Friends, Romans, Countrymen...
I'd love to write something witty and pithy, but I fear I have nothing that amazing. So without further adieu...
I started working at AOL on February 21, 1994. My first job was a call center employee, and that was interesting, if a bit rough at times. I progressed through many jobs throughout the years, and eventually found myself in the position of Technical Management. (Software Engineering, to be exact.) At some point during 2001 I distinctly remember somebody coming to me and telling me that my name was on a layoff list, and that I would get let go that year during the annual layoff. For some reason I wasn't let go then. I don't know if somebody was just messing with me, or if my name had been removed from said list. No matter what, from that day forward, I always felt like I was living on borrowed time at AOL.
I have been given so many opportunities and gained so much from working at AOL that words can't really do it justice. I have had a full career, and met so many amazing people that I couldn't even begin to list them out. Some of my best friends have been gained through work at AOL. I matured from a young boy, fresh out of the Navy, into the man that I am today, all during my tenure at AOL.
People keep saying "I'm sorry" to me like this is a bad thing, but I don't feel that it is. I have no animosity toward any individual or the company, and instead wish the remaining people much success. I thank them all and hope that they do great things.
Meanwhile I have much to keep me busy. An ecclectic and varied skill set has guaranteed me other employment in the near future while I pursue my next professional engagement. If you're in the mood to learn how to shoot or beat people up, I'm available for group or private lessons. I have several unfinished projects available to me around the house, as well. I feel certain that my days will be full of purpose.
So for those of you still working at AOL, I hope the best for you. I think that the company still has potential, despite its numerous detractors. I've been a fan of the company since I became aware of its existence, and while my love affair with AOL has had its ups and downs, it remains as strong as ever. Do me a favor and keep the lights on and the machines running, will you?
I started working at AOL on February 21, 1994. My first job was a call center employee, and that was interesting, if a bit rough at times. I progressed through many jobs throughout the years, and eventually found myself in the position of Technical Management. (Software Engineering, to be exact.) At some point during 2001 I distinctly remember somebody coming to me and telling me that my name was on a layoff list, and that I would get let go that year during the annual layoff. For some reason I wasn't let go then. I don't know if somebody was just messing with me, or if my name had been removed from said list. No matter what, from that day forward, I always felt like I was living on borrowed time at AOL.
I have been given so many opportunities and gained so much from working at AOL that words can't really do it justice. I have had a full career, and met so many amazing people that I couldn't even begin to list them out. Some of my best friends have been gained through work at AOL. I matured from a young boy, fresh out of the Navy, into the man that I am today, all during my tenure at AOL.
People keep saying "I'm sorry" to me like this is a bad thing, but I don't feel that it is. I have no animosity toward any individual or the company, and instead wish the remaining people much success. I thank them all and hope that they do great things.
Meanwhile I have much to keep me busy. An ecclectic and varied skill set has guaranteed me other employment in the near future while I pursue my next professional engagement. If you're in the mood to learn how to shoot or beat people up, I'm available for group or private lessons. I have several unfinished projects available to me around the house, as well. I feel certain that my days will be full of purpose.
So for those of you still working at AOL, I hope the best for you. I think that the company still has potential, despite its numerous detractors. I've been a fan of the company since I became aware of its existence, and while my love affair with AOL has had its ups and downs, it remains as strong as ever. Do me a favor and keep the lights on and the machines running, will you?