Wednesday, February 20, 2008

I'm Feeling Unemployed

Sorry, couldn't resist that title. But yes, today was my last day at Google. My reasons for leaving are all still as valid as ever, but that doesn't mean it wasn't difficult to do. This is a very large part of my life I'm leaving behind, and I'll definitely miss it. I'm grateful and proud to have spent the last four and a half years working on products I love and believe in, with great coworkers and friends, within a large community of really brilliant people. Specific thanks and props go to:
  • Kimmy - My Google/Blogger sister.
  • Eric - For being my original support guru and role model.
  • Steve and Tine - The rest of my original Blogger family.
  • Anna - For fun with diametrically opposed personalities.
  • Wen-Ai and Sophia - For the best cube-mate memories.
  • Rowyn - For being the kind of friend I most need.
  • The entire Blogger and Reader teams - Who let me be part of the awesome stuff they create.
Thanks also to everyone for the nice notes and cards and emails (public and otherwise) that I received today. Goodbyes were tough, and the first thing I did when I got home was to just sit down and cry for a bit, just to vent out all the emotion that's been building up throughout the day. It's still hitting me in little waves periodically. But it's more change crying than sadness crying. It's been good, and I'll keep in touch with folks, and more wonderful things will happen in the future, both for Google and for me.

62 comments:

Bethany said...

Lol this blog is really awesome

Lacey said...

Welcome to the land of the unemployed. I know how tough the goodbyes are, but keeping in touch is a wonderful thing to do, and I'm sure you'll relish your newfound freedom - I sure am!

Anonymous said...

You are very intresting to me I would Love to talk to you
My dream is to work for google

Muneer said...

Hey.. being unemployed is nice! you have enough time to decorate your blog space!
Thanks Gramham.. you have done a wonderful job here. Thanks for making blogspot a wonderful place to be..

goldman said...

Congratulations, Graham!

Enjoy your time off.

Erik M said...

best of luck in the future!

Donald M said...

Hey, you are a real good writer, I can almost feel your pain. Just keep pushing on and keep the faith, man.

God Bless you.

Endymion said...

Good luck, Graham. Exciting things are ahead.

Miriam said...

Congratulations. I'm excited for you and the new adventures you're about to begin.

Sayani said...

hey graham , its as same as course of river it creates while it destruct on one side .... so live it

by the way am also working in Google as contractor but i too attached with the ambiance here....still i know i have to move out someday ...so enjoy and all the best ....

Everymatter said...

have u done some planning for doing something innovative in ur near future

Best of luck to you

Kimmy said...

Congrats Graham!!!

I will miss our googleblogiversarys together and being able to tell the weather by your hair.

We shall continue to celebrate new events now and you'll just have to post pics of your hair so I don't get lost in the weather.

jyotsana said...

hi
first wondered why u had to be leaving the first place? and then i read ur reasons.
u r not unemployed! u have a great way to go.
Something seems to be waiting for u.and the first thing is ur freedom.
and ur writing was really touching.
love and best wishes.

Rajaram said...

hi graham...
all the very best for your future... :)

Fredrick Stevens said...

Wow, you quit a job with Google!? Gotta give you points for having the balls to do that. Lots of luck to you!

Anonymous said...

Hi,
very nice

Emel said...

I wish you great luck in your life

Anonymous said...

this blog ist really nice

Kookaburra said...

Dear Graham,

Good luck for the future. Follow your dream.

Lara said...

man, look at you! all popular and highlighted on the blogger page! a blog of note! i'm totally jealous, but you definitely deserve it. :)

enjoy the time off!

Anonymous said...

totally awesome

qwertyhop

William NTA said...

Dear man
I am just a new blogger... Actually, I don't know you, but I 'm a fan of Google... You 've ever worked for Google for many years, and today I 'm heard you 've just left google... What a pity...Best luck to you...

Nina Nichols said...

Change I believe is something inevitable. If we want to have a room for improvement and widen our horizon we need to open ourselves to change no matter how painful it could be.

I myself is facing the same situation right now. I've just submitted my resignation letter to my job for five years to venture into another facet of my life.

I cried for it many nights feeling that I just closed a wonderful chapter of my life but at the same time I feel excited to what future awaits me.

Good luck and I wish you all the best in life.

Nice site you have here. :)

NiƱa

Anonymous said...

Look, I'm new, but I'd like to know why you wanna take time off here...

But good luck with your steps ahead :)

fourthbreakfast said...

Enjoy the time off! Neat to see you highlighted on the blogger start page.

Super Mum said...

dont be too depressed Graham , Im unemployed and there are a million and one ways you can make the internet your source of income !

