My brain is full.

This week at work we’ve been hosting a visit from Rob Farley, SQL Server MVP and proprietor of LobsterPot Solutions. He’s been taking us through three solid days of SQL Server Analysis Services training.

While I feel as if I’ve known Rob for years (we first started corresponding via blog comments about three years ago, and have had Twitter conversations) this is the first chance I’ve had to meet him face to face. I was a little dismayed to learn that he’s actually more or less the same age as me (I typically assume that “experts” are older than me), but at least he isn’t some sort of child prodigy barely out of puberty.

As well as three days of training, Rob volunteered to present at AWDNUG this month, and ran us through a fast-paced version of his Tech.Ed Australia talk “Improving Your SQL Arsenal”. This is a collection of tips and techniques to improve your SQL queries, and was well-received by the entire group.

Right now I’m sitting in the auditorium at the SQL Down Under Code Camp, watching a presentation called “The Dangers of BEGIN and END” by … you guessed it … Rob Farley.

The week has given us plenty to think about for our SQL-based solutions at work, and I can’t wait to try to put some of the techniques into practice. I imagine, too, that my colleagues at work are looking forward to returning to an environment in which the worst jokes are made by yours truly. Let’s face it, Rob: comedy is not your forté! ;-)