My point of view, is totally biased as I'm a total computer-geek, spending most of my spare time/interest in improving my computer knowledge...

Anyway I think that as long you keep the desire to become a perl programmer, as long as you learn (a monk said here something like 'as long as you stay a beginner') nothing will prevent you from becomming a good one.

The love of the well done job, and a lot of work are enough to become a good programmer, the humility to allways learn will enable you to stay a good programmer.