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you looked really good with long hair danny, shoulda kept it that way ^_~ I have always wanted to go to monument valley and the grand canyon but time and money haven't let me yet but one day i'm planning to make the trip just came back from vegas myself but we went to death valley instead http://www.howagirlfigures.com/2009/02/24/death-valley-not-really-dead/

*drool* the pineapple pancake looks so goot!

lol noone voted Microshit :P

Remarkable! So much has happened as it brings back memories of how i started or rather ended up staying in this site which was reading the history of the site and it's creator.

Moving from one company to another is indeed hard once you get the "comfort zone". But like what you stated, as long as you have a grasp of your achievements then you would surely know what you should do next.

Awesome article! *thumbs up*

image ID#24821

I used to move office furniture in the tall, black building on the right-of-center side of the picture... ^^;

hey danny....when you were working at amazon did you like get free stuff?

Very nice read.
I've never been to Monument Valley or the Grand Canyon but I have gone to Zion national park which also has a lot of really nice areas.

It's interesting watching your office start off with all Star Wars stuff and then it changes over to a small anime collection that starts getting larger until the point at which you're at now.

In the future™ I'd rather save time in mostly anything but eating.

And that Amazon brekie looks great but I can't leave home without having breakfast. 2nd breakfast at the office? Of course!

Wai wai! Bankuuba desu!! I know that corner ^_^

Very detailed descriptions of both places. It's great to read about it all. Especially about MS wanting to have a report about what the competition has done when presenting a new idea... weird! Also interesting to hear about hospital experiences as I've never been to one before. I'm never too keen about seeing the doctor or going to a hospital even after I passed out one night. Just didn't like it.

So many Star Wars vehicles... big ones too. So when can I pick them up in Seattle? I'm heading south of the border on Friday ^^

Great story.. I enjoy reading this... Danny you are a lucky man.... by that I mean your valuable experience and expertise working with those 2 giant tech companies. I personally envy you but at the same time you give me some inspiration and motivation to reach the "next level" and keep on improving my self for the future. Working in the financial industry during this economic recession is always harder than it supposed to be.

Great article Danny. At this moment in time in my life I can only hope to have such an exciting life as you've had.

was touched with the part of your wife saying "it doesn't matter where we live as long as we are together". btw I notice how your hair goes from long to short to long then short again. ^^

Ya know I've lived in Las Vegas for 8 years now and I've never been to Monument Valley.
Hmmm... me thinks it's time I took a short road trip.

It's interesting to hear you talk about your experiences working at Amazon and Microsoft because they are both clients at the PR agency I work at. Also, it's nice to hear how things are in the Japan offices for Amazon and Microsoft.

Oh, I think I spotted your wedding picture hehe. Danny with long hair!

I worked as a Microsoft L2 tech support before, and it wasn't an easy job. I hated the times when something happens and no one can explain why, and the KB articles don't help at all haha. But I like the freebies we were given, mostly toys and stuff with the MSN butterfly logo on it haha. I have a plush toy of that, among others.

Err, I still have a CRT monitor at work. Gah. My eyes.

Danny seem like you have achieve a lot in life and gain tons of experience from your work. I wish I can do the same as you. It sound fun to be able to travel around the work and work with different people in different countries.

I'm curious.. Why the long hair?

Quite an adventure you have there, but its still got alot of chapters left to go. Evident that such a long journey builds alot of skills, character, relationships, and memories. Good to see your cherish the experience.

One of my "issues" is that I tend to get to know people too well. My boss will become my friend, and my coworkers will become a new social circle. It can sometimes get difficult separating the work and social environment, but I guess that happens everywhere. At the same time it yields some unexpected benefits which I won't get into...

I had long hair long ago, but long asian hair is too hard to manage. It's all over the place.

Scary. I visit Seattle quite often and have a brother who lives there (he works at Microsoft). I've probably been to every spot you've photographed in Seattle besides the ones of your apartment there. My wife and I visit Canon Beach about four times a year. ^^ You visited in the summer...it's actually somewhat better in the off season.

Your corporate experience seems to be a much more glamorous version of my own. I worked in a major manufacturing company, which makes the culture radically different than the business casual culture you had at Microsoft and Amazon. Still, your experiences bring back a lot of memory. I certainly haven't forgotten the challenges of performance appraisals, corporate politics and trying to work through standard processes (bureaucracy).

