Seeing that Rob mentioned books..have you read ( you have if I may guess) Roald Dahl's "Over to you" by any chance Russ? I read it at least once a week, a stunner of a little book, a nondescript and little known collection of words, mended together as only a true wordsmith can. Pity I came accross it so late in my scheme of things.
Riaan, Missed this one when you posted it. Actually I haven't read the book, but I'll see if I can get a copy. I don't see how it can be very late in your scheme of things since you're nine years old. At least that's what your profile says.
I understand what you're saying about undependable surroundings. I've lived in places like that. On the plus side, it's never really boring.