The Game Is On

I heard somewhere that blogs tend to die because their authors get stressed about writing the next post. The key is to lower the bar, not raise it, with each successive issue. I'm wholly adopting that approach today.

First, in reaction to a few comments I wanted to bring this up: Many of us out there have already made a decision on job search formally, as your deadline has passed. For others, that decision was made for us, or is still a few weeks off. Everyone's situation is different, and the difference largely dependent on how legal departments feel about risk.

Another observation - it has become painfully obvious to me that Microsoft continues to hire in the wake of its layoffs. Town cars circle campus with recruits, NEO training proceeds in B92, and managers are still talking about the open positions they have (whether a result of the RIF or not). I get this funny feeling that this is all some bizarre game. Who it's being played is anyone's guess.

Regardless, the initial shock and awe must be wearing off, and its clear from the recent poll at left that many are moving on. I'm interested in hearing about experiences, whether you remain to look for work at Microsoft or are thinking crazy thoughts.

I, for one, am struck by how strange it feels when the badge stops working.

6 more weeks of winter?

I don't turn the news on anymore.

There was a time for me that it qualified as entertainment, but these days its a major source of exogenous stress. I've got my own worries to deal with - do I really need to plug into the chaos that is Corporate America these days? Yesterday I made an exception given the occasion and came across this:

The world's most famous ground-hog saw his shadow yesterday, predicting that winter will last for six more weeks.

Big surprise.

Seasonal variations aside, look at what actually happened. This furry little creature was rewarded for his mid-winter bravery by a dose of clear biting air, declared it a loss and scurried back into his lair. Not exactly an inspiring story for tough times.

Of course, many of us might feel the same way. We took chances. Circumstances turned against us. Is it time to crawl back into the hole? For those recently released from Microsoft, this is precisely the question they have before them.

Most crawl towards safety. Some towards the comforting bosom of salaried employment, though most know its safety is an illusion. Others check out (I'm guilty), spending the time on ourselves we believe we've earned over the years, hoping the storm will blow over.

Yet there are a few among us who are welcoming mid-winter's chill, staring down their shadow, knowing that spring will come.

Perhaps they'll be here: http://startpad.org/events/startup-brainstorming-session