The Atmosphere

This week, I had a surprising reunion with an old friend I hadn't seen in more than 15 years. He's an engineer at Samsung in Korea, and here's the kicker – he contributed significantly to developing the first iPhone. It might raise a few eyebrows, but once upon a time, Samsung and Apple did indeed collaborate, especially when it came to chip technology. It might be a little-known piece of tech history that feels almost surreal now, given their rivalry.

Tamarine Restaurant in Palo Alto tops my list of favorite dining spots. My introduction to this culinary gem was during a party thrown by Jeff Hawkins. Back then, my former company and Hawkins' Numenta had a partnership. At the time, I had no idea about what the partnership actually was, but fortune smiled upon me, granting me the opportunity to be there. The cuisine was exceptional, albeit its pricey tab. However, looking back, the real cherry on top wasn't just the food but my realization that I was in the heart of Silicon Valley; it simply exuberated me. That was almost 18 years ago, and the memory still sparkles with a sense of wonder.

Now residing in Palo Alto, the Bay Area has become second nature to me. The recent dinner with my friend at that very restaurant reignited the emotions I felt back then. Close by, a VC partner and a startup founder (I guessed) were deep in conversation about AI and future investments. Meanwhile, on the other side, a couple (I also guessed) discussed tech matters, and right behind us, a tech startup team (I also ...) was having a team dinner. I'm not one to eavesdrop, so I can't recall their discussions in detail. Yet, it was enough to remind me of the Bay Area's unique atmosphere and why it holds a special place in my heart.

I cherished the moments, but it also dawned on me that this must be the Bay Area's ultimate perk. Merely working from home wouldn't capture its full value. Leveraging this advantage is something I really want to prioritize this year.