I gave up on that

By another, you mean you have built one before? For what purpose, display or for kids to play on or what? My grandsons love everything about trains!

@Julie808 I won't buy one, it is the pride in building one that is key to me. yes I have built them, 7 1/2" gauge, built, run a few times, then on to the next project. I sold them and bought full size steam and diesel locomotives. Now I volunteer at tourist railways in the U.S. and Australia,

Al mismo a mi.

Are you doing this for exercise or to save the environment from car fuel emissions or why? I'm lucky enough to have a bike path outside my door, but I usually use it for recreational exercise and to clear my head. I know people who use a bike exclusively, and I admire that. I am not in a position to give up using my car, but am pretty good about using it sparingly.

All of the above.

I am not exactly a tree hugger but I realize that we are having a huge negative impact on our environment. Why not make a change that goes the other way.

Health. I am gaining weight and need to reverse that trend. I can feel how I am less healthy than I was 20 lbs ago. I want to get back down to about 200 lbs and then I will be happy.

Pleasure. I have ridden bike much of my life. Constantly as a child, and as a young adult in college, I parked my bike for nearly 5 years. I always estimate that I rode 20 miles a day, 6 days a week by way of saying that I did drive for grocery trips. However, the fact is that I ONLY drove for grocery trips or some such and most days when I did drive, I rode to school, work and then home... and sometimes out to a friends house after. I enjoy riding. I like the sounds and the smells (though I do listen to music while riding) and just being out and about. The control I have over my route that you don't have (as much) in a car. I even went on the Arizona Best Damn Bike ride and took the long route: 162 miles in two days. Was a hoot... though, I was sore after.

Lots of reasons. Mostly the health issue and to get back to my riding roots.

Mind if I ask what flavor of Masters?

Is there reason you can't take a long path and take a course here and there, SLOWLY working your way towards said degree?

@Gnarloc Social Work. I have thought about taking a course here and there, but even that its too overwhelming to think about right now. I am working as much as 70+ hours a week most weeks. I just don't think I can give it the attention that I would want to right now. I am actively looking for work elsewhere, and I hope that I find something soon. I would like to start taking classes in August.

@Gnarloc ... not that you asked, but I’d like the one at Augusta National.

Most of my Masters of Ed classes required reading, thought, discussion and some papers. The papers weren't that big of a burden. Certainly when you do the research part you'll need more time to dedicate. Caveat: I am an Electrical Engineer so I was surprised at how easy the papers were for me to write but I've always been well rounded in my scholarly pursuits. By way of saying, or asking, if you are NOT a natural writer, if you fight to write a three page paper, then add that grain of salt to this... but, please, don't doubt your ability. I know you can do this (If I could, anyone can).

My advice is to start researching a question you want to pursue as part of your degree. I was not very focused on that part and it added some stress to the process for me. If I'd clearly had that intent from the get go, the whole process would've been more focused and easier.

You -could- talk to the school about taking a speculative class here and there more as a point of developing that question to pursue in the future.

AFTER that experience, now I see good questions for research all the time. Simply didn't know how to see a good research question back then. That might sound odd, but until you've been through the process, there are nuances you just don't see... or at least, I didn't see them.

If you have any questions... I, and I am sure there are others, will be glad to answer.

@Gnarloc Thank you. I am not afraid of the work involved. I have always found writing papers easy, and I have always been a decent student. I have two universities in which I have interest. I plan on taking a few days off from work soon, and hopefully I will be able to figure out what I want to do.

I guess that is a distant goal.