Voice of the DBA

Tag: travel

  • Bits Bound

    I'm excited about my first trip to SQLBits

    I can’t believe I’m driving to the airport again today for a trip out of the country. Given the troubles that I’ve typically had crossing the Atlantic, it seems crazy to me that I’m going to go for the second time this year. In my life, I’ve flown to Europe 9 times and each trip has always been a one-stop each way, yet I’ve never had less than 5 planes and had as many as seven. A few years ago I thought that would end as I flew to the UK and made it back to Chicago with three planes. I then proceeded to get on, and off, three more planes before the fourth managed to get me to Denver.

    This time I’m trying a new route, actually flying through Calgary. My one Canadian trip was smooth, so maybe I’ll have an easy trip over the SQL Bits 9: Query Across the Mersey. Simon Sabin and the rest of the organizers have invited me to come quite a few times and I finally committed this year. I’ve been wanting to attend the event, which many friends have greatly enjoyed. I’m looking forward to getting to the home of the Beatles, Liverpool and seeing Chris Testa-O’Neill’s band along with the Fab Beatles, entertaining everyone on Thursday night. Assuming I can get there in time.

    SQL Bits has a great format that I’d love to see duplicated in the US. They have a day of pre-cons called “Training Day“, which is packed this year withAndy Leonard (blog |@AndyLeonard) and Allen White (blog | @SQLRunr) from the US along with Maciej Pilecki, Mark S. Rasmussen, and more. It’s a great way to get a pre-con at a great price. That occurs on Thursday, with a paid training day on Friday where I and many other speakers will be presenting on various topics. Saturday is like the US SQL Saturday model, with a free day of training for anyone that can register and come.

    I love the SQL Saturdays, but I think this model would work in the US as well. I’m looking forward to seeing the event and then with Karla Landrum’s (@karlakay22) help, hopefully seeing an event like this in the US.

    Steve Jones

    The Voice of the DBA Podcasts

  • On the Road Again – SQL Saturday #90

    I’m leaving this morning for Oklahoma City for SQL Saturday #90. This is my first time traveling to Oklahoma City and I’m looking forward to it. I’m thinking to check out the National Cowboy Museum, I need to see the national memorial, and of course, get it in a run. It looks like the event isn’t too far from the river, so I might get it in run along there.

    I have a light schedule for the event, which is good for me. I have the opening keynote and then a lunchtime demo session of Red Gate tools. That’s about all I want to do, having learned the hard way that more than 2 sessions is a lot of work. I’m happy to do three if someone drops out, but I’d rather not.

    It should be a good event, and I’m looking forward to seeing OKC for the first time.

  • Third Times a Charm – SQL Saturday #64 – Baton Rouge

    Going back to Baton Rouge again

    We’re a week away from SQL Saturday #64 in Baton Rouge, LA. It takes place on August 6, 2011 at the Patrick Taylor at LSU again, the same location as the last two years. If you’re in the area, sign up and come learn about SQL Server. I’ll be presenting two sessions, one on Red Gate tools at lunch, and one on the Top Ten SQL Server Skills You Need to Know about SQL Server.

    I did a short radio interview with WRKF that should air next Thursday to promote the event. I don’t know how many people will hear it, but there might be some people signing up, which might fill up the day. If you want to come, register soon.

    This is a great event, and it’s one of the bigger SQL Saturday’s I’ve been to every year. There are 9 tracks, including a couple .NET tracks and a Windows Phone set of sessions, so there’s plenty for everyone to do. The crew that puts the event together does a great job, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time.

    Baton Rouge is a great place, and I’m am looking forward to a run or two around University Lake. It’s hot, humid, but a nice place to jog. If you want to join me, I’ll be aiming for an early Sat am run, likely around 7:00am.

    Once again I’m flying to New Orleans and driving up to Baton Rouge. I hope to get some lunch in the Big Easy, enjoying the beautiful French Quarter before going to a very nice college town in Baton Rouge. I’m not staying Saturday night, but heading back to New Orleans for an early flight home Sunday. I’ll be at the after party, so please stop by and say hi to me.

  • A 22 Hour Layover

    I joked about having a 22 hour layover in Denver yesterday and a few people were wondering what airline screwed me this time. That made me laugh, because they didn’t get the joke.

    I got home yesterday at 3:30pm from SQL Server Connections in Orlando. I’ve been there all week, and after some travel delays, I got back at in time to pick up my son at 3:45 from his school bus.

    Today at 1:15 or so I need to leave the house, heading back to the airport for my trip to Dallas and SQL Saturday #63 tonight. Essentially I got a 22 hour layover at home before my next trip.

    I hate that, and as much as I’m looking forward to seeing people in Dallas, the travel wears on me. Fortunately I’ll be shutting things down until June when I got to Pensacola and SQL Saturday #77. That won’t be a bad trip as my daughter will come and we’ll spend a few days at the beach and make it a nice Daddy/daughter vacation.