Gryphon,

Thanks for posting this - very sad news indeed.  I didn't know Michael, but knew of him - he was legendary to say the least, and lived life to its fullest day in and day out. I just published my thoughts about his passing on my blog and here on NowPublic. To me, his life and tragic death echo the words of Helen Keller:

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in
nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding
danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is
either a daring adventure, or nothing.

Thanks again, and keep up the good posts!

-Jake