I have always been interested in fantasy/legends/mythologies since I was a wee one barely through elementary school.
It was not unusual for me to have a book in one hand, and matchbox cars in another.

To this day I still deny stealing a family-pack of Irish Spring soap. I mean really, do you really believe that a young'n would be creative enough to widdle up bars of soap into creatures and items of lore? Of course, that might explain the missing paring knives...

Dr Who and Hitch-Hiker's Guide got me hooked on sci-fi. I was the "odd one" in school. And got into trouble a few times when trying to "improve" my Schwin bicycle... What's wrong with attempting to build a functional power booster to attach to the bike? I warned my friends not to get close or they could catch on fire!