Isn't anonymity wonderful? Here's the "more info" you wanted:

income: 55k
company size: 1000+ (non-tech)
goals: to become an uber-coder
background: social sciences, entirely self-taught with regards to technical skills

remember when you weren't the guru?

Yes, I remember this time well, it was only 9 months ago. I was at an Internet startup and surrounded by programmers everyday who knew a TON more than me. It was intimidating, and sometimes overwhelming, but at the same time I've never learned so much. I look back on it nostagically. I want to be in that situation again.

I would challenge myself based on others standards or requirements rather then my own.

There's no one on earth who could possibly challenge me more than I challenge myself. Trust me on this...way too much hubris bouncing around in my head. :)

Thanks