I was at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference all last week with three coworkers. We had a great time learning about the new technologies for programmers that will be coming out of Microsoft in the next couple of years.

Microsoft certainly knows how to spoil programmers. There was an endless supply of food and beverage in addition to the three meals they provided each day. All sorts of free stuff was given away, including a nice laptop bag, software, and tons of T-shirts and other “swag.” To top it off, they reserved Universal Studios Hollywood for PDC attendees, and nearly everything in the park was free – food, drinks, snacks, and even the carnival games. It had been a long time since I’d been there, so I enjoyed the latest movie-themed attractions, including an indoor roller-coaster, an outdoor show, and two 3D movies with interactive chairs.

Still, it’s good to be back home and getting back into regular routine. It’s fun to do something unusual every once in a while, but real life is more satisfying. Speaking of which, time to get to work…

I had hoped that yesterday would be a comfortable day at work, where I would tie up any loose threads in preparation for my Christmas vacation (I’ll be back at the office next Tuesday). Unfortunately, as Ken (my carpool-mate) and I approached Commercial Street in downtown Bellingham, where I am gainfully employed at Logos Bible Software, a police car and a number of fire engines blocked our way.

We found a place to park and walked to the office, where we found out what had happened – the Italian restaurant right next door (a few feet and a fire wall from my desk) caught fire early yesterday morning. (The Bellingham Herald has a few details this morning.) The fire didn’t make it into our building, thank the Lord, but enough smoke and soot crept in to our side of the building that the smell was too much to work there and soot could be found around the exhaust of our computer fans. (The computers are still working fine for the moment, fortunately.)

So, those of us that work on the affected side of the building either took the day off, or moved our computer into another room, or used someone’s computer that was on vacation, or whatever. Not the most productive day, to be sure, but we made the best of it. Hopefully the stench will be gone by next Tuesday, my computer will still be working normally, and I’ll be able to get back to work. Perhaps in a few months, the pleasant smells of Italian lunches will return.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:32-34)