Name: Wilfredo Martinez. That’s all you’re getting.
Age:39
Likes: Heroic Fantasy in any genre or medium (Superhero Comics, Fantasy RPGs, etc.), music of all kinds (yeah, even Rap!), reading, hanging out in RPGC.
Dislikes: Mean-spirited comedy (such as South Park), tragedy, chatrooms, message board trolls.
Short Bio: Born May 17, 1966 in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Been a fan of fantasy as far as I can remember, and I have been writing fanfiction, in one way or another, all my life.
My father died (from smoking) when I was 11, and my mother (from high blood pressure) when I was 13. My brothers and sisters took turns raising me afterwards. My oldest sister Ivonne, convinced my fascination with comics and cartoons was a bad thing, took me to psychologists several times during my teenage years, despite my good grades and behavior. This only succeeded in hurting my self-steem.
That, plus isolation from my friends and loved ones during my College years led to a bout of depression, which caused me to drop out- stupidest mistake I ever committed, as it makes it very hard to get a good job.
Worked for years as a construction worker, which hurt my back. Lost my job last year when my Boss (and best friend) quit the business. Good riddance.
In the past two years I’ve developed epilepsy, but I have it fairly under control with pills. My family treats me as if were made of glass, though, which is really annoying. ~^
Strangely, the death of my beloved aunt Luisa a year ago, instead of depressing me, led me to do some soulsearching, and now, instead of whining about my problems, I enjoy Life to the fullest. ^^
Currently I make a living translating into English school projects for local students, doesn’t pay much but it’s a living. I’m looking for work as an international translator over the Net. I’ve also found myself in the role of surrogate father to my sister Ileana’s 4-year-old son Luis, which surprisingly I’m enjoying.
Fan History: Began by watching cartoons on TV, then moved into comic books. Later I found out that most (not all) of the comics I read were actually translations of AMERICAN comic books. That was what REALLY motivated me to learn good English (so I could read the originals, natch!) unlike the rest of my lazy-ass compatriots.
In the 80’s I joined the C/FO (Cartoon/Fantasy Organization) an animation (and anime) fan club by mail. Thru it I met Liz Ensley, my first (and oldest!) Pen Pal, and thru her I got involved in my first APA (Amateur Press Association- a group fanzine, in short) APA-HO! (A cartoon APA which survives today as a Yahoo Club, yes I’m still a member.) I joined several other APAs, but I quitted after a bad experience while trying to write a GUYVER group story with other fans by mail, due to unfair treatment (the person in charge changed the story without asking our permission). The experience soured me on Fandom activities, until I found RPGC three years ago. (For more information from that point on, see my Third Anniversary Thread.)
Favorite Smilie: :booster: