In the beginning, I was an unhappy baby. Then I grew up to be a calm small human. Note the genuinely innocent smile; I would later try in vain to copy this expression.

By the tender age of six or so, I had already seen a computer, and felt intrigued. We got an Atari 800 XL with Asteroids, Millipede, Tic-Tac-Toe and Tennis cartridges. I messed with Basic programs a bit, but with no way to save or load, could not create anything lasting. The 286 Kaypro PC my father dragged home a year later, coupled with a colorful children's computer book from my mother, got me properly started on the Way of Hex.

By thirteen I had developed this self-satisfied grin. Couldn't help it - I was just so good.

I was well on my way already to becoming a mighty programmer, gradually transitioning from Basic to Pascal with inline assembly.

Around this time I made friends with Werp, a musically and graphically talented guy in my class. His creative influence pushed me into composing my first song, Mimu Muzak. Later we formed a creative group and called it Mooncore, but never did much with it, then.

Then I graduated from high school - strongest subjects: English and Mathematics.

The picture on the right has been digitally enhanced to hell and back, and is from the graduation party in summer 2001 which I reluctantly attended wearing my mother's old student hat which was too small for me.

Note the slumped shoulders and painfully awkward but good-natured smile; I would later try in vain to lose this expression.

I was well on my way already to becoming a mighty musician.

A few years later I moved to Ukraine to get a BBA-degree in pretty much the only university there offering a full degree course in English.

In the image on the left are a most charming Noxy and a me in a cool medieval restaurant. Being Ukrainian, her kindness was instrumental for my survival in an alien environment. Also, we got married, eventually.

You may be under the impression that I had finally developed some sense of style, but that's just because you can't see the tennis shoes I'm wearing.

I've travelled the world a bit. This one's taken in Antalya, or a place within an uncomfortable hour's bus ride from there, anyway. Apart from Turkey, I've never been outside Europe. I plan to not set foot on US soil until their government starts abiding by their own ideals again.

I can feel the cry of the schoolgirl ravaged by the tentacle monster drawing me to visit Japan someday.

A quarter of a century old here, attending the 2008 conference on Economics: stuff in WIUU, wearing a heavy coat that makes my head look tiny.

Incidentally, making friends with teachers is one key to a straight-A record.

Living in Ukraine can widen one's perspective on life, after being raised in an environment of shameless opulence. The place has its share of wickedness, but at least it is not hypocritical about it.

To conclude, a reduction in this page's egotism-quotient. Here's an old picture of the charming but long-gone Otto. This was probably taken around 1995.