Michael grew up in the theater. While his father spent his days as a federal bureaucrat, his nights were devoted to an endless stream of community theater productions that continues to this day (he's now 80 years old). As a consequence, Michael grew up helping his father memorize lines, working as a stage hand, building sets (and going to cast parties). Predictably perhaps, he was a drama jock in high school, did some theater in college, and performed in a number of amateur and semi-professional productions post-college, including some Shakespeare in the park here in Portland. Much to the surprise (and disappointment) of his father, Michael also discovered a love of math while in high school. This led him to spend two (of his numerous) years of college pursuing an Engineering degree. But ultimately, he settled on a degree in History and Literature, which he claims was really, really, really, really fun. After a stint in the Peace Corps, he found himself with few prospects. But then, someone asked him if he could help with their computer. And so it began. That old love of mathematical thinking kicked in again, and he soon found himself building software (and they were paying him for it!). That was twenty-some-odd years ago, and he's still really engaged by the whole dang thing: the technologies, the tools, the process, and the people. If you ask him, he'll happily bore you with his long list of adventures in the software trade (be warned). As for the acting? That's now primarily limited to impromptu performances for his wife and two crazily awesome sons.