Voice of the DBA

Tag: coping

  • A Byte of Redgate

    When the global pandemic shut down much of the world, we started the Community Circle at Redgate, with the idea that we would try and help others cope with the challenges of being stuck at home the vast majority of the week. There have been a number of efforts, many around learning, but also some other non-technical, non work related items. One of those was released recently.

    front-cover-212x300A Byte of Redgate is a cookbook with recipes from our employees and Friends of Redgate. You can read the story in this blog, and I’m excited to be mentioned. Andy Warren, fellow SQLServerCentral founder, mentioned that a cookbook would be a fun corporate project. I suggested it at one of our meetings and it turned into reality.

    You can download your free copy in pdf and epub formats now and try some new dish.

    I’ve found cooking to be a nice, relaxing, coping mechanism from the blandness of everyday life. I am trying out new recipes every week and enjoying the time with family that hasn’t had many evenings together as my kids have grown into adults.

    Whether you like cooking or not, pass along the link to those that do, or that you might want to make something for you. I’m looking forward to trying a few of the dishes for my family in the coming weeks. These are on top of my list:

    • Banana Bread (gluten free)
    • Tomato Soup Cake
    • BBW Chicken Shawarma Wraps
    • Charlott’s Kofta Curry
    • The Fussy Eater Frittata

  • Daily Coping 21 May 2020

    I’ve 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.

    Today’s tip is to find a way to craft what you are doing to give it more meaning.

    I do a lot, both at work and on the ranch. One of the things that I do regularly is cook dinner. While my kids can cook, they don’t do it much. My wife doesn’t like cooking at all, but I enjoy it. It’s a relaxing exercise for me most nights. Sometimes I need a break, but most times I enjoy it.

    I am trying a variety of things since it’s one of the few places we can get some routine as a family. With kids in school (teaching or learning) and days full of similar activities, I’ve been trying to build some routine in cooking. A few things I’ve tried:

    • mixing gluten free and non gluten free meals
    • often having a veggie/fish main with a meat one
    • doing some favorites everyone has enjoyed once or twice a week
    • trying a new recipe at least once a week

    With a mix of preferences and diets, it’s an interesting challenge. Often I combine some things and separate others. For example, I made spaghetti squash enchilada boats. My wife and son got plant based ground meat in theirs, while my daughter and I got chicken.

    I’ve also added in some once a week baking. I’m not trying to gain weight, but a sweet treat is a nice thing periodically, so I’m doing a bit here and there.

    A small thing, but it’s become more meaningful as our lives slowed down slightly and we’re all together.

  • Daily Coping 20 May 2020

    I’ve 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.

    Today’s tip is: Hand-write a note to someone you love and send them a photo of it.

    A good idea. I haven’t written a letter in a long time to anyone, but I have been reaching out to people randomly to check on them. I decided to send a note to someone I know, but haven’t seen in a few months since the lockdown. I was looking forward to seeing this person in late May, and a few times in April, and didn’t get the opportunity.

    It’s a private note, so nothing here, but it was a good exercise.

  • Daily Coping 19 May 2020

    I’ve 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.

    Today’s tip is take a positive action to help in your local community.

    This is an interesting one. What can you do in your community? You can help someone, or try to help a lot of people. It’s could be a lot of work, or a little thing. I chose a relatively little thing.

    When I saw Tim Radney and Paul Randal printing ear savers, I was intrigued. I’ve been tempted to buy a printer, but honestly, I don’t have time to mess with it, and don’t need another hobby. Between trying to take care of myself, helping on the ranch, cooking for the family, and then spending time with family, I’m a bit worn out. In fact, I’m as busy as I’ve ever been.

    There is a nurse that comes here for lessons, and I chatted with her one day about wearing a mask all the time. She’s used to it, but was interested in ear savers. I pinged Tim and he sent me 6, which was incredibly generous. I gave them to my nurse friend, and she really liked them. I decided to donate more.

    This time, I contacted Paul Randal, mostly because he reached out on Facebook, noting he is looking to continue donating more. I sent him a donation and put in a request for 100. I’m looking to give some to my nurse friend to spread around, but I’m also giving them our randomly at grocery stores, since those people are wearing masks constantly as well, and I can see they sometimes struggle.

    Not sure how much of a difference it will make, but it’s something.