While I sort of miss it, I prefer independence (even though it came with a huge pay cut!)

Again thanks for sharing.

P.S. The Vancouver girls are desu. ^^

The Grand Canyon was awesome got to go there 2x in the '70s and Carlsbad Caverns 2x thats one every one needs to do. The MSN Butterfly on the StormTrooper chest piece made me laugh. Great accomplishments all of those. Hate moving but when neighborhoods go bad guess I have too. Oh so far I think Danny Choo is the only person I could stand to watch slide shows of his trips and vacations. Like every one else I think I run when I see a projector setup in someones house I went to ROFL.

i've been waiting for this article for a LOOONG time

An awesome read into another part of your life there. It seems that the world of IT out there is huge and i too hope that i may experience something like you have had, and to grow through it. It's exciting to read what can be (and/or what is) for a lot of us here reading at dc.com who are involved in this industry.

I would say that im a very introverted person when it comes to face2face conversations with people i don't know, but then again, i guess that comes with more experience. Being a student has its limits. Especially in the IT industry where we're famous for lacking comm skills.

Thanks for another informative and inspirational post Danny

woah that was quite a read...
been waiting a while for this post ^^

That was a great read. Thanks for sharing that Danny.

This article was very informative, for me anyway. Just wondering how you went about getting a position at Microsoft. Seeing you in all those pics really tells me that your having the time of you life ^^ lol never would of guessed that you played dodgeball with your co-workers, fun fun :)

This article covered much of Danny's great working experiences & leadership, learn

I used that Fujitsu tablet Lifebook many moon ago too, love how portable it is.

"Air cargo for the important stuff like Gundams." ^^;

Dodgeball wont be fun if you can't dodge & it hit straight up into the face ^^;

Monument Valley & Grand Canyon is on my visit list if I able secure someone to sponsor me to attend International CES convention in Las Vegas annually.

Building overlooking a girls school~~~ NICE spot! Should have your camera on tripod ready to snipe ^^

Double the amount of pay & many parties in MS, does it only apply to Japan/ regional basic???~~~~~

I believe I had made a wise decision to shift my company core operation into event management as it provide me new knowledges & challenges although my client are paying peanuts for my value services & demand a King Kong.
On the other hand, I'd been offered to be in the sales line in an IT company which guarantee double increment of what my profit currently is, but I'd decline & KIV for the time being.
I'd been running retail & distribution businesses for years, although there are always challenges to meet day's end, the routine is repetitive & I get bored overtime as a young business adventurist. Hence I always keep my option open & seek out every opportunity to advance my know-how & personal interests.

Domo arigato gozaimasu for this impressive write up, now we understand you better ^_^

Very interesting!

All I can say is... I can't see myself working for a cooperation. Forget that.

those were some great times you had there!

Been waiting about this kind of article as working in a corporate company is something I want to at least experience in my career as a web developer. I'm sure I would learn a great deal if I was in one compared to being in the small company that I am in right now. Who knows, perhaps in the near future that may be the case. Too bad that I don't know many corporate bodies that deal with ColdFusion development.

I believe the "I love this company" was similar to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvsboPUjrGc&feature=related

Haha.

I agree with what you said about Comfort Zone... I'm surrounded by this kind of people at work. Tempted to become one, too. Luckily management saw this and is doing something about thise problem... we'll see.

Wow this is one long long article ^^

And ummm, stomach flu? What? lol

Recently took a personality test on what job to pursue/which course to take in the future.. Can these tests really be trusted? Cause they usually prove one's dream as a wrong career for himself...

I like that blue sky and the sunset photo of your Danny but in Brunei always gray gloomy sky hard to see the blue sky

Great story. I've always wondered how it's like working for those companies.

BTW, how could the Security Rangers beat up a poor, defenseless penguin?

After finishing my major courses here, I'm gonna work in a company that is related to my field. Gonna talk about it in future just like what you did now.

Thanks Danny, for taking the time to write this detailed account of your (or part of) corporate life at Amazon and Microsoft. Very informative and educational as usual. I'm particularly interested in hearing or reading more how you felt in your first month at Amazon as you described above, the total difference from basic html and ftp to unix and what sounds like much much more complicated system. Like did it feel like being dropped in the deep end? Did Amazon provide any internal training for you? Did you have to do any personal study after work so you have the proper knowledge base to be a manager? Or did you just wing it??

