Voice of the DBA

Category: Blog

  • Daily Coping 30 Sep 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 find a moment to sit quietly and breathe for a few minutes.

    I’m traveling today. Up early, I’m going to Pasadena to our office there to see a few people and get away from my small space. I have really missed this, and I’m excited to be going.

    I’m adding a note in my calendar for this trip to follow this tip twice. First, when I get to the airport, which I know will be slightly rushed, I’m going to take a minute after I purchasing food and getting to the gate to stop and sit and breathe. Usually I’m checking email or reading, but here I’m going to sit quietly.  That will be my 7:05a meeting.

    I know when I get to LA, I’ll be riding up to Pasadena. I’m going to avoid music and talking for the first part of the trip, just looking out at LA and letting my mind wander. Think, breathe, and relax. The rest of the day will be busy.

  • Goal Progress for September 2021

    I set goals at the beginning of the year, and I’m tracking my progress in these updates during 2021.

    Not a lot of progress in September. I think this is a bit of a symptom of life for me, as I find myself in a career lull as I get near the end of summer each year. Perhaps a learning item for me is to tackle more things earlier in the year, or later, as I find the end of the year slow.

    I’m also starting to think that my goals should be for part of a year, with a re-assessment at some point. Perhaps 2022 ought to be six month goals, or even 4 months goals and then create new ones, or leave some off.

    Current Grade: C-

    I’m leaving the same grade. Minor things accomplished. Mostly I think September was time away from work spent on life. A new car, chores before winter, and some time with my wife. No regrets here, other than my career stalled.

    Reading

    I did finish Lights Out, and I purchased Thanks for the Feedback. I opened it and got started. I also write a Lights Out review.

    Here’s the current progress:

    Technical Skills

    No real change here.  I have done much coding outside of work.

    Projects

    No real changes here. Minor updates, but not enough time spent on these items.

  • Daily Coping 29 Sep 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 try something different for exercise today, however small.

    My exercise routine for the last year has been roughly this:

    • Yoga 2-3 times a week
    • Weightlifting 1-2 times a week
    • Walking 2-3 times a week, often with weight lifting
    • Swimming 1x week
    • Snowboarding 1-2 times every couple weeks in winter
    • Hiking at times
    • yardwork/chores

    As a change, I decided to do a do some pilates. I had done some years ago, but haven’t done a class at all. My boss used to talk about doing some YouTube classes while traveling, so I decided to try this.

    I found Move with Nicole online, which was similar to yoga, but not quite the same. I did this 30 minute workout. Holy @#$!@#@!#, that was hard. I had to break a few times, and I found some muscles I don’t use enough.

    I may try to add one day a week of Pilates to my movement, but certainly I’ll be sticking with 20-30 minute sessions.

  • Daily Coping 28 Sep 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 extra water day. Drink a bit more than you usually do.

    I try to drink a decent amount of water, but I’ve gotten out of the habit at times. When the pandemic first locked things down, I started to fill 4 water bottles and leave them on my desk, with the goal of drinking them all each day.

    Slowly, I’ve gotten away from that. Today, I’m going back to that. Three large water bottles on the desk this morning.

    20210925_120402

    I’m going to try and rebuild a good habit of drinking more water.