In Christmas 1981, a nine-year-old received a Commodore Vic-20 computer, initially using it to play games like Radar Rat Race and Adventureland. After discovering BASIC programming in the user manual, the author realized computers could be tools for creative expression, teaching himself to build text adventures with GOTO and IF-THEN statements. His newfound programming journey ended abruptly when the Vic-20 blew a fuse, with replacement parts unavailable for weeks.