I can do most anything around the house. As for cars, maybe a bit but not so much.

How I came to learn HOW to do some of this stuff? People have told me how to do it in some form when I was younger (for the most part), or it has broken down before and I messed with it until it worked.

I can do most home things. Mostly because I am usually always home, when not working. My brother and my Dad are into mechanics a LOT. My Dad has certificates up the wazoo for being a mechanic, including almost all licenses for driving (big truck, commercial busses, etc.), and my brother is following in his footsteps (He is 17). So, as a result, I don't know much about cars.... which is ironic because of the fact I LOVE Dirt track racing and NASCAR.... and Champ Car, etc.,

But, I know a girl who races, and I think I will try and learn the mechanical side of things...

As for learning other things, my Dad showed me stuff when there were problems around the house. Other things, I figured out how to fix myself.

I am 17, and with no training today I removed the plumbing system of a 32 foot sail boat, fixed it, replaced it perfectly and went on to do other random mechanical things.

It is alot of common sense. I see a hose clamp that is rusted and falling apart so I remove the thing in question and replace it. It is just many small things like that.