Hello. Thx for taking a look at my training journal.
I am rating slightly over 1500 uscf. I am 40 years old, adult learner who started playing tournament chess 4 years ago.

Short term goals: within 2 weeks:
1) tactics 5 days per week. 20-30 minutes per day. Primary source will be Rey Cheing's book and/or the tactics server. I plan to register at the tactics server, get a rating there, and establish a goal for rating and RD there as well. Will document all problems missed and review the missed problems once per week.
2) Review/annotate all games from last national chess tournament. Post one of the games on here
3) Make a chart of success in openings with all otb rated games played within the last year.
4) 3 games per wekk in Zurich 1953
5) Endgame: Review Rook vs Bishop and R+B vs R.

Long term goals.:
Become a master. No time line really. Probably within 5 years.
Play 10 rated games per year (minimum)
Finish with even score or better in state open in 2009
Defeat class B or above player or draw class A or above player in standard rated game in 2009.

If there is anyone who remembers what it was like trying to improve as an adult - and thinks their are some better goals or different goals I should consider, your comments are welcome. Thx

Books working on:
1. Tactics
* Practical Chess Exercises by Cheng
* My daily exercise: 365 tactical tests
* Chess Exam and Training Guide: Tactics by Khmelnitsky
2. Middle games or game collections:
*Zurich 1953- to review 3 games per week
*Aagard's Attacking Manual
3. Endgame
* 100 Endgames You Must Know by de la Villa
* Winning Endgames Just the Facts Lev Alburt
* Essential chess endings by Howell

well not quite keeping up with my tactics as much as I would like. Registered for tactics server. It is nice for getting in the rhythm and doing some quick and simple tactics. I would like some sound so that you can here when the move has occured. Also, I like how it trains your mind to be sharp, but I think I kind of prefer the depth of tactics seen in tactics books.
Last tournament finished with an even score and picked up a few ratings points. Hopefully I will get around to posting one of the games.

I started at age 24, so i guess i qualify as an "adult learner"

IMO you should aim for 40+ rated OTB games a year, each analyzed in excruciating detail. Make sure to do extensive analysis without Fritz/Rybka before checking with the machine (if you check at all).

If your location does not have local USCF-rated club tournaments, then join a "slow chess" league on FICS and make that count as your "official" weekly rated game, with a real board next to the computer. I think it's essential to play a lot of serious games which serve as a practical reference point. Otherwise all your learning takes place in a vacuum. GL

Hi

I have heard really good things about that one but I am wondering whether it's going to be too easy for me or not. How is it?