Haters to the Left.

I recently passed my 4 year anniversary at Google. Other than being fully vested, it makes me an old timer at the company. From the free food and perks to the awesome scale of technology available to us employees, nothings seems as amazing as it did 4 years ago. It's easy to be complacent. It's easy to become spoiled and take things for granted. It's easy to overlook us now as we're no longer the new hotness in the Valley as we've since been overtaken by the likes of Facebook and others.

We've been in the news a lot recently. Not always for good things either. From sampling Wi-Fi data, to defending (or condemning, depending on who you listen to) Net Neutrality, and even because early adopters of Android phones are awkward, unloved freaks. It can make you a little wary of saying you work for Google; defending your company to strangers and acquaintances can be as much of a full-time job as the full-time job.

But something happened this past Sunday as I was running the City2Surf race. As I was sponsored by the company, I ran all 14k decked out in full Google regalia. All along the way, I got cheers of "Go Google!" and "Yeah, Google!". From complete strangers. People who recognized the company. And not in the way you recognize a Fortune 500 corporation and brand name, but because they have a genuine affinity for us.

Why? We're the world's largest advertising company. We deliver search results. To some folks, we also run an e-mail service. Host their documents, blogs, and videos. What makes us so special? Why to people believe in us? I'm probably not qualified to say. But I do know this:

I am proud to work somewhere where "Don't Be Evil" is our company motto.

I am proud I've never had to describe the company I work for.

I am proud we champion Open Source and open systems. That we don't cave into demands of censorship. That our founders still stand in front of the entire company, on a weekly basis to face whatever questions and charges we have.

I understand how fortunate I am to have graduated at the right time, from a school that gave me the right background, and in the right situation to have found this job.

I have never regretted for a single day to work for Google. I hope to never forget how lucky and proud I am to do so.

Haters gonna hate. But watch out and get out of the way, because we're going places. Just you wait and see.