Whew.

So my first (of just two) chapters for the upcoming SQL Server Internals and Troubleshooting book is done.  I just wish I had more time to add more stuff!  I started out with a grand outline of all kinds of storage-related topics, and as I edged closer to the deadline, I had to slice more and more things off.  It becomes a decision of quality versus quantity.

That feeling was made even worse when I popped open the new SQL Server 2008 Administration in Action ebook by Rod Colledge.  I’m going to post a review of it in the next few days, but here’s a sneak preview: chapter #2 is all about storage, and he did a hell of a good job.  I kept saying, “Oooo, I should have talked about that too in my chapter.”  I’m not dissatisfied with my work, but every time I look at anything storage-related, I want to stuff it into my chapter like some kind of overpacked suitcase.  It’ll fit into the overhead bin, I swear.  Lemme just sit on it one more time.

My other chapter is on the Performance Dashboard Reports, and it’s due in May.  I’m glad to have a breather to catch back up at work and for upcoming presentations, and definitely catch up on my social life.  The company wanted me to go to the month-long Microsoft Certified Master training in May, but I still don’t have the five prerequisite exams done.  I have a peculiar job – I don’t get to spend much hands-on time with customers, so the longer I work on things like WordPress and MediaWiki, the rustier my SQL Server skills get.  As a result, I figured I’d have to spend some time studying for the five exams, but the company wouldn’t give me any time off during the week to study.  My schedule would have looked something like:

• February – work weekends writing the book
• March – work weekends studying for the two MCITP’s
• April – work weekends writing the second book chapter
• May – work weekends studying for the MCM
• June – spend weekends looking for a new girlfriend after Erika leaves me for being a workaholic

I don’t know how the big-time frequent authors crank out book after book, year after year.  It’s pretty amazing.

My first reaction was to say, “I’m never doing another book again.”

My second reaction was to email Jason Massie, Tim Ford and Tom LaRock and say, “We gotta do an ebook together.”  More news on that later.