Improving as a player and taking up new games - what are your stories?

[FourKing Hell]

I initially posted this in the PLO forum because I was thinking about my own case, but then I realized it's much more widely applicable, and I'd love to get some input from any players, not just PLO. Here's the link:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1498888&page=0&view=colla psed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1

I'm warning you in advance, ít's long...