I left Microsoft for Google one year ago today.
I've got to be honest; it was a little scary when I left. I started at Microsoft right out of college after two internships. Up until a year ago, the lion's share of my professional experience had been at Microsoft. Microsoft can be a very comfortable place (much less so since they've been cutting benefits). From the outside, I've also been able to look at Microsoft with different eyes. What I used to rationalize away now appears absurd on the face.
It is one year later and I'm sure that I made the right decision. I've been much happier over the last year at Google. I'm sure some of it was the excitement of just doing something different, but a lot of it really came from the energy of those I work with and actually shipping product.
Oh yeah, and my non-compete and non-solicit contracts with Microsoft have now expired. If you are looking for new challenges feel free to send me a resume.