I started playing back when I was about... 13 I guess, had an old Epiphone Fender Strat lookalike. I slacked off alot, played it maybe once a month. Then when I was 16 I decided it was time to actually get into it. I didn't really know anything as far as guitar went, maybe a few basic chords at most. Had terrible technique, and switched notes like a robot. Solos had no flow, and really.. just sounded awful. Then I took up learning Kirk Hammet's style. Then I obtained my second guitar, a 24 fret ESP M series. With the help of a guitarist friend of mine I went from noobish to playing things that people I know that have been playing a decade can't pull off.

And here I am today, still trying to be better than I am. :P