Laid Off
Today, I was met at the door when I got to work by one of my coworkers, who took me to a member of the executive team. The somber look on his face worried me a little. “We had to make some tough choices and that included laying some people off. Unfortunately, we have to let you go, too,” he said, as I sat there in disbelief, my mouth hanging open.
So, kids, ends my tenure at myplay, which began almost exactly eighteen months ago. Holy shit, I can’t believe it. It makes me very sad to know that I cannot follow myplay into the sunset. Building what we have built there has been the very swansong of my career. Alot of people were openly crying.
A bunch of us went to lunch at some bar/eatery in Belmont and hung out, reflecting on the last year and a half of memories. We built a service that more than five million people registered for. The lunch was a last good-bye for many of us that are going. I’m going to miss these guys. Damn.
Kendall, one of the engineers, hosted a farewell party at his magnificent pad in Woodside for everyone. I talked with Alfredo alot, and there were hugs for everyone and then it was time to go. Mark was hosting a party at his house in SF for everyone, which I planned to go to, followed by some good hardwood escape afterward.
I convinced Emmett to tag along, get some Indian food, and go to Belong, after today’s announcement. We ended up missing Mark‘s party (sorry to have missed you, Ian) and just heading straight to the Rawhide. Tracy was behind the decks, spinning some amazing music (which, along with a good hardwood dancefloor, always cures whatever ails me) and Patrick and Gigi were there, along with Sally, and a mostly empty dancefloor. Still, I danced my ass off and laughed as Ray and Emmett ended up drinking together at the bar, as usual.
I have great confidence in what’s next, but somehow your first major corporate experience is like your first love—no matter what happens in the future, you’ve always got a tender spot in your heart for that first love. Keep well, my friends, and I’ll see you on the dancefloor.