Category: Blog

  • Daily Coping 12 Nov 2021

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral 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.

    Today’s tip is to be creative – cook, draw, write, paint, make, or inspire.

    I am often creative at work, with writing and working through solutions to fit client’s needs. That sometimes spends my energy and I struggle to get creative outside of work.

    Plus, I have no shortage of things that just need to be done, like rebuilding a generator shed or painting the bathroom (both current projects).

    However, I’m going to try and be creative today. I made a small desk stand for my phone a few years ago. My Mom was looking for one recently, and I just sent one from Amazon due to time, but I’ve been wanting to be better.

    I found a basic one that is a good design inspiration for me. It’s a simple wooden stand, with a few cuts in it. I’m going to try and cut the wood out and sand it down tonight. Then I’m going to route out a circle in the back and embed a wireless charger inside. This will be a fun project, and likely a gift for someone in my life.

  • Daily Coping 11 Nov 2021

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral 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.

    Today’s tip is to change your normal routine today and notice how you feel.

    I don’t have a strict routine, but I tend to follow along similar things every week. For a Thursday, I would usually try to get to work early, then find a time to break at the gym, and come back, cook dinner and hang out with the family.

    This is usually a day to relax a bit more in my week. Since I’m a bit too type A, and the weather is still good this week, I’m going to shake things up. Most of the day is in the Summit today, hanging out and looking to see if people swing by. However, I’m going to get going early today (I have an 8am meeting), and then break away around 2 to get outside and mow some of the pasture for a couple hours.

    With the time change last weekend, I only have until about 430 to get things done. Also, I had to cut short my Sunday time as a metal hydraulic tube blew out and I had to replace it, so I lost a few hours of mowing then.

    I’ll likely catch up on some work after that, doing a little writing and reflecting on the Summit and then cook later for the family. Or get my kid to cook.

  • Daily Coping 10 Nov 2021

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral 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.

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

    It’s getting cold in Colorado, and I realized that I wasn’t really outside the last week. I got in the car, drove to the gym or store, and came home. I decided to take a break and go out to watch my wife and son feed the horses. They’re nature, right?

    It was good to be out in the world a bit more than I have been, watching how the animals behave, seeing the changes of the property in fall, feeling the crisp, albeit chilly, wind.

  • SQL Saturday at the Summit

    At the PASS Data Community Summit today, I’ll be in the Community Zone to talk about SQL Saturday and answer questions from people. I have a few other times reserved as well, and the room will be open today through Friday. My time commitments are:

    • Wed, Nov 10, 2021 – 16:00-17:30 EST
    • Thu, Nov 11, 2021 – 12:00-13:30 EST
    • Fri, Nov 12, 2021 – 10:00 – 11:13 EST

    Stop by then and let’s talk about how to build local events in the future.

    Pass the word to others as well.

    When you enter the Community Zone, the list of rooms is on the right. Look for the SQL Saturday room.