I've been playing....since my freshman year of High School I think (I'm 23 now), started with 2nd ED played the same character basicly the entire way through HS, a Necromancer with an Int of 12 and a Wisdom of 16 and a 6 Con, lol, fun times. Kaul Ravinous, lol, nearly everyone in the party hated him, except for the Cyric worshiping fighter....he was the only friend I had. Those were the days before I got into actually "role-playing", it was bascily, kill stuff, accumulate XP, and horde treasure....still, fun times. I've never been able to recapture that feeling. Dunno if its simply me, or if the newer Systems arn't as "open" as 2nd ED.
All the same, I love my hobby, and without Gary Gygax, I wouldn't be sitting here today, or in my friends basement this coming Thursday. Thanks man, we all love ya.