's Restaurant https://nicksrestaurant.net/ Nick's sits across the street from Moonraker, both places had excellent views of the ocean! At Nick's, I had one of my favorite Mediterranean style dishes. Warm Feta Cheese and Roasted Garlic, Kalamata Olives, Sundried Tomato, Basil and Baguettes. Wow, I can still taste them now. My entree was Cajun Sautéed Prawns, Scampi Style, Fresh Herbs and Garlic in a Lemon Butter White wine sauce ~ mashed potato ~ vegetables du jour. Yeah, I ate well that nightl Fog Harbor Fish House https://fogharbor.com// This place was on the Fisherman's Whark, just off the Embarcadaro. I took one look at their menu on line and new I had to dine there. How about Red Chili Garlic Shrimp - Red chili paste, onions, peppers and garlic. It was a little spicy (I wonder why? And do you see a Garlic theme here?), I ended up dredging my Baguette in the Red Chili Paste. What about Cioppino? I love a good Cioppino, and just had to have it. Crab, Fresh Fish, Shrimp, Scallops, Clams and Mussels, stewed in a seafood tomato broth. A local classic. This was by far the best Cioppino I can recall enjoying. My Current Schedule (I don't see this changing either). Sept 23: Montana (Federal Customer who maintains Hungry Horse Dam) Sept 30: Vacation Oct 7: Chatanooga Tennessee Oct 14: Work from home Oct 21: Schaumburg Oct 28: Vacation, 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: For Lauderdale Dec 23: Christmas/New Years 'Relaxation' Dec 30: Christmas/New Years 'Relaxation' My 2025 Schedule is pretty blank, mainly because I will be retiring. But, I think our boss feels I will leave in January, not the end of April as I have planned. We'll see what happens. That's it for now. Until my next entry, write all you can, and love everyone, especially those special people who fill your life!  Jim Dorrell |
Boston, Ma The week of 9/10/24 found me smack-dab in the center of Boston, Massachusetts. I was with the city, specifically the Boston PD, FD, and EMS people. Being in the center of a major city, I didn't rent a car, I used Uber all week. It's easier on me not driving in that traffic, less expensive in reality. I had decent restaurants nearby, and walked to them each night. This is my first time in the city of Boston. I've flown in and out of Logan Airport several times, so that's not brand new to me. Have I told you I don't like large cities? I much prefer living in a city the size of Bloomington. Bloomington is actually Bloomington/Normal. The two cities/towns have gradually merged over the years, I live in the southern part of the town, in Bloomington. So I prefer smaller cities/municipalites over large Urban areas, the lifestyle there suits me better, I'm much more comfortable living there than I was in the Chicago Suburbs. The class itself flew by, it's one of those that I'm the only qualified instructor (who can travel) that delivers it. I've gone to using Powerpoint slides only on the first half of the first day. After that, it's almost all hands-on activities for the students. I mean, no one likes 'Death By Powerpoint' after all. When delivering Powerpoint class material, I see the looks on some faces, and think of the movie, "Ferris Bueler's Day Off". Yeah, sometimes I see those faces from the movie. And of course, with the Boston PD technicians in class, they all sat together. As did the Boston FD Techs. And you guessed it, so did the Boston EMS Techs. The key to delivering this class well, and almost any technical class, is to know their system, and how it's connected to what is known as the Core. This wasn't a system class though, but we did get off topic a few times to discuss those connections I arrived Monday and met with the Project Manager at the training site Monday afternoon. He and a couple of Engineers were there, and we talked about things to expect from tthe students in the class. I was 'warned' about the two students they were placing in the front row, and the subjects they would bring up. I've delivered this class many times, and have seen many types of students, and told them so. Apparently they were worried that these two might ask questions about basic RF topics that I might not be reay for. Let's just say, I was ready, and had the knowledge to easily answer their questions. One of them was older than me by about 4 years. He goes back to the old RF systems in his discussions, but I've read up all I can on that. You have to in delivering this class. We got along great! He insisted on giving me a ride to the hotel each afternoon, he had a pretty low opinion of Uber drivers. On the last day when he dropped me off he said, "Jim, I've only known you for three days, but it seems like we've known each other for a lifetime." To me, that was quite a compliment. Noteworthy Restaurants: The Pearl https://www.thepearlsouthbay.com/eat2 This was a good place to dine. The staff was excellent, not to mention the food. I had to try their New England Clam Chowder, it was a little thinner than the chowder I had at a different place (not mentionied here), I enjoyed it more. It contained plenty of clams, enough potatoes, bacon, and chives to accompany it, but not overpower it. While their Shrimp Linguini was good, the tomato sauce used in it overpowered it. There was plenty of Jumbo Shrimp in it though, that is what saved it in my eyes. My Current Schedule (I don't see this changing either). Sept 16: San Francisco Sept 23: Montana (Federal Customer who maintains Hungry Horse Dam) Sept 30: Vacation Oct 7: Chatanooga Tennessee Oct 14: Work from home Oct 21: Schaumburg Oct 28: Vacation, 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: For Lauderdale Dec 23: Christmas/New Years 'Relaxation' Dec 30: Christmas/New Years 'Relaxation' That's it for now. Until my next entry, write all you can, and love everyone, especially those special people who fill your life! Jim Dorrell |
Frankfurt, Germany The Nine Days I spent in Franfurt flew past all too quickly. The class went very well with an open invitartion to return in 2025. Rondall (my contact point for the Department of State) knows I plan to retire in April, he also knows I'm tentatively sheduled to return the last week of January, and be there two weeks. We talked about courses his new techs should receive, so we'll see where this goes. This is my second time in Frankfurt, I was here in December 2017 and was able to experience their Christmas Market. There was no Christmas Market in August of course, but I did find a street market of sorts. A few places sold traditional German food, a few sold beer, but the biggest selling item was wine. It was crowded, but the crowds didn't bother me. I enjoyed walking thru the market, and found myself wondering why this was happening. My students said that Germans don't need a holiday to celebrate together. Being that they were all Americans, what do they know?  I kid a little, but I'm also serious. There was a reason they were gathering, but that part escaped me. I found the market on Wednesday, and dined there every night until I left on Saturday morning. Th first night I had a foot long frankfurter (not a hot dog really), and a mix of sauteed vegetables. The second night I had a much shorter Frankfurter in a bun. I forfgetr what I had Friday night. One of the benefits of all this, is that I walked far more than normal for me. I've become a bit sedentary in my old age, an enjoyed walking, no matter how much it hurt or bothered me.Tuesday night about half the class gathered at Moxy's Irish Pub to say Goodbye to a teammate, Mike. He had 'bid for', and gotten a post with the Embassy in New Delhi, India. He flew out the next day. It was an enjoyble time seeing the guys in an environment other than the classroom. Abbout the 'bid for'. Every 3-4 years, the bid on being assigned to an Embassy, a post. Mike had bid on the New Delhi position and gotten it. I would love to be able to do that. That kind of travel really appeals to me, and if I was 20 years younger, I'd be applying for a position with them. But I'm not, so I won't. Besides, I don't think my other half would want to move around like that, and neither one of us would want me to do this job unaccompanied. But think of the places you could go!  No, I'm not going. I'd love to, but I'm not.I snapped a few photo's while out tha first weekend. Here is one of a statues of Goethe. (A repeat of a previous post)  It's a very appropriate photo of the man who is widely regarded as the greatest and most influential writer in the German language. That's it for now. Until my next entry, write all you can, and love everyone, especially those special people who fill your life! 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
is better than suspended upside down in the 'void'. 
