When and how did you start playing pokemon? How were you introduced to the series? What was your first starter, and in what order have you played the games? What are you doing in Pokemon now?

Me:
I found out about the TV series first. A (female) friend of mine introduced me to it. I was hooked.
Then I got Red. I started with Charmander.
After that, it was Crystal (Cyndaquil), Yellow (Pikachu), Sapphire (Mudkip), LeafGreen (Bulbasaur), FireRed (Charmander), Diamond(Turtwig), (re-purchased Crystal after losing it [Cyndaquil again]), Platinum(Chimchar), Emerald (Mudkip), SoulSilver (Cyndaquil), and White (Oshawott).
The first E4 I beat was in Sapphire, then Red, Leafgreen, Diamond, Soulsilver, and White. (Still lots of lose ends.)
I have lost my Crystal (only one of them), Red, and Leafgreen cartriges.
I've recently embarked on a quest to defeat the E4 in Yellow and complete my Pokedex with all 151 Pokemon, using only Yellow and Crystal. I've already gotten Mew (using a glich).

How about you guys?