Hey Dom, if your dream is to pursue music, by all means...DO IT! I quit my job as a machinist in '74 and fiddled more than anything, and I was a good studio/sessions drummer and I still am! I ended up going back to machine work and playing on the side. If you're serious, get real serious or drop it. If you're serious about being an engine builder or working in a serious race-type shop, pursue it. Whatever you do, get serious about it and pursue it at whatever the cost, whatever the sacrifice. Life's too short and shouldn't have any regrets about 'shoulda/coulda/didn't', that's a head game and don't do that to yourself! Nothing, but nothing speaks more than experience...been there, done it all! Best wishes to you...wb