I started gaming with abstracts and creating my own games using playing cards (yeah, I was one of those lonely assed no friends kids with a lot of time on his hands).  I did play some D and D with my family, along with Risk and Axis and Allies.  I played a lot of Othello with my mom, then progressed to chess.  I lettered in chess for God sake.  When I graduated and went to college, drinking became my game.   After graduating I putzed around, moved to Chicago, met and married my wife.  I didn't start gaming again until November of 2002.  I had just had my gallbladder taken out when I started gaming with a Eurogroup.  I gamed with them for 2 1/2 years straight.  From there, I met another group (LI-BO), that is more laid back and plays more of a variety of stuff (some Titan some Dune  neither of which Ive played btw, Horror stuff, euros, Avalon Hill, etc.)

I am at a gaming crossroads now.  I'm 40 yeas old, going for My masters of ed.  I work nights at the post office so I can do my teaching stuff during the day.  I wanna play stuff, God I wanna play.  I have been going to WBC, PrezCon, EuroQuest and a couple of local cons for the past couple of years.  I game some on BSW, and I do the BBG chat stuff often at night because I'm bored out of my mind and can't sleep just yet.  I also game with my group once a month. 

I am having revalations from time to time.  My first was at Euroquest this year.  I loved Wabash Cannonball and AoE III.  The most fun I had was watching a drunk friend of mine (girl) yelling "do mye rut me I'm a moose MRUUUUUAAAA"  while playing Antler Island.  Play what you want with who you want to get the most fun out of it.  I swear to God, someone asked me about Agricola, I said I didn't care for it much, and she replied in a podperson voice "He's not with us."  No, I'm not.  Oh yeah, I'm also one of those guys who at times have been "shusshe" or told "you can't drink this here just yet" at conventions.  And yeah, I can get loud. 

I am sure I'll have differences of opinions with some.  I do have to compliment many of you on being the best reviewers I've seen on BGG whether I agree with you or not.

I'm getting interested in wargaming, but I'm green as hell and Im having a hard time finding players who will "play with someone new to wargaming."  BAH.

I just wanna play, learn games and have fun.  And have I mentioned I can blather on?