I am sitting in my usual seat (3D) flying home from the SQL Saturday event (#97) in Austin. This event has cracked my top five events for the year, despite my almost having been murdered in my motel the night before. I’m not joking. Ask anyone else who stayed there if they also felt like we were in a scene from “No Country For Old Men“. I guarantee the answer is “yes”.
I only had one talk (SQL Server Memory Management, a tune up for the same talk I am giving at PASS next week), and I only attended one talk (by Conor on the columnstore in Denali) during the day, but I met some truly wonderful people during the day of the event, as well as the night before during the speaker dinner. I think I even recorded some video that night, and will post it once I find it.
During the morning introductions Wes Brown mentioned that I had the honor of being the very first speaker to sign up for the event. I reminded Wes that he promised me bacon (which was NEVER delivered) and that’s why I came to Austin. But the truth is that I came because Wes asked. It really was that simple.
I have known Wes for a few years now, and he is one of those people on this Earth that I drop everything for when they ask for a favor. When he told me he was having an event, I didn’t hesitate to register, regardless of the bacon factor. There are times when I am simply in awe that Wes F’n Brown would even talk to me, so it is natural for me to want to serve him in any way possible. I am already counting the days until I can return to Austin.
This was a wonderful event, mostly because nobody lost their life despite the high probability for those of us at that motel. (Then again, we *were* right across from a hospital, so chances are we would have been saved, but I really don’t know). It was great to connect with some old friends as well as to make lots of new ones.
I am quite honored to be a member of this Community.
Thank you.
I too enjoyed the event. I got to hang out with old friends and make some new ones. I always look forward to these events and connecting the virtual and real worlds. The fascinating thing I’ve discovered about the people is that they are even more enjoyable in person than they are online.
I hope to see you at SQL Ralley in the spring. Maybe we can hook you up with some bacon – no tease this time.
I thought you got bacon at the seedy cafe next door. Maybe Wes himself didn’t deliver it, but he made sure the hotel was positioned next to an all night eatery. LOL good meeting you this weekend and looking forward to your antics at Summit next week!
Amy,
I was handed something that was “bacon-like” at the cafe, but I wouldn’t call it bacon.
Tom
It was a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I guess I’ll see you again next week too.
In retrospect, I am glad I stayed at a different hotel to earn points.