#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 …

Mentoring Month

This morning, I received two emails from two different organizations that talked about mentoring, including one that talked about an online discussion tomorrow and one that mentioned National Mentoring Month. I wasn't aware that there was a National Mentoring Month, so I Googled it to see what came up. I've been (and am still) involved in …

Goals for 2024

As I write this, we're already a few days into 2024. I hope everyone had a happy, festive, and safe holiday -- whatever holiday you celebrate -- as well as an equally festive New Year's celebration. For me, personally, New Year's Eve was a quiet evening in my living room along with my wife, and New Year's …

The right fit can be everything #JobHunt

A few weeks ago, this article crossed my inbox, and I thought it was an interesting read. I won't go into specifics at this time, but this article hit close to home for me. The job hunt is a lot like dating. You want to make sure that it's a good match, there is mutual …

We all get rejected. Don’t take it personally

You've been let go from your job. Or maybe you were passed over for the promotion. Or you applied to a position you very much wanted, and didn't get so much as an acknowledgement of your application. Or you were turned down by the school or program that you had your heart set on attending. …

The zen of the New Year

Why do we celebrate the New Year? All it is, after all, is a turn of a calendar, when December rolls into January. January 1 isn't much different than December 31. So what's the big deal? As I write this, it's January 3, three days into 2023. I'm glad 2022 is behind me, as it …

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 …