Back in 2015, I attended IEPTO1 by SQLSkills. It was there that I met Tim Radney. I remember asking him for advice on the best way to get out there in the community, etc. He said, “start a blog, then start speaking at user groups and SQL Saturdays…”
I remember flying back home from the training event, immediately registering this blog URL, and posting my very first blog.
Fast forward a couple years…now I have over 120+ blogs posted. I just started speaking at SQL Saturdays this year. My first time speaking was at SQL Saturday Orange County, then Albuquerque, Dallas, and finally…
Pensacola.
Why SQL Saturday Pensacola
I had to submit to speak at Pensacola when I saw Tim would be there. I haven’t seen him since that IEPTO1 class back in 2015 so it’s about time we catch up!
Full Circle
Asking for, and receiving, advice is an art. To many us seek advice from wrong sources and end up down a road we shouldn’t be. Finding the right person to ask, knowing whether their advice will actually help or not is crucial. People tend to forget the simplest rule when seeking advice: Does it make sense to you?
When I asked Tim for advice and he said, “start a blog and speak…” That made sense to me. I remember thinking, “I can’t wait to do that!”
What better way to meet him, after all these years, than as a blogger/speaker?
To Be Continued…
I will update this post with content/pictures from SQL Saturday Pensacola…
[UPDATED: 6/3/2018]Friday Speaker Dinner
We all had a great time at the speaker dinner. I met Karla Landrum (t | b) and Ed Watson (t | b) for the first time. They were very welcoming. Sadly, this year will be Karla’s last time organizing SQL Saturday Pensacola. Towards the end of the dinner, Ed Watson gave a little “goodbye” speech and presented Karla with a gift.
Speaker dinner #sqlsatPensacola @SQLGator giving a speech on @KarlaKay22‘s #SQLSaturday pic.twitter.com/o1OVOduS0D
— Mohammad Darab (@mwdarab) June 2, 2018
I finally met Tim after 3+ years. It was great to meet him! A lot of people brought their family. I had some time chatting with a new friend that I met at my very first SQL Saturday named John Wells. He’s only been in the “DBA game” for 4 years but his passion and thirst for knowledge really motivates me!
Saturday
SQL Saturday Pensacola was more of a smaller event, but the lineup of speakers was top notch. I was honored to have Tim attend my session. Even though it has been over 3 years since he told me to get into speaking…time flies. To see him sitting in my session as an attendee was just surreal. I thank all those that attended my session.
It was an honor to meet the person who started it all for me, Mr @tradney
It was My first time in Pensacola & definitely not my last!
Thank you @KarlaKay22 & @SQLGator for the warm & welcoming event#SQLSatPensacola #sqlfamily pic.twitter.com/W6WJtzEJ5r
— Mohammad Darab (@mwdarab) June 3, 2018
What’s Next?
I plan on spending the rest of 2018 working towards my MCSE, working on a new session (tech track) and of course blogging!
OH!…and preparing for a new addition to our family later this year :)
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