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 Being Retired now, I thought that it was time for a new name to this Blog |
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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 |
New(er) Van? No! Today was an interesting day. Our Akita had a appointment with the Groomer at noon. Though he saw them 2 weeks ago, he needed to be washed and brushed again. I assure you, our light brown carpet was testament to his continued shedding.  Also, I had an appointment with my Oncologist at 1 pm. So I opted to drop Buddy off at the Groomer (Business name is Hair Of The Dog, a very appropriate name in my eyes), then I stopped by to see that 2022 Transit Connect. It's nice, but not what I wanted. Why? My van is the Titanium Edition, the top of the line for Ford Models. And I'm spoiled. Here is a little thing it has, that XLT Model (That blue van) doesn't have. Automatic Interval Wipers. I leave my wipers on all the time, except in a Car Wash. They don't operate until the windshield get wet. The Van senses the wet windshield and operates the wipers intermittently. If it rains harder, the wipers interval is shorter, so they are on as needed. If it rains really hard (downpour), the wipers will come on all the time. When the rain stops, the wipers stop. See, I'm so spoiled. What it really boiled down to is this. This newer Van didn't offer anything that wasn't already on our van. The only good thing about it was that it has less mileage (46000 to my van's 119000), and a chance to spend a bit of money. The dealership was asking $24000 for it, I would have stayed at $17000 out of my pocket. Why? I've put almost $5000 into it this year, at that dealership! I realize they wouldn't give me that $5000 back in trade in allowance. I know my van blue book is only about $4000, so I was looking to get $3000 back in trading in a better model van (Titanium vs XLT), and trade in value. I'm not sure they would have agreed to that though. Now, there's no worry, is there? |
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