Played BattleTech for years now...started in the 80s. I saw the FASA catalog, saw the other games they sold, and promptly forgot about them.
Then I went up to GenCon, decided in 2000 to play the Shadowrun demo. Had fun, and promptly forgot about it.
Then I got to know Jason H. through his work with BattleTech. Picked up a copy of the 20th Edition and a few other print books, then kept an eye out for games being played in/around Chicago. It's been fun.