Lessee, not long after Winter's Heart, but well before CoT. So probably 2001-2002. Looking at the archived wotmania boards, my name doesn't appear in the list of posting people, but it does come up in discussions of members, apparently in some survey near the end, but I didn't do much on the CMB, posting almost exclusively on the WoTMB, and even that took a while, since my first postings were all in the Theory Post and Quick Poll comments.
Having nieces and nephews is a lot more amusing than I thought it would be. Sisters-in-law too, for that matter.
IDK, I really didn't know many people per se. I responded to content, not people. It wasn't until the community started dwindling the last few years that people began to stick out in my mind. I do remember a few people from the WoT boards, like Fanatic Templar, Sidious, liltempest & DomA, who were generally fun and I don't recall seeing much. Also Joel was really great on WoT & football, and batshit insane when it came to politics. It was like moondog with actual knowledge.
I tend not to get curious about that kind of thing. It strikes me as nosy.
Egg on a cheeseburger.
Under compulsion from various teachers I found ways to punish with the entries. I didn't QUITE fill pages with "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy", but it was close.
... Um, lots and lots of books, in a room set up to best ensure their long-standing good condition. I can't really imagine any other form it might take.
Spanish, German or Latin
Chocolate milk. I don't drink alcohol. Not a moral or 12-step issue, I just never acquired the habit.

Generally involving placing bets and getting involved in certain things at earlier times, rather than coming in at the relative end.