Voice of the DBA

Tag: vacation

  • A Mini Break

    I’m feeling pressure. As I get this post ready, I feel a bit of a buzz from the stress of prepping a number of different presentations for the next month. Quite a few are new, and that always has me worried.

    I know that’s not good, and I’ve over committed myself a bit. Actually, my employer and I together have over committed me. There’s a lesson in here for next year, and I’ve already spoken to my boss on things we need to watch out for next year.

    However I also need to fit in a few breaks here for my own sanity, and today is one of them. So everyone enjoy have a good day, and remember to take your vacation. That’s a lesson I’m trying to work on today.

  • More Vacation

    As I try to recharge and relax, I’m taking today and tomorrow off. Just a quick note that I’m trying to live up to my advice and get away from work when I can.

  • One day in the office

    I got back from SQL Intersection on Wednesday afternoon. I did work a bit, but not too much after traveling and speaking this week. Today I’m in the office, but only today.

    Tomorrow I’m outside.

    I have more vacation scheduled tomorrow, along with Monday and Tuesday. Given the nature of my job, that means I need to ensure things are prepped and scheduled for the next few days until I return next Wednesday.

    It’s been a busy day. Some of my prep was done last week, but with three days in Las Vegas this week at SQL Intersection, I wasn’t completely prepared. I’ve been editing content, scheduling things, recording podcasts and more.

    I’m almost done, which means I should get a good vacation. I should have the chance to start work on another project tomorrow: building a horse shelter.

  • Three Trips

    I’m down to three trips, with most of my busy month behind me. It’s been a hard year at times, easy at others. This month I was in Vegas, LA, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Charleston, with one more trip to Vegas next week. The travel is hard, and in addition to wearing on me mentally, it compresses the rest of my time at work. That adds some stress, which bleeds over into family life for me. Some people separate well; I don’t.

    That’s OK, Despite the hard travel, I’ve enjoyed seeing so many people I know and meeting new ones. Across the 11 talks I gave this month, I enjoyed them all. I met at least one new person at each, if not more, and had some great conversations.

    Three trips left.

    The next one is SQL Intersection in Las Vegas, which will be a fun trip as my wife is coming along. Then it’s Portland for a SQL in the City seminar and a SQL Saturday in November, and a repeat in Washington D.C. in December.

    Plus vacation. I desperately need to take time off. Both for mental health, and because I’ve accumulated too much that needs to be used before the end of the year. After searching out a bit of balance last year, I didn’t do a good job this year, and need to pay more attention to things. I love my job, and I enjoy going to work, but the last month+ has been hard.

    I’m just making a note here, partly to remind you to take your own time off from work, but also to warn you I might be gone in Nov/Dec a bit from work.