Blog Archives
Additional Goals for 2013
Yesterday I posted my personal development plan for 2013. After reading a few other similar blogs by colleagues yesterday, one haunting thought stayed with me all night that I couldn’t quite put my finger on until this morning. My goals were lofty, but they were no more so than last year. That would not be stepping out of my comfort zone. There was really no challenge in the list when compared to 2012, where there were some serious steps on the ledge for me.
How do I resolve this? Not sure at this point, but I have some ideas so this may evolve over the next week. The first idea I had would be to upgrade my SQL Server 2008 MCTS to the new MCSA 2012 (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate). This would consist of two exams, 70-457 and 70-458, both aptly titled ‘Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA SQL Server 2012, Part 1 and 2.’ I waited for all of the dust to settle with the new certifications before I pursued moving forward in my personal growth as it does not appear that I am anywhere ready to tackle the MCM, thus I have made it a five-year goal. This would put me on that path and force me to commit to the preparation needed to pass these exams. Now that I have talked this out with you here I think I will add these to the list! Enjoy!
Personal Development Plan for 2013
After yesterday’s review of 2012, it is time to set the bar a little higher for 2013. Let’s soar to new heights!
Community
- I will post daily during the work week to this blog in order to give back to the SQL community. Last year I had planned to blog 365 days of the year, but there were many days when the content was less than stellar because I was on vacation, holiday, or simply having fun with my family. I think this year if I limit it to the days that I am actually working on SQL Server then the content should stay consistent.
- I will spend time daily helping people on twitter, SQL blogs, and various SQL-related websites such as SQL Server Central. This was hard to do last year but it is still a noble goal and thus should be listed.
- I am setting a goal of 600 followers on Twitter which would increase my existing followers 33%.
- I will attend at least ten of the twelve Tampa Bay SQL Server User Group meetings.
- I will attend three to five other User group meetings, such as the Tampa BI group, Orlando’s MagicPASS, or the Tampa VMUG.
- I will attend at least one other event that interfaces with SQL Server such as the Orlando IT Pro Camp.
SQL Conferences & Training Events
- I will attend at least one formal Microsoft SQL training course this year.
- I will attend every SQL Saturday offered in the Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville areas. I would also like to attend some others, if possible, within driving distance.
- I will volunteer to help with at least one SQL Saturday this year.
- I will attend the SQL PASS Summit in Charlotte.
- I will submit to at least two different SQL Saturday events in addition to SQL PASS. Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to present somewhere in 2013.
Health
- I will be in better physical shape in time for Summit 2013.
- I will lose 100 pounds by the end of the year.
Five Year Goals
- I will continue to take at least one to two classes a semester online in order to complete my degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. All those Engineering and Computer Science classes I took 20 years ago are not relevant today and I would like to possibly return to consulting in five or ten years and that degree would be more beneficial in that long-term goal.
- I would like to become a Microsoft Certified Master within five years.
Live from Tampa Hillsborough User Group meeting
Tonight I am blogging from our Hillsborough Tampa User Group meeting being held at Computer Associates. Fargham Butt from Microsoft is presenting on Profiler Tricks and this is the best turnout for this group since it started a couple of months ago. I am glad that Pam Shaw decided to create a second group as there are many new faces in the room of probably 40 people.
As of right now, I am going to go back and play with the deadlock graph feature as I have never seem that before. I did it the old way with the trace flag viewing the information in the error log. This is a fantastic visual and I may blog about it later.
If you are not going to your local user group then you need to get out there and get some free SQL learning and networking. It is worth the time investment. Enjoy!
Updating SQL Server 2012 to SP1
With service pack 1 being released during SQL PASS Summit 2012, I did not get the chance to update my personal laptop. This is great timing as I have just purchased developer on my laptop. You can download the slipstream version or just the service pack separately. Are you curious as to what is new in SP1, then check this link out? It is also a good idea to read the release notes, which I always recommend but rarely do, unfortunately. It is similar to reading the directions, men rarely do that.
Here is the visual upgrade guide, quite simple really, so much so that even I can do it.
The update completed easily and successfully. Enjoy!
Hidden Gems for SQL 2008r2
Today I am going to bring you a great site, SQL Customer Advisory Team (SQLCAT) presents the Top Ten Hidden Gems in SQL Server 2008 R2. If you haven’t perused the SQL CAT website, do yourself a favor and check it out. Enjoy!
T-1 Days Until the PASS Summit, Time to Pack!
With the DATEDIFF script returning 1 today, I am bouncing off the walls with excitement for tomorrow morning at 2:30 am I head to the airport en route to Seattle for the PASS Summit 2012. The week-long SQLpalooza kicks off for me on Sunday when I board the plane at 5:30 AM ET and does not end until I return late the next Saturday night. I am busy going through my checklist and ensuring that my suitcase is packed properly and thoroughly for I am paranoid that I am going to forget something crucial. See you on the other side, tomorrow.
Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! Enjoy!
T-2 Days Until the PASS Summit, Almost Time To Go!
With the DATEDIFF script returning 2 today, I am like a little kid off on Christmas break staring at the presents under the tree while my parents are at work wondering if I could open the presents early. The Christmas I am referring to is the PASS Summit 2012. The week-long SQLpalooza kicks off for me on Sunday when I board the plane at 5:30 AM ET and does not end until I return late the next Saturday night. Are we there yet? Are we? ARE WE?
All I have left to do is some finalized last-minute packing and check-listing. I am all set to go otherwise and just staring at the clock. I will see you all next week! I hope everyone has safe travels and see you in Seattle!
Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! Enjoy!
T-10 Days Until the PASS Summit, More Scavenger Hunt Ideas
With the DATEDIFF script returning 10 today, I thought I would continue with yesterday’s blog idea of a scavenger hunt for the PASS Summit 2012. Here is an updated list with new items in bold:
- Get a picture with a Brent Ozar PLF employee (each one counts separately)
- Get a picture with Grant Fritchey
- Get a picture with Steve Jones
- Get a picture with both of the Midnight DBAs (at the same time)
- Get a picture with Buck Woody
- Get a picture with two or more Pragmatic Works’ employees (at the same time)
- Double points if the Midnight DBAs make faces or other gestures such as rabbit ears
- Get a picture with Robert Davis
- Get a picture with Argenis Fernandez
- Get as many pictures as possible with other MCMs
- Get a picture of an MCM or MVP sleeping during a session
- Get a picture of a presenter sleeping during their own session
- Negative points if the person is a Sharepoint MCM or MVP
- Double points if any of these people are in kilts or mullets
- Double points if any of these people are wearing costumes such as StrateSQL’s Unicorn
- Get a picture with five or more MVPs in the shot
- Get a picture with five or more people holding Starbuck’s cups
- Get a picture with a 2012 Summit Presenter
- Get a picture of your tweet popping up on a presenter’s screen while he/she is presenting
- Get a picture singing #SQLKaraoke with any of the people on this list
- Get a picture with an Ambassador giving you directions when you cannot find your session
- Get a picture at a bona-fide tourist location with any of the people on this list
Therefore if you sang a song with five MVPs, had your picture taken during the process, all five of them had their MCMs and were wearing a kilt or mullet during the process you could end up with 12 points unless one of the five were listed specifically on this list which would be an additional point for each person. Sound like fun?
Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!
T-11 Days Until the PASS Summit, Scavenger Hunt?
With the DATEDIFF script returning 11 today, I thought I would share a fun idea that I had last night while discussing the PASS Summit 2012 on twitter. Several people were discussing that they had a list of people that they wanted to meet up with in Seattle. An idea was hatched, a plan, a scheme…I thought I would take it to the next level and turn this into a scavenger hunt, mainly because I am competitive and I try to make life fun at every turn possible. Maybe we could even get a sponsor, who knows. Here is a starting list:
- Get a picture with a Brent Ozar PLF employee (each one counts seperately)
- Get a picture with Grant Fritchey
- Get a picture with Steve Jones
- Get a picture with both of the Midnight DBAs (at the same time)
- Get a picture with Robert Davis
- Get a picture with Argenis Fernandez
- Get as many pictures as possible with other MCMs
- Double points if any of these people are in kilts or mullets
- Get a picture with five or more MVPs in the shot
- Get a picture with a 2012 Summit Presenter
- Get a picture singing #SQLKaraoke with any of the people on this list
- Get a picture at a bona-fide tourist location with any of the people on this list
Therefore if you sang a song with five MVPs, had your picture taken during the process, all five of them had their MCMs and were wearing a kilt or mullet during the process you could end up with 12 points unless one of the five were listed specifically on this list which would be an additional point for each person. Sound like fun?
Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!
Growing or Dying? Your Choice!
This morning as I return back to my SQL boxes after a week of unrelated vendor training, I ponder the truth from Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now “every minute I stay in this room, I get weaker, and every minute Charlie squats in the bush, he gets stronger.” In other words, every minute I work on some other task, my SQL Server skills are diminishing. This is a sad truth mainly because some tasks are inevitable and must be completed. However, we must combat the atrophy with additional training and flexing our proverbial SQL muscles at every opportunity within an adequate life balance, of course.
How can I flex my SQL muscle today? I think I will watch some MCM videos to thoroughly work out the muscles. Enjoy!
SQL Swampland 