Dave, don't use more than 1 mini-lot $10,000 on a trade for at least a year and only use the daily charts to find entry and exit points.. otherwise you have no hope of success. It doesn't matter how bright you are.. Find the smartest guy in the world and tell him to hop in a helicopter and fly it without experience and he'll die just like everyone else. This is the greatest piece of advice you will ever get on this site.
This isn't an instructional thread though man.. there's a beginner's section where you can get advice while you're learning. You're welcome to come back and participate when you have a bit more experience and I wish you luck.