JULY 1980: Wella AG in Darmstadt, which had agreed to appoint me Personnel Director, sacks me after six months. I fall into a deep depression and learn to pray again as I see this as divine providence.

AUGUST 1980: My mother takes her own life. I no longer know what she looked like but I still know what smelled like when I found her. I will forget all of it for a long time.

AUGUST 1980: I meet my best friend making a bonfire in the courtyard.