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I went by Best Buy this afternoon, with my updated budget, to grab 2 last gifts and blow out the money. We’re now at 65 gifts, according to my daughter’s count. Lots of DVDs and books, but I’ve added in a few nicer things that we’ll randomly give away:

• A digital camera
• A digital picture frame
• Two Nintendo DSes
• A few Best Buy gift cards
• Some handheld games
• Flash drives

and more.

I’m thinking that I’ll save a $150 gift card, a Zune HD, and a camera for the big gamblers this year.

Lots of great prizes, and about a 1 in 2 or 1 in 3 chance of winning. If you didn’t use the SSC3D code when you registered, be sure to do it next year. We will try to have a new one set up before the end of the year.

I know there are a number of people heading to Seattle this weekend for the PASS Summit next week. I am coming in on Monday, leaving Fri, and pretty much stuck with work all week.

However I know some of you are going to be in town early or late, and might be looking for things to do. I’d recommend that you take in some sights with other SQL people, getting in some networking while you’re seeing the sites. No sense is going alone, unless you’re with family.

Last year (2008), I took my son to Seattle early. We went 4 days before the conference and spent the time traveling around the city, taking in a few things. Some of the things we did were for kids, like the Science Museum, but some were for everyone. I’ll give you a few ideas if you have time.

The Underground Tour – I’d read about this, and my son was really interested, but I wasn’t sure it would be good. I was wrong. It was fun, and interesting. you can read about it, but basically it’s an hour walking around underground, literally below the sidewalks, in the lower downtown area. At one point there was a fire and floods, and when they rebuilt, they built the roads 20 feet higher, burying the first floor of some blocks downtown. Very cool. This is a long walk, but not an expensive cab ride from the convention center.

The Museum of Flight – Maybe you can get the light rail down here, but otherwise it’s south of Seattle. You’ll pass it on the west as you come up from the airport, and will see lots of parked planes, including a Concorde. Seattle is one of the places the flight industry grew up in the US and it’s got a great museum. You can even see the original Air Force 1 plane and walk around inside it and the Concorde.

The Space Needle – A worldwide landmark. Check it out. I’m not one for heights, but my son liked it. There is some interesting information on how it was built as well.

The Experience Music Project / Sci Fi Museum – I missed this for a few years. It was closed one year and it’s a bit of a hike from the convention center, but if you are going to the Space Needle, check it out. There is a lot of music history, especially from the Pacific Northwest, but the fun parts are demo rooms where you can try out various instruments, and even scratch a record or mix a song. Definitely a great place to spend a few hours.

And check out the sci-fi museum inside. It’s great for geeks, with memories of how science fiction has evolved over time and props from many movies.

The Seattle Seahawks – They’re out of town this weekend, but keep it in mind for future Summits. It’s a fun stadium, and a good crowd. We saw the Cardinals come in town last year. In line with that, if you are in Seattle in the spring or summer, check out the Mariners.

There’s more. including a fantastic arts center around the Space Needle. If you like theater, I’d check that out.

Well, not literally. I’m not going to run to Seattle from Denver, but I’ll be running at the Summit.

Last year when the Summit took place, I was about 70 days into my running streak. I was worried about keeping it going at the Summit since it’s a busy week for me. The days are long and I’m meeting and catching up with people all day. In previous years I’ve exercised the first day or two, but then have struggled to get going as the week progresses.

I had some time to get used to it, arriving 4 days early last year with my son and running in the morning before we went sightseeing each day. This year, I’m not arriving early, thought I am staying late, until Saturday.

This year I’ll be over 400 days in, and I’m planning on getting through the week with more running! Look for me in the Sheraton health club somewhere around 6:30-7 each morning.

For the most part, I have an easy schedule. I’ll be in the 600 hallway most morning after the keynote on one of the couches. Likely I’ll have a few friends nearby.

While I pop in and out of some sessions, I’m really there to meet people, catch up with friends, and meet a few new ones. So I’ll be in the expo hall on the 400 floor, or near the sessions on 6 most of the week. Look for a hat, an SSC shirt or jacket, and maybe a kilt one day 🙂

Or look for this laptop:

I’ll likely have it up somewhere on my lap or on a table. If I’m busy writing, I might let you know, but feel free to come say hi. It’s a networking event and I’ll be looking for a closed room if I need to actually get work done.

I’ll also try to do a couple podcasts from the expo floor, or maybe the 6th floor hallway. Feel free to slip into the background and wave or raise some bunny ears behind me. It’s all in fun.

Monday

I do have a few commitments. The SQLServerCentral party on Monday night. I’ll be setting that up Monday afternoon and will host it then. In between that I’ll be in the networking seminar from 4:30-6:30.

Tuesday

I have a morning meeting with my boss, and I’ll be blogging at the keynote, but after that I’ll be in and around the 6th floor for most of the day. There are a few sessions that I might slip into, mostly to see some friends speak, but that will depend on how many people might want to network or chat for a few minutes.

The sessions on Super Bowl load from Michelle Ufford and time zone one look interesting to me. As does the social networking one. I might stop in to see Jacob’s XML session just to say hi.

I’ll be at the Tues night reception for sure, so look for me there.

Wednesday

Another open day for me after keynote coverage. I do have an MVP lunch to attend. Otherwise, I’ll be around.

SSIS and the modern financial institution is interesting. I’m curious since I see SQL Server knocked so often as unable to handle those workloads. Ross’ HA infrastructure, and the SQL CAT panels are possibilities.

Thursday

It feels strange for the Summit to end on a Thursday. After  the keynote, I’ll try to see any people I’ve missed before the Friends of Red Gate dinner at night.

Friday

I’m heading out of town. With my colleagues from Red Gate in town, we’ll spend a couple days outside of Seattle talking shop.