July 30, 2008
the blue monster tattoo
Dan Woodman, a Microsoft employee for the last two years, liked the Blue Monster so much, he went and got himself a REAL tattoo of it. He explains why here:
While I can never forget how much I love this company and all of the great things we do, I wanted a daily reminder of the fact that I, as a Microsoftie, need to change the world every single day. That is why, as part of MGX this year, I decided to fully embrace the Blue Monster and all it stands for. That is my very own Blue Monster tattoo (and yes, he is real!). He's there to make sure I don't forget why I am here and what it is that I am doing -- changing the world.Wow. Thanks, Dan. As a cartoonist, it doesn't get any better than this. Like Pam Slim just told me, "Yikes, Hugh, that brings 'Putting Skin into The Branding Game' to a whole new level!"
[Hint to Marketers:] The fact that one of your colleagues is willing to get a company tattoo, AGAIN, demonstrates a strong sense of what Mark Earls calls "The Purpose-Idea". Think about it. Seriously.
OK - so I jumped before I knew all the facts. I gave Hugh grief on Twitter about it perhaps not being real, but a rub-on.
I stand corrected and am in real awe of Dan having the presence of mind to recognize that a reminder like this is a great way to keep your head on straight.
I give it to you Hugh, you are amazing! Nice tattoo Dan.
Posted by: Steven Groves at July 30, 2008 2:48 PMThanks, Steven. I can understand -- it looks a little fake in that picture, but trust me -- it's the real deal. (It hurt way too much to be a rub-on.) But, now that you mention it... Blue Monster rub-on tattoos: perfect for when you need a non-permanent reminder of what it is you're here to do today. :)
-Dan
"The fact that one of your colleagues is willing to get a company tattoo..."
But he didn't. He got a tattoo of a cool drawing made by a very interesting person, but to anyone who doesn't read this blog or isn't part of the cognoscenti at MSFT, this *isn't* a "company tattoo".
Show me someone who's gotten a tattoo of the MSFT logo. Or the Windows logo. Then I'll start paying a little more attention.
(okay, snark mode off...)
Posted by: Denis at July 30, 2008 10:37 PMso i'm guessing, if you're fired, you're screwed :)))
Posted by: Eugen Erhan at July 31, 2008 1:13 AMBranding yourself with a corporate logo, even if its only recognisable by geeks? Sheesh. Let's hope job security isn't a concern, otherwise there might need to be some tattoo edits. Perhaps a large blue whale to reflect the bloatware that is Vista once you stop drinking the koolaid?
Posted by: DrSnowboard at July 31, 2008 3:12 AMFascinating, I don't even wear t-shirts that advertise things. William Gibson was right about corporate archologies. Go get 'em Dan.
Posted by: Paul at July 31, 2008 6:44 PMMan, in any other industry this would be seen as the most self abasing kind of brown-nosing. I don't see why working in IT is any different from being a cog in any other transnational corporation - and a mediocre aggressively monopolist one at that....
Posted by: at July 31, 2008 8:00 PMDrSnowboard, If you have a better idea, cool. Build it.
Posted by: hugh macleod at August 1, 2008 6:38 AMI have to admit I'd be reluctant to get a tattoo just for an employer with the way the job market is these days. I suppose if you get one everywhere you work it's a visual resumé :)
Posted by: Greig Harper at August 4, 2008 11:01 AMDenis: Here you go. http://blogs.technet.com/kevinremde/archive/2005/12/06/415649.aspx
(And no, that one isn't mine)
As for the rest of the comments about getting fired, changing it, etc. I was passionate about Microsoft long before I worked here. And now that I do, I cannot imagine leaving. It is much more than a job -- it is a way of life. I don't envision ever regretting the ink, nor wishing to change it, but you can bet if that happens, I will let you know. ;)
Posted by: Dan Woodman at August 4, 2008 1:14 PM