I started my working life at a pretty small construction / estimating company and grew with them for almost 6 years. Then I went back to uni to do a post-grad master in multimedia design and did a total career change. Worked freelance for almost a year until I felt really insecure financially and got into an rather huge international advertising firm as a digital designer. Really felt the corporate-ness of the company but they treated everyone very well with free drinks, fruit and a open bar in the company's rooftop meeting floor! But I was really out of my depth and our team did 3x the work we should have been doing, so I didn't last that long there.

Now I'm a graphic and web designer at a very large IT distribution company owned by an even bigger Taiwan company. Everyday I get a variety of work dealing with clients like Microsoft, Intel, HP, Lenovo, Epson, Asus, LG, ViewSonic, etc. etc. I've been here almost 2 years and I'm finding that I'm somewhat in that comfort zone. So I'm trying to get in the groove to do more self-development and I always persue my true love, drawing whenever I feel inspired.

You're always an inspiration Danny, so I hope one day, I can be successful and happy at what I do and make a living from it as well!

nice one! i really enjoyed reading this ^_^

wow nice place for work.
would they accept me ????? LOL

you have an amazing life, danny. whenever I try to write down my responsibilities and achievements in the CV, I always having trouble of describing it. I think I need to improve my writing style.

use words like directed which sounds very nice lol or just go ahead and hit shift f7 for the thesaurus
is the weather in seattle that bad? i just cant picture "light therapy" because i have always lived in southern ca

btw- did you live on starbucks while there?

Great article!
And Lost in Translation is a very good movie, I should watch it again sometimes:)

I wouldn't mind travelling around and working like that.

BTW, was the answer to that interview question ever posted...? ^^;

I've been almost everywhere you have been (born in Vancouver, visited Seattle/Grand Canyon/Las Vegas/China, live in LA, college in Bay Area . . .) Still haven't visited Japan or Europe though. Aiming to go there + Egypt within the next 5 years. Wish me luck!

Also this article makes me worry about getting a job when I graduate next year, wish the economy wasn't so shitty and unpredictable. Maybe I should do Peace Corps or JET - kill two birds with one stone.

What a long article! It was kinda tiring to read but I learned a lot. Looks like I have to stop being shy and start socializing. If I don't then I might find myself stuck in the same job for the rest of my life and not improving anymore.

I wish my future job let me go to many places. I always wanted to travel the world, finding a job that pays well and fulfills that dream is like killing two birds with one stone.

WoW! didn't know that you were MSN Stormtrooper before becoming our most revered Tokyo Stormtrooper...your career still amazes me, you're kinda a role model for me

Very good and inspiring article. I wish i have the chance to do all that stuff. It's challenging and fun at the same time

that looks so awesome. i wish to have a career like yours in the future ^_^
thank you for sharing it, nice insight photos~

Great article, especially loved the photos from the top floors^^

i once heard of a study done (i wish i could remember the actual title! sorry) but it involved a gathering of at least 30 -40 top exec's and CEO's in america. what they did was they gave them all a comprehensive personality test. when it was over, they assigned them all into groups of about five or four. they gave them example-tasks to accomplish within set periods of time. the first arrangement of groups failed horribly. nothing got done, AT ALL! then the organizers switched up the teams and gave them the same assignments, which all the teams completed both quickly and harmoniously! the secret: Groups #1 = SAME personality types; too much fighting for command or not enough! Groups #2 = ALL differing personality types! Just remember my little story when you begin hiring tons of people for Mirai!!!
(btw, the usefulness of MACs has always evaded me as well! ^_^v)

Always a pleasure and inspiration to read about your working experience, thanks for the great article.

Just out of coincidence, I once met Picard ( Patrick Stewart ) at one of the Ueno Museums a few years back, and asked him for an autograph. He was very obliging. :]

I found the article very informative and it has made me think more about doing something about being stuck in my own comfort zone and about how I should be working on networking, chasing up opportunities and at my workplace or better yet, making my own opportunities while most importantly getting the work I've been given done to the best of my abilities.

Danny, do you find it difficult to get a balance between doing work and chasing up opportunities? I have found that where I work, I am encouraged to network, and take advantage of opportunites which can benefit the business, but at the same time, I find that some people at work are opposed to this and have the opinion that people that do that are not putting 100% into their work and that their performance suffers due to them doing "extracurricular" things.

