I grew up in Cupertino. Ground zero for Silicon Valley. I’ve spent well over half of my life soaking up everything that the valley is. The companies, the technologies, the entrepreneurs, the money, the hype, the promise. After fifteen years, you end up meeting a lot of interesting people. From Jeff Skoll of Ebay (long nights of poker), to Mark Andreessen (early investor) to countless other brilliant and fascinating minds. I unabashedly credit my success more to who I’ve been able to surround myself with than almost any other factor. Silicon Valley has its technology stars. Hollywood has its move stars.

Nerds like myself grow up with different hero’s. Football is great, but guys like Bill Hewlett, Larry Ellison, and Elon Musk really move the needle. There is nobody (I mean nobody) that comes close to Steve Jobs though. A good deal of my childhood was spent living just a mile away from the Apple Headquarters. Apple to me represented everything cool about the Bay Area. I identified so much with the fearless, hard charging, that Steve Jobs (and Apple) personified. I’ve had close friends work for Steve Jobs, and they’ve all described him the same. One of the hardest bosses to ever work for, but unquestionably the best.

About a year ago, I was having sushi in Palo Alto. On my way out, i literally ran into Steve Jobs. What do you say when you are standing face to face with one of the most brilliant men on the planet. I had only a few weeks earlier ran into his partner, Steve Wozniak at the Apple store in Los Gatos, but nothing could prepare me for this.

I was without words.  With Wozniak, words just flowed.  But with Steve Jobs, nothing planned came out.  I can only imagine how many people Steve Jobs met in his life.  How many Apple Fan Boys he’s had to accommodate over the years. I was determined not to be another one.  However here I was standing face to face with the God of Silicon Valley.  Have you ever had those situations where you seem to disconnect from your body and you become an observer?  I was watching myself speak, but I had no idea what I was saying. “Oh My God..Apple..So Great..I love your products…Your Steve Jobs”.  The only thing I remember is a handshake and a “thank you”.  And that was it.  I had spent my 1.45 seconds with the God of Silicon Valley and it was over. Just like that.

I like millions of other people mourn the death of one of the greatest minds in Silicon Valley.  I suddenly feel like the world is more lonely, without Steve Jobs in this world.  I’m happy to say I met the guy.  To him, my 1.45 seconds was undoubtedly inconsequential.  To me, I smile knowing I met one of my idols.  Rest in Peace Steve Jobs.