I “met” Michael about five years ago by winning a few of his eBay auctions. As I recall the total amount due him was six bucks. He interpreted my sarcastic reply to his “you’re the winner of these rare antique poker chips” email as spunky. We swapped a few insulting emails and became acquaintances. Over the next few years we became friends.

I’ll bet you knew Michael was a chip collector, and (by his own modest admission) a great card player. But, I’ll bet you didn’t know he was also an accomplished musician. No kidding. He sent me a CD of a few of his recordings. Some of the most beautiful piano I’ve ever heard. One of the songs has an unusual story connected with it. Michael was talking with the program director at a radio station and lamented the fact that he had never heard a song about a spermicidal sponge. The PD responded that the reason was that no song had ever been recorded about a spermicidal sponge. Michael begged to differ and wagered the PD that he could prove it. They bet $100. Michael went home, wrote a song about a spermicidal sponge, recorded it (he did the music and his son handled the vocals), presented the recording to the PD, and won his bet. The song, titled (you guessed it) “Spermicidal Sponge”, was on a CD Michael sent me. It’s a lousy song. Quite possibly the worst song ever recorded. I kept the CD though. Someday I’ll win a bet with it.

Michael Par was my friend. I’ll miss him. A lot.

Michael, they got you on the River, man. I’ll see you in Heaven if I make the list.