Michael was one of my best friends for 15 years. He was the most inherently intelligent and accomplished of my friends, and as with everyone he encouraged me to think about life differently, to do things fully and differently. Gaz, Louisa, and many others have summed him up perfectly. He was a unique island in a sea of the mundane, one that laughing threw challenges back into the teeth of every storm. He had learned the most difficult art of all, that of learning itself, and everything he did was marked by his trademark frightening single mindedness, and his midas luck. That included friendship. Warrior, poet, artist, musician, friend. He knew what was best in life, and not only attained it for himself whenever he desired it, but encouraged everyone around him to do the same. He was so indestructible I cannot help expecting him even now to still call, laughing, and say, "Got you." The world is dimmer without his soul shining in it, and he truly did shine. I will never stop missing him.