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I've still got a bunch of those stickers if anyone wants one

After almost 4 years and great time spent with some incredibly smart and witty folks, I’m am leaving Opera (& Oslo) just before this winter ends.

I’ve been feeling the same way I did when Opera hired me back in 2006. I had quit my job with no concrete plans, other than that I wanted to move out, live in a new place and meet new people. Opera offered me something that was perfect. They asked me to travel for them, to go to new places and talk to new people. I traveled around a lot and ended up in Oslo. Now I want to travel and make new plans again. I’m super happy that Fi thinks the same, and we’re uber excited

I’m leaving with a smile on my face looking at the time spent here, but a sadness that comes from knowing I’ll be more than just a 15 minute walk away from people I love and grew so close to. I’ll miss not being able to just drop by for a drink.

As for the new plans, Fi got a transfer to Singapore and she’s managed to sell the sun-food-massage-beach package well to me. So we’ll be heading off to Lion City very soon. I haven’t started the job search yet, but plan to do so very very soon. I just can’t wait to get there! Do send me a shout if you know of some enviable places to work at

But before that, I want to come back to India for a little break before heading off to start the summer in Singapore So let me know if there are any plans, I might drop by for a drink

You know how they say, “A man’s gotta do, what a man’s gotta do”. There might be some sense in that. I think most of you would say that it has made sense in some situation or the other. I agree. I’ve used it a number of times as an excuse for something I did without thinking about, or as an excuse to do something I couldn’t find a reason for. I’ve used it as a reason to do go ahead and jump over the line when I knew there was no easy way of justifying it. I’ve even used it as an excuse to not do anything at all. It’s worked well every time.

Around a month ago I found myself at a point where I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I knew exactly what I needed. I had clarity and I could justify it to myself completely. Nonetheless, I was repeating to myself, “A man’s gotta do, what a man’s gotta do”. Again and again, till I gathered up all the courage I had, and then some more. I wished once more for everything I had ever wanted, and then asked Fiona to marry me. That day, I didn’t care for anything I wished for. My wishes didn’t make me feel the same way as asking her to spend her life with me did. That day I knew Fiona was worth more to me than anything I could every wish for. That day my wishes became secondary and I knew clearly what I wanted.

Ladies and gentlemen, please let me introduce to you, my fiancée, Ms Fiona J Craig.

Ms Fiona J Craig

Some of you have met her already, and some know of her. We met last year in Oslo and got engaged on Midsummer Night (23rd June, 2009). I’ll leave the detailed introductions for when you meet her (hopefully later this year).

We haven’t planned anything concrete yet. We’re just getting ready to fulfill our wishes now, together. She’s making faster progress on that one, as you can see.

Delegation of the housewife duties

And yes, I think I owe some explanations to everyone I wrote my earlier post (What’s up with you???? Seriously.) for. To make my stand clear, let me just say, it’s the two of us now to spoil you/your kids

Cheers and good night !!

That’s Mr Wolafinder S. Pawera (also known as Wolfgang R. Maehr) who was rechristened recently. Was playing around with some pseudo settings in the photo editor. As you can see, I also gave the blog a new theme , so thought I’d make a test post to check if everything was in working order.

Btw, this also happens to be the first photo on this blog taken with my new DSLR (wishing it was a Leica … but well ..)

Will probably post more photos soon. (I hope). Cheers!

I’m going to be “to the point” on this one. In the last one month, I have received around a dozen (!!) wedding/engagement invitations from people I know. Congratulations to all of you. Yes. Congratulations. Great news. It’s driving me up the wall though.

I’m happy for you guys. I hope the best for all of you. It doesn’t leave me in a very comfortable position though.

You’re all moving ahead with your lives the way you want (I hope). You’re getting settled and becoming responsible. I wouldn’t hope you don’t. Doesn’t really matter what I hope. But, it’s making me very restless. It’s making me desperate. Desperate not to go the same way (oh no, not at all), but to spend more time with all of you. Hang out with you before you “settle down”. To trawl around the town with you, doing the crazy things that we’ve always done. To make you indulge in more embarrassing and stupid stuff that I’ll tell your wives/husbands/kids about very soon

I know, for most of you this is a very special and important time in your lives. For some it’s been awaited, for some delayed ( ). Some have been avoiding it, some have been planning for it. It’s here now anyways

So as I was having a conversation with GOD (yes, the one from the role playing game )..

ME: Seriously? Are you sure?
HIM: Yeah man, I’m doing it. Like they say … “it’s not an end, but the beginning of the greatest adventure of your life.. ”
ME: CRAP! Stop throwing cheesy lines from stupid movies at me …
HIM: You’ve seen MAMMA MIA !!!!???
ME: hmmm ….

HIM: I’m so excited man!!
ME: Yeah, I bet. I can’t digest my food anymore though …
ME: So this is it for you eh?
HIM: What do you mean “this is it”??
ME: You know, no more “thick chick, thick chick”. No more “apaan keda veyaah karvauna ede naal” (“I’m not gonna marry her!”) …
HIM: Hmmm … well …
HIM: You’ll know when you get to this point.
ME: Right!

Anyways, I hope you guys have a great time with the ones you’ve chosen to spend this time with I hope I still get to spend some “quality” time with you I hope I’m still welcome at your place. For breakfasts/lunches/dinners especially I promise I won’t spoil your kids too much.

I’m always there for you my friends. I wish you the very best. I hope I’ll be able to join you in the celebrations. If I can’t, you know I’ll be celebrating for you wherever I am

Love you all