That ronsplooter has such Pinball ADD that he keeps changing machines so I always have new stuff to play when I visit him
The people that arrive first to shows to help set up, and never leave till the last machine is packed away.
Phil's Xmas Cracker
Drinking a shot whenever Wes says "FT"
The home mod scene, which is producing incredible innovations like the self colouring DMD, animation replacement software and the mini DMD Extender
This Photo:
http://www.pinballinfo.com/community/attachments/dsc02076s-jpg.1954/
This Photo:
http://robertwinter.com/pinball/eatpm/images/elvira_by_machine.jpg
The new look of this group
Grizz's Shack
Friends who aren't interested in pinball being blown away when you flick the power switch
That we had our own legitimately recognised and sponsered championship tourney this year, and it went really well.
But, at the risk I've derailed the OP's point:
I think any and all hobbies drift in and out of our hearts, I know my others have, such as photography, video games and the like.
I think a lot of hobbies are easy to lose a groove for, let alone ones that are as expensive, cumbersome and occasionally frustrating as pinball can be. This especially given that the scene is essentially weak in terms of things like bouncing prices, machines to go around, space required to operate, difficulty in obtaining parts and the constant, constant eye you have to keep open for repairs or dangers.
It also takes time, you can play a game in a few minutes (19 seconds in my case) but if a machine requires tuning before even that can happen, then you can be talking days to weeks before you can even get as far as playing a game.
Many of us also have families, full time jobs, chores to do at weekends, limited financial situations or weak technical know how. Put all the above together and it can be a dang hard hobby to behold and no-ones expecting *everyone* to keep their "mojo" going.
I think there's a good risk of burnout with pinball, sour deals or bad repairs, unwise impulse buys and good old fashioned bad playing periods can all contribute to this, but I do think its generally just a lost "phase" like Steve above says he went through then came out of.
So, though I wont pretend to know exactly what people like John, Jay, Dreads or anyone similar is feeling towards pinball, I'm sure that there's still that passion in you guys, you just need to wait till it slots naturally back into place, either through a show visit, a free weekend, or maybe just simply backing off and giving it some time whilst you concentrate on any other hobby you might have. Hope you guys get the kick back (KICKBACK!) into the game, I'm sure you will.
We all fall In And Out Of Love #bonjovi with things, hobbies, friends, partners etc from time to time, but usually, the passion is still there, it just needs some dang time off and space to breath.
No-one leaves pinball, surely?
one of us....one of us....one..
might just have found a way to get my Mojo back up and running. Moped about all morning and took the kids to the cinema. (some gibberish about 80s video games and unloved bad guys and then parents rushing their kids past the arcade bit of the complex). 
