AndyLeonard.blog()

Introduction This is not a post about children. I was feeling plucky when I wrote this post at the end of last year. Sometimes when I feel plucky I’m inspired to create awesome blog post titles and ideas. Other times, this happens.  2011 Is Here! I was born in 1963. As I child I watched Neil Armstrong …
Continue reading It’s 2011-Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

Introduction Earlier this year, I responded to Tim Ford’s (Blog / Twitter) tag (in a post about 2010 Resolutions and Themeword) with 2010 Themeword and Goals. Let’s see how I did. Resolutions 1. I need to take better care of Andy. On this, I failed. I took even worse care of myself than before. I have …
Continue reading 2010 Goals Review

I originally titled this post “I Quit!” but decided that doesn’t set the proper tone and definitely does not match my feelings about the upcoming transitions in my life. “I Start!” is much more appropriate!  Introduction I’ve tendered my resignation from the position of Manager, ETL Team, Data Management Group, Molina Medicaid Solutions effective Friday 14 Jan …
Continue reading I Start!

Introduction Back in 2010, I started recognizing the SQLPeople Person of the Year. It’s been a tradition ever since. “But Andy, you’re writing this in 2010.” Yep. Good eye, Pep. The Award Goes To: Steve Jones (Blog | @way0utwest). I am not a DBA – I’m a database developer. I joke and say I look like the world’s …
Continue reading 2010 SQLPeople Person of the Year

I’m happy to announce the next public From Zero To SSIS class: Date: 21-25 Mar 2011Cost: $2,500 USDLocation: Farmville VirginiaMaximum Class Size: 8 You can obtain details and a course outline here. For more informatino, questions, or to enroll; contact me! :{>

Introduction It’s always an honor to present anywhere. Presenting at the PASS Summit is a special honor. I delivered three presentations last month: Database Design for Developers SSIS Design Patterns, Part 2 A Lightning Talk on SSIS Database Design for Developers First, a bit of explanation (defense): I submitted this abstract to the PASS Abstracts folks …
Continue reading PASS Summit 2010 Presentation Feedback

I’m often approached by community members who seek new or better employment. One problem? Experience. You need experience to get a new or better job; you can’t get experience without the new gig. </Catch22> River City Give Camp is a way to gain some experience, but it’s much more than that – it’s also a …
Continue reading River City Give Camp 4-6 Feb 2011 in Richmond!

Introduction This post is the twenty-seventh part of a ramble-rant about the software business. The current posts in this series are: Goodwill, Negative and Positive Visions, Quests, Missions Right, Wrong, and Style Follow Me Balance, Part 1 Balance, Part 2 Definition of a Great Team The 15-Minute Meeting Metaproblems: Drama The Right Question Software is …
Continue reading Human Resources Sucks

Introduction The first 50.5 weeks of 2010 have been interesting, to say the least. My experiences in 2010 can best be summed up in a single word: educational. I’ve learned a lot this year! One important thread wove its way through my 2010 experiences… Relationships Are Everything How we interact defines community. Relationships define community. Our …
Continue reading Introducing SQLPeople – the Blog Series!

This post is the twenty-sixth part of a ramble-rant about the software business. The current posts in this series are: Goodwill, Negative and Positive Visions, Quests, Missions Right, Wrong, and Style Follow Me Balance, Part 1 Balance, Part 2 Definition of a Great Team The 15-Minute Meeting Metaproblems: Drama The Right Question Software is Organic, …
Continue reading T-SQL Tuesday: Personality Clashes, Style Collisions, and Differences of Opinion