I wanted to take a post and thank everyone who has helped me with getting this blog up and also those who are visiting it frequently. So I would like to thank the following individuals for helping me:

1. Rick Heiges, a colleague at Scalability Experts and PASS Director http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/default.aspx
2. Bill Graziano, owner/runs this website and also PASS Director http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/billg/

As mentioned, also a big THANK YOU to all of you who've visited my blog! And by the way, please fell free to ask me any SQL Server related questions you may have. Like most, I get better with your questions and feedback

Maybe I should have named my blog 'SQL Server 2008 BI' LOL...the fact that the majority of my blog's content thus far is on Katmai is because of timing, I'm working fulltime off and on in SQL 2008 for my employeer unlike most who can simply 'play' as they have time. Overtime, I do intend to get more PPS & other MSFT BI Product information in here.

Ah yes, the Microsoft Exams, I was just commenting on this over at a fellow bloggers recent post http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/markc/archive/2008/01/31/60479.aspx . Currently, I have passed (along with a 'load' of others in the past) my 70-445 and am slated to take the 70-446 tomorrow morning bright and early. I would like to say here that its OK TO FAIL. These exams are not easy (if they were what would be the value in getting certified), and depending upon which exam there could be a large amount of information it covers. I have passed around 8-10 exams over my years but I did fail the first and my 70-445 on my first attempt. I then went back in and completed the 70-445 very soon again and I blew it away (good thing...seen some of those questions twice ) . Point is, don't get so down on yourself because you failed. I am the WORSE at doing this as I put so much pressure on myself but its OK TO FAIL. If you pull yourself up and study in the areas you did poorly in (score report or not....you know where you 'missed the bus') you will pass!

Thanks for listening to my ramblings and THANK YOU FOR COMING

Derek