Thank you for the encouragement. I will spend more time on my hobby projects.

I have a lot of useful knowledge that I gained from my time in the technical trades school, as well as on the job. But sometimes I feel like I've hit a brick wall as well. For example the MSDN will tell me that it's more efficient to use class A rather than class B. Why? I don't know, I can't even begin to device tests for myself to find out if, where and when this is true. I just have to take whatever I find on the Internet as true. Sometimes it's frustrating. But then I still get the job done, so maybe it doesn't matter...?

Also, congrats your going back for religious studies. I did a 1 year theology certificate program between dropping out and programming. Really taught me lots I'll be thankful for all my life.