First day, new company

Here begins my learning about life after Microsoft, phase two. Suspicions that the software industry's equivalent of a medical internship at a teaching hospital is to have done a stint at Microsoft. Either that or the equivalent of a stint at McDonald's to the hospitality industry. Met three people today who agreed that the reason they left after successful multi-year runs at the software giant was that they didn't like performance reviews. They were happy to be on the outside, but did not regret their time.

Microsoft has been very good to me. Learned from some great people, and confirmed my suspicions that I am better than most at my chosen speciality, which happens to be business intelligence. Am genuinely thrilled to know that the last eight years of my professional life have left me well equipped to move ahead, and only slightly the worse for wear and tear.

Here's hoping all my friends in and around Microsoft are happy and well this Christmas season. I have fond regards and greatest respect for one and all, including employees, contingent staff, partners and members of staffing firms alike. My earnest prayer is that you will weather the storms of whatever budgetary constraints may manifest over this next year or so as we collectively build our way out of America's current economic conditions.

Life is short, and milestones like the first day at a new company are too few to mark its labors. Family and friends are precious, and we make too little time for them as we strive to meet the demands of daily life. Do every kindness you can, and draw as close to those you love as possible. If nothing else, you can always start writing a blog.

At least, that's the way I see it.