Blog Archives
Summit: The Third 24 Hours
The third 24 hours in Seattle were even better than the first two, if that is possible. I attended Grant Fritchey’s pre-con on Query Performance Tuning yesterday and was blown away with knowledge. I cannot wait to watch that on DVD to recap my learning. I then attended the First Timer’s events followed by the Welcome Reception. These were both great events with an excellent dinner and networking opportunities and I enjoyed them thoroughly. In the evening I checked out the Tap House and realized that Seattle does not understand the concept of increased air conditioning when you have increasing amounts of people in a building.
Today began the real sessions kicked off by amazing keynote presentations. I attended a few great sessions and spent a considerable amount of time speaking with vendors about my upcoming project to compare SQL tools. This was a great chance to talk with the vendors and explain to them what I was looking for and how their tools could help me. The networking opportunities today were immense and amazing. Tonight is #SQLKaraoke, stay tuned tomorrow for the updates!
Summit: Second 24 Hours
The second 24 hours in Seattle were even better than the first, if that is possible. I knew #SQLFamily was amazing, but never realized the level of amazing. After Redgate’s SQL in the City event, I attended the Andy Warren (b|t) and Steve Jones’ (b|t) networking event at Gordon Biersch. All I can say is wow, it exceeded my expectations considerably and then some. I expected a bunch of awkward table conversations as introverts struggled to network. There were so many conversations and people circling the rooms and introducing themselves stopping at each table. I met so many people and several of my twitter friends. The #SQLFamily was so welcoming at this event, thank you Andy and Steve.
From there, several people decided to move onto Bush Garden for the first round of #SQLKaraoke. It also far exceeded my expectations, but the place was much smaller than I imagined, but I had a blast. Jason and Sarah Strate were great hosts and now I cannot wait for the next time #SQLKaraoke night on Wednesday so I can sing.
Until next time, 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-3 Days Until the PASS Summit, I Will Be On TV!
With the DATEDIFF script returning 3 today, I thought I would share with you a really exciting new service called PASS TV, brought to you from the PASS Summit 2012. This year they will be streaming LIVE from the Summit for 12 hours a day for all three days. In addition, the 12 hours of content will be replayed across the next 12 hours in case you missed it the first time.
With PASS TV, there will be keynote sessions, as well as some specially selected technical sessions and community content such as interviews with users from the SQL community. So if you cannot make it to Seattle this year, at least you can see how much fun we are having while we miss you! The schedule for PASS TV can be found here.
Haven’t registered for Summit yet? W
hy not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!
T-4 Days Until the PASS Summit, Really?
With the DATEDIFF script returning 4 today, I still do not think it has set in that I will be attending my first major SQL Server conference at PASS Summit 2012. There is so much to see and do, it really is overwhelming at this point most likely because I have had to sit back and watch everyone else go while I stayed home. However, I am trying to be as organized as possible with my iPhone calendar and Guidebook app to keep my sessions straight so that part will not be that bad. Once I am in Seattle, I will be in major conference mode but until then I will just sit here staring at the clock and wondering how awesome it will be. See you there in a few days!
Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! 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!
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!
SQL Swampland 