Posted in PASS

PASS Summit 2019 Networking Dinner

It’s that time again – time to start thinking about the networking we’ll be doing while we’re at the PASS Summit! I have a list of networking items I’d like to check off, including… well, ask me about it when you see me at Summit!

I’ll be organizing the Networking Dinner again this year. We’ll be meeting at the Tap House Grill, and I don’t think I’m going to split it into different times. Just please show up any time between about 5:30p and 8p! This will give folks attending precons time to go and get rid of your laptop bags (but please stick several business cards in your pocket!)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pass-summit-2019-networking-dinner-tickets-74574974757

Here is the Eventbrite link, please go ahead and get a free ticket so we can get an idea of how many of us will be descending on the Tap House. (I feel like we should at least try to let them know about it!)

This really is a wonderful event and folks make long-term network relationships and friendships at this dinner. Please join us, get to know more of us, and start early to make the most of your PASS Summit experience. I’m looking forward to meeting you!

Also, I’d like to find someone who would be interested in taking over the organization of this event. If you think you would be interested, please talk to me at Summit this year. There’s not much to it – talking to a few restaurants, posting a blog and sending out to the Twitters.

See you soon!

Posted in PASS

PASS Summit 2018 Networking Dinner

It’s that time again – PASS Summit!  Woot!  I’ll be organizing the Networking Dinner again this year – thanks again to Steve Jones (b|t) and Andy Warren (b|t) who organized it for several years and helped a lot of us meet a lot of other us’s  🙂

Grab some tickets here!

This event will be held on the Monday of PASS Summit – that would be Monday, November 5th.  We’ll meet at the Yard House restaurant in Seattle, which is a quick walk from the conference center. Pre con attendees and all other early arrivals, please join us!  You will have a chance to sit and talk to other conference attendees.  Dinner is not paid for by us though – that’s on you.

Hope to see you all there!

 

Posted in PASS

The T-SQL Tuesday Post I Should Have Written

The November 2017 topic for T-SQL Tuesday was “Folks Who Have Made A Difference”.  And, although I don’t really have a good excuse to not have gotten this written on time, I still want to thank those who have made a difference for me regardless.

The first thank you goes to Steve Ingalls (known to most of my friends as Channel 0 Steve). He engaged me in my first professional database project – redesigning the chemical inventory database for the research branch of the Cleveland VA Hospital. It was a summer project between college years, and it was in (I know, I know *wince*) Access, but the guidance he gave me stood me in good stead then and ever since, as does his continued wisdom and humor.

The next shout goes out to Cheryl Johnson, who was my boss for many years while I worked for The Ohio State University (well, a small section of a segment of.) She allowed me to make mistakes and encouraged me to learn from them. I learned from her to take time in my work, which resulted in pride in what I created or helped create. She also showed me that women have a very definite place in the technology world.

That brings us to the the people who showed me #sqlfamily, including the best hugs ever.  I had the honor to be in Allen White’s Powershell precon at my first PASS Summit. (@SQLRunr) We connected because I might have been the smartass in the front row who likes to talk to presenters when they ask for audience participation. Allen has been nagging supporting me to become more involved with PASS and to give back to the community.  His encouragement has really meant a lot as I try to find ways to become involved – I’m not comfortable with public speaking, but maybe I’ll get there…. someday!

And last but by no means least, thank you to Mindy Curnutt (@sqlgirl). She and Eric Blinn (@SQL2TheSequel)  built up the dream team in our DBA Services group – each one of us had good basic skills, and exceptional skills in certain areas. I learned for the first time what it’s like to really work in a team of great people, and that I was valued for my contributions. This is no small thing. She is involved in many different activities and is inspiring in her work.

Thank you, all of you – for your support, for sharing your knowledge, and for being my friends.

Posted in PASS

PASS Summit 2017 Networking Dinner

Every year I’ve attended the PASS Summit, I’ve always started off the week by attending the Networking Dinner organized by Steve Jones (@wayoutwest|voiceofthedba.com) and Andy Warren (@sqlandy|sqlandy.com). Each year I have made new connections and sometimes friends who I have spent the week with. When I read on Andy’s blog that he and Steve weren’t going to be able to organize this event this year, I felt like I was going to be really missing out. After tossing around the idea, I decided maybe I’d have a go at organizing it!

I hadn’t planned my plane flight around arriving that early on Monday, so the first dinner time will be 6p. Please RSVP via Eventbrite so I can help the restaurant get a more accurate head count and we can get seats!  We cannot float you dinner and drinks unfortunately, but we can help you meet great people.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pass-summit-2017-networking-dinner-tickets-38990845669

When you get to the Yard House, please look for folks wearing their PASS badges. We and the wait staff will help you find the group.

I hope you join us, I’m most certainly looking forward to meeting all of you!