St. John, who before founding WildTangent in 1998 helped create Microsoft's DirectX technology, already contributes a monthly column to Computer Power User Magazine.

But his possible entry into the blogosphere could be interesting to watch. After all, the Redmond online gaming executive is known as provocateur, who is not afraid to speak his mind -- especially as it relates to his former employer: Microsoft.

But now the startup, which lost almost all of its paperwork, computer equipment and furniture in the blaze, has found a new home in Pioneer Square at 315 1st Ave. S. The new office has a deck with a city view. And Romary joked that Voyager Capital, the startup's new venture backer which is located a few blocks away, could look directly into their new building with a high-powered telescope to see if they are "goofing off." Now, that would be a new level of venture capital meddling.

After all, someone deleted their names from the wiki that was serving as the guest list. (Maybe a low-rated lawyer did it.) In an effort to make sure they would be admitted, Britton called Redfin Chief Executive Glenn Kelman -- who was hosting the sold out party with Madrona Venture Group. At the event, Kelman expressed dismay that someone would go to such lengths and considered launching his own investigation.

The startup was founded last July with an investment from Ignition Partners and they started marketing the LandWatch.com service to real estate professionals several months ago. It has already generated more than $1 million in revenue, hardly the profile of a stealth mode company.

But Barnett, who serves as director of corporate marketing at the Bellevue startup, said they kept things under wraps because they didn't want to attract attention to the products before they were ready. Then why start marketing to customers?

Barnett said while LandWatch.com was ready, they wanted to wait until ResortScape -- which allows people to find second homes and condos -- was robust enough to market.

In a word: "diamonds."

Told that movies such as "Blood Diamond" don't always portray the industry in a positive light, Silverberg countered that there's something about a diamond that just runs in a woman's DNA.

Of course, the former Microsoft senior vice president had other motivations. He's also a board member at Ice.com, an online retailer of diamond rings, bracelets and pendants.