#PASSDataCommunitySummit and keeping myself sane

The PASS Data Community Summit Call for Speakers has been open for a few weeks now (the deadline is April 10). Usually, I'd be all over it on the first day that submissions are accepted. However, I will admit that I'm on the fence this year. I've spoken at PASS Summit for four years. I've …

Business trip or pleasure? Why not both?

I have a friend who is able to work remotely to the point that he can go wherever he wants and is still able to be productive. He has taken full advantage of that perk, and has traveled to parts of the world and experienced things that many of us only dream about. Granted, he's a single …

Happy holidays, winding down 2022, and what’s in store next

As I write this, it's the day after Christmas, 2022. Hopefully, those of you who are reading this had a wonderful holiday season. I hope you had a great Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or whatever your holiday celebration of choice is! For me, personally, Santa didn't leave me much, but honestly, the older I get, …

#PASSDataCommunitySummit — the last days, and the journey home

Well, on Friday evening, I watched workers take down booths and banners from the Seattle Convention Center, as PASS Data Community Summit 2022 came to an end. The circus had ended, and the tents were coming down. I flew home Saturday afternoon/evening/night, so I've actually been home for a few days (I needed to recover …

#PASSDataCommunitySummit — day 2 debrief, and thoughts about the last day

It's Friday, and it's the last day of the Summit! This has been an amazing week! I always enjoy attending events like this, and PASS Summit is no different. It has been a great week of seeing old friends, making new ones, and attending some great sessions! I will be attending a couple more sessions …

#PASSDataCommunitySummit — day 1 debrief, and what I look forward to for day 2

Greetings from Summit day 2! This morning, I'm writing from the speaker's lounge in the Seattle Convention Center, where a number of speakers (myself included) are busy looking at their laptops. I'm not sure what the others are doing -- working on their presentations, maybe? -- but I know that I'm here writing in my …

Greetings from #PASSDataCommunitySummit day 1!

Before I get started, let me just say that I'm talking about my first day at PASS Data Community Summit, not necessarily the first day of the Summit. Although today is the first day of general sessions, the first round of pre-cons started Monday, and I didn't arrive until yesterday (Tuesday). Getting here was a …

Getting ready to travel to #PASSDataCommunitySummit

I'm taking the week off from work, as I prepare to head out to Seattle for PASS Data Community Summit! As I write this, I'm taking the day today to rest up before I spend tomorrow traveling, and to prepare! I seem to be getting better at this conference travel prep thing. All I need …

Leaping before you look

(Image courtesy of The Telegraph) Not long ago (I don't remember how long -- I'll say a couple of weeks), I stumbled across a 'blog post that someone had written. Apparently, this person was a new SQL Saturday speaker. I don't remember his name, and from what you're about to read, it's probably just as …

#SQLSaturday #953 Rochester — the debrief #SQLSat953 #SQLSatRoc

This past weekend, I spoke at SQL Saturday #953 in Rochester, NY. As it is with all SQL Saturdays, I had a great time: doing my own presentations, attending others, and spending time with #SQLFamily! And I would be remiss if I didn't mention Andy Levy and the crew at the Rochester SQL User Group, …