Voice of the DBA

Category: Blog

  • Daily Coping 14 Nov 2022

    Today’s coping tip is to get outside and observe the changes in nature around you .

    Nature is changing in Colorado as winter approaches. It’s been a dry year, and that means that plants have gotten crispy and dry with fire danger. The ground is also extra hard.

    I went outside recently to set up driveway markers for the winter. With 1/4 mile driveway, it’s easy to lose your way in the snow, even for us residents. Trying to put these markers in the ground was an exercise in frustration as I have very hard ground that is brittle. Even in places where I could get the pole in, the holding power of the soil was weak.

    It’s also very brown. Colorado isn’t a green state on much of the plains as it’s a high desert for much of the land, but it’s extra brown this year. The lawn is fading quickly, after a sprinklers ran until October.

    20221107_111222

    While it lightly feels like fall, with cooler weather, the changes this year, with less rain and snow, mean it’s a different land than I normally see.

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQL Server Central newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

  • Off to the Summit and SQL Saturday Oregon

    I’m traveling this morning. My second to last trip of the year, and another long one. Today through the 20th I’ll be in Portland and Seattle.

    First is Portland, where I’m seeing lots of friends and speaking at SQL Saturday Oregon & SW Washington 2022. I have been to Portland for a few SQL Saturdays, and I’m glad to see one coming back to the area. This was one of the first locations for SQL Saturdays back in 2009, and they’ve had quite a few since then.

    Then a first time event for me, the #sqltrain. A few years ago Chris Hyde and a few others decided to go to Portland for the SQL Saturday before the Summit and then take the train up to Seattle. I’ve never done this, usually because I avoided long trips when my kids were kids. However, this time I am excited to join the ride up Sunday.

    Sunday night through the following Sunday are in Seattle for the Data Community Summit. It’s a busy week for me and I have a lot of small speaking things, so I’m going to be running around a bit and rehearsing. With a pre-con on Tuesday, I’m going to be reviewing things Sun and Mon, as well as working on the day 2 keynote. When I’m not working on stuff, I hope to be in the Community Zone to talk about SQL Saturday and general community stuff with whoever walks by.

    Fri night through Sun my wife is coming, so I’m looking forward to a dinner out and a night over on Bainbridge Island as a mini-vacation.

  • Daily Coping Tip 11 Nov 2022

    Today’s coping tip is to make a list of new things you want to do before the end of the year.

    Hmm, definitely some things to do, but what’s new? I’m not great with new as I like routine and familiarity. Here are a few aims:

    • visit Portugal (planned)
    • sand and finish a cheese knife
    • try a new restaurant for date night
    • new approach to coaching, asking more questions rather than telling setters what to do

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQL Server Central newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

  • Thursday is #sqlkilt Day

    At the PASS Data Community Summit, Thursday is the day when the Women in Technology (WIT) luncheon takes place. This is an event I’ve come to enjoy as I do feel it is harder for women to deal not only with all the things I do inside of a company, but they also have the sexual overtones. Often it’s not harassment, but in the US, too many men view women very differently, allowing their hormones to affect their judgment.

    It’s also #sqlkilt day. This was something started for men to show their support for women at the event. I’ve worn a kilt numerous times, including the first year when only 4 of us were in kilts.

    2022-10-25 12_37_19-Pass 2009 _ Flickr

    I’m looking forward to the 2022 WIT panel, which has some friends on it, where they’ll talk about many of the same challenge that all of us face, but with their own perspectives. I’m double committed that day (or maybe triple), but I’m going to swing by and listen as much as I can.

    Hope to see you there, and in a kilt (if you’re a man).