Microsoft's layoffs included the guy with the Blue Monster tattoo |
Follow the ups and downs of a new Seattle startup in a series of behind-the-scenes posts by its founders.
Microsoft solutions adviser Dan Woodman achieved minor celebrity status for getting a tattoo of the company's unofficial "Blue Monster" mascot -- a character created by Hugh MacLeod imploring employees to "change the world or go home." In this impassioned blog post last summer, Woodman expressed his love for Microsoft and explained that he got the tattoo as a daily reminder of that mantra.
In a post this evening, Woodman acknowledged that he was among the 1,400 employees laid off by the company last week. However, he says, he has no plans to give up the Blue Monster. Nor is he giving up on the company.
"Working at Microsoft has been the greatest experience of my life and I have no desire to forget about it," he writes. "And even if I don't get back into Microsoft right away (which is, by the way, my plan!), then I have a reminder that even outside of Microsoft, I need to do my best to change the world every single day."
Woodman has started a new blog here. Tattoos or not, it should be interesting to follow along as he begins a new chapter of his life.
Todd Bishop is co-founder and managing editor of TechFlash. He has covered Microsoft and the technology industry for more than five years, most recently as a daily newspaper reporter and blogger based in Seattle.
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WTIA 15th Annual Industry Achievement Awards
Held on March 4th at the Showbox SODO, this casual event celebrates and recognizes some of the best emerging and established companies in the Washington Tech Industry. The evening will feature a finalist company technology showcase and a variety of coffee, chocolate, and wine samples from local companies. More than 800 attendees are expected to be present at the celebration. Public online voting for Technology Leader of Tomorrow Scholarships will open February 3rd on the WTIA site.
We congratulate the 2010 finalists and look forward to unveiling the winners on March 4th. REGISTER NOW!
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