Have you been in a situation like this before?

By the way, I didn't think about adding a CV to my profile page on my blog. It is defintely something that I will look into.

lol there are actually pictures of computers that aren't macs and pictures of food without figmas! haven't seen something like that in a long time XD

Great article. Being trapped in a comfort zone is difficult to recognize, but yes always take time to think about what else you can do.

I rather prefer of working at Microsoft, despite what i think of this company or their products, it's interesting to work in places that people want to have fun with what they do and get along with their work. I'm always trying to do this in the jobs that i've listed in my professional life, because you can improve a lot your carreer and also learn how to deal with people.

Sad to know (or confirm) that MS is no looking forward at innovation and evolution, always following that competitors do, trying to breaking down their business

Very nice article Danny, I first thought it would take a while to read but it ended up so fast. Always a pleasure to read about your previous work.

And I need to cut my hair sometime next week. Like you I know how it feels to keep losing hair. x.x

Great article, had a good time reading it. One thing I noticed is that you used to have long hair back then, which I have now haha. So I guess one gets used to moving around from place to place even if its for a few months eh? I think you should write a book Danny =3

I wouldn't want to work at either of them, i'm more of a designer than a programmer. Although I study programming to. I study Digital design and media and I am in my first year now. Before I studied multimediatechnics in high school (well it's not High school but i don't know how to call it in English ^^) and I dream that after I graduate I can work and live in Japan as a designer/developer.

OMG that picture of Vancouver is of Robson & Burrard!! Wow... that bus doesn't even run on that street anymore o.o

You must've gone a reallyyy long time ago XD Come back and visit us!!

Fascinating article! Your travels are definitely inspiring. You wife is just lovely, "as long as we're together". That make me go aw. I'm getting tired of my job, I work at a movie theater as a projectionist. It was fun at first learning how the inside of the booth worked, but now it's not so fun there have been a lot of changes and I feel like I'm not getting anything out of it. Of course it was never meant to be my career, just something to generate funds while I work on my creative pursuits(writing and drawing).

Sometimes I get discouraged because I feel trapped, but I keep working at it and reading about your journey helps keep me motivated! Arigato.

I hate MS because they made Halo 2 only for Vista xD.
Soooooo...work at Amazon or in another company it could be great!
However very nice pics! ^^

Really great article I really enjoyed reading it!

Oh wow,
amazing article to read ^,^

Very Very much Thanks for posting.

Cool. This helps a lot because I'm starting at MS in a similar role to yours (Program Manager vs. Product Manager). As a "switcher" I'm not quite sure what to expect, but this article helps. MS is such a big company that there's surely lots of stuff to love and hate about it. So hopefully my experience will be good (it'll probably be what I make of it).

PS My interview experience with Amazon was pretty bad but maybe it's because I was at an engineering career fair and it was mostly other engineers doing the interviewing. I've heard some horror stories so I didn't continue through with them. I wonder what the differences are between Amazon JP vs USA and MS JP vs USA...

Wow. A really big wow to be seen this post...

It really does give off a big inspiration to my life now. Some doesn't know that their life could be so interesting and challenging if they don't see somebody do somethings like that.

This Post has really opened up my eyes for the world for the first time, that unlimited possibility lies ahead of your life.

Great thanks danny.

Wow really interesting article.

Vancouver!!! I see a trolley bus! Not many of those run anymore.

I'm surprised you didn't get any of the "interesting" posters from Vegas. But maybe you spent most of your time in the Canyon?

That guy from Microsoft scares me O_O

Great article as always. Really enjoyed reading it. Thanks for taking the time to write it Danny.

I'm obligated to vote for Microsoft because that is where I'm at right now. :)

Honestly though, I love working for Microsoft. The benefits are great, culture is awesome, and the fact that I don't have to dress up for work every day is a huge plus (not to mention cost saving). All of that, and I'm not even based in Redmond or write code!

Thank you for the timely advice Danny, I'll be sure to remind myself never to get complacent, no matter how comfortable my work is.

