As a level 73 priest, I agree. Nothing wrong with taking the game leisurely. There were some weeks when guildies thought I quit WoW simply because I wasn't around for such a long time, but sometimes work needs the focus. I think you're likely to take the game more leisurely if you play with real-life-friends versus 40 people you've never met.
And I agree about playing with real-life friends vs. online people. I took a two-year break from the game just because all of my friends dropped out for various reasons. Only just got back into it a few months ago to play with the family.
