Greetings from PASS
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I arrived in Dallas today after an uneventful flight (the best kind to have!) from St. Louis. Well, I have to agree, it is HOT in Dallas. It's as hot here today as the hottest day of the summer in St. Louis.
My niece, Beth, and her family recently moved to Dallas. I hadn't seen her since 2002, and she now has two new little girls in addition to her precocious son, Gage. I had a wonderful visit with Beth, Brian and the three kids and can't wait to see them again at Thanksgiving.
The registration desk was already open this evening so I was able to pick up my badge and the official PASS 2005 laptop bag. My favorite is the backpack they gave away in 2003. Inside the bag I found the program book, conference information and a head start on the vendor stuff. The cutest thing is a tiny little flashing light from HP that you can wear on your collar.
I'm in for a busy week. I'm on the program committee which means I have to be available to help out at 8 presentations. I have my own presentation and pretty much signed up for any special events that I found out about. Tomorrow I will attend one of the pre-conference events.
Kathi
Aunt Kathi Data Platform MVP
Author of Expert T-SQL Window Functions
Simple-Talk Editor -
Greetings back Kathi - Good luck with your presentation - keep us posted if (at all) you get time during what sounds like a truly hectic schedule...
**ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI !!!** -
Just back to my room after a long day at the PASS pre-conference. The pre-conference seminar I attended covered many of the new features of SQL 2005. It was presented by actual members of the SQL team at Microsoft, so it was a great chance to ask questions and get back some "insider" information.
The highlight of my day was getting to hang out with Steve Jones, Andy Warren and Haidong "Alex" Ji this evening for drinks. Matt, one of the MS presenters I had seen earlier, also joined us.
We had a lively discussion that covered many topics, but being geeks, a lot of it was technical stuff. But that's why we're geeks, we love SQL Server and love to talk about it.
Tomorrow I get to meet Brian in person and will be looking for Dale Elizabeth Corey at the SSC party.
Aunt Kathi Data Platform MVP
Author of Expert T-SQL Window Functions
Simple-Talk Editor -
Thanks Jeetendra and Sushila!
This has been the most incredible day! I attended the PSS Boot Camp today and it was awesome. I learned so much and again realized how much more there is to learn.
This evening was the opening reception including the SIG Bowl. The team that correctly answered the pop culture trivia question first then got a chance to answer a SQL Server question. My claim to fame is that I can name all of the characters on Gilligan's Island. Anyway, our team came in second and I won an X-Box.
After the reception was the much anticipated SSC party. I didn't gamble, but spent the whole time talking with Alex Ji, Christoffer Hedgate and Dale Elizabeth Corey and her husband. I also got to meet Jamie Thomson.They are all wonderful and I'm so glad I had the chance to meet them.
Big day tomorrow as the conference really gets going!
Aunt Kathi Data Platform MVP
Author of Expert T-SQL Window Functions
Simple-Talk Editor -
Once more a very long day. Bill Baker gave a great keynote to start off the conference. I ended up attending sessions by Kurt Windisch and Charles Felber. Both are great presenters and had very engaging sessions.
Tonight I attended a PASS volunteer appreciation event. The PASS volunteers have to be the most fun group of geeks around. I got to spend a lot of time with Bill Graziano, Mark Caldwell, Denise McInerney and Scott Stauffer.
Aunt Kathi Data Platform MVP
Author of Expert T-SQL Window Functions
Simple-Talk Editor -
Hello Kathi,
Thanks For Keeping us Updated.I Really Appreaciate You for Letting us Know whats happening in PASS.Looks like you are having a great time at PASS.Have You Finished Your Paper Presentation.If Yes, How was it?
(If Possible)Can You Please let me know on which Topic you will be Presenting your Paper?
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My talk is today. I will be presenting on communication skills. I'll let you know how it goes.
Aunt Kathi Data Platform MVP
Author of Expert T-SQL Window Functions
Simple-Talk Editor -
Thursday turned out to be another amazing day. I attended some fantastic presentations. I had a good turn out for my talk and I think it was received well. I'll write more about Thursday after I get home. I'm trying to get packed and checkout before the keynote starts.
Aunt Kathi Data Platform MVP
Author of Expert T-SQL Window Functions
Simple-Talk Editor -
More from Thursday: I attended a BI Power Hour hosted by Bill Baker. Several silly demos using Reporting Services, Integration Services and Analysis Services were shown. The cutest was an Etch-A-Sketch running in Reporting Services.
Thursday night I attended a VIP event for MVPs. I'm not one, but was invited because I spoke at the conference and am a volunteer. Many of the top SQL Server gurus in the world were there. It was an incredible and humbling experience. That's the point where I really wondered if this was all just a dream.
Friday turned out to be another fantastic day. I attended several presentations including Brian Knight and Bayer White's security presentation. Bayer is the unsuspecting web programmer and Brian is the bad guy trying to hack into SQL Server using SQL injection. One of the best sessions of the event in my opionion.
The Women In Technology is also one of my favorite events. I got to run around the audience with the microphone. It was great.
Soon it was time to head home. I ran into Brian and he talked me into hanging out another half hour. I was really glad I got the chance to say goodbye.
Well, I hope you got a taste of what a fantastic experience PASS was this year. Now is the time to start working on your boss so that you can attend PASS 06 in Seattle.
Aunt Kathi Data Platform MVP
Author of Expert T-SQL Window Functions
Simple-Talk Editor -
Hello Kathi,
I, Thank you for all the efforts you have taken to keep us Updated on the Happenings in the PASS by taking some time Off from your Busy Hectic Schedule.It felt like I was also Attending it.I will like to Congratulate you on your Presentation.
Lastly, if you have received any White Papers on any Topics of SQL from the PASS, Please Post it on SQLServercentral.com, so that everybody else will also have a chance to review it.
Once Again Kathi, Thanks A TON...........
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