Well, since I've been so welcomed on LBO, I'll chime in:
I'm a beginner. Picked it up about 3 years ago, and practice a few days a week for about an hour or so. It's all I have time for, unfortunately. On the plus side, it (the act of playing bass) as far exceeded my expectations and is one of the joys I have in my life. I don't read music, but I'm tenacious about trying to learn to play by ear. I took a half dozen lessons or so.
I really don't have any dreams of the next level, but I would love to, at least once, play bass along with some guys just having some fun and playing music together.
Ack