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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/profile/blog/jim-d/day/12-20-2020
by Sum1
Rated: E · Book · Travel · #1779685
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.

A signature for exclusive use for members with Honorable Mentions in the 2019 Quill Awards
Best Cultural And Regional Honorable Mention
December 20, 2020 at 7:56pm
December 20, 2020 at 7:56pm
#1000578
Locale: Helena, Montana

Week of: December 14, 2020

         This week I was in Seattle first, now Helena, Montana. It's a one day class that consists entirely of hands-on activities for the students. We started this after the Pandemic halted all classes for about seven weeks. Right now, we do a class online using Adobe connect that is all theory and discussion. Then we go to the customer's site and conduct one day of hands on training. We can do more days if needed, but for these two classes, one day was sufficient.


         As much as I was disappointed in the hotel restaurant in Seattle, I couldn't be more pleased with my dining options in Helena. Surprisingly you were allowed to dine in at Helena restaurants. I arrived Wednesday afternoon and found a place that appealed to me, and went there. It was so good, I went back Thursday night before flying out Friday morning.


         I had hoped to meet Kåre Enga in Montana in Great Falls this trip. Great Falls was the original location of the training, but when I called last week (after that last minute change to my schedule), I found out it would be in Helena. It would have been nice to meet up, but sadly that wasn't possible.... *Frown* There's always a chance I'll be scheduled to go back, they have a lot more training they need, so we'll see what happens.


         The class was held at a radio site on a mountaintop about 30 miles south of Helena. The mountain wasn't all that high compared to the surrounding terrain, but still, it was beautiful up there. The building that houses the radio equipment was heated of course, so it was very comfy there. The class itself went very well, I used my portable projector to show my computer screen on a blank wall, and had the students access the software while I directed them on what to do. There was a lot of discussion, questions, and note taking throughout the day.


Noteworthy Restaurants:


         Hokkaido Ramen & Isakaya          https://hokkaidoramen.life/helena/ I didn't expect to find this caliber of Japanese/Oriental restaurant in Helena, but I did. Their Tantanken Ramen was excellent, as was their 'Crazy Roll' Sushi. I had to have Edamame also, and could have dined there all week if this had been a week long class. I wouldn't have done that in actuality, because I really like trying different places to see what is out there. Excellent food really, and a nice, relaxing atmosphere.


Photo's From Visit:


Mountaintop Training Site



Naked Mountaintop Tree



In Closing

         I will spend the weekend at home before going to Schaumburg for two days next week. After that, my year is done, except there are things I need to get done to be ready for the New Year. It never stops, and that's fine with me. Til next time, be good to yourselves and those you love, and WRITE!



Jim Dorrell


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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/profile/blog/jim-d/day/12-20-2020