Voice of the DBA

Tag: Memories

  • The Chili Shirt–Memories of Euan Garden

    Early on in the history of SQL Server Central, we were offered the chance to work in a booth a TechEd and promote our little site. Brian Knight, Andy Warren, and I took the opportunity to go and hang out at the conference. I think this was 2004 or 2005, and we decided we should have logo’d shirts. I was given the task of choosing them and getting them customized.

    I ended up going with Hawaiian shirts, doing 3 for each of us in different designs. The idea was to wear a new one each day and match each other. I chose a fish theme, a traditional flower theme, and a chili-pepper theme.

    It was at that conference that I met Euan Garden, who was working for Microsoft with the SQL Server team. I enjoyed talking with him and seeing him talk about the platform. He liked the shirts and asked if we’d make him one. No one had asked, and I thought it would be good marketing, so I had another one made and gave it to him at another event. I don’t even have my shirt anymore, but it’s this one:

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    I don’t have a picture with Euan (actually, I don’t have the shirt anymore). This was pre-iPhone, pre cameras everywhere, back when I made most calls to Brian and Andy on a land-line, reserving the expensive minutes on cellular for emergencies.

    Over the years I’ve seen Euan at various events and had a short chat. I’ve enjoyed our interactions, and I’ve thought of him every time I wear that shirt.

    I’m stunned at his passing, on a day where the husband of another friend also passed.

    Life is truly short, and you must enjoy it while you have it.

  • 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

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