SQL Brain Picking

A few weekends ago I was fortunate enough to spend time with some old friends Chris and Sally. We had dinner together and got caught up on all sorts of events over the past oh-so-many years. There was a time when we saw each other quite frequently, as Chris and I used to coach basketball together. But that was a lifetime ago, three lifetimes ago actually, as that is how many children we all have combined since those days long ago.

Towards the end of the meal I made a comment to Sally that I was going to be looking for some help getting our kids into college. Sally remarked back that she often gets asked to help others and has a rule: I will help you as long as I am not stationary. In other words, if Sally is heading for a jog you are free to join her and ask her whatever questions you may have. Or maybe you can be on the elliptical next to her instead. The point being, she doesn’t mind helping others if you don’t mind tagging along while she raises her heart rate.

I loved that idea. It reminded me about how at PASS there has been a photo-walk the past two years. Imagine if, while walking through the city taking photos, you were able to pick the brain of another SQL professional? Don’t like photos? Maybe a quick jog is better? Or elliptical? Or perhaps just a quiet breakfast somewhere other than the main dining hall? I started thinking about all the different ways we could organize little events that allow for some networking as well as some extra-curricular activities.

And then, almost as if on cue, I saw this article over at HorsePigCow. Clearly the Universe is trying to tell me something here. And I am doing my best to listen.

If you are interested in volunteering to lead an activity at the next PASS Summit, let me know. I would welcome the opportunity to help coordinate people and activities and produce something of value to all attendees. The goal would be to allow for some brain-picking and at the same time make a real connection with others as you participate in an activity together.

http://benchmarkitconsulting.com Colin Stasiuk

Wouldn’t Bush Gardens qualify as this type of activity? hahaha

Thomas LaRock

Yes. Yes it would.

http://www.sqlasylum.com Pat Wright

I think it’s a great idea. I am considering putting a SQL/PASS Theme on next year’s photowalk to try and find DB/SQL related items in the real world.

Thomas LaRock

do you mean try to find certain sights that reflect some piece of database architecture?

http://scarydba.wordpress.com YouCan Toucan

I’ve heard tales of visits to some local dojo out there in Seattle. Possibly making that more formal in some fashion (what I don’t know) might work. There are a quite a few people who study martial arts, at black belt levels too: Kalen Delaney, Gail Shaw, Jen & Sean McCown, Itzik Ben-Gan… off the top of my head. If you could get those guys in a room I’m sure a few people would tag along, despite the bruises. Although I think it’d need to be basics only, no contact, forms, that sort of thing. Could be fun.

Thomas LaRock

that’s a great idea, thanks grant!

http://scarydba.wordpress.com Grant Fritchey

Oh, and that was the final post from YouCan.
Kathy Sierra

The “as long as I’m not stationary” is so delightful. At least a jog is a little more festive and glamorous than what I require… “as long as you help me shovel horse poop”. Most of my free brain time is devoted to cleaning my horse paddocks, and anyone who wants to help with that can have all the advice/brain-picking they’d like

Thanks for the post.

Thomas LaRock

Kathy,

You are welcome! and thanks for a great response, i never thought about putting them to work. my lawn needs mowing…leaves raked…snow shoveled…even the pool has to be vacuumed. hey, that might be one they woul do! I can lay in the sun and talk while they vacuum my pool. perfect!