Voice of the DBA

Tag: travel

  • Missing SQL Bits

    This week is SQL Bits week, which is taking place virtually over in the UK. Things are planned for UK time, and speakers are accommodating them. I had a webinar earlier in the with Grant at 930am my time, 1130 his.  This was after he’d completed a 7.5 hour precon for Bits. He’s quite dedicated to both the company and sharing with others.

    For a number of years, SQL Bits was the conference I looked forward to, planned on attending, and made sure to get submit early and promote my session. This is my favorite conference, and while I do enjoy going to most of them, I have always felt Bits, run by community members, was special, fun, and a highlight of my year.

    Once again, I’m missing the event, and especially missing the chance to see and chat with lots of friends. The last couple years Bits has been in the March/April time frame, conflicting with my coaching commitments in the US. This year I had hoped the move to September would allow me to go, but alas, the UK is still in a lockdown, and I can’t spend 14 days in quarantine.

    As I see the tweets and pictures from friends that are participating, I realize how much I miss the event and the interaction with others in the #sqlfamily. It’s sad to not have any events to go to, but I especially miss SQL Bits this year.

    I don’t know what the future will bring, and I hope that Bits will survive this difficult time. I also hope that they find a way to get back to a live event, whether in 2021 or 2022. I’m already mentally marking my calendar, and hoping I can find a way to go back.

    A few fun memories:

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  • Unprepared for Travel

    I’ve had a month off from travel, which has been nice. It’s been an interesting time catching up on things at home, and a nice break from the disruption to my schedule that travel entails. However, all good things come to an end, and last week I headed out on Thursday morning for another trip, this time to Slovenia and the UK.

    I found myself woefully unprepared. A list of things I’ve forgotten:

    1. two pairs of bluetooth headphones
    2. phone charger cable
    3. usb adapter for phone cable
    4. two pairs of wired headphones
    5. external mouse
    6. HDMI wireless adapter
    7. gloves
    8. belt
    9. naproxen

    At least I remembered to pack my laptop charger, wallet, and passport, something I haven’t always done. I also did get sneakers packed for the gym.

    In the last month, I did spend a few nights in the mountains, and had some long day trips around Denver, during which I’d slowly moved a few things from my laptop bag, or roller bag, to use for a few hours. In the past I’ve been good about putting those things back in bags right away, so I’d be ready to travel. I usually keep my main luggage and laptop bag ready to go, since I travel so much. Often I can just throw a few changes of clothes in the bag and leave.

    With a busy week last week, I was slightly worried I might have forgotten something, but I was in a hurry Thursday morning as I packed and didn’t double check myself. I did look for the wallet and passport, since with those I can likely replace anything I need.

    When I got to the airport, I realized that I’d left the bluetooth headphones charging on my desk. I’d used one pair for a meeting while cooking, and grabbed another for the gym last week and didn’t put them back. Worse, I’d taken some of the wired headphones from a jacket and bag and used them at different times, getting lazy about putting them back. Same for the phone charger cable. I used that while cooking, and it’s sitting in the kitchen now.

    These are minor issues, and I can certainly survive. Fortunately I’ve kept a spare pair of wired headphones and charging cable in my luggage for emergencies and pulled them out. I survived Slovenia without gloves, though it wasn’t that cold. I did have to buy a belt and some pain meds for an injured wrist, and I can live without the mouse.

    This is the same type of thing I’ve seen in an office at work, where myself or someone deviates from a routine, gets lazy and then starts taking more shortcuts to get around the other shortcuts I’ve taken. I need to stick to a routine, and certainly adhere to any expectations I’ve set for myself and others. Hopefully I’ll remember to do this in the new year, with quite a bit of time off.

  • T-SQL Tuesday Gifts (#121)

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    It’s that time of month. I missed last month while traveling, but I wanted to get back in the party. This month, Mala has invited us to talk about the gifts we’ve gotten this year. An easy one for me in 2019.

    Down Under

    The gift for me this year was getting to travel to Australia and New Zealand. I’ve always wanted to go and haven’t been quite able to make it a priority. Last year when I heard we had a Redgate office opening in Australia, I knew this was my chance. We decided to run a few SQL in the City Summit events in 2019 down under and I got to go.

    I was lucky enough to go, and not only attend a few events, but I spent nearly a month in Australia/New Zealand. I spoke at 3 SQL in the City Summits and three SQL Saturdays, which were very enjoyable for me.

    I brought my family along for part of the trip and ended up traveling a little in the middle and taking some holiday. I managed to visit Brisbane, Melbourne, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Queenstown.

    Things went well, and I actually went back to Sydney in September, but just for a couple days. Still, I made the most of it.

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    This was truly a gift for me.

  • The Future of Database Development at SQL Saturday #870–Memphis

    I’m off to Memphis today for SQL Saturday #870. I’m excited as I’ve never been to Memphis and hope to wander around and see something while I’m there. I know Tennessee has a great #sqlfamily, so I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.

    If you’re in the area, register and come out for a free day of learning tomorrow. The event is at the FedEx Institute of Technology, and there are a lot of great sessions on the schedule.

    I’ll be delivering The Future of Database Development with Containers at 2:45. This is a fun session and I’ll be referencing some research we’ve done at Redgate that might change how we help you develop with databases in the future.

    Come join me and shake my hand tomorrow in Memphis.