Blog Archives
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!
T-14 Days Until the PASS Summit,Budget Day
With the DATEDIFF script returning 14 today, I thought I would share how I spent the last hour of my day in preparation for the PASS Summit 2012. Today is budget day, so breakout the spreadsheet. I spent the last hour thinking about my week at the Summit and planning my activities as well as getting a mental image of the amount of money that I need to have available to ensure that I have a great first time experience.
This spreadsheet will help me during the week to ensure that I remain within my projections so that I do not have any surprises art the end of the week when I go to check out of the hotel. It is also a great guideline in case new activities come up within the next two weeks before I arrive in Seattle. I can simply add them into the spreadsheet and either shuffle priorities or make adjustments as needed.
Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!
T-16 Days Until the PASS Summit, The Great Karaoke Crisis?
With the DATEDIFF script returning 16 today, I thought I would share a personal crisis that I am having in regards to the PASS Summit 2012. Denny Cherry (b|t) announced during the first timers conference call earlier this week that the #SQLKaraoke event would be held Wednesday night at Bush Gardens around 9:30pm with Idera sponsoring the event. Sounds great, this is the after hours event that I have most wanted to attend because of the #SQLFamily that attends. This seemed like good timing because the Exhibitor reception ends at 915pm. Life is good because now I have dinner plans and an after party to go to, right? Not so fast my friend.
The guys over at Pragmatic Works announced yesterday that they were also throwing a #SQLKaraoke bash along with Microsoft and HP at the Hard Rock Cafe on the same night. Their party is fronted by a live band, which sounds like a real blast. In addition, I have a few friends over at Pragmatic Works and they are from Florida so I see them at all of the SQL Saturdays. Is this normal for Summit, awesome competing events that is? I will attend both, but what a bummer to have to split time at both. It looks like everyone will benefit from this #SQLAwesomeness so this is a good problem to have.
Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!
T-17 Days Until the PASS Summit, Have You Voted?
With the DATEDIFF script returning 17 today, I thought I would remind everyone to vote in national election before we go to the PASS Summit 2012. Since the election is on Tuesday during the Summit and I will be out-of-town, I will be voting during the early voting period in my hometown. Find out if your voting district allows early voting, if not then make sure you get your absentee ballot in before you leave for the Super Bowl of computer conferences.
Haven’t registered yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!
T-19 Days Until the PASS Summit, Are You Prepared?
With the DATEDIFF script returning 19 today, I thought I would share a thought that I had this morning on the way into the office while thinking about the PASS Summit 2012. My wife is constantly asking me about what clothes I am taking, what jacket, and other minute details. I usually try to leave decisions like these until a day or two before a trip, but she makes a really good point.
With flying from Tampa to Seattle, I am going from one corner of the country to the exact opposite corner. My usual shorts and short-sleeved shirt will not cut it at this conference. However, I will be bringing my swim trunks as the Sheraton has an indoor pool, so why not get some laps in? I also needed to find my jacket and make sure it fits still and of course dust it off. Yes, I live in Florida and I only have two jackets, one is more professional and one is for the outdoors. The jacket is still comfortable, wow I think it has been a year or two at least since I have had to wear it. Since the Sheraton is across the street, I also wonder if I could get away with shorts to some of the sessions? Should I take an umbrella? I might need some advice here.
Haven’t registered yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!
T-21 Days Until the Summit Conference, Three Weeks Baby
With the DATEDIFF script returning 21 today, the reality is starting to set in that three weeks from today at this time I will be in the air on my way to the super bowl of technology events: the PASS Summit 2012.
With so many activities planned it looks like I will have Sunday and Friday night to myself, at least as of today. I do want to get back to the space needle and I also want to Ride the Ducks. My dance card is filling up fast, but one thing is for sure this will be the trip of a lifetime, at least until next year.
Haven’t registered yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!
T-22 Days Until the Summit Conference, No Sleep for the Weary
With the DATEDIFF script returning 22 today, I thought I would share a thought that I had today while thinking about the PASS Summit 2012. I might get an average of three hours sleep a night, and I am stoked! Obviously, I usually get about eight hours a night and I function pretty well within that framework. But you only get this opportunity once a year and I plan on making the most of the opportunities.
With evening activities and many after hours activities filling up and my goal of experiencing everything I can at my first Summit, I may have to sleep the next week. The interesting part is the wide variety of activities being provided by sponsors as well as PASS itself. My SQL cup will runneth over that week, come and join me.
Haven’t registered yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!
T-23 Days Until the Summit SQLHugs
With the DATEDIFF script returning 23 today, I thought I would share a thought that I had this morning on the way to work while thinking about the PASS Summit 2012. In the immortal words of Longfellow Deeds “handshakes are for strangers, pal. We hug around here, buddy.” This is the #SQLFamily, so are SQLHugs appropriate? I am a hugger, not to everyone, only friends. The SQL community is a world of friends available online anytime, so with that being said I think SQLHugs are appropriate. What do you think? Let me know ahead of time or you just might get a big SQLGator hug when I see you at the Summit.
Haven’t registered yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!
Let the Countdown To Summit Begin
Today is officially four weeks until I arrive at the SQL PASS Summit 2012 in Seattle, Washington. So I am sure you can figure out by the title what is coming next. That’s right, a series for the countdown onto my epicly awesome #SQLFirstTimers attendance at the most important SQL event of the year. Have you registered to go? There is still time, come and join me.
Stay tuned for my journey!
SQL Evaluation Project Upcoming
I have been tasked with an exciting goal for this new fiscal year. Determine whether our existing SQL Server tools, Redgate DBA/Backup Bundle and Toad for SQL Server, are the best tools for our needs. In other words, should we continue to pay for these tools or should we purchase different tools.
Before working for this employer, I have never been able to buy additional tools so I personally do not have any experience with any other tools. Therefore, frankly, I love the Redgate tools, but I do not know how well they stack up against tools from other vendors. Any input from my #SQLFamily would be greatly appreciated. Enjoy!
SQL Swampland 