Catching up

Nothing SQL related in this post, just clearing my mind and catching up.

First, my laptop went kablooie a few weeks back. I've been using a Pavilion TX 2000 that I ordered custom from HP for the past few years. I chose this model because I wanted a computer that could run the old Tablet XP OS, and I loved the swivel top that let me use it as either a notepad or as a full blown laptop (Apple, you need to add the ability to write on the iPad). Anyway, a few weeks ago my pc wouldn't boot at all, just kept giving me a black screen. I couldn't even get to the BIOS screen or boot from a CD. Luckily I had also bought an extended warranty that was still in effect. So, after opening a ticket with HP, I shipped the unit back to them, and they had it back to me about 10 days later. I was without the laptop for about 2 1/2 weeks, of which 1 was vacation time anyway. And not counting the week between when the unit first went bad and I shipped it back, I hardly missed it.

But I did miss it. I work mostly on my laptop at work and on my commute. This is my lab, where I can install my own programs and other beta apps. It's also the machine I blog from, mostly while on my commute. So it's good to have it back. I'm just finishing installing SQL 2008 R2, VS 2010, and Office 2010. I should be good to go by the time I go back to work on Monday.

Speaking about work, I did mention that I'm just finishing up a two-week vacation. The first week my wife and I took a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. We had a wonderful time. Perfect weather, great scenery, wonderful people. I'd like to go back soon and see some of the sights we missed this time around. This second week is just relaxing, doing yard work, mostly taking it easy.

Next week I'll write about an issue I ran across with our report server just before I left.