Chapter 1: My Unexpected Path to California

I hail from Boston but have called California home for over two decades. Here’s the story behind my relocation.

In the early 2000s, I was among the first to embrace blogging, using Pyra Labs' Blogger while also running a competing platform called Xanga in New York City. When Google acquired Blogger in 2003, I had already moved on from my startup. Although I had never met Ev Williams, co-founder of Blogger, I admired his work. After the acquisition, I reached out to him, expressing my belief that I belonged on his team.

To my astonishment, Ev was familiar with my blog and invited me to join Google to work on Blogger. It was thrilling! He was surrounded by brilliant engineers, yet he sought someone with a design-oriented approach and a knack for community engagement—skills that predated the term "Social Media."

I eagerly accepted his offer, believing I could simply pack my car and drive west. I had no idea of the complexities involved in landing a job at Google. Not only was I lacking a PhD in computer science, but I didn’t even hold a college degree, which made me an unlikely candidate in the eyes of Larry and Sergey, the founders of Google. Ev had to navigate through various hurdles to get me an interview.

Ev’s persistence paid off, and I was granted a phone interview with Wayne Rosing, Google’s Senior VP of Engineering. The day of the call, I sat nervously in my attic apartment in Boston, staring at my vintage Radio Shack phone. I had never formally interviewed for a job before, as I had either been offered positions or created my own.

As the conversation began, Wayne's first question was about why I had dropped out of college. I explained that I had been offered a design role that typically required an MFA, and I felt that gaining hands-on experience would be more beneficial than completing my degree. I also admitted that my startup had not succeeded, but it was a great learning opportunity. Wayne seemed pleased with my responses and gave me a thumbs up.

A few days later, I received a call from a recruiter with an offer that included a mix of salary and equity at pre-IPO Google. It felt surreal! However, the recruiter mentioned that I would need to fly out to meet the team, and that’s when I felt a wave of panic. I had developed a significant fear of flying over the years, and the thought of boarding a plane filled me with dread. I told the recruiter I was no longer interested.

News of my withdrawal reached Ev, and the following day, I received another call from the recruiter with a surprising twist—they doubled the equity offer. I was taken aback. It appeared that they mistakenly thought I was negotiating. The anxiety that prevented me from flying was not a tactic; it was a real barrier in my life.

After consulting with a few close friends, I reached out to Greg Yaitanes, who urged me not to pass up this opportunity. “Get help for your fear,” he advised, and it resonated with me. I scheduled a doctor’s appointment, not realizing that help was available for my anxiety. The doctor reassured me that it was common and offered to prescribe medication.

Reluctantly, I decided to take the leap. I called Google to confirm that I would fly out to meet the team. They arranged the flight and hotel, and the date was set. On the day of my flight, I took a Xanax and hoped for the best. Miraculously, the medication worked, and I boarded the plane to San Francisco. I even found the courage to chat with fellow passengers, one of whom was heading to a job interview at NASA!

Ev greeted me at the airport in his yellow Subaru, and that was my first encounter with him and Jason Goldman. We hit it off instantly, sharing laughter and camaraderie. These were two individuals I would collaborate with for years to come, creating impactful projects like Blogger, Odeo, Twitter, and Medium that millions now use.

However, I want to clarify that I’m not endorsing any specific medication. If anxiety or any other issue is affecting your life, I strongly suggest seeking advice from a friend or professional. My life would have been far less eventful had I stayed in my comfort zone. Over the years, I learned various techniques for managing anxiety that don’t rely on medication.

The flight to San Francisco was not merely a physical journey; it represented a significant personal transformation. Sometimes, the greatest challenges we face are self-imposed. My fear of flying ultimately became a stepping stone, teaching me the importance of seeking help when needed.

Chapter 2: Overcoming Obstacles

The first video titled "Why Isn't It Faster To Fly West?" explores the science behind flight durations and factors affecting travel times.

The second video, "Why Does It Take Longer To Fly West?" delves into the reasons for differences in flight times across various routes.