Holy buckets, where did the time go? I can’t even remember if being at Apple this long was the plan either. Probably not then again I don’t know what was the next destination. Good thing it has worked out given the “new economy” which has an odd resemblance to the “old economy” of the Gilded Age.
In Apple’s defense, it has been an excellent place. It’s still work though, you have to show up and do the tasks you’re assigned, it’s not what people perceive on TV or movies. There are bad days, there are rotten days, there are fantastic days and “meh” days. Here’s where Apple differs immensely from all my past employers (and they were numerous), the positive days have easily outnumbered even the “meh” days. Plus I can honestly say, it is the only place I’ve been where I genuinely like the majority of my co-workers. Those who don’t fall into the “like” column are in the “neutral” column which is better than being in the “despise” column. Trust me, I used to have some pretty extensive “despise” lists, GDW readily comes to mind.
I have seen many others move on. Often it was sad to see them go but I’m glad few were under a dark cloud when it happened. There was a phase when I myself felt like Jack Vincennes in LA Confidential when Ed Exley asked him, “Why did you become a cop?” and the response was “I don’t remember.” Thankfully, a handful of equally passionate people invested their time and effort into me. They rekindled my desire not to just help other Apple users, but assist other co-workers because I’ve been through rough patches yet I came through stronger, not bitter, über cynical and/or terminated.
It’s pretty funny how the mood around Austin has changed too. When I was first hired by Apple, I would meet strangers at parties or something. What we all did for a living would come in the conversations sometimes and my employment at Apple often received a “that’s too bad” response followed about a suggestion to join Dell. Today, they ask me if I can get them a (insert popular Apple product here) and/or if Apple’s hiring.