I don't really hate my job to the point I need to get out ASAP, my colleagues are great people to hang out with, and there's none of that politics nonsense. It's a pleasant company to be in (as long as you don't slack off too ridiculously), but moneywise, it's not that comfortable where I can say "I can work here forever and not worry about money", and that's probably the only thing keeping me from going complacent and falling into the dreaded "Comfort Zone", and that may be a blessing in disguise.

I plan to become an interpreter and translator in the future (english <-> japanese, am fluent in russian too) and it seems like Amazon and Microsoft would need a lot of such people for the meetings they hold with companies, business owners, branches in other countries, etc. I wonder what the salary would be tho.

your colleagues at Amazon are so cute

I really love Japanese women, they have such lovely faces :)

hey longer hair, i guess that we all had this period too ^^

the bento box looked yummy next to the laptop

poor us European with the sandwish for lunch at work :(

thanks for sharing your past with us

Ah, an RSA SecurID. Configured quite a bit of those today actually, showing colleagues how to do it. Need to write a new, more comprehensive procedure for it though.

Nice article indeed. I'm hopefully finally seeing some growth in my career the next weeks which would be great and a reward for the hard work I put in the past two years at my new employer and customer.

You say you're a people person Danny, which is no doubt a big bonus when leading people. How do you lead teams/people if you aren't a people person?

nice article! enjoyed your insight in working for two prominent companies. always wondered about your illustrious past work.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3309810461_f1f7e494f8_o.jpg

Hey...I know where that is...Treasure Island...between Oakland and San Francisco, exit on the Bay Bridge...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3310639834_c696131273_o.jpg

Funny how I wasn't that impressed with the Grand Canyon.

When you get a chance...visit Yosemite.

Seeing Half Dome for the 1st time...now that was something.

You're an inspiration to us all. Congratulations on all your success!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3310642998_5e14c09f16_o.jpg

菠蘿薄餅...just in case you are wondering how it is written in Chinese.

i would love to work at amazon i buy soo much stuff from there i would love to see where it comes from! lol

great article danny, really interesting, thx once again fo sharing your experience :)

*still needs a job.

Bo lo baau!
I love it so much.
Great article, thanks for sharing your history with us!

Wow very inspirational Danny. It was great to read about your past expirience with Microsoft and Amazon. I never knew you had long hair XD Looked pretty col to me. You should write an autobiography :D

すごい面白い記事でした！　いやーー、これを読んで感動したんです。ダニーさんって本当にいろんなことやっていましたね。僕はこれからだけど、このような興味深い経験ができたらいいなって思っています！

"...and thats not the reason why I ended up with a desk by the window ^^;"
riiight xD

Been living in states and Canada for some time, prefer Poland...
mostly cuz of ppl...
no offence but gov system and education lvl both do great at creating masses of brainless followers...

One thing's for sure, you've lived life as full as you can!

All the information and thoughts you give on things make reading your entries fantastic. Not to mention the pictures are as great as ever.
As many others said, thanks for sharing!

extremely good article of course

nice apartment in seattle =D

I hope you visited a famous grave there =o

ALso I like the style of your apartments in general, really clean and simple but yet stylish

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannychoo/3310637020/sizes/o/
Wow. 'nuff said.

wow, nice experience.
I'm currently working in a US based company too, the one who makes drives. And the difference between this company in US and Malaysia is huge even for a same company. But my journey in this company is not always fun. I guess its because of my work field and constantly being under pressure that s killing me slowly inside.
Danny's job experience articles always motivates me, but i think im almost reaching my limit and may need to look for other path. sigh~

Wow that hair is crazy. I personally find the idea of a bunch of sentai rangers beating on a penguin funny. But it's kind of sad that M$ has gotten to the point where they can merely imitate instead of innovate and still be successful. Maybe they're trying things with Windows 7.

Wow.. great life story! I had a good time reading it and looking at your pics, keep up the great work!

Interesting Story!
You changed your haircut quite a few time during your days at Amazon and Microsoft eh? ^^

Oh wow, you sure traveled far. xD Seattle is such a great place to live.. I have a family pic on what looks like the same walkway with the pretty view of the city. It's great that you enjoyed the deserts here haha! Ok well not quite Utah deserts but hey same diff right? ^^ I think I'd trade the desert for Japan any day right now. :P

I'd be thankful if I got the chance to work at either Amazon or Microsoft. Was talking to a future classmate at MIT and he told me that he got an internship at Apple. :O! Very genius kid he is.

