Voice of the DBA

Tag: travel

  • Suppressing the FOMO

    I saw a post recently on Twitter/X/whatever we call it. It was for a DevOps in a Day from Redgate taking place in Jacksonville.

    2023-10-19 16_17_28-way0utwest ️ (He_Him_His) on X_ _@ReviewMyDB @redgate @GFritchey Enjoy. Sorry

    I’ve been a part of the tour this fall, and when we announced the Jacksonville date, Jeff reached out and asked if we could get together. I told him I wasn’t coming, and he asked why not. At the time I said I was busy and wanted the week off, which was true. I’m not sure Jeff felt that made sense, but Grant was going, so everything was fine.

    However

    When I saw the post, I felt like I should be there and I was missing out. I slightly regretted not going. After all, the week this event took place, I was at home, with no travel.

    That was my first M-F week at home since July 10-14. I was trying to protect it, and I think I did the right thing by not going and letting Grant handle things, but I still felt bad. I had some FOMO (Fear of missing out).

    FOMO

    I find FOMO drives a lot of people to do extra things. They do more work, they go places, they get caught up with friends/coworkers/family/etc. because they want to participate in something that’s fun or valuable or helpful to their career.

    I get it. I feel the same way, but I have learned often to step back from situations. This year, I knew the fall would be tough with travel, but I was also excited and looking forward to the tour. I wanted it to go well and for Redgate to do more in 2024.

    However.

    I don’t need to do it all. Grant can handle the day, and if not, Ryan can help. We’ve already talked about the need to plan further in advance and split the load. There is plenty of work.

    We’re Not Saving Babies

    My wife has used this phrase a lot. Most of us aren’t saving babies. If you are, then work hard, heck work 100 hours a week and then take time off, but save babies.

    Most of us do work that could wait until tomorrow. We can let someone else do some of the work. Even if someone does a better job, often there is so much work that they company will still need you to do something.

    Certainly Redgate will still use me at some events, and I’ll still travel.

    I just don’t need to do all the events.

    I keep telling myself that I’m certainly not saving babies, and there is plenty of other work. And, I’ve been to Jacksonville (and many other places) this year. I can skip a few trips.

    Side Note

    Even as I had FOMO, I had just sent an email to the US offices thanking them for an invitation to the Christmas parties, but declining to go since I didn’t want to get on another airplane this year. I still have two trips after this week, and I’m limiting my life to those.

  • The Year in Travel

    Here’s my year, which is pre-populated with a couple more trips coming up in November. Those should be all, as I’ve declined to go back to the UK in December and am hoping to lay low a bit. These are the trips I’ve taken, plotted against distance from home.

    2023-09-29 14_50_29-TravelReport - Power BI Desktop

    A lot of similar trips. I had repeats that were:

    • London – 3 times
    • Las Vegas – 3 times
    • Chicago – 3 times
    • Austin – 3 times
    • Boston – 2 times
    • Syracuse – 2 times
    • Florida – 3 times (JAX, Orlando, Miami)
    • St Louis – 2 times
    • Dallas – 2 times

    The big trip was Alaska, which was my wife’s 50th state. I think it was 46 or so for me. I know I’m missing Maine, Arkansas, Iowa, probably one more I can’t think of right now. I’ve spent the night in all other states.

    I have (I think) a total of 30 airplane trips away from Denver. The actual flights are more like 70 with some connections. I spent 100 nights away from home, though some of those were in the mountains or camping. Or in airplanes. I probably spent 3 nights on airplanes this year.

    That’s a lot. A long year for me, and I’m likely to avoid some travel until March or April, so hopefully I can recharge over the winter and relax at home.

  • An Important Break

    I left home last Tuesday for work, heading to New Jersey for work. Over the weekend, I took a side trip to see my daughter play volleyball at university, which is something I’ve tried to do every year she’s been gone. Normally I’d be heading home now.

    However, I’m on the road for a few more days. I’m taking advantage of being on the East Coast to head back to my hometown, Virginia Beach, to see my Mom. I guess I’m also with my brother. I flew to the DC area and we’re driving down early today.

    I’ve made a few plans to come out, but things keep going sideways, so I decided this was the best time to come and extended my trip. I’ve let other commitments get in the way for the last couple years, but I am glad that I’m making this trip now.

    Now, I need to be sure I work to get back every year.

  • The Database DevOps Roadshow Continues (with fun photos)

    At SQL Saturday Denver 2023, I had a few people ask me about the Redgate Database DevOps roadshow and how it was going. A few people asked about the van as well.

    Here’s the van, with my ready to rock in Chicago:

    IMG_5860

    Chicago is done, but we have a few more dates coming:

    • Oct 11 – Atlanta
    • Oct 19 – Jacksonville
    • Oct 26 – San Diego
    • Nov 1 – San Francisco
    • Nov 14 – Seattle

    All these are on the Redgate Events page.

    IMG_5776_copy

    I won’t be doing any in October, as you can see above, I’m tired. With the 3 US ones and the 3 UK ones I did across Aug/Sept, I was gone 24 days from Aug 23-Sept 21. I need a break, as shown below:

    IMG_6182

    The show goes on, and I’ll see (some) of you in Nov.

    Redgate-on-the-move