I first started playing in '79, with the old "Blue Box" my friends big brother had. Then I saw the first AD&D books and they blew my mind... When I was in HS I played with guys who were older, college aged. The D&D scene was totally different back then, more DIY and less conforming than it is now that everything is instantly at your fingertips. Players and DM's HAD to be more creative as there was much less to draw on.
I played(DM'd mostly) regularly from then to the mid 90's. Then, for various reasons, I stopped. In '08 I got a wild hair and decide to start again, and have been back at it with a good group where three of the players each take turns DM'ing their own campaigns. All three are on Greyhawk, and we have a blast. This is AD&D 2nd Ed. Were old skull gamers and the WOTC "versions"(excuse me while I clear my throat...) of D&D don't sit well with us, as they are more tuned towards players who want their table top RPG's to be more like video games.
The key thing a lot of people don't realize about table top RPG's is how much laughing and smack talking goes on. That is a big part of why people play it. It really is fun, IF you have a decent DM and players who aren't power-gamer deuchebags. Sitting around a table with people and playing this game is fun as hell, and can be funny too.
