Voice of the DBA

Tag: life

  • The Linux CoC

    This is a busy time of year for me, with lots of conferences and other events taking place. It’s busy most years, but this past October was especially busy in my life. I’ve been in New York, London, and Hong Kong during the month, which is quite a spread of time zones. It’s been a mix of work and pleasure, and I agreed to all these trips, so I can’t complain. In any case, it’s both an exciting set of trips and a daunting set, and I don’t know if I’d want to do that again.

    In my travels, I noticed some press about a new Linux Kernel Code of Conduct. This is a change from the original Code of Conflict that Linus Torvalds published. I’m not sure he adhered to his own words from the reports I’ve seen over the years about his comments to developers. In any case, he signed off, though not everyone likes the new code of conduct. I don’t know enough about the issues, but I do realize that not everyone behaves well towards others, especially in this business.

    In any case, I go to lots of conferences. I meet lots of people, and see lots of different situations play out between attendees, organizers, venues, and speakers. For the most part people are fairly well behaved and treat each other respectfully. That’s not always the case, which is why many conferences and organizations have adopted some Code of Conduct that should apply to those that attend events, are members, etc. I do think this is a good idea, as it gives us a common framework where we can evaluate behavior as well as debate future changes.

    Last week PASS has their annual Summit, with their own Anti-Harassment policy. While I haven’t observed any actions that would violate the policy, I have had friends report they have experienced these types of behavior. I’ve had friends ask for an escort over concerns of potential behavior. It’s sad that this happens in the world, but it’s a reality. I’m glad that organizations are trying to move in a direction that protects those that feel harassed or threatened.

    It’s likely that there will be overreactions, reports of misunderstandings, and similar issues. Certainly some people want the freedom to behave as they see fit, where they don’t believe they are doing anything wrong. I understand that, but ultimately I also believe that it would be better to have a few people investigated or thrown out of a conference for no reason than have others suffer because they aren’t believed. I’m here for any of you that are struggling with abuse, and I hope others are as well.

    I hope that we learn to live by the famous quote from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure: be excellent to each other. If some of you can’t do that, then at least learn to live by Wheaton’s Law.

    Steve Jones

    The Voice of the DBA Podcast

    Listen to the MP3 Audio ( 3.6MB) podcast or subscribe to the feed at iTunes and Libsyn.

  • In Memorium

    I’m getting older, and as I remind people when I talk about careers and balance, I likely have less life ahead of me than behind me. I think about that as I try to enjoy life and appreciate the good and bad things I experience. I’ve had a wonderful life, and I can’t complain about anything. I wish everyone could say the same thing. My apologies in advance for the tone of this editorial.

    This week I added a new category to the Database Weekly newsletter: Obituaries. I had Andy Warren suggest this earlier in the year, but I neglected to do it then, mostly because it’s a sad reminder of loss. This past week we experienced another loss in the #SQLFamily, with the passing of Naomi Williams on Oct 30. There is a memorial fund set up for her children. I only briefly knew Naomi as a fellow speaker and the organizer of SQL Saturday #550 – San Antonio, but I enjoyed her enthusiasm and joyful nature.

    This wasn’t our only loss this year. Tom Roush passed away on Jan 30, 2018 (his book of stories is available). Robert Davis passed on April 2, 2018 (memorial fund), and I found out this week that Aaron Lowe had passed on July 23, 2018. I’m sure there are others, and while I don’t want to learn we’ve lost others, I’d appreciate anyone letting me know so I can remember them fondly.

    Life goes on, and we all must deal with losses. Those increase as we age, and that’s becoming a regular occurrence as days pass by. Whether it’s someone I’ve shaken hands with or an individual famous in for some aspect of their lives, death is something that I see far too often.

    Many of these are sudden, unexpected, and unpreventable. However, a few aren’t, and I’d like to ask all of you to ensure you help others where you can. Suicide has taken a few people I have known, and if any of you are struggling, please seek help. If you know someone struggling, please refer them to a suicide hotline. If any of you ever need to talk, I’m here as are many of your friends and family. We have enough tragedy in life, so please don’t withdraw completely.

    This is a sad week for me, but I’ll toast to my current and passed friends at the Summit with fond memories, enjoying the moments we have and and will have in this life.

    Steve Jones

    The Voice of the DBA Podcast

    Listen to the MP3 Audio ( 5.1MB) podcast or subscribe to the feed at iTunes and Libsyn.

  • Off for a Holiday

    This has been a crazy month, and it’s getting crazier. So far I’ve been to these places this month:

    • Washington, D.C.
    • New York City
    • London

    Today I’m in Chicago for the SQL in the City Summit. I flew in yesterday, prepped, and today is the event. It’s exciting, and I’m glad this is the end of the Summits because I fly home late tonight, arriving around 10.

    That gives me 12 hours to get home, unpack, repack, get back to the airport before a 10am flight to Hong Kong. I probably need to sleep in there as well.

    I’ve never been, but my wife and I booked a short trip, so I’ll be gone for the next week, taking a break from my travels with a more travel, but it should be exciting.

    Enjoy Halloween without me.

  • How are you recharging this year?

    This is the end of the first half of the year. I’m hoping it’s been a good half year for you, as it has for me. I’ve traveled less, done a few more things outside of work, but had a good time at work as well. I’ve had to work on some projects and content that are engaging and fun. I’m looking forward to the next half of the year.

    No matter how much we enjoy our career, we all need to get away from work at some point. It’s important. We would love the perfect work-life balance, though I don’t know what that means or if it’s possible. You can make your job a little better taking some time to get away from work and getting refreshed and recharged. Today, I wanted to ask about your plans this year.

    How are you recharging?

    I just got back from a vacation with my wife. I had to travel for work and she came with me, putting up with a couple days of my work commitments before we took a few days to tour and enjoy the west coast of Ireland together. We are trying to do that more as my kids get older and more independent. We’ve taken a few trips over the last couple years and have another one planned later, when she’ll travel with me to Norway.

    It’s not just work trips. We also have a long family vacation planned in July, with two weeks of camping as we drive up to Glacier National Park and try to keep everyone mostly unwired. We’ll see how it goes, and certainly my middle son will need some connectivity as he’s in the middle of Linear Algebra and C++ programming classes, but hopefully the time will be minimal. Maybe I’ll get to watch him code some C++ and remember how glad I am that I don’t have to do that anymore.

    Let me know today if you have any plans for this year (or if you’ve already competed them). It’s always neat to hear the ways in which people look to spend their spare time. If you haven’t made any plans, I’d suggest you stop for a few minutes and think about how you might recharge away from work and try to get some plans in place.

    Steve Jones

    The Voice of the DBA Podcast

    Listen to the MP3 Audio ( 4.3MB) podcast or subscribe to the feed at iTunes and Libsyn.