Multan Ji said...

The best way 2 freak out ur friend…!!!
http://www.heroesmindreader.com/?um=33
visit dis site n they’ll do d rest.
The funny part is you dont have 2 do anything and you still get the results!!!

Taking The Journey said...

Hi Graham,
I just discovered your blog, and am really enjoying your posts. I look forward to reading more. Here's wishing you happiness, and continued courage as you move forward into this new chapter of your life!

William Wren said...

always trust your most sinister caprice

Virtually Yours said...

Enjoyed reading your reflections and hanging around at your blog-space!
If you have the time, you're welcome to spend some time at my space as well! And, wish you the very best for what lies ahead!

Virtually Yours.

Young Yoga Masters said...

Congratulations! There's nothing like being self-employed. I love the time you are taking to do what you love to set the course for the next adventure.
Have you seen this talk - Does Pain and Fear Burry You or Inspire You, it sounds like your transition!

http://omniluxcommunications.com/ancient_secrets_of_success_newsletters_&_events.htm

Arun Basil Lal said...

its always hard to part man..
life is like that and parting makes us feel so special..right..?

Amanda said...

A HUGE CONGRATS to you :-)

cotocorad said...

Where are you going?

brett said...

Happy trails my friend! Take care, travel safe, play some music, and keep in touch!

Thanks for all the help along the way, we sure have some big shoes to fill ;-)

Anonymous said...

Good luck with your future endeavors, and always remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.

Kalkoholism said...

Good luck!

Rhetro Zenberg said...

Thanks for all the rememories!

Gary Drumm said...

Wow! Quitting a job at Google? Gutsy move, man. Gutsy move. I've been in similar situations when I left Broadcast.Com years ago. It's terrifying and thrilling all at the same time.

Best of luck in your future endeavours.

GLD

Unknown said...

Hi,

As a newer blogger here at Google, I'm afraid I can't speak directly of your accomplishments, but I do know I find the site easy to use (for a non-techie like me) and I've heard many great things from others.

I wish you success in your endeavors.

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Anonymous said...

.oO0oLoveIsAllThatIsoOOo.

AnnaBee said...

Big hugs Graham, I'm sure I'll see you round... =) more time for dancing eh?

Anonymous said...

Hey Graham,

Don't know you but you sound like a great guy. Great success in your future endeavors.

ILA (a) ą®‡ą®³ா said...

All the very best for your future

Stansted Taxi Services said...

Well all I can say is you will be missed by one and all.

We at Text a Cab Services have been able to feed of the information that the 'Blogger' world has given us and your input to it all has been great.

The land of the unemployed offers great freedom to explore the avenues you might want to persue. I found my wat into the Airport Taxi business because I was 'unemployed' and set up Text a Cab.

Good luck with anything you do in the future Graham.

Investigatore said...

Congratulations and good luck

Krishantha Dinesh said...

Oh... my goad.... why are you leaving.. do you have any disappointment about google...?
any way....
GOOD LUCK... and i wish you all the best. if you willing to travel SRI LANKA don't forget to contact me ;)

Good buy
Krishantha

Anonymous said...

don't worry...you are still here in many ways.

good to see your photo on photoblog and be able to say God bless you.

keep on.
walk in faith.

nancy aka sunshineand

Anonymous said...

sorry..i ment blogger.
i am not awake yet.

but you can check out photoblog...
you would like it.

nancy

Moonstruck Girl said...

Hi Graham,

I am visiting your blog for the third time. I am very new to blogging myself. I know that makes me sounds as if I am from ice-age :P I came across your blog when Blogger had featured it as a blog of note, and more recently when Google put up a goodbye note for you. I don't know you, but I find your plans for your sabbatical fascinating, and I wish you good luck in all your future endeavours :) And yes! I have downloaded a copy of the Bibliomorph. I will be sure to read it :)

Cheers!
Me

Bob G said...

Graham - play more...dance more - know that your google & blogger work opened eyes and imaginations to the masses - change the world!

barb said...

wow and you made blogs of note - how cool is that!!! ;)

enjoy your new life!!!

Anonymous said...

you didn't say what was your job

J. C. said...

a great blog, I wish you all the best in all your future endeavors

High Power Rocketry said...

: )

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Anonymous said...

same to u http://www.vaalai.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Are you part of the revolution?

Chowchow said...

Ahh, yes. Best cube-mates ever. Many of my best memories at Google are those silly moments we shared in that little office. good times I will forever cherish.

2HelpUs said...

best of luck to you!

Anonymous said...

Good luck ... I hope you will always happy