For me, I was playing with dolls and other toys with a friend of mine when I was young and we'd play pretend and describe stories. It was basically just roleplaying IRL. Then I met friends on the oldschool Battle.net chat and they introduced me to online roleplaying of the sorts we do here.
I was in high school, and I don't remember how exactly I was introduced to the group of role players who would camp out in the Senior Cafeteria after school, but I think maybe I was wandering around the halls on my way home one day and all the rowdiness caught my attention. Probably one of the guys invited me over to the table, because I was just stopped dead in the hallway portion just dumbfounded. I was probably offered a chair, and was introduced to Star Wars (d6), given a character sheet, quickly walked through how to fill it out and began playing 20 minutes later. This was back in like 1993.
In 1999, I purchased my first role playing game, RoleMaster RMSS, and found a game master using the e-mail list service ICE (Iron Crown Enterprises) offered. Then in 2005, I dipped my toes into the world of forum role play on my former site, Ayeka's Bliss, and ran a freeform Tenchi Universe game, and later adapted to Big Eyes Small Mouth (2e). I've been hooked ever since.
That being said, a peak into the past like that is very interesting! Thank you. I was not lucky enough to have groups of roleplayers at school. Instead, we had Yugioh players in the cafeteria, stealing cards from kids after beating them.
Maybe...! I've been told I'm lacking in Vitamin D, which checks out with my dorky online lifestyle. Clearly I should find a way to enjoy exercise more. x3
I don't currently take any medicine. >w< Sometimes I'll buy milk for that vitamin D though!
As for the text... Honestly, I thought it was a pattern on the floor at first! Like the pattern above the table. But then I realized they're at a 90 degree angle from each other.