Wow... the firehose is in full spray mode today. First off, thanks to those of you who actually responded to my question and suggested books, sites, DVDs, etc. You've given me plenty to look into. I don't know if it's worth it to even mention it at this point, but here's a little more information. I didn't mention it earlier because I was trying to keep the post short and focused (not that it helped, with all the arguments about calc vs. stat I started!). I worked in IT for ten years doing everything from electronic form designs to help desk to network administration to database administration to network engineering to phone cabling to basic web design. Since I have the work background, I want a piece of paper to go with it. It's as simple as that. Well... that and I'd really like to finish a degree at some point in my life. Current degree program: Associates in Information Technology at a community college, all online. Reasons: 1) cost (not going to throw my money away on lower level courses) and 2) I live in Albania right now, and in Mexico before that (and who knows where in another couple years - my wife's job will move us every few years). So, access to English speaking tutors - limited; access to local college resources - very limited; access to good US libraries - none. I might go on to a bachelor in IT at some point, but at this point I just want to wrap up this degree. Am I willing to do the work and learn the material? Yes. I simply do not want to waste my time on entire semesters of material that I might be able to refresh myself on in a few weeks to a month. If I hit a spot where refresher material just isn't cutting it, I'll take a full course. I don't want to test out of calculus - I want to slay that particular beastie with my own two hands! I enjoyed math in grade school and high school. Who knows? Maybe I'll learn to enjoy math again and get a degree in it. And to respond to the "bag groceries" comment, been there, done that (worked six years in a grocery store after dropping out of college, also a car wash and fast food). :-)

My best prank was on April 1, 2002 (a Monday). The previous Saturday I got my hair cut shorter than usual, back to proper military standards. I also shaved the mustache I'd had the entire time I'd worked at that company (@ 8 months). I emailed my boss and another former military guy in IT and stated that I had re-enlisted in the Army National Guard over the weekend. I picked the week my boss was going to be on vacation for my "summer camp" and the following weekend, when we had scheduled work, for my first drill. The other guy guessed it right away and we played it up big time. The boss didn't figure it out. He came up to my cubical saying "ha, ha, very funny" and then stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me. Priceless. The other IT guy kept the joke going, getting a buddy of his to call my boss as a military recruiter confirming my employment. The boss went so far as to go to HR and ask if there was any way they could prevent me from enlisting. I finally broke the news to him late in the day, when I left early. :-)