Music Theory/General Instruction Links
Check out that thread. It should contain links I'm sure you'd be interested in. You mentioned you don't know how long you can practice for so it's hard to determine what you can get in in your practice time.
As for scales, what I do when I practice scales is play each scale in 2 octaves up and down the fretboard. I've been inspired by a recent article in Bass Player (Sept. 2002 issue...you might want to check it out.) on practicing scales...at the same time developing your ear. It goes something like this, and I will use the C major scale as an example:
Start on the note C Say out loud, something like, 'starting on the 1st degree, which is C.' Play the note C, listening carefully at it's pitch. Then, when you have that pitch clear in your mind, sing it out loud. The continue: 'Ascending a major 2nd to the 2nd degree of the scale, which is D.' Now, it says to sing the note
before you play it. Concentrate on hearing the note in your mind. Then check the pitch you sang against the pitch you play. Continue this up the entire scale, 2 octaves if you can.
The articles also goes on more about different patterns you can do this exercise with. It's a worthwhile read.
Hope this helps,
Stephanie
PS: It would also be worthwhile to get a teacher sometime in between all that's going on, even if it's just a 1 hour lesson per month.
