Maybe it's beginners "confidence", but I never took anything you said as fishing for compliments, or bragging, just a guy new to poker trying to make his way up/down the learning curve. I'm in the $5NL at party and at times I feel I have it all figured out, other times I get pawned by someone.

I feel like I've gone through about the same things you have, just far less eloquently. I also hear you loud and clear w/r/t keeping poker in perspective with the rest of your life. Something I struggle with as well, surprisingly playing online has completely cured my other habit of playing a different online game (mtgo). Go figure.

So, to keep from rambling, I hope you figure it out for yourself, and, more importantly, enjoy the ride.

Good luck.