I freely admit it - I'm a sluggard. I should be blogging a couple times per week and tweeting in between. But, for some unknown reason, April has been a tough month to get this in gear. Hence, I'm putting out an omnibus post to cover all of the stuff I've been up to, instead of the one-off's I usually post when I've got something new to mention. Isn't it funny how life gets in the way of the stuff we want and intend to do? As they say - "The road to hell is paved with good intentions", or was that Detroit? But I digress. A New Translation! I don't like to toot my own horn. [sarcasm … [Read more...]
Something I’d Always Wanted to See in Person
April 20, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Ever since I'd first seen pictures of it as a kid flipping through my parent's National Geographic, I'd always wanted to see the Grand Canyon in person.Rachel and I were able to share that first brief glimpse together last month. It was a really magical moment and one that we both hope to enjoy again, with the kids and over the course of a couple days.Although the pictures are marvelous and amazing, the truth is that they don't do justice to this amazing national treasure. It truly is an inspiring sight. … [Read more...]
Lotsa Snow in Feb
April 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment
2010 has been a pretty unusual month, weather-wise. Although the temperatures weren't all that bad, we had more snow that I can remember in years. It seems like the girls didn't go to school on a Monday or Tuesday for the entire month of February, maybe even January too. On the other hand, I got to teach Savannah, Kaylee, and Ava how to sled. They'd never really done that before and it was great fun seeing them get the hang of it. … [Read more...]
Stretch! Girls at Gymnastics Practice
April 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment
The gymnastics studio were Katie and Anna have gymnastics every Thursday night has a weird sort of loft where all the parents can look down on their girls at play. I've had plenty of laughs up there and a few uh-oh moments. But mostly, I'm really impressed with the progress Katie and Anna have made. … [Read more...]
Good News for Women in Technology – Barbie Has Joined the IT Scene
March 10, 2010 by 3 Comments
I'm happy to report that Barbie is now a cognizeti, a digerati, ... yes even an IT Professional! This year's new Barbie is Computer Engineer Barbie. Several months back, I encouraged all my friends and followers on Twitter to vote for the IT job for Barbie in Mattel's recent public job selection for the eponymous doll. That encouragement was founded in an experience I'd had years earlier - becoming a dad to a very beautiful baby girl. When I was growing up as a kid, I clearly recall how odd it was for a woman to have a career outside of a handful of "traditional feminine jobs" like … [Read more...]
If I Were King, March 2010 Edition
March 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment
It wasn't too long ago that I heard about an 80 year old woman who went in to a Florida Department of Motor Vehicles office, renewed her drivers license, and promptly slammed her enormous Cadillac into a large tree at the edge of the parking lot. Inspectors on the scene said that she had to be going at least 50 mph to inflict that much damage to the car and to the tree. I repeat AT LEAST 50 MPH IN A SMALL PARKING LOT!I've often maintained that driving, though ingrained into the American psyche, is a privilege and not a right. Part of that privilege is maintaining your skills and not being a … [Read more...]
New On SQLPASS.ORG – Dealing with Micromanagers
February 24, 2010 by 1 Comment
In my regular professional development column for the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS), Plays Well With Others, check out my latest post on dealing with micromanagers. If you've ever dealt with a manager who questioned your every move, hijacked meetings, nit-picked over inconsequential details, or made you jump through endless hoops of administrivia, then you know what I'm writing about. This article is part one of a two part series. Part one deals with identifying how and why managers become micro-managers. Part two, coming in the next issue of the PASS Community … [Read more...]
