let the world know...

diff --git a/bdale/blog/posts/Early_Retirement.mdwn b/bdale/blog/posts/Early_Retirement.mdwn
new file mode 100644 (file)
index 0000000..3c99411
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bdale/blog/posts/Early_Retirement.mdwn
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+[[!tag tags/hp]]
+[[!tag tags/debian]]
+[[!tag tags/freedombox]]
+[[!tag tags/amsat]]
+[[!tag tags/hamradio]]
+[[!tag tags/rockets]]
+
+I am pleased to announce that HP accepted my application for participation 
+in this year's Enhanced Early Retirement program.  After 26.5 years, my last 
+day at [HP](http://hp.com) will be 31 August 2012.
+
+This isn't because I have a problem with HP, quite the contrary!  I feel 
+immensely privileged to have worked on so many interesting things with so 
+many smart people for so long.  And there are many exciting things happening 
+right now, including high profile projects like 
+[Odyssey](http://hp.com/go/odyssey) and [Moonshot](http://hp.com/go/moonshot) 
+expanding both ends of the server scaling continuum with Linux, and the 
+immense commitment to and investment in Open Source represented by the
+use of [Open Stack](http://openstack.org) and [Ubuntu](http://ubuntu.com) LTS
+in building [HP Cloud](http://hpcloud.com).  The temptation to stay and 
+continue to help guide [HP's Open Source engagement](http://opensource.hp.com)
+was strong.  I'm certainly under no pressure to leave... in fact, I think I 
+managed to shock my management with my decision to retire!
+
+But I'm very excited about "taking a break" from full-time employment for a 
+while to focus more time on things that matter a lot to me.  My son and I 
+have a number of projects we'd like to work on together as he enters high 
+school.  The side business I started two years ago with 
+[Keith Packard](http://keithp.com) to design, build, and sell 
+[avionics solutions for high power model rockets](http://altusmetrum.org)
+is growing and could use more attention.  I'm in the midst of designing the 
+processor board for another 
+[amateur radio satellite](http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/fox/).  And 
+of course, I'm looking forward to putting more "quality time" towards 
+Free Software projects like [FreedomBox](http://freedomboxfoundation.org) 
+and [Debian](http://debian.org)!
+
+Since they do not depend on my employment status, I do not explect any 
+immediate changes in the various roles I play outside of HP.  I will continue
+to serve on the board of the [Linux Foundation](http://linuxfoundation.org)
+representing individual affiliates, on the board of the 
+[FreedomBox Foundation](http://freedomboxfoundation.org), as Chairman 
+of the [Debian Technical Committee](http://www.debian.org/devel/tech-ctte.html),
+and as President of [Software in the Public Interest](http://spi-inc.org).  And
+while I hope to travel less than I have in recent years, I look forward to
+continuing to speak and otherwise participate in key Free Software conferences
+around the world from time to time.
+
+After I retire, the primary point of contact with HP on Open Source matters 
+will be the Director of HP's Open Source Program Office,
+[Phil Robb](mailto:phil.robb@hp.com).  But if there are open issues regarding 
+HP and Open Source that I can help with over the next month, feel free to 
+contact me and I'll see what I can do to help.