WOW, it seems as though you started enjoying the franchise just as I did. I first saw the anime and I've stuck with it ever since. I still watch it and I've got to say, it has improved for Ash. I also collected the cards, but never understood the entire concept of the TCG. However, I too played real life Pokémon, along with things like real life Digimon and more, lol.
Wow, it was fun when I was so much younger.