OK, I'm going to throw out one more question for all you mechanics that have thousands of posts (Andrew has 15K+) and probably more hours wrenching - how did you get all your experience? I've wondered about this for years, and always assumed we have a lot of pro mechanics ringing in on the various threads.
do/did you work at shops?
fixing/modding your own bikes?
fixing other people's bikes?
flipping bikes?