On the road to SQL Saturday

"I can't wait to get on the road again" -- Willie Nelson For this article, I decided that I would take you on the road with me.  If you're interested in speaking at a SQL Saturday away from home, I figured that you'd like a taste of what it's like to travel to an out-of-town …

Questionable administrative decisions (I’m looking at you, PASS)

It's not often that I will call out by name a specific organization for what I deem to be questionable decision-making.  But today, I am making an exception. Recently, the Professional Association of SQL Server (PASS -- the organization that administers SQL Saturday) made a very questionable administrative decision.  In order to submit presentations to …

Reminder: SQL Saturday #714, Philadelphia

This is a reminder that this coming Saturday, April 21, I will be speaking at SQL Saturday #714, Philadelphia (more accurately, Blue Bell, PA).  Go to the link to register for the event. I will be giving my career/job hunt presentation, entitled: "I lost my job!  Now what?!?" Hope to see you there!

Setting a good example

I was recently tasked with a project where I would be assisting with developing a data governance document.  Trouble is, I have no idea what a data governance document is supposed to look like.  I looked at what my colleagues had written so far; what they had written looked pretty good, but it still didn't …

SQL Saturday #716, NYC Schedule

The schedule for SQL Saturday #716 is out, and it turns out that I'm on it not once, but twice! I will be doing the following two presentations: I lost my job!  Now what?!?  This is my career and job-hunt presentation, and it's becoming one of my best sellers. So you want to be a …

Suppose you gave a presentation, and nobody came?

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." -- unknown "S**t happens." -- unknown (or Forrest Gump -- take your pick) An article by my friend, Greg Moore, reminded me of a SQL Saturday presentation that I was supposed to do in Philadelphia last year.  It was one of the first sessions that afternoon, right after the …

The art of talking technology to non-technical people

"Eschew obfuscation." -- unknown Let's discuss how to tie a tie.  First, you take the tie and put it around your neck, making sure that it lies within your shirt collar.  Make sure the seam is facing toward your body, and the wider end of the tie hangs down roughly two-thirds of the length of …

What to expect at a SQL Saturday

Those of you who follow my 'blog know that I post a lot about SQL Saturday.  I attended my first SQL Saturday in New York City in 2010, and had a great time.  I've attended SQL Saturday events every year since, and my involvement has grown, first when my hometown SQL user group started hosting …