Voice of the DBA

Tag: syndicated

  • Daily Coping 26 Oct 2020

    I 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 set hopeful but realistic goals for the week ahead.

    It’s time to get back to work and buckle down a bit. PASS recordings are due today, the conference is a couple weeks away, and I need to prep for it and a few more events coming up.

    This week, I have a few things to do.

    1. PASS recordings uploaded
    2. Complete a new article I started on containers.
    3. Get 5 new questions written for SSC
    4. Spend a couple hours reading one of my goal books this week
    5. Get in five workouts, including a swim.

  • Daily Coping 23 Oct 2020

    I 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 share an inspiring idea with a loved one or colleague.

    Poker is a great metaphor for life.

    I was reading The Biggest Bluff recently, and I found it fascinating. It’s about a psychologist who takes a year to learn poker and play in some of the biggest tournaments in the world. The poker part isn’t the biggest one, but really the thing that caught my eye was how poker is a model for decision making with imperfect information, in a way that forces you to really consider what things mean to you and what you are risking.

    I hadn’t thought about that, and I’ve avoided poker often, outside of nickel/dime/quarter games, because of the concern of losing money. Instead, I see that I may be missing something.

    I discussed this with my Mom recently, and she bought the book right away. It was a neat conversation and I’m looking forward to seeing what she thinks. I also wonder if I ought to get a small game going again with family or friends.

  • One Thousand SQL Saturdays (*ish)

    This weekend is SQL Saturday #1000, running virtually from Oregon. It’s a good schedule, with lots of neat sessions. I’ll be speaking in the am, and am happy to be a part of this event.

    When this appeared on the schedule early this year, I started making plans and leaving space in my schedule for this event. When the pandemic hit, I had hopes that we might be back to events by now, but sadly, that’s not the case.

    Still, it’s the 1000th SQL Saturday scheduled, and I’m thrilled that we’ve gotten here. From 2007 and SQL Saturday #1 in Orlando to #1000 in Oregon, it’s been an amazing ride.

    You can register and watch this weekend if you aren’t tired of online video.

  • Daily Coping 22 Oct 2020

    I 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 write down 3 specific things that have gone well recently.

    First, I got to see my Mom. It’s been too long, but earlier this week I flew to the East Coast, drove to her town, and got to visit with her.

    Second, I’m coaching and we managed to compete in a few tournaments lately, winning more than losing. The important thing that went well was that we managed to get a tournament completed without health issues during this pandemic.

    Third, I’m back to weekly massages and they’re going well. Masks on, but it’s good to be adding in things that I enjoy and that support others locally.