How hard or difficult do you find it to lead this double life?
While I have been a hobbyist for only a short while, I have met some wonderful people and developed close friendships of both men and women.  In general I find providers and hobbyists to be mature, intelligent, well-mannered, worldly, great conversationalists and pretty good party animals.  
My "civie" friends, while also nice, seem to lack that spark of fun, or perhaps it is just my perception.  Given a choice, I would rather go to dinner with a few board members.

Thoughts?

It's been a little difficult and interesting. Difficult in the sense that I am hiding this life from civvie world- would be better if it was out on the open. With people the way they judge and view you, it is better kept closed. Interesting in the sense I have the opportunity to fulfill my fantasies and meet interesting people (I am also a newbie).

I've always been a shy person, but since I have seen a few ladies, getting to more comfortable around beautiful women.

I've been leading this "double" life (sometimes it feels like a "triple" life ) for so long that it's not really that big of a deal anymore.  At first, I made some mistakes and some aspects of it "slipped" but at this point, I keep them completely separate and it's really easy for me now.

I've also been around long enough to appreciate the true gems I've met (both men and women) in my "secret" life and to know when to keep the "poison pills" at bay.  Sometimes, it's just not worth getting to know someone since they can *really* bring you down and it bad ways.

I haven't developed friendships with all the ladies I've met but I'm at least casual buddies with a few.  Some I get along very well with but it's purely about the session.  We will laugh and chat and generally have a great time together but won't interact outside of a session at all and that's a-ok.  

Peace...

is not quite as difficult for me as it is for some. My only opportunities for playtime are when I travel, so the typical excuses that you have to come up with don't come into play for me. The downside is that I don't get to play as often as I'd like.