I was a coin collector.I didn't know I was nerdy at the time until I felt my 16-D Mercury Dime that was in uncirculated condition might be a panty dropper, and it turned out not to be. Then I stumbled into skateboarding, which kind of was cooler. But I wasn't aware of what was cool. My dad wasn't around so he couldn't shake me and say, 'Drop the coin collecting bit. It's not where you want to go.' So, that and the spelling bee and the chess, I think I had it figured out for myself.

Mama says that, happiness is from magic rays of sunshine that come down when you're feeling blue.

Of course, I peed my pants, everyone my age pees their pants. It's the coolest.

I don't like being out in public too much. I don't like going to bars. I don't like doing celebrity stuff.

I read to my kid, but I can't stand reading.

Now that I'm a parent, I understand why my father was in a bad mood a lot.

My father wasn't perfect. He had a temper. I took some of that. He would snap, but the older he got, he started calming down. He learned about life, but the thing that he taught my whole family was that family was the most important thing and, no matter what, if a family member needs you, you go and help them out; you get there.