In the late Eighties, MIchael moves to the city he would call home for almost two decades, Austin. As a young man he begins to pursue an interest in the sciences and technology... studying math and physics at Austin Community College. While there he also tutored other students in these subjects and began working in ACC’s computer lab helping students get more out of the hardware and software in the lab.

Around this time, MIchael also meets members of the local gaming community and begins to build friendships that would last him a lifetime. 

In 1999 he joins the University of Texas Learning Technology Center  where he continues to help people get the most out of their technology resources.

Over his nearly twenty years in Austin he goes through several rough patches, but is always supported through them by his friends and his colleagues, who sometimes go to great lengths to ensure his general well being. Michael was very kind and generous... and people responded to him in kind.

Michael was often quiet, observing and reflective before jumping into a conversation. But when he did jump in he did so with great energy and animation. He was good natured and asked very little of people (to a fault, really). One of his friends spoke at at his memorial service about all the things he never saw MIchael do.... Never get angry, never complain, never ask for special privileges. It was an eloquent testament to the unique kind of man that he was.