Hooked on Science

Via the magic of the intertoobz, I can simultaneously be up in the Olympic Mountains exploring excellent geology and pestering you lot.  Don't you feel fortunate? 

Now's a good time for us to discuss what got you hooked on science.  We all come to it from different directions.  For some, it was Star Trek, or a great science teacher, or an interesting childhood experience.  Some folks dropped in by way of their job, or a popular writer, or a nature show.  So I'm curious: what did it for you?  What was your gateway drug?  What got you interested, and what got you hooked?

I'll start, since I'm the one writing the damned post.  You'll probably laugh, but it was this: fantasy.  Pure fantasy.  Y'see, I got hooked on fantasy novels, and decided this was where I belonged as a writer, and after a bit realized I need to know a hell of a lot more about the real world in order to write about imaginary ones.  Oh, I'd had a mild interest and some respect for science ever since childhood, when I'd wanted to be an astronomer and sometimes a vet.  But I'd not have the passion I do now if I'd not started reading and writing fantasy. 

Once I got started (with, what else, cosmology), I couldn't stop.  The deeper I dug, the more fascinated I became.  Even stuff I'd despised, like biology, became intriguing.  The world suddenly ended up a lot more beautiful and a lot more interesting than it had been before.  I'm an addict now.  I couldn't give up science even with an excellent residential treatment program. 

So: Hi, my name is Dana, and I'm hooked on science.

Your turn, my darlings.  Have your say, whether you're a hardcore user or just dabble in it recreationally.