It's great to hear how you felt about Microsoft lol it's so true now that I think about it. Nice Segway btw! My friend actually has one of those and rides it to school every morning. xD He actually parks it next to all of our millions of cars since everyone here goes by car except for him.

I've no doubt MS would pay better, but Google would be the tops in work life IMO. But since Amazon is the other choice, it's certainly has to be more interesting than MS. MS is always behind the curve and put out shoddy products that anger everyone. Amazon it is, unless Google needs my uber camera skillz.

its nice to have a wife thats so understanding and willing to move across the world with you

always enjoy the long reads!!

guess by your definitions that i need to move on and find a better job since my current one i'm in the "safe mode" but i don't feel fufuiled by it, even though the place is nice and the boss is great.. just wish they had somebody over me that knows more than me.. i'm just fumbiling in the dark with new stuff, the boss says he's happy with my work, but i feel that i can be much much better. coworker has the same feeling..

moving isn't a problem since i've moved more places than i care to imagine already, pluss i like to travel. need to get off my lazy A#@ and step up to my life.

Thanks for the encouragment Danny, always a role model!

OK. Questions.
1) Why did you leave Amazon.com?
2) Is Amazon.com's salary so well to buy such a big house in Japan?

As always, Danny, a good read.
Whenever I read these, I feel both good and sad. Good, because I can see people are achieving and that doing what you want can work. Sad, because it makes me feel like I've wasted my entire life. I'll be 33 this year, and even with two college degrees, I am an unemployed punk. Sometimes I wonder if I should have just gone to the local community college, gotten certified to be an X-Ray tech and gone over to the hospital. What makes me even sadder is that I feel I've let down everyone around me. I was the first of my generation to go to college and complete (My stepsister also did, but she went for her Masters, so it took her an extra 2.5 years.) and yet I am the only one without a job. (I'm also the only one who hasn't been or isn't married with children yet. I just fear that I will be a 40 year old slob, living at home, soon.
Stupid economy.

This is, in my opinion, one the the best you've done. Really enjoyed seeing the company through your eyes. Interesting how much has remained the same. Customer Connect - for FCs and CS. Bar raisers. RSA security fobs, Etc.

I am also former Microsoft - current Amazon (Seattle).

Tips on transfering to Shibuya? Please. (^.^)

Thanks!

I live in Vancouver ^_^

An impressive resume and amazing achievements...I don't think I can even achieve a fraction of that...

I don't really like working for big faceless corporations, of course that may be because I've only been a bottom level worker in the trenches of customer service. Customer service usually gets the best idea of how bad a company is by the amount of evil things you're forced to do to the customers unfortunately, so we also have to feel like we're the bad guys.

Took me a long, loooong while to read through the whole article and the comments. I need to start taking notes as I read or something. xP

For one thing, your Amazon job sounds so much more important now that I read it in full detail. Danny was senior management! All that money flowing around... ^^;

I truly laughed at the girls' school near your window. Coincidence? Maybe. Increased work performance? ...*coughcough*

"It doesn't matter as long as we live together." --> Was it marvin? Someone up there commented on that being touching. I have to agree. Had an "awwww" moment right there. xP There are times when that sounds cheesy, and times when it's truly touching.

It's nice to hear some good stuff about Microsoft. I've never heard of anyone complaining about being employed by them, but people who hate and demonize the corporation are far too common. There's a tendency to assume things about the company as a whole. It reminds of a Gizmodo interview, where Bill Gates likened Google as the new Microsoft - they're growing rapidly and enjoying a period where they can do no wrong, but eventually they may find their status as a giant to be detrimental.

The MSN butterfly on your armor was amusing - and your armor was so much *cleaner* back then! I'm afraid I must tell you that I'm one of the ones you failed to reach with Spaces and Favourteis though. I still don't like them.

Ah, and finally - about halfway through the article I sudden had an epihany and went back to check all the pictures. In almost all the pictures you're wearing a black top, and in most of them you're dressed entirely in black. Guess that Trend Day outfit wasn't new for you, huh? :P

Microsoft looks like a nice to place to work at. I don't have any dislike of corporations or Windows.

Nice article. Pictures make me home sick, I lived in Seattle for 9 years and Arizona for 8 years.

Yes, Vancouver girls are very pretty. Too bad I can never work up enough courage to talk to them =( But, regardless, It's really nice here, and I love living here (You definately should come again!).

And I absolutely LOVE the view from the Akasaka office. However, how was the rest of the room? Small and cramped, large enough to be comfortable?

Danny, one thing I've noticed over the almost 3 years I've been reading your blog (wow, time flies), you always either look like the happiest person in the picture, or super-deep in thought. ^^ It is so rare that someone in your position shares so much about his own personal successes in such an outgoing and "full disclosure mode" kind of way. And I have to say I always walk away inspired and with a smile on my face when you write articles in the vein of this one. I honestly felt like crap yesterday and then I read this and felt a lot better about myself. You're a very inspirational person, and your positivity is contagious. I'm also proud to be part of this (mostly) outstanding community of people that communicate here. The world really needs more people like yourself.

These kind of articles are what I look forward to the most. Even more than the week in tokyo posts. ^^ There's just something about knowing the life of a person that really piques my interests. That's one of the reasons why I keep coming back here because like Karasu-kun said...there's not a lot of people that shares their successes or journey in life in "full disclosure mode".

I agree with you that one shouldn't really stay in their comfort zone as their development ceases at that point. Right now I am already nearing that zone and it has already been months that I thought of moving. The only thing stopping me from doing so is I don't know where to go yet. As much as I like to just go I can't just leave w/o having looked for places to go to even if its just a possibility.

One thing I notice is that you don't put up a lot of pics showing your wife. heheh! Wish you'd put up more posts like this. ^^

Oh, and I still can't believe you bought a house from affiliate earnings alone. You must be making a lot from affiliate earnings then. o_O Gasp, can't imagine what you make now. WOW

It was able to be read that it wanted the impression from this article in the comment.
I am getting the chance to think starting with Danny.

Because this article was indeed interesting, my opinion was written.
To my blog. Please look by all means. However, it is Japanese.

http://nakagawaichiro.com/2009/02/27/amazon-and-microsoft-and-dannychoo/

interesting to see more history of danny choo.

Wow this was really interesting Danny, I'd like to see more posts like this. It always seems that you have a lot of excellent real world advice for those of us just starting to plunge into the job market.

Speaking about Amazon, Danny, will you still be putting up something on how you make money with Amazon affiliates? Couldn't find anything on it on your blog monetization collection... Thanks!

How did you end up working for Amazon and Microsoft?? I would love to work for a corporate company as you (I had sent my CV to both companies and to Google as well but no luckie...)

Oh well they missed it. When you were in the US, did you had your Stormtrooper suit with you?? or that was just for use in Japan? Since when you were at Microsoft, you had the msn logo...^^

You amaze me Danny, You really apply your own philosophy to yourself, how you do it? You're always moving on, seems that you never take anything for granted. I mean, you moved from a "safe" job to run your own company in a such a competitive ground, when most of the people would choose the "safe job".
You talked in other post, about "the zone", you know when you really "get in to it". We loose perception of time, and just focus on our task. What can you say aout this? There's any tip to get in the zone in an effective way? I play music loud, and it works, but now I'm thinking in cut the internet connection while I'm on it xD

Such a great article, an excellent read. I hope one day to be able to pursue my dreams head on, instead of stifling myself and hiding away from the world in my dark little corner. =/

I am in China but I wish I was in Japan

Another inspiring article and thanks for sharing. It's nice to see Amazon and Microsoft from a closer look.

I have to agree with your comment regarding about not to get too comfortable on your own comfort zone. Did you usually set a time frame on how long you were planning to stay in one company ? I feel like moving to different companies is better for my own growth compare to staying with the same company especially the small ones where promotions are scarce (unless I am given new responsibilities.

Hey Danny Its me Roy,had to create a new account cuz the signing in didn't go to smooth,guess I forgot my password or something since I haven't been with cyber space for months :p anyway I'm back from my departure so check my site for details*the first post* awesome article by the way,really moving :)

danny, your posts are always pretty inspirational. They always leave me wishing I tried so much harder in high school, insteasd of being the lazy bum I let myself become. Thanks for the insight into what it is you didf!!!!

<singing> development development development DEVELOPMENT... </singing>

Very interesting post, thx Danny ^^

Thank you for the super-interesting read! I always learn alot from your articles thanks in part to your unpretentious way of writing, well done (^0^)/
Good timing as well: I just visited a job fair this weekend that got me thinking about my own future. Your experiences will surely come in handy (^-^)

Very nice post Danny. I've been at Amazon for over 6 years now and that's one of the most honest accounts of Amazon worklife I've ever heard or read! You have a great knack for reflection and prose.

I liked your comfort zone lesson (and many of your readers did as well, i see), as well your lessons on letting other know what you've done, how you felt about job transitions (perhaps you might expound more in the future on why you made your changes?), and personalities you worked with.

Speaking of which, I'm trying to remember how I met you. Did Lisa S introduce us?

Finally, most interesting to me was reading the responses to your post. I'm getting a better sense of why all these other folks follow you as well.

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

now i know a little more about the corporate life xD

Great article, I like how you were able to seek out/manage/utilize the opportunities in front of you; not everyone can do that. I feel inspired just by reading it.

I see what you mean by the comfort zone, it's the exact situation I am in right now. I only noticed it last October when Lehman Brother went BK and I had to reflect upon myself. I have been working as Mechanical Design Engineer for over 10 years now, and yes, I am feeling may be too comfortable now. And starting the web blog is part of that first step to break free from my shackle.

agreed. long hair is better.

Glad you are moving on to better things.
Overwork is no joke in Japan. Co-worker died at my company at 34.
Had to leave that company from burnout myself.

>Microsoft is unfortunately a follower and not an innovator.

This is less a microsoft problem than a big company problem.
It is really hard to keep innovation going internally after you reach a certain size.
You have to start buying innovation in the form of smaller companies. Then you lose a lot of people when you buy them.

I love this post!! You are the inspiration Danny! well, i also love the rising sun place and have my passion there. I've came to Japan and it's really nice. Peoples there have a good intention and that's why Japan is always the number one :P

FMP - you need to read Napoleon Hill's book "Think and Grow Rich." Joseph Murphy books are good too. LOL now, but I can trace a direct line from reading these books to being asked to show my artwork in galleries, and, being invited to join a photo studio start-up earning bucks as an photo-artist. My days at the office will one day soon be replaced by days of artistic bliss. It's been my goal forever, I've never given up on it. Now it's almost here.

You should never give up on your dreams either, just know you do have to to bust your ass every day to get there. EVERY day my friend. No self pity or complacency allowed, ok.

Never give up, no matter what, period.

Thanks and good luck.

Great stuff Danny.

I see a lovely couple right here http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannychoo/3309811119/sizes/o/ ^^;...

I've never watched Lost in Translation, should have a look at it later...

And if I were to choose between Amazon and MS, I guess I'll go with MS... Looks like tons 'o' fun^^;...

Hey nice article Danny, interesting insight to the corporate world!

Hi Danny! This article of yours is simply great man! Pure gold. I´ve been working as Site Manager for Xbox.com LATAM for almost two years now and perfectly understand your sayings. I can´t believe we even do the same things when someone leaves the company! (everyone stands up and listens to him/her before he/she goes)

There´s a certain paragraph that made me felt as if you were writing all this for me:
"Also, never let yourself get to comfortable and fall into the Comfort Zone as it can be difficult to get out. Always have a grasp of your achievements and how much you want to grow within a company. If you feel there is no more room to grow then it may be a prompt in life that there are no more pieces of your life jigsaw puzzle to be collected where you are - time to move on."

I really feel proud of getting this editor position for all Latin America, but can´t help but wonder where may I go from here (no other Xbox positions available where I am). I feel it´s time to move on, but can´t find any other destination, and all this global crisis doesn´t help one bit.

what an inspiration!

Monument Valley pics are splendid

So I was in downtown Vancouver today and thought, "Hey, let's take a snapshot from the same corner that Danny Choo did when he visited here four years ago."

Here's the result: http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/musicman2059/20090529-stanleypark/S6000975.jpg

I would like to work in Google.. :D :D

this post is very awesome and gives you important details about real job in the industry.
i loved reading it^^
god bless you!

It's interesting what you said about Microsoft. I can see that being true, but also I don't think it's my place to comment. I hope Microsoft try their best to become innovators because I think they have the money and manpower to do very well at it.

Everything Camaro said; I know my experience won't be 100% exactly like yours Danny, but I'm going to follow in the general direction.