Voice of the DBA

Tag: SQL Saturday

  • Coming to SQL Saturday #60 in Cleveland

    It’s just a couple weeks away, on Super Bowl weekend. I can’t believe this is event #60, still in shock that this amazing franchise has grown to large.

    I’ll be at SQL Saturday #60 in Cleveland on Feb 5, 2011, with my good friend Allen White (blog | @SQLRunr), talking about building your brand and the Modern Resume. There are lots of great speakers joining me there, including Aaron Bertrand (blog | @aaronbertrand), Mike Walsh (Blog | @Mike_Walsh), and more.

    I’ve never been to Cleveland, so I’m looking forward to the trip. I don’t know how much time I’ll have to see the city, arriving Fri afternoon and leaving Sun afternoon, but I’m going to try to do something. I know there’s a Sun morning run being set up somewhere, and I’m looking forward to that. It should be about say 879 for me then, so plan on joining us for a short, slow, 2-3 mi one that morning if you want.

    Hopefully I’ll get home in time for the Super Bowl Sun night, but if not, I’ll have it on the DVR and I’ll catch up on it Monday.

  • SQL Saturday #45 Cancelled

    I hate not living up to commitments. It really, really bothers me and I have tried hard in my career to under-promise and over-deliver. However I’m going to get a big fat #FAIL for SQL Saturday #45.

    I found out last night that my son has his black belt test scheduled for Jan 22, 2011. That’s the same day as SQL Saturday #45 in Louisville, KY, an event that I have been planning on attending for a few months. I tried to get the test moved, but our karate school only does black belt testing twice a year, and they bring in another teacher from out of town to help, so I was stuck. I had been thinking it would be Jan 29, since that’s usually when other tests occur, but that wasn’t the case this time.

    So I sent a note with apologies and regret to the organizers as well as Red Gate since I was supposed to represent them there. I did find a few people that were willing to speak and take my place, so I think the event will be fine, but I still feel bad about cancelling.

    I’m glad that I went to class since this was the first I’d heard of it and it gave me some notice. With only a week left before I go on holiday, I’d gate to have missed this news until Jan.

  • The 2011 SQL Saturday Schedule is Filling Up

    I have been trying to figure out where to go in 2011 for SQL Saturdays, especially as Red Gate is looking to have me do a few more demos and sessions at events. It seemed that there were relatively few events, and I’d already decided on these two:

    I’ve never been to these cities, but I have a relative in one, and a number of friends in another. So I decided to skip Tampa (they have lots of speakers) and Houston (can’t travel two weekends in a row) and hit those.
    So when I saw the announcement of SQL Saturday #71 from Grant Fritchey (Blog | @gfritchey), I thought “cool, another event.” Then I saw the date: Apr 2.
    😦
    That’s the same day as SQLSaturday #63 in Dallas, and I’d already submitted a session as well as semi-committed to the organizers there. So it looks like I’ll miss Boston, which is a little disappointing. I like that city.
    As I checked thhttp://www.sqlsaturday.com/default.aspxe schedule, I saw a few other conflicts as well. I have somewhat committed to Chicago (#67, Mar 26), which is right before Dallas. A busy time for me, and with Tech Ed and the Rally before that, I’m going to have to limit some travel. Right now I’m thinking to skip TechEd since it’s not the best show for me to go to anyway.
    However Columbia is getting ready for another event on Mar 19 (SQL Saturday #70). If I went there, I’d be gone 3 weeks in a row, which is a lot. Actually it’s too much, both on the family and me, so I’ll have to miss Columbia again.
    However it’s good for the community. Already there are:

    • Jan – 3 events
    • Feb – 4 events
    • Mar – 3 events
    • Apr – 3 events
    • Aug – 1 event

    I’m sure more are coming, and I will really, really try to get to new cities next year and meet more of the SQLServerCentral community.

  • My Weekend Just Got Busy

    I’m traveling to New York City on Friday for SQL Saturday #59 and returning Sunday morning. As soon as I get home, I’m heading to Winter Park for a week’s vacation for the Thanksgiving holiday. We were actually supposed to leave Sat, and my wife still might. So I’m planning on getting home from the airport, having things packed, and be ready to head to the mountains.

    I was expecting to give my Modern Resume presentation and a short lunchtime SQL Source Control demo. As if that weren’t busy enough, I heard from SQL Saturday #59 yesterday that they were going to take me up on a previous offer to do an early morning “SQL Wake Up” at 8, while people are registering and eating breakfast. I also was asked to do a few SQL Saturday remarks during the opening session, so I have a little prep to do.

    With me being gone next week, this already is a busy week, but adding in a SQL Saturday trip means I am going to be really busy this week.