SQL work-vacation, Tuesday! (#Workation #PASSSummit)

Hello yet again! I’ve been writing about our time this week in Seattle, for the PASS Summit.

  • Saturday, I wrote that we’re here in Seattle for the PASS Summit, and that it’s my tenth year. AND that I’m doing daily “letters home” to you fine folk, just like I’m away at summer camp.
  • Monday, I wrote about Sunday’s laziness,  Monday’s Freecon and donut meetup, and a little about what’s coming up.

Today, the welcome reception happens, so that’s the official start of the Summit!

summit-is-here

What’s going on today?

Tuesday’s agenda:

  • We should be publishing the SQL Yearbook!
  • More precons.
  • 4:00pm – 6:00pm PASS Women in Tech Happy Hour
  • First-Timers’ Orientation Meeting is 4:45pm in ballroom 6E.
  • The “Welcome event” is in Keynote Room, 4A from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
  • SQL Karaoke happens tonight, 9:30pm-1:30am. Big fun, but get your tickets early!

“What about me?” asks the stay-at-home DBA.

Here’s what I have for you today, you not-necessarily-in-Seattle data person: at least you have very little chance of getting the Con Crud.

Oh, also! The SQL Yearbook should be up now! Download, peruse, wonder at our efforts.

ALSO, remember that some of the PASS Summit is usually live streamed; most likely, that will be either at PASSSummit.com and/or on PASStv.

Plus, of course, folks will be live blogging the keynotes, the Women in Technology lunch, and who knows what else. Watch this space.

What’s coming up?

Check out the SQL Yearbook page. If the download isn’t up yet, it sure should be!

yearbook

And there’s a LOT going on Wednesday:

  • There’s always a 6am #SQLRun before the conference day starts.  The run is about 3 miles, fast or slow, from the conference center down to the waterfront and back. (See my PASS Summit #SQLRun 2017 blog for details.)
  • Keynote comes first, 8:15am. This will probably be streaming either at PASSSummit.com and/or on PASStv.
  • The PASS Community Zone (Skybridge, 4D) is open all week, check it out.
  • So is the Exhibit Hall; that’s where we’ll be, right across from Microsoft, and it’s where to get all the conference swag!
  • The Birds of a Feather lunch is today, 11:30-1:30. Go talk to experts in your area of interest.
  • The PASS Summit Photo Walk starts at 4:45pm.
  • Speaker Idol Round One goes from 4:45 PM – 6:00 PM. It’s a bit of a hike, and VERY popular, so start out early if you’re going.
  • The Exhibitor Reception happens 6-8pm; go and get some food and prizes.
  • There will be a number of community events afterward (click on “Community Hosted Events”).
  • PASS Summit 2018 Games Night!! 7-10:30pm in the convention center, board games and nerds. I love this event.

For more Summit goodness, look at my “All about PASS Summit 2018” post.

Happy days,
Jen

SQL work-vacation, Monday (#Workation #PASSSummit)

Hello again! Sunday, I wrote that we’re here in Seattle for the PASS Summit, and that it’s my tenth year. AND that I’m doing daily “letters home” to you fine folk, just like I’m away at summer camp.

We’re still just a day or three away from the start of the Summit itself, depending on how you measure it…

summit-is-coming

What happened Sunday?

Yesterday was Sunday, and for us it was the last free day we have this week.

We had a lovely walk around downtown Seattle, stopping off at Porchlight Coffee & Records for a mocha and a tea, and at Whole Foods Westlake for trail mix and coffee beans.

We had okay food at Thai Ginger at Pacific Place, then a hangout at the Barnes and Noble in the same building, with some of our bestest friends. And we capped off the day with karaoke at Rock Box Seattle.

It was a good and great day.

What’s going on today?

  • Precons happen Monday and Tuesday!  There are a lot of good ones…in fact, I can’t recommend any particular precon for either day, because they’re nearly all all quite good.  Itzik Ben-Gan is always a favorite, of course, but you’ll have to choose based on subject matter.
  • Donuts! If you’re in town Monday evening, hit up the MidnightDBA Donut Meetup at Top Pot on 5th Ave, 5-7pm.  Sponsored by MinionWare.

 

“I still don’t get to go to Summit,” you say.

I know, and I’m sorry. But I’ve always been here for you too, dear at-home reader! Some of the PASS Summit is usually live streamed; most likely, that will be either at PASSSummit.com and/or on PASStv.

Plus, of course, folks will be live blogging the keynotes, the Women in Technology lunch, and who knows what else. Watch this space.

For a little more of the Summit experience at home, find yourself these things:

  • A local, non-chain coffee shop. Preferably one with books or records.
  • A Thai food place.
  • A bookstore to drink tea in.
  • And, a Japanese style karaoke bar.

What’s coming up?

TODAY, we are at the Seattle Freecon. After this we’ll likely register for the conference, and head to our free Donut Meetup (sold out!), sponsored by MinionWare.

Tomorrow, I think, I’ll be releasing our first annual SQL Yearbook. It’s been quite the labor of love, and I’m pleased with the amount of participation this first year. We raised some money for Doctors Without Borders, we paid some respects to friends that have passed away, and we had some fun making a high school-style yearbook for grown-ass SQL adults.

A small preview of one section of SQL Yearbook 2018.
A small preview of one section of SQL Yearbook 2018.

 

As for Tuesday onward, you’ll get a general idea if you glance over my “All about PASS Summit 2018” post. Some specifics:

  • More precons.
  • 4:00pm – 6:00pm PASS Women in Tech Happy Hour
  • First-Timers’ Orientation Meeting is 4:45pm in ballroom 6E.
  • The “Welcome event” is in Keynote Room, 4A from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
  • SQL Karaoke happens tonight, 9:30pm-1:30am. Big fun, but get your tickets early!

Happy days,
Jen