Distributed Transaction Coordinator orphaned transactions in SQL 2005

Thes types of transactions can cause resource contention and show up in sp_who2 as being blocked by spid -2. You can kill them if you know the Unit of Work (a guid) that identifies them. You can find the guids using the following query in SQL 2005:

SQL 2005 using system table

SELECT DISTINCT(req_transactionUOW)
FROM sys.syslockinfo
WHERE req_spid = -2
AND req_transactionUOW <&gt; '00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000'

You would kill the UOW with the same Kill command from SQL as you would a spid.

KILL '00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000'


This should clear the transactions and remove any resource contention that they may be having.
Sources: SQL Authority


Enjoy!

SQL February 2008 CTP is out...

I am looking forward to exploring this within a virtual environment. I am currently in a contract where the time I have is not well suited for exploring new technologies, but I plan on spending some "quality" time with this version to get to understand it better. Along with the VS 2008 Trial, the SQL 2008 February CTP should provide some fantastic late night sessions.

A desk only a mother could love...

This is a fantastic idea. Maybe my lottery tickets will pan out and I can put this in the new office (right next to the sock room)....

I have always loved the idea of functional art and I think this is a fantastic idea. Maybe there would be a way to get a series of these. Maybe collections of scenes under glass for desks. I am thinking of " Jabba the Hutt with Princess Leia", "Death Star Bridge", or the "Unmasking of Vader".

Nashville SQL Server Users Group is getting back together!!!!

The Nashville SQL Server Users Group has had some challenges in the past few years ranging from a website that was defunct (owned by a former member) to just poor attendance. There were attempts to merge with the .Net users group on occasion, as well as working with various groups in the Nashville IT Community. To make a long story short, the group is making a resurgence (I hope). They have a new hosted site (http://nashville.sqlpass.org/) and are having their first event on Friday, Feb 15, 2008.

I look forward to it and hope I can be a bit involved in the SQL Community of Nashville more than I have been in the past.

DataSherpa

Stick Figures Rock!

Ok, so a friend sent me this. This is an amazing bit of animation. I have always been a fan of stick people art including Stick Figure Death Theater (http://www.sfdt.com/) and the Stick Page (http://www.stickpage.com/) to name a few. However, this interaction between an animator and the animations is a phenomenal piece of intellectual work as well as great art. I have embedded it here from the site. Take a look at http://www.deviantart.com/ and see what else they have over there. A quick glance showed me that they have some quality stuff.

Enjoy

Animator vs. Animation by *alanbecker on deviantART

Google loves Legos

...and who doesn't?

his reminds me that I need to get some help with designing one of my next tattoos. It is going to be on my upper thigh, a bear claw ripping through the outer layers of flesh to reveal the Lego Inside. I think it will be awesome. Especially if I can get someone who can do realistic animal/flesh and realisitc lego images.

Once I thought of building a desk out of legos. I went to the legos.com site and tried to price out what I thought would be a reasonable number of legos for the volume. It ended up it was something crazy (like $6,000) for the materials, not to mention the time. I guess that is the difference between liking and LOVING legos. I just like 'em.

Peace out!

My Mission Statement

1. I will spend more time loving the things I have.
2. I will give my heart to others unconditionally and allow others to be intimate with me.
3. I will find time to see the humor in life and share it out loud with others.
4. I will be active in my kids' lives.
5. I will work to think less and act more.
6. I will work to foster a sense of community and purpose.
7. I will be a supportive and loving husband and friend.
8. I will plan for the future.
9. I will work with my kids to develop better behavior in spite of my initial reactions.
10. I will build relationships and processes on strong foundations so that they will last.
11. I will be honest in my dealings with people and provide appropriate levels of information at all times.
12. I will not make excuses for not taking action, but will make informed decisions on my own.
13. I will maintain integrity in my dealings with people and reward integrity with continued relationships.
14. I will endeavor to provide choices and teach responsibility to all with whom I come in contact.
15. I will look for the good in others and hold my tongue if my thoughts are unkind.