What you described is the very essence of entropy as i understand it. Don't get me wrong, when I started I was doing the 12 hour a day grind 7 days a week. My losses/timeframe were very comparable to yours, maybe a month shorter time though. After most skills and all equip was gone I set the game aside for a long time. I decided to rethink my approach to the game and have done well for myself since. I don't hunt for globals anymore, notariety(sp?) means nothing to me these days. I quit my soc, though the people were great and fun, the competition over skills/status caused me to push my wallet further than I should. Plus I can be friends w/ anyone, soc or not. I changed my gear, I don't care what the biggest trox I can take down is anymore. SIB/maxed stats weapons are the one really good thing that's come from the whole (L) movement, due to efficiency of course. And I learned when to stop, there is no defeat in logging off. I don't presume to know anything, and there is no magic answer, everyone loses. I've been in the sinking boat you're in, I just hopped over to one w/ a smaller hole. Whatever your future in
EU brings, best of luck.
-Axe