Despite the skates, Michael says he commutes via bike

It’s my final day of working from Microsoft’s South Lake Union office, and after drooling over the commute and familiarizing myself with the building and neighborhood, I figured it was time to ogle my coworkers who get to call 320 Westlake home base.

And so I give to you five mini-Microspotting profiles, with just a few hard-hitting investigative questions. If these tales of 5 minute walking commutes and lakeside lunches make you jealous, remember the South Lake Union office totally has open jobs!

Renata likes to confuse her boss by memorizing his ringtone and then singing it at random times throughout the day

Your name: Renata van Diest
Your job: Developer for a super secret Mobile Services related project.
What are you working on? Generally I write code. Although sometimes I drink coffee, throw blunt objects at my officemates, and attempt to confuse my boss by memorizing his ringtone and then singing it at random times throughout the day.
What do you like most about working in this location? It’s in Seattle! It’s much closer to my house! I don’t have to check the WSDOT traffic site whenever I want to leave work! It’s also one of those cool “Green” buildings, which means the entire building is made from one potato.
Favorite lunch spot? I have become partial to consuming “overpriced soup” at the Great Northwest Soup Company right next door.
How’s your commute? Awesome. I don’t miss parking my car on 520.
Do you ever ride the streetcar? Sorry, I’m confused … oh, you must mean the S.L.U.T.! Yes, constantly!

Michael thought putting the skates on was too contrived, but I convinced him to do it anyway.

Your name: Michael Connolly

Your job: Product Unit Manager

What are you working on? Mobile services, baby!

What do you like most about working in this location? Riding my bike to work.

Favorite lunch spot? Northwest Soup Company. Tomato Basil with a piece of cornbread when I need to get in and out quick.

How’s your commute? 15-20 minutes on a bike.

If you commute by bike, why do you have rollerskates under your desk? To get from my desk to the bathroom.

Do you ever ride the streetcar? Only when it’s raining sideways

Downtown Seattle is totally lurking behind Alex Cobb

Your name: Alex Cobb
Your job: Group Program Manager
What are you working on? Incubating the next generation of experiences on mobile phones
What do you like most about working in this location? Beyond my now non-existent commute (which has been life changing), it’s nice to be back in big open office spaces with city views and a quick escape to the gym or pub after work. Reminds me of working in NYC and SF.
Favorite lunch spot? Anywhere outside on Lake Union
How’s your commute? 5 minute walk, 10 if I stop for coffee on the way
Do you ever ride the streetcar? People ride the streetcar? I thought it was decorative.

Russ West & Dwarf Fortress

Your name: Russ West
Your job: I break software for giggles’n’grins.
What are you working on? Super secrety mobile service project
What do you like most about working in this location? The massive space-needle peeking the windows and cracking its whip to keep us all working hard.
Favorite lunch spot? Anywhere in China Town, though it’s a bit of a walk
How’s your commute? Not bad, all the cars are going in to Redmond, not out!
Do you ever ride the streetcar? Now and again. I’d make a Acronym-Based Remark™ here, but…

Octavia has a 15 minute walking commute...and that's in heels!

Your name: Octavia Petrovici
Your job: Mobile Gal Superhero aka Senior Software Developer Engineer
What are you working on? The most awesome mobile service in the world
What do you like most about working in this location? Besides my colleagues? I really enjoy the open space and how that encourages collaboration. Oh yeah, and my commute. Did I mention the commute?
Favorite lunch spot? Lake Union Park, on the docks right by the water.
How’s your commute? Delicious! Only 15 minutes walk in high heels!