Reply To: Who here is a musician?
I'm an amateur musician with what might be considered a lifetime of experience, though it wasn't as intensive as all that. I've just been continually involved in music in some way for most of my life.
Personally, I treat it as a hobby, but an essential one. I used to be learning instruments, specifically piano and trombone, but I fell out of piano and lost interest in band, favoring choir. In college I considered majoring in music, but when I realized I wouldn't have time for ANY other pursuits if I did, I quickly decided I wasn't insane enough (and that's saying something 
).
These days I have spent my time looking for the opportunity to join or create a singing group that fits my musical tastes. I've gone through a large number of community and school choirs that haven't quite fit. I expect I'll eventually get back into piano, since piano and guitar are the most useful instruments, and I already have a 6-year head start on piano (though I am out of practice…)