Syntax is not problem anymore (well atleast not with Perl - but I keep putting $ in front of variables in other languages :)

I'll echo the comments about programming versus language, though; they're absolutely right. I think it's far better to have half a dozen Perl texts on my desk -- and to use them regularly while creating production code -- than it is to spend my waking hours mastering arcane syntax of things that <whisper> weren't implemented well</whisper>. Use your time to learn new methodologies. I've heard good things about Higher Order Perl, but the Net is full of articles about the concepts.

Of course - when I said learn perl to be a pro in it I actualy ment (Do What I Mean :) to learn new methodologies as there is absolutely no use to learn sytax of some rarely used things. I've also picked some books like Effective Perl (Free download) and few others like Perl Medic and Perl Debuged (I actualy never used Perl debuger yet) wich are on my to learn list.

And no I'm not from ex Soviet Union - but it's somewhat similar - ex Yugoslavia - Serbia (and Montenegro).

Could you please explain : "I'd take care, though, especially at your age, not to think that you have a plan that you can get comfortable with. " couldnt folow you on that ... to me it seems like code that need refactoring :) Altho it also seems like I'm getting to much used to direct and simplified (marketing) English.