Editors Note: Historical stuffs written by Oz back in the day

I guess I should start with when and where I was born, as if that really changes my "weltanseit". Ok, I suppose it does because it allows me to use neat words like the one I just made up!

I was born in Cologne, Germany in 1954, which puts me in the last part of the post war "baby boom". I am assuming that 1960 is the transition from "baby boomers" to "generation x". From this view point of being 40 years old I can see that "baby boomers" have it tougher than those that precede them and that it is not a sharp edge which determines how easy it is to have success. I see a gradual change as those that are older than myself have a greater chance at monetary success and those after me have it a lot tougher. I can only surmise that my children will have to work even harder than "generation x" to get into the (lie) of financial security.

I can only ask my parents and their friends what it was like in Germany when I was born, although I did get to see some of it in 1961 when my mother took me to Germany for a three month visit. For her it was that strange compulsion that one gets when they have been gone from a place for ten or more years. I have had this compulsion my self and also seen it in others, usually it is just a quick visit in which to capture, "bin there". I wonder if it is only just to say to oneself "I am better here than there"?

Anyway Germany in the post war had many more women than men, and nearly all of the people who originally lived in the eastern part decided that since the homes and farms were destroyed anyway it would be better to try a start in Western Germany. This caused many more people to be in Western Germany than before the war and it was very difficult to find work and housing.

My uncle "Oswald Kienapfel" had during this post war time decided to venture to Canada, possibly for the chance to hunt big game, possibly just for fortune. He sent word back to his brother, "Herbert Kienapfel" that there was no crowding, there were some german people there, and the chance at fortune was good.

Herbert Kienapfel (my father) considered this and decided the risk was worthwhile. He proposed to "Ilse Temp" (my mother) with the condition that she accompany him to Canada. She agreed so they booked passage for the summer.

Alas, she was with child (me) and since the voyage was difficult she was not allowed to travel. (I don't know if this was a government rule or a steamship rule) The voyage was postponed until winter of 1954 and I was born on the 5th of September 1954.

While living in Cologne my mother lived at 22 Siblings Strasse. When I was in Germany in 1961 my mother actually visited this address and the name "Engler" was still on the door.