Getting in the Holiday Spirit: Revisiting the Story of DBA Nick

By this point in the holiday season, everyone is frantically trying to finish their holiday shopping and wrap presents, prepare their house for guests or prepare to travel to see their family and friends, and finish things up at the office in order to enjoy their time off. And if you’re a SQL Server DBA or developer, you’re probably feeling even more stressed with the idea of leaving the office and hoping your servers stay up and running while you’re out (your family won’t be too happy if you have to get up from the holiday meal to reboot your servers). With all this craziness, I feel the need to spread some holiday cheer. One of my all-time favorite SQL Mag articles was written specifically with holiday fun in mind. Every time I read it I get a big smile on my face, and I hope you enjoy it just as much. Happy Holidays!

A Visit from DBA Nick
by Brian Moran (originally featured as the commentary in the December 21st, 2006 SQL Server Magazine UPDATE)

“'Twas the week before launch, when all through the cubes,
Not a geek was sleeping, not even the slouch;
The servers were stacked in the rack with care,
In hopes this project’s end soon would be there;

The bosses were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of bonuses danced in their heads;
And I, the team lead--a database pro--
Had just settled down for a hot cup of joe,
When from the server room there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the console I flew like a flash,
Logged in on the keyboard with a slam and a bash.”

Click here to read the rest of A Visit from DBA Nick


And be sure to check out Brian’s 2010 holiday commentary:

The SQL Server Professional's Holiday Wish List