On November 30th, 2001, I sent out the following email:
From: Leo Notenboom [mailto:leon@microsoft.com]
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2001 2:12 PM
To: Leo Notenboom; leon@exmsft.com
Subject: All Good Things...
Today is my last day as a Microsoft employee. After a tad over 18.5 years, leon@microsoft.com will soon stop working. You now can reach me at leon@exmsft.com.I want to thank everyone who's played a hand in my time here. It's been a fantastic ride. Microsoft continues to change the world and I'm both grateful and honored to have been allowed to play my (very) small part."What happens next?" You'll see me return periodically as a contractor (soon even). I also plan to become more active in our local social services and philanthropic community, as well as putting some miles on our new RV. A friend also recently told me: "don't underestimate the value of puttering" - I think I'll follow that advice as well.I've told many people that if software is your vocation, there's no better place on the planet to be doing it than at Microsoft. That's very hard for me to walk away from. But all good things must come to an end, and it's time to see what's around the next corner.Take care,Leo A. Notenboom
Since November of 2000, I'd been working half time, and that half time opportunity was going away. I could choose between resuming full-time work, or leaving. Having "tasted freedom", I choose to leave. As I say above, it wasn't an easy decision, but it was a clear one.
And at this writing it also appears I'll be returning to the Microsoft campus. This time as a contractor, not as a Microsoft employee, however. And half-time J. So one chapter ends, but